The next day, Toto came to the Sinope mansion in person, carrying a carrot cake.
"Hello!"
When the butler heard that a guest had arrived, he came out and greeted Toto.
“Toto, you are here. The young lady was going to go to the store herself anyway.”
"The shop will be busy with customers. So, yeah, I baked a cake for the Young Lady personally."
“Can you skip the store today?”
"I left it to Sally. She's been working with me since we opened, so I'm sure she'll do well on her own."
Sally was Toto's longtime friend. Everyone assumed they would eventually marry, but they seemed unaware of their mutual love.
“Is the young lady inside?”
Toto's heart swelled with excitement at the thought of seeing the young lady again after so long. Most of the young men in the neighborhood had probably had a crush on the young lady at least once in their childhood.
Although he doesn't have any feelings for her now, he couldn't help but feel excited because it was a childhood memory.
“Yes, her husband and the lawyer who will help you with your business are here too.”
The story that Pete had studied law was distorted, and soon people began to think that he had a background as a lawyer.
“I heard her husband is here, too?”
Toto didn't hear the lawyer's arrival. Only the loud, emphatic announcement that Emily's husband, the Marquis Starr, had arrived.
"Didn't you say her husband was a mafia member? I'll just go back to the store."
In peaceful Sinope, the mafia was a rare sight. So, the mafia's presence, something Toto only imagined in his head, was bound to be even more terrifying.
"I was worried at first, but the more I see him, the more I realize he's a good person. Don't be too afraid."
“Hmm, really?”
“That’s right. You have no idea how much he cares for the Young Lady.”
“That’s really reassuring.”
Toto, encouraged by the butler's words, followed him inside.
As it happened, the three of them had just finished eating breakfast, so they were sitting on the salon sofa chatting.
The butler knocked on the living room door to announce Toto's visit.
“Miss, Toto baked the cake himself.”
“Oh my, Toto himself came? Come in.”
Toto, who entered the room, closed his eyes for a moment as if he was dizzy by the scenery inside the room.
“Toto, what’s wrong?”
Emily asked him worriedly, wondering if he had become anemic from overwork recently.
“The sight of your faces is so dazzling that I can’t open my eyes.”
"What?"
Killian and Pete, who were on the right, looked at him as if they were looking at a strange creature.
The butler added an explanation as if he understood.
“This tip also had a big influence on the success of Toto’s store.”
“I’m saying it’s not a joke.”
Toto said, feeling wronged. "Do I look like the kind of person who would act like a brat in front of the mafia?"
“Come sit here for now. It’s been a while, Toto.”
Emily called him to the sofa in the middle.
“Yes, Miss. I’m glad to see you in good health.”
Toto sat down on the sofa, smiling again. The young lady he hadn't seen in a long time was still angelic and kind.
He turned his head to greet the people who came with the Lady.
He had heard a general idea of what the mafia was like, but this was the first time he had seen it firsthand.
If the people in his imagination had scars on their faces, were unkempt, and not properly dressed, he might have been scared.
But the Marquis Starr seen in front was exceptionally handsome, and his behavior seemed well-mannered.
Above all, isn't this the person who came to help me?
Toto was a little intimidated by Killian and Pete's size, but after hearing the butler's explanation a little while ago, his fear had subsided a lot.
“I heard you came to help me. Thank you.”
“I came here to help Madam, not you.”
Toto apologized with an embarrassed smile at Pete's sharp remark.
“I was rude. I apologize.”
'Rather, that so-called lawyer seems more murderous than the Marquis Starr.'
Emily said, pointing to Toto's cake.
“Is that the famous Toto’s carrot cake you brought me?”
"Yes, that's right."
The butler extended his hand.
“Give it to me. I’ll cut it for you.”
He took Toto's cake, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and distributed them to each person on a plate.
Emily, who loves desserts among the three, was the first to try the cake and exclaim in admiration.
“This is the most delicious cake I’ve ever had!”
“It makes me really happy to hear you say that.”
Toto wasn't surprised by that. He'd heard that level of praise before. Despite the cake's short shelf life, so many people were eager to buy it that he even set a limit on the number of items per person.
On the other hand, Killian and Pete's expressions didn't change much while they were eating.
“Is carrot cake originally just cream cheese flavored?”
Pete, who doesn't really like desserts, said as he munched on the cake.
“It does have a high proportion of cream cheese, but... hmm, it just tastes like cream cheese?”
When Toto looked disappointed, Emily quickly explained it to him.
“That’s because he doesn’t enjoy desserts.”
Emily took another big bite of cake to make Toto feel better.
"The sheet has a chewy and moist texture, just the right amount. The cream cheese is chewy. It's not too sour, and the milk flavor is rich and savory. Did you cut the carrots into large pieces on purpose? They're really delicious."
Killian found it both cute and fascinating to see Emily diligently giving her tasting notes.
“How about you?”
Then, Emily spoke to Killian with eyes full of anticipation. Embarrassed, he swallowed the remaining cake before answering.
“It’s delicious.”
“Just it?”
She blinked as if to ask him to say more.
