The Divorcée’s Dessert Cafe
Chapter 2

Erin stood in the room she’d occupied for the past nine years. The furniture and luggage had all been removed, so it was completely empty now. However, it was astonishingly beautiful even in that state. Lily patterns had been inlaid into the marble floor, fancy golden ornaments lined the pale green walls, and a glittering chandelier hung from the ceiling. She would probably never return. This small, familiar space with all the furniture would no longer be part of her life.

She meant to leave the imperial palace today. I never fit in here from the start.

The place had originally belonged to the wife of the crown prince. Erin had lived there only because her husband, Duke Lebensberg, had been the emperor’s grandson and the successor to the throne. As a result, she had been the lady of the palace for nine years.

I never imagined I would live a life like this when I was younger.

Her father, the second son of Marquess Brisia, had once been an impoverished knight. He’d been thrown out of the family for marrying an immigrant baker. Meanwhile, her mother, who’d worked in a village bakery, had been from Erdan—a country in the north. According to the social system of the empire, she was of the lower class with no family or wealth. While nobody smiled at their relationship, the two of them had been very happy, and thanks to this fact, Erin’s childhood was also filled with lovely memories.

Like the baker she’d once been, Erin’s mother made food and sweet desserts every day. The young Erin liked to make cake and bread, so she helped her mother and learned to bake for fun. Every day, she joined her mother in a kitchen filled with white flour in the air to bake. She loved to watch the round dough swell up in the oven. She also found it fun to create rose petals with snow-white cream and use pungent cacao fruits to produce dark chocolate.

“Erin, you have a gift!”

Her mother took out the tray containing the small scones that Erin had made from the oven and gave her a piece. She took a bite, and the hard-looking scone broke apart without resistance. The soft bread melted on her tongue, spreading the scent of butter through her mouth. She scarfed down a scone in a hurry.

Her mother smiled at her and whispered, “This is a secret. Those of us from Erdan, we have more sensitive taste buds than the people of the empire.”

“Really?”

“Yes. That means you’ll be able to make some lovely cakes as well.”

“Yes! I’m going to be a baker, too, one day!” Erin said, nodding with a happy smile on her face. “I want to have a shop of my own one day, filled with cake.”

Nurturing this dream, she studied. She also made sure to learn how to bake cakes and make snacks when she had the time. Her life wasn’t affluent, but it was simple and happy.

This happiness evaporated, however, when she turned nineteen.

Her cousin, who’d been Marquess Brisia, died that year from a carriage accident. Her uncle, who had been the previous marquess, had led a life of debauchery and died from an illness long ago. The only child he’d had was her cousin, who never had children of his own. There was no one left in the house who could be the heir, and as a result, her father accepted the title of marquess.

Her father, a poor knight, and her mother, a baker, became marquess and marchioness overnight. Thus, Erin became a marquess’s daughter. This was an extreme hike in status for the ordinary family, but the reality wasn’t as rosy as this might suggest. The house was on the verge of ruin.

Instead of having a life worthy of nobles, we entered into debt.

Her father was a marquess, but he became even more destitute than when he’d worked as a knight. While he was promoted to senior commander on the basis of his new title, his pay was not enough to even put food on the table. If her father had been a little more level-headed, they could have overcome poverty. House Brisia was a meritorious and prestigious house that had contributed to the founding of the empire, and Erin, the only daughter, was the heiress. Anyone who married her would become Marquess Brisia in the future. Despite all the debt in the family, there were plenty of wealthy men willing to buy the name and title. However, her father refused all such requests.

“We will not sell you for money.”

While she was grateful for his affection, Erin had started to think she needed to marry a rich man to pay off the family debt. At this rate, they would go bankrupt, and all three of them would be sold off as slaves. That was when the marriage proposal came from the imperial palace. There was no reason whatsoever to refuse. Erin accepted the duke’s proposal to be of help to her family. She didn’t think she would ever regret her decision. With the handsome, affectionate duke, she would live a happy life and also help her parents.

Sadly, that was what she had truly believed at the time.

Erin looked around the room one last time, steeping herself in nostalgia, when a sniffling noise beside her interrupted her thoughts.

“Don’t cry, Melly,” she said.

“Yes. Yes, Your Highness,” said a small lady-in-waiting with light brown hair, who quickly ducked her head and wiped her tears. Melly was in charge of drinks in the palace.

“I’m no longer a duchess. Just call me by my name.”

Melly teared up again. She had too many freckles on her nose, but she had quite a cute face.

Erin smiled, approaching her and giving her a handkerchief. “Thank you for everything. Your coffee and tea were fabulous.”

Ever since coffee had been imported through the southern coast, the demand for it had grown, centered on mostly the nobility. The imperial palace had attendants and ladies-in-waiting who were in charge of only making tea and coffee.

Melly asked bravely after some hesitation, “L-Lady Erin, c-could you take me with you?”

“What?”

“Well... if you will hire me... as your lady-in-waiting...”

