The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 35.1
“Just here.”
The moment the fork entered Prince Tarensiu’s hand, it looked like a toy meant for a child. Though it was originally a perfectly normal size for an adult to use.
Leslun shifted his gaze from the fork to the prince.
Prince Tarensiu had said he wanted cake. Flustered though he was, Leslun led him to a place he knew. Fortunately, he had memorized in advance where in the capital the famous cake shop was.
Luck was on his side. They arrived just in time for a fresh batch, matching the hours he had noticed when passing by before.
Behind Leslun, quite a few customers who had queued up turned away disappointed, empty-handed.
“It seems cake isn’t commonly enjoyed in the Kingdom of Vancor?”
It was merely a formal line, spoken to keep the conversation flowing.
Leslun believed that each nation had its own favored desserts, and respecting those traditions was enough. But the answer that returned was heavier than expected.
“Vancor doesn’t have enough wheat.”
At that, Leslun drew in a short breath.
A nation with a low self-sufficiency in wheat.
As a result, it had no choice but to rely on imports. A structure that made it difficult for patisserie culture to take root.
Though it was something he had researched beforehand, he had spoken without thinking, and now realized he had been inconsiderate. His heart grew heavy at the thought of having offended his counterpart.
He pushed the plate with the lemon cake toward Prince Tarensiu.
“This one is also delicious.”
Though his voice was quiet and calm, it carried a small sincerity—an attempt to make amends for his earlier slip.
“I see.”
The prince’s reply was short, but not mocking. Just plain. Still, Leslun felt the atmosphere lighten, if only a little.
“If I ever have the chance to visit the Kingdom of Vancor, I would like to try the apple mousse. They say with saffron and honey, it’s soft and sweet… I’m curious about the taste.”
At Leslun’s words, Prince Tarensiu’s tightly sealed lips opened.
“Apples are the best.”
Considering what might be left unsaid in front of that statement—it was likely that Vancor’s apples were indeed the finest.
The change of subject had the intended effect. The rigid air softened, and even the prince’s expression loosened.
Watching him silently eat slice after slice of cake, Leslun felt a small sense of relief. As if some of the weight on his shoulders had eased without him realizing.
“What flavor is this one?”
The prince set his eyes on another cake and asked.
“Ah, that is…”
For the first time, Leslun, who had thus far answered everything smoothly, found himself at a loss.
Truthfully, he had never eaten cake in this world either.
His family had never been wealthy, and during his time working in the Count’s household, the most he’d ever received was a few cookies. He could recall the memory of eating cake in his previous life, but the taste itself he could no longer remember clearly.
He tried hard to recover a composed expression.
“You should taste it for yourself.”
It was the only way to turn the situation. But the prince’s response was unexpected.
“Eat it.”
Prince Tarensiu’s curt words sounded like a command, but the way he slid the plate with the cake toward Leslun was almost gentle.
An awkward kindness, a mix of coercion and consideration.
Leslun glanced between the cake and the prince.
Without a word, the prince held out his fork. Leslun answered the prince’s steady gaze with a faint smile and politely accepted it.
“Thank you.”
Just as the prince had done earlier, Leslun gently scraped at the side of the cake with the fork. He hadn’t tasted it yet, but even from the softness felt through the fork, his anticipation grew.
Heart pounding with a faint excitement, he placed the small piece of cake into his mouth. Slowly, he chewed and savored it.
It was softer than he had imagined just by looking at it. Not a sharp sweetness that stung the tongue, but that was precisely why it suited him. The sweetness was subtle, yet the aroma spread richly.
For Leslun, his first taste of cake in this life was truly wonderful. They said some enjoyed it with jam, but it was plenty sweet on its own.
Regardless of how much he liked it, Leslun tried not to show any exaggerated reaction. Fidgeting in front of Prince Tarensiu was out of the question. So he gave only a calm expression of “not bad” as he paired it with his tea.
“You like it.”
The prince spoke, seeing the faint blush that had risen to Leslun’s cheeks.
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