Killian was lost in thought, wondering, 'What should I say next?' under her passionate gaze.
“I like the subtle cinnamon scent.”
A look of satisfaction appeared on Emily and Toto's faces, as if they had answered correctly.
Of them, only Pete frowned at Killian, looking at him strangely.
The butler skillfully brewed the tea and set it next to the cake.
“This goes well with our strong Dazzling Tea. I’ll serve you some tea as well.”
The dazzling tea cleaned up the remaining sugar in your mouth.
“Toto, a cake this good would be a success even in the capital. Thank you for staying in Sinope.”
Toto kept rubbing the back of his neck, embarrassed by Emily's praise.
"I like living here, so I don't really want to go to the capital. And since I'm staying in Sinope, even the young lady, the lord, is stepping in to help with my business."
As he said that, Toto thanked Killian and Pete once again.
In a friendly atmosphere, a servant came to see Emily.
“Miss, Baroness Roman has something to tell you.”
“What’s the matter?”
“I think the Baroness Roman is planning to throw a small tea party while you're here, and would like to discuss the number of guests.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Emily excused herself for a moment and left the room with the butler.
As Emily left, a deep silence fell between the remaining three.
Toto glanced at the remaining cake.
There were still three pieces left, but he didn't want to offer them any. He felt it was a waste to give his cake to someone who didn't even know the true meaning of dessert.
'What's Sally doing? She must be very busy right now. She must be cussing me out a lot.'
When he got back today, he was thinking that he should stop by Sally and give her a shoulder rub.
"Hey."
Pete called out to Toto, who was wandering around.
"Yes."
His heart sank at the cold voice, different from when Emily was present. Even the gaze he was looking at him was so sharp it felt like it was being cut with a knife.
“Whatever you want to say...”
Pete pointed to the leftover cake, rolling it around with his fork.
“You don’t think this is your personal business, do you?”
"Yes?"
When Toto couldn't hear properly, Killian opened his mouth.
“If you just fill your mouth, I could make you penniless in an instant.”
Pete tapped his head with his index finger.
“I’m telling you to think carefully about why Madam is helping you with this business.”
Two men pressed against him with menacing gazes. Toto felt a chill run down his spine, as if their gazes could be used to murder him.
"Oh, of course! I already agreed with the villagers about that. We'll only use crops from Sinope as ingredients, and we'll hire all Sinope people."
He was sincere. All the residents cared for and cared for one another like family. It was Toto's wish that they all lived well together.
Toto tried to reassure them, making exaggerated gestures as if to tell them not to worry about such things.
“You’ve set up good employment conditions, right?”
Pete asked, still looking suspicious.
"Yes! We'll pay wages higher than the market rate, provide generous breaks, and even provide separate meal allowances. We'll even award vacations to outstanding employees."
Toto began to list the employment conditions, his mouth agape. Many of them were more favorable than those offered by other companies in the same industry.
“How do I know you’re only saying that?”
Pete asked with a suspicious look.
“Please review the documents and other items before proceeding, as we will review them in advance.”
Killian once again threatened Toto, who was dripping with cold sweat.
“This is Emily’s first investment, and if you commit any corruption, you’ll pay with your life.”
“Well, then!”
Damn, I'm canceling the fact that I'm not scared.
"Hello!"
When the butler heard that a guest had arrived, he came out and greeted Toto.
“Toto, you are here. The young lady was going to go to the store herself anyway.”
"The shop will be busy with customers. So, yeah, I baked a cake for the Young Lady personally."
“Can you skip the store today?”
"I left it to Sally. She's been working with me since we opened, so I'm sure she'll do well on her own."
Sally was Toto's longtime friend. Everyone assumed they would eventually marry, but they seemed unaware of their mutual love.
“Is the young lady inside?”
Toto's heart swelled with excitement at the thought of seeing the young lady again after so long. Most of the young men in the neighborhood had probably had a crush on the young lady at least once in their childhood.
Although he doesn't have any feelings for her now, he couldn't help but feel excited because it was a childhood memory.
“Yes, her husband and the lawyer who will help you with your business are here too.”
The story that Pete had studied law was distorted, and soon people began to think that he had a background as a lawyer.
“I heard her husband is here, too?”
Toto didn't hear the lawyer's arrival. Only the loud, emphatic announcement that Emily's husband, the Marquis Starr, had arrived.
"Didn't you say her husband was a mafia member? I'll just go back to the store."
In peaceful Sinope, the mafia was a rare sight. So, the mafia's presence, something Toto only imagined in his head, was bound to be even more terrifying.
"I was worried at first, but the more I see him, the more I realize he's a good person. Don't be too afraid."
“Hmm, really?”
“That’s right. You have no idea how much he cares for the Young Lady.”
“That’s really reassuring.”
Toto, encouraged by the butler's words, followed him inside.
***
As it happened, the three of them had just finished eating breakfast, so they were sitting on the salon sofa chatting.
The butler knocked on the living room door to announce Toto's visit.
“Miss, Toto baked the cake himself.”
“Oh my, Toto himself came? Come in.”
