~16~ Baking Muffins Again!

'As I thought, it's already been days however I kind of forgotten to give the young boy --- that we've saved in the market --- some freshly baked muffins that I've baked! Goodness! However, this time of the day, I'll eventually bake considering that I've never had time yesterday because I was engulfed with Sir Elphius' teachings about the myths of the eye colors. There was supposed to be time for me and Melly to learn baking, though'

Victoria sighed as her current lessons on the early morning with Elphius were done. All they talk about was the usual empire's history and etiquette. However, after Elphius had left, Victoria immediately heaved a sigh after remembering her situation yesterday. Though, she also is reminding herself of what supposed to come for the next days when weekend will arrive

'I just hope that this weekends and for the next week --- things will go normal and I hope that I've been making a lot of progress from running away on the original plot. I don't want to die a second time!'

With those thoughts, she finally decided to what to do for the time being. Since her lessons had already been finished in the early morning with her current old professor, she then firmly decided to head towards the kitchen

'This time I'll make sure that I'll not forget about the young boy that we've saved few days ago'

Then with that, she immediately heaved a sigh and walked towards the kitchen

"Good afternoon Greya!"

"Oh! Milady! Good afternoon! What can I do for you ---- wait don't tell me----"

Greya wasn't able to complete what she was saying when Victoria was smiling creepily at her --- more like smiling that had some meaning.

"YES! Yes Greya! We'll have to baked again this time"

"Oh! So you mean you wanted to bake for the knights that were training again, right Milady?"

"Well, that's one part of the reasons why"

Then before Greya could ask another question to Victoria --- the lady already moved towards the ingredients and started to hum her way and do what she was taught to. There, Greya was surprised that the lady already knew what she taught her for the first time.

'I'm quite surprised that the lady already knew of the baking process. Many other people there --- well not all but some had truly had a hard time coping and learning on baking but she just went inside this kitchen and started without asking for my help but rather granting her permission to bake at the kitchen! She's truly incredible in her own ways and I'm proud to say that I've taught her that'

Greya in response to Victoria's actions only shook her head and smiled genuinely as she went to her side and talked about the things on what the lady will be doing next

"Well, I guess these are enough for the whole knights?"

"Of course Milady, those are more than enough however, what are those doing there?"

Greya was pointing towards the separated muffins that had different shapes than the ones that were on the current trays

"Oh! That! well, let's say that I will give them to a very special friend of mine inside the market"

'Huh? Did the lady made any friend from the outsi----. Now, that I think about it, maybe Milady truly had made a friend in the market as she said. It's because after saying those, she immediately looked at those muffins and genuinely smiled. I know that the lady had a ---- well not quite good reputation on the noble society knowing that she --- no, the old her was so obsessive with the crown prince that any lady will be threatened. However, right now, she's changed and I know for sure that she's not into the crown prince anymore. Besides, if she's truly into the crown prince now then at the beginning of her --- waking up then she must blurt the crown prince's name but I never heard such rumors. Another, when she baked the muffins days ago ---- is she's truly into the crown prince then she'll never forget to send her freshly baked muffins to his highness --- but no. Also, if she's again truly into the crown prince like the old her then she must always visit him --- but again? The answer is no. she always went towards the market which is a pretty weird situation for me. However, when I saw her smile genuinely earlier then I'm no longer curious to who the person was --- as long as she's happy then I'm genuinely happy too for her'

"Greya! You surprised me! you've been smiling like that for a minute now! I can say that you're truly thinking of someone now, Yieeee!"

However, Greya couldn't immediately react because Victoria only assumed the wrong one.

'If you only knew what causes me to smile like this, Milady'

"Alright, I guess you also had someone you admired to, right?"

'As if you already red my mind then yes'

"…"

However, Greya didn't responded. Instead she only nodded shyly and smiled towards Victoria

"Well, don't worry --- of you need someone to talk to I'll always be here inside the household, Greya"

"Milady it's not lik---"

Greya wasn't able to continue what she was saying when Victoria cut her off

"Trust me, I'm more expert at that kind of situation"

Victoria went near Greya's ears and acted like unlady – like again which only made Greya blushed. Yet, what Greya thought after the lady had acted that way was unlikely of her. she was now feeling some heatwaves running towards her cheeks as she look towards the lady – who's smirking at her at the moment now.

'Goodness, what in the world is Milady thinking?! She's still a young lady but how could she think about "that!" wait --- did Melly taught her those kinds of things? Oh my goodness! Then why does it feels ho---'

However, even before Greya could finished what she was thinking Victoria again spoke cutting her off with her imagination.

"Well, if you say something to me like a crush with those knights then might as well I'll truly help you like what I'm planning with Melly and Sir Howald"

"Wait WHAT?!"

Greya unconsciously blurted out that made Victoria back away with a complete utter shock that made Greya immediately apologize

'Did I assume wrong this time? Well, to think about it completely, it's not yet time for the chef to fall in love with the knight. It's because in the original novel, Greya was destined to die a day after the crown prince's birthday and I don't want that to happen. As long as I know what the flow of the story then I know that I can prevent someone's death. That's why I wanted Greya to find someone in the knights while we deliver our muffins the other day. However, did I think about it way too wrong from the start then?'

"M-Milady! I-I apologize! I wasn't thinking straight that I unconsciously shouted the shock that I've felt towards what you said earlier"

'It's true because I was so shock with the words that came out of Milady's lips! First of all I don't ---- oh no! scratch that --- I never have any crush to anyone more like even a knight. Second, I was shocked at how the lady knew that there was something going on with Melly and Sir Howald that I wasn't even able to notice. Like what the hell is going on with the lady's mind right now? I just only hope it's for the good!'

"I understand Greya I think I just assume too much"

"Oh Milady with regards that I guess I gave you the wrong expressions, it's because I wasn't interested at someone right now"

"Truly! Then you should be Greya! You know how lonely it is to live without having someone to rely on!"

"…"

It's true for Greya because all her life she hadn't had someone whom could call her parents. She was abandoned early in life that she had no choice but to be taken in an orphanage. That's why she doesn't know what it feels like to feels a parent's love or even a sibling's love.

'I know what Greya had gone through her life because it was written in the original novel. She'll play the part of poisoning lady Victoria during the crown prince's birthday that's why she was executed immediately after days. that's the one thing I could never want Greya to experience. That's why I approached her and changed her point of view of what Victoria is now'

"Well, if that's so then worry not Greya no matter what life bring us through I as the lady of this house and your friend already will stay by your side. Just promise me you'll never leave us, alright?"

"…"

For a second, Greya couldn't and wouldn't answer Victoria's remarks because it's like the lady was giving an oath to her name already and it's only for the noble society to take that oath not with some commoner turned chef of a noble she is! Greya knew that, that's why she can't say anything about the lady

"M-Milady I-I----"

However before Greya could finish what she was about to say, Victoria made an adorable and lonely face to her

"Pretty please?"

"M-Milady you know that it's like an o-oath and it shouldn't be done like it's just something"

Greya immediately said that earned her a sigh from Victoria

"I know but I'm not making this as an oath like a noble --- I'm making this as an oath like a friend should be, Greya. Then will you promise me now?"

It took a great amount of second for Greya to answer

"A-Alright Milady"

"Yes!!! Oh and we should hurry up now for the knights to eat these muffins again"

"Well, they'll eventually be delighted again Milady"

"I just hope so, Greya! Oh dang! Melly hadn't been here again for learning how to bake!"

"Don't worry Milady I'll teach her during her free time"

"Then it's settled! I'm grateful for you again Greya!"

"As I said Milady, it's always my honor"