Erin thought she could tell what she meant. Melly was close to Erin because she often called her in to talk about tea. Soon, this palace would be inhabited by another owner, and Melly would find herself in a troubling position if she stayed.

Well... this is worrying.

Erin would have liked to take her, but she wouldn’t be able to afford a lady-in-waiting for some time. If she were to set up a shop and start her business, she would have to make the most of the dowry she got back, and even then, it would not be enough. Left with no other choice, she was about to refuse when there was a knock at the door.

A middle-aged noblewoman with an irritable appearance marched in without waiting for permission. She was Madam Blennon, the head lady-in-waiting of this palace. Without bothering to greet Erin, she said in a commanding tone, “Miss Erin, you need to pick up your pace. The ladies-in-waiting are waiting for you to leave so they may start cleaning.”

As soon as Erin and Raymond married, he had brought his mistress, Serena, to the palace. He seemed to think there was no longer any need to hide her, so he didn’t even bother to conceal the fact that she was his lover, keeping her in his palace. He also had her entered in the registers of House Blennon, a family that served him, as a relative, effectively turning her into a count’s daughter.

Serena was originally the daughter of a low-ranked noble—a newly appointed noble, at that—and wouldn’t have been able to even come to the imperial palace with her past rank. This Madam Blennon was from the same family, which meant she supported Serena while hating Erin. For the past nine years, she had harassed and tormented Erin no matter what she did. Whenever there was an event in the imperial palace, she had watched her to make sure she didn’t spend a single gold coin more than the past empresses had. The moment something went wrong in the imperial palace, no matter how small, she had exaggerated the incident and spread rumors that it was Erin’s fault.

Even so, Erin had not gotten angry. She had been patient with the woman. This marriage had allowed House Brisia to pay off its debts and secure a regular income, and both her mother and father could live easy, comfortable lives because of it. They told her not to hold back on their account, but Erin believed it was more than enough that her family no longer was plagued by debt.

What was more, this marriage had been the request of the emperor, no less. No matter how difficult the going got, Erin couldn’t be the first to demand a divorce. The most she could manage was doing her best in whatever role she was given and being careful not to attract criticism.

Her husband was living with a mistress in his own palace, while the nobility mocked and disdained her for being raised among the common folk. Still, she’d had no choice but to endure. And endure she had.

But that’s no longer necessary.

Her father had volunteered for a dangerous battle, unable to bear the scorn his daughter was being subjected to and eager for some accomplishment that would allow him to climb the social ladder. He’d believed that a higher rank would somehow help Erin. As a senior commander, he defeated the enemy and led his men to an astonishing victory after some grueling effort. As he’d wanted, he received a medal for his victory and became a hero.

But he didn’t make it back alive. Her mother, left alone, had battled a sickness and died not too long ago.

I wanted to make them happy through my sacrifice. But her choice, made in the pursuit of happiness, had brought everyone nothing but misfortune. Regret had washed over her after she’d lost both her parents. I’m going to live a different life from now on. Until the end, her parents had wanted her to have freedom and satisfaction in life. It was time to give them their wish.

Erin smiled and said without hesitation, “Did you come in here just to tell me that? Don’t you worry. I’m leaving right now.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Didn’t you hear me? I’m leaving.”

Madam Blennon flinched at the confident and mocking tone. Wh-what? Why is this idiot of a duchess so outspoken today?

Those who didn’t know Erin very well described her as a villainess who pretended to be modest while cheating on her husband. But Madam Blennon knew better, having seen the duchess from up close. There wasn’t a mean bone in Erin’s body. She was, put nicely, quiet and gracious—but frankly, she was a gullible woman. She had always focused on doing her own work and ignored any insults that came her way. She smiled like a fool and repressed her emotions even when her husband snubbed her and the nobles laughed in her face.

People cursed her, saying even that was a fake facade, but Madam Blennon disagreed. Erin was simply a feeble-minded woman.

Hmph. She’s probably angry because she’s about to be thrown out.

Madam Blennon repressed a disdainful laugh and raised an eyebrow when she found Melly standing to one side.

“What do you think you’re doing here?”

“I... I wanted to say goodbye to Her Highness... I mean Lady—”

Madam Blennon slapped Melly on the cheek before she could even finish. Melly tottered, unable to even scream. The woman smiled with satisfaction as she pulled her hand back. She’d never liked this tiny girl for being so close to the duchess.

“Who said you could come in here without permission?”

“I... I didn’t...” Melly teared up, a hand on her cheek. A red hand mark had formed on her pale face.

“Get out! Right now!” Madam Blennon all but screamed at her.

Erin, who’d been watching all of this unfold, took a step forward.

“Madam Blennon.”

Madam Blennon turned to look at Erin and was surprised once again. Erin had always been quiet and reserved, but there was assurance and calmness in her that had never been there before.

She spat with a cold smile, “As of today, you’re released from the post of head lady-in-waiting. Pack your things and get out, just like me.”

“Wh-what?” Madam Blennon stared at her blankly.

Erin grinned. “Didn’t you hear me? You’re fired.”