Chapter 30: Little Pieces (2)

Her status was higher than the women of the country, she had an adorable appearance that made people was to protect and cosset her. She lived a life without any inconvenience. She had everything but she did not hesitate to strive for the heart of the person she wanted. Why did Rosemary's peach blossom laugh pierce the weak part of Amber' heart?

'Why don't we first finish the handkerchief and amaze him?' (Zuben: yes, let us amaze him with some cross-stitching)

'Yes, I will do my best. But Amber, I've messed up again.'

She said with a droop of her shoulders. Amber felt for the younger girl, and she put aside her work and went to sit near Rosemary and helped her detangle her knot.

They continued to work, not noticing the sun had gone down.

There was a knock on the door,

'Rosemary, I'm coming in.'

Ernest entered without gaining permission, but Rosemary did not mind,

'Hello, brother.' she said cheerfully, 'What has happened?'

Amber had begun to become accustomed to his handsome face from staring at him every night. But even though she was used to him, she found herself blushing because she remembered Rosemary's words.

Ernest walked up to his sister and held up a lovely parcel, 'A delivery from Sirius.'

Rosemary placed her embroidery aside and took the parcel.

Amber was familiar with the packaging. She watched as Rosemary opened the package and a sweet scent filled the room,

'It's from Florentin!' she exclaimed.

'I've heard that the bakery is popular in the city. He happened to be going by the store and bought it. Are you happy, Rosie?'

'I am! Very happy! I have to thank Sirius when I see him.' She replied with a blossoming smile.

As Amber smiled watching her, she remembered that the Florentin shop had a lot of customers queuing for the shop's baked goods. She knew this because the tailor who she sold her lace to was situated on the same street as Florentin, and Amber usually saw a long line of people outside.

Could Sirius have waited there to buy the cake for her?

If he had, it was rather different from the kind of person Amber had imagined he was. So although Rosemary was aware of his relationships with women, he may think of her differently. But it was hard to gauge the emotions of a person of different age and gender.

'I thought it smelled sweet, it made me crave something sweet.'

'Is that so? That's unusual for you, brother. Did Sirius also get you something from Florentin?'

'No, he did not. That is just for you.'

'Ah, so…'

'I have this with me.' Ernest said reaching into his pocket. His words induced a slightly unpleasant premonition. He pulled out the pretty sweets bottle from the pocket of his jacket. He took a sweet in the palm of his hand as Rosemary watched him puzzled.

'Ernest, those look like the ramune sweets you used to like to eat every day.' Rosemary said innocently.

Although it looked like simple sweets, they were a love potion, Amber thought. (Zuben: *facepalm)

Just before Ernest ate the sweet while staring directly at Rosemary, Amber rose from her seat and clung unto the sleeve of his jacket. (Zuben: Stop teasing the poor girl and tell her the truth)

'Ernest?'

He ate the sweet and turned to kiss Amber giving her a bit of the sweet.

Rosemary said something, but Ernest held Amber' slender waist with a self-satisfied smile on his face while Amber blushed furiously.

Whenever Ernest ate the sweet thinking it was just sweets, Amber remembered her sin. She still didn't understand why her chest hurt so much. However, the reason for this sadness did not reveal itself. Somewhere deep inside she didn't want to know.

She wondered, perhaps, if the shard of sweet he had given her would affect her.