As the Villainess Who Was Dumped, I Am Saved by My Childhood Friend from a Noble Family and Spoiled in the Frontier - Chapter 15

And then, the berry tart arrived.

A crispy pie crust beautifully decorated with strawberries and cranberries on top, filled generously with custard inside.

“It’s divine! The sweetness and tartness are perfectly balanced.”

“Yes, Lady Nina! Please try the tea as well! It’s also delicious.”

Urged on, I take a sip of the tea. After the wonderful aroma of the tea, the sweetness of fruit spreads through my mouth.

This is jam. It’s tea with jam in it!! And as a secret ingredient, there’s wine mixed into the jam. That’s why the aroma stands out so beautifully.

“It’s delicious. Such a wonderful aroma that fills the heart.”

“I’m glad to hear that. As the shop owner, that’s the highest praise.”

Standing behind us was Mr. Cranberry, smiling with satisfaction.

“So, this is tea with strawberry jam?”

“Yes, it’s how people from the cold regions of the northern continent drink it. In the extreme cold, it warms the body while providing valuable nutrition through preserved jam.”

“You’re quite knowledgeable, shopkeeper.”

As expected from a former bureaucrat of the margrave’s domain.

“You flatter me. Please take your time, refills are free for the first cup, so please relax.”

The shopkeeper leaves with a cheerful smile.

“What an impressive shopkeeper.”

“Yes, during his bureaucratic days, he was quite a capable financial official. My late father valued him highly. My brother also says ‘I wish Cranberry would return, but he seems satisfied with his current life so I can’t force him,’ with regret.”

※

“It was absolutely delicious, Cranberry.”

“Being praised by Lady Maria is Cranberry’s greatest happiness.”

I had asked Lady Nina to go ahead to the carriage, and was chatting with Cranberry while settling the bill.

“So, Lady Nina can laugh like that too.”

“Oh, so you knew after all.”

“Yes, I saw her several times when she accompanied the late lord to parties. Given our respective statuses, I never properly greeted her, but…”

“Lady Nina has been carrying a heavy burden for a long time.”

“Yes, that’s why seeing her laughing with Lady Maria like girls their age made me feel relieved.”

“Speaking of which, the jam in today’s tea was strawberry. It’s usually marmalade.”

“Do you know the language of strawberry flowers, Lady Maria?”

“No, I don’t.”

“‘I delight in you’ and ‘respect and love.’ I thought they were perfect words for the two of you.”

“My, what a thoughtful gesture.”

Saying this, I part ways with Cranberry.

The sunlight outside was dazzlingly bright, the sky clear without a single cloud.