The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 142

Chapter 142: A Farewell Night

I sent the children back to the village in the horse-drawn carriage before sunset, and after dinner, Cedric finally returned to the lord’s mansion.

Although the mansion had several magic stone lamps, it was generally customary in this world to start activities when the sun rose and go to sleep when the sun set. The servants had already gone back to their quarters, and Serleine and Simon had long since retired to their rooms.

Marie and I were waiting for Cedric in the kitchen, sipping tea. He seemed to notice that we were waiting for him, and the earnest knight bowed deeply.

“I apologize for returning so late.”

“It’s fine. You must be hungry, you didn’t eat dinner. I’ll make something quick.”

“No, I couldn’t possibly let you go through that trouble…”

“I didn’t eat much at dinner, and now I’m starting to feel a little hungry too. It would be nice if you two would join me.”

“I’d love to.”

Marie immediately agreed, and Cedric didn’t protest further.

Cedric would probably leave Enkar tomorrow.

I felt it would be too sad to fall asleep without seeing him and say goodbye to him in the morning. Marie seemed to sense my feelings.

“Should we make French toast?”

I could have made something more filling, but I took out leftover bread from dinner, eggs, milk, and sugar.

“It’s easy to make. You just need bread, milk, eggs, and sugar. You can even make it by eye. It’s a luxurious treat if you bake it in lots of butter.”

I dissolved the sugar, shaved with a chisel-shaped tool, in slightly warmed milk, then added the beaten eggs and mixed them until they were uniform. I dipped the bread in the mixture, turning it over to make sure both sides were soaked.

“Heat the frying pan, melt some butter, place it on a damp cloth for a while to cool, and then bake the bread.”

“Why do we place it on a damp cloth? You just heated it up, it’s going to cool down.”

“The frying pan is more likely to stick if you don’t heat it up first, but if the temperature is too high, the bread will bake unevenly and the finish won’t be as nice. You can skip this step if you don’t care about looks or if it’s okay for it to stick a little, but wouldn’t it be nice to have it turn out perfectly?”

In this world, without Teflon coatings, people use iron frying pans. Heating it up first is usually a basic step, but it has the unavoidable drawback of being prone to sticking.

Not just for French toast, but for other baked goods cooked in a frying pan, like pancakes or crêpes, cooling down the pan with a damp cloth reduces sticking and uneven baking that produces bubbles.

As I placed the bread in the pan, the sizzling sound of cooking filled the air, followed by the sweet aroma of baking bread. I turned it over after baking it thoroughly on low heat, and the bread, which had been golden, was now a beautiful mix of golden and caramel colors.

Marie made tea while I was baking the three portions, and we sat down together. It would be even better with powdered sugar, but this time, we added extra sugar to the egg mixture.

I cut up the French toast and took a bite. Perhaps it was because we used fresh milk and eggs, it had a rich flavor and a delicate butter aroma.

“Hmm, it’s delicious.”

I nodded, and they both quickly cut up the bread and took a bite. Marie’s face brightened, and Cedric let out a deep sigh.

“All desserts made with eggs and milk are delicious, but this is something special. The buttery flavor goes so well with it.”

“The milk from the north is thicker than milk from warmer areas. It’s rich and delicious.”

“Even though the other ingredients are the same as milk shake, the addition of butter really changes the flavor.”

“It’s almost the same ingredients as pudding, but this is more filling.”

Marie and Cedric both spoke at once, seeming to recall the desserts they had made before.

“Most of the sweets I know are made with eggs, milk, and sugar. There’s something called bread pudding, which uses the same egg mixture as this one but with more liquid, and it’s baked in the oven. That’s delicious too.”

“It’s hard to ignore the thought of that, even though we’re eating something this delicious.”

Cedric murmured this as he took a bite of the French toast.

“I was very surprised when Lady Melfina made white sauce the first time I came to the lord’s mansion. But now I’m so used to milk dishes and desserts.”

Marie’s low voice made me remember that day.

Originally, Enkar had very few cows that produced milk. But being able to freely use eggs and milk was a very luxurious thing in this world.

We were able to increase the number of livestock, such as cows, chickens, and pigs, to increase fertilizer, and we now have a plentiful supply of materials, which can be used to make cheese and processed products.

Sugar, a precious commodity that even nobles couldn’t easily use, is now a staple ingredient for our late-night snacks.

In just over a year, things have changed so much.

Much of that is due to my knowledge, but those who helped me were Marie and Cedric, who came to the lord’s mansion with me that day, and also Rad, Cliff, and Ed.

If any of them had been missing, things wouldn’t be the same today.

“Sugar is still hard to come by, but I think we’ll be able to get sugar from the north in a few years. I’m also working on improving the varieties to make production smoother. It won’t be long.”

Cedric would sometimes help with cooking, and with his skill, he could handle anything. If it’s something as simple as this, he could easily replicate it after seeing me make it once.

He will be wealthy financially if he inherits the earldom, and I think it would be good if he could have access to sweets, even in the capital, by having a certain amount produced.

If he inherits the title and becomes the captain of the Knights Order, he will undoubtedly lead a busy life.

And the memories of this past year and a half will fade away, overshadowed by his encounter with Maria.

I hope that Cedric, who loves sweets, will make this dish from time to time, wherever he is, and remember Enkar. It’s probably just my selfish ego.

