Dear Ex-Fiancé, I Hope You Regret Everything - Chapter 38

Today is Lord Nia’s wedding.

(How calculated.)

While overlapping celebrations are joyous, they also increase the burden on participants with preparations and gifts, so they’re not particularly favored.

“Perhaps we should have postponed our wedding until next year or later?”

Even Lady Iris was troubled by this. Lord Skyford, unusually, scolded her.

“You’re being too considerate. We were the ones who proposed the date first and received permission. I’ll have a word with Nia about this.”

Thus, despite it being a celebratory occasion, Lady Iris boarded the carriage with a dejected expression.

“Now, now, you’re ruining that pretty face of yours.”

“Stop it, please!”

Her cheeks were squished, and she flailed in protest.

I worried that her carefully applied makeup might smudge, but given how close they are, it’s not my place to comment.

Lady Iris, who plans to open a cosmetic shop soon, was wearing the eyeshadow and eyeliner she used at her own wedding.

From her richly colored eye palette, she had chosen an elegant purple that gives off an exotic glow.

The long-lasting eyeliner in gray-brown gently accentuates her eyes. Another shade not found in Haira.

Knowing that the country of Ushina has such wonderful cosmetics makes me eager to see their market for myself.

I’ve always loved cosmetics, after all.

“Well, I’ll be off now.”

“Have a safe trip.”

I bowed and watched the carriage slowly depart.

Well then, perhaps I’ll take a short break, I thought as I started walking, only to be stopped by Mr. Rannai.

“Ah! Miss Fonmi, have they already left!?”

“Yes, was there something you needed?”

“Ah… I wanted to show them a prototype.”

“They’ve gone to attend Lord Nia’s wedding today.”

He slapped his forehead with a thwack. It startled me a bit.

“Um… Miss Fonmi, are you busy?”

“Ah, no. I was just about to take a break.”

“Perfect timing! Please try this for me!”

“This is…?”

He handed me a small jar with cute labeling.

“I don’t drink tea, so I can’t really tell. But Lady Iris had the idea to float flavored rock candy in tea. It hasn’t been going well, but I managed to get the shape right. I just need some feedback on the taste.”

“This for me?”

“Since you’re here, why not try the prototype by putting it in your tea?”

I had heard they were developing something called “candice”—sugar for tea. It’s good that business is thriving, but I know Lord Skyford has been sulking because of how busy they’ve been.

(For a prototype, isn’t the labeling and wrapping a bit too cute? It looks like a gift.)

I stared at Mr. Rannai. He’s probably in his forties, but his long life on the run makes him look a decade older.

(…Silly me. What am I thinking?)

I couldn’t see inside clearly, but when I shook it, it made a faint clatter.

Mr. Rannai was beaming.

I gripped the jar tightly.

“…Would you like to have tea with me?”

“Eh? No, no, no! I don’t really drink tea.”

“But if you’re going to sell it, shouldn’t you understand it properly?”

“Guh… You’re as sharp as ever, Miss Fonmi.”

“Pardon?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

While I prepared the tea, Mr. Rannai seemed restless and uneasy. He described the tea as having “a strong floral scent that tickles the nostrils—something I haven’t felt in a long time.”

Somehow, I found that description rather endearing.

“So, how should I use this?”

“Scoop it with a spoon. Let’s see, try about two spoonful’s in your tea. Adjust the amount to your liking.”

When I opened the lid, I saw a vibrant magenta syrup.

“Is ‘candice’ a syrup?”

“Try dipping the spoon in a bit deeper.”

When I slid it in, clink—it hit something.

Scooping it up revealed.

“Small, but rose-shaped rock candy?”

So that’s what was making the clattering sound.

“It’s beautiful…”

“It could’ve been square or round, but I thought Lady Iris might like it so I secretly made it flower-shaped.”

His grinning face looked so boyish.

(But this…)

The rock candy soaked in syrup had turned a lovely pink, sparkling like beautiful roses wet with morning dew.

It felt almost wasteful, but I dropped it into the tea. Over time, it lost its shape and eventually vanished.

That fleeting beauty seemed to make teatime feel even more luxurious.

“Amazing…”

“Wait, the real amazement comes after you drink it.”

“?

It’s just colored sugar in tea. What could be so amazing about it?

The moment it slid down my throat, I was enveloped in an unprecedented sensation.

“Is this… raspberry!?”

“Yep. We imported raspberries from Isac and simmered them with sugar to make the syrup. Glad it turned out tasty.”

(How elegant and luxurious…!)

Mr. Rannai also took a sip of tea and nodded. He must have been pleased with how it turned out.

That made me wonder.

Was the path he walked really just a harsh life on the run? How can he create something so delicate and beautifully moving?

“Genius! You’re a genius, Mr. Rannai!”

(Oh no, I shouted…)

Embarrassed by my lack of decorum, I covered my mouth.

Then, I firmly closed the jar’s lid and returned the prototype to him.

“Thank you for the treat. It was delicious, truly. Once it’s on sale, please let me buy it with my own money.”

But Mr. Rannai pushed the jar back toward me.

“I want you to have it. As thanks for your feedback.”

Scratching his cheek awkwardly, he was, after all, a clumsy craftsman.