As we finished the French toast, we continued to chat, revisiting our memories.

When we were almost done, Cedric said quietly.

“Marie, could you leave Lady Melfina and me alone for a bit?”

Marie didn’t answer immediately, but she nodded, saying that it was fine if he stayed by the door. Then, she quietly rose from her seat.

After Marie left the kitchen, Cedric straightened up and turned to face Melfina.

“I’m leaving for the capital tomorrow.”

“…Yes, that’s best.”

Since the royal summons was delivered by an official decree from the royal family, it’s best to go as soon as possible.

The Carlisle family must be in turmoil after losing their head of the household and heir. Cedric’s arrival will surely reassure his remaining family.

“Lady Melfina, are you familiar with Julius’s condition?”

“What?”

I was startled by the sudden change of topic, but Cedric’s expression was serious.

“…I know. When Julius first arrived in Enkar, we happened to bump into each other in the kitchen, like this. That’s when I heard about it.”

He’s referring to how Julius had to sleep for long periods as a child because he had too much magic inside him. Although he can stay awake longer now that he’s grown, his sleeping time will eventually increase again, and the day will come when he’ll fall asleep and never wake up.

Cedric nodded and paused, choosing his words carefully.

“I asked Julius if he wanted to come back to the capital with me, but he refused. He didn’t say it directly, but he wants to stay in Enkar… by that girl’s side, as long as possible.”

“…Yes.”

Julius has been having fun since he settled in Melto Village.

He protects the village, plays with Rena’s younger sister Sara, and has gained the trust of Nid and Eli.

It’s obvious that he wants to stay in Enkar.

But since he’s also a target to be conquered, he’ll inevitably return to the capital sooner or later.

The same goes for Serleine, who also wants to stay in Enkar.

One by one, the people I’ve become close to are leaving this place. It’s something I can’t control.

“I doubt the Ivory Tower will leave Julius alone for that long. They’ll eventually send someone to forcibly bring him back. I’m going to do everything I can to stop that in the capital.”

“Cedric?”

My heart sank at the gloomy prediction, but Cedric’s words surprised me. I lifted my gaze from the floor, and Cedric nodded.

“He’s always been a man with nothing since he was a child. I worried about him, sometimes even got angry at him, because he wouldn’t even pity himself. Now that he’s found someone he wants to stay with, I want to give him as much time as possible.”

Cedric gave a faint, almost bitter smile.

“I’m envious of him for being able to stay here. I always wanted to be like that.”

“…Cedric…”

I can’t tell him not to go.

And Cedric can’t tell me that he doesn’t want to go to the capital either.

As a noble, it’s practically a duty to inherit his family and continue his bloodline.

Melfina was forced to marry Alexis, whom she had never met, because of her father’s orders.

That’s how nobles are.

“…My brother already has a wife and a son. When that child grows up, receives his appointment, and inherits the Carlisle family, will I be able to come back here then?”

Cedric said this calmly, almost pleadingly.

“My brother’s wife is a woman of suitable status, and my father was strong and healthy, so he should have been the guardian until his nephew came of age and inherited Carlisle. If I inherit the earldom directly, it could lead to the family’s downfall.”

It means that from the perspective of his brother’s wife’s family, who should have been the rightful heirs, Cedric could become a political enemy.

It was painful to think about this, especially after he just lost his father and two brothers.

“I might have to find a suitable woman to marry in the capital, or maybe there will be a push to have my brother’s wife become my wife. But I don’t think it would work out. I know I’m not very adaptable, and I’m sure I would make both my nephew and my sister-in-law unhappy.”

“Cedric…”

“Besides, I can’t forget what you said, Lady Melfina, about wanting to be happy with everyone here. I don’t know how long it will take, but I want to make this my home, my place to return.”

Cedric’s complicated situation would be resolved if he were to marry Maria.

He could even build a new country, as the first Francesca royal family did, not to mention becoming the captain of the Knights Order.

If he could marry the woman he loves and solidify his position, he would never need to return to this remote corner of the land.

“…You’re being foolish. You’ll become a Baron. You can’t make that kind of promise.”

“When I return to the capital, I’ll serve the king as part of the Royal Guard. But my lord… my light… is already you.”

His voice was quiet but firm.

Cedric will meet Maria in the capital and fall in love.

It will be a love he dedicates his life to.

He’ll probably forget about the year and a half he spent in Enkar.

“…Well, if you haven’t changed your mind then, come back.”

My voice trembled a little. I clenched my fist on my lap and forced a smile.

Even if things go according to plan, it will take a long time for Cedric’s nephew to receive his appointment and inherit the title.

I didn’t want to see a sad face, even though I didn’t know if I would see him again in ten years or even longer.

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Then, I will definitely return someday.”

Cedric’s voice was filled with conviction.

A knight’s job is dangerous, not only fighting monsters but also dealing with nutrition and diseases, so this world isn’t as easy to survive in as my past life.

Cedric knows that better than anyone.

Even so, I felt him saying that he would definitely come back here.

I don’t know what the future holds.

I’m sure there will be more sad goodbyes to come.

But right now, I can feel Cedric’s sincere wish to return here someday.

Those feelings warmed my heart, which had been frozen by a cold premonition.