Toto, who entered the room, closed his eyes for a moment as if he was dizzy by the scenery inside the room.
“Toto, what’s wrong?”
Emily asked him worriedly, wondering if he had become anemic from overwork recently.
“The sight of your faces is so dazzling that I can’t open my eyes.”
"What?"
Killian and Pete, who were on the right, looked at him as if they were looking at a strange creature.
The butler added an explanation as if he understood.
“This tip also had a big influence on the success of Toto’s store.”
“I’m saying it’s not a joke.”
Toto said, feeling wronged. "Do I look like the kind of person who would act like a brat in front of the mafia?"
“Come sit here for now. It’s been a while, Toto.”
Emily called him to the sofa in the middle.
“Yes, Miss. I’m glad to see you in good health.”
Toto sat down on the sofa, smiling again. The young lady he hadn't seen in a long time was still angelic and kind.
He turned his head to greet the people who came with the Lady.
He had heard a general idea of what the mafia was like, but this was the first time he had seen it firsthand.
If the people in his imagination had scars on their faces, were unkempt, and not properly dressed, he might have been scared.
But the Marquis Starr seen in front was exceptionally handsome, and his behavior seemed well-mannered.
Above all, isn't this the person who came to help me?
Toto was a little intimidated by Killian and Pete's size, but after hearing the butler's explanation a little while ago, his fear had subsided a lot.
“I heard you came to help me. Thank you.”
“I came here to help Madam, not you.”
Toto apologized with an embarrassed smile at Pete's sharp remark.
“I was rude. I apologize.”
'Rather, that so-called lawyer seems more murderous than the Marquis Starr.'
Emily said, pointing to Toto's cake.
“Is that the famous Toto’s carrot cake you brought me?”
"Yes, that's right."
The butler extended his hand.
“Give it to me. I’ll cut it for you.”
He took Toto's cake, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and distributed them to each person on a plate.
Emily, who loves desserts among the three, was the first to try the cake and exclaim in admiration.
“This is the most delicious cake I’ve ever had!”
“It makes me really happy to hear you say that.”
Toto wasn't surprised by that. He'd heard that level of praise before. Despite the cake's short shelf life, so many people were eager to buy it that he even set a limit on the number of items per person.
On the other hand, Killian and Pete's expressions didn't change much while they were eating.
“Is carrot cake originally just cream cheese flavored?”
Pete, who doesn't really like desserts, said as he munched on the cake.
“It does have a high proportion of cream cheese, but... hmm, it just tastes like cream cheese?”
When Toto looked disappointed, Emily quickly explained it to him.
“That’s because he doesn’t enjoy desserts.”
Emily took another big bite of cake to make Toto feel better.
"The sheet has a chewy and moist texture, just the right amount. The cream cheese is chewy. It's not too sour, and the milk flavor is rich and savory. Did you cut the carrots into large pieces on purpose? They're really delicious."
Killian found it both cute and fascinating to see Emily diligently giving her tasting notes.
“How about you?”
Then, Emily spoke to Killian with eyes full of anticipation. Embarrassed, he swallowed the remaining cake before answering.
“It’s delicious.”
“Just it?”
She blinked as if to ask him to say more.
Killian was lost in thought, wondering, 'What should I say next?' under her passionate gaze.
“I like the subtle cinnamon scent.”
A look of satisfaction appeared on Emily and Toto's faces, as if they had answered correctly.
Of them, only Pete frowned at Killian, looking at him strangely.
The butler skillfully brewed the tea and set it next to the cake.
“This goes well with our strong Dazzling Tea. I’ll serve you some tea as well.”
The dazzling tea cleaned up the remaining sugar in your mouth.
“Toto, a cake this good would be a success even in the capital. Thank you for staying in Sinope.”
Toto kept rubbing the back of his neck, embarrassed by Emily's praise.
"I like living here, so I don't really want to go to the capital. And since I'm staying in Sinope, even the young lady, the lord, is stepping in to help with my business."
As he said that, Toto thanked Killian and Pete once again.
In a friendly atmosphere, a servant came to see Emily.
“Miss, Baroness Roman has something to tell you.”
“What’s the matter?”
“I think the Baroness Roman is planning to throw a small tea party while you're here, and would like to discuss the number of guests.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Emily excused herself for a moment and left the room with the butler.
As Emily left, a deep silence fell between the remaining three.
Toto glanced at the remaining cake.
There were still three pieces left, but he didn't want to offer them any. He felt it was a waste to give his cake to someone who didn't even know the true meaning of dessert.
'What's Sally doing? She must be very busy right now. She must be cussing me out a lot.'
When he got back today, he was thinking that he should stop by Sally and give her a shoulder rub.
"Hey."
Pete called out to Toto, who was wandering around.
"Yes."
His heart sank at the cold voice, different from when Emily was present. Even the gaze he was looking at him was so sharp it felt like it was being cut with a knife.
“Whatever you want to say...”
Pete pointed to the leftover cake, rolling it around with his fork.
“You don’t think this is your personal business, do you?”
"Yes?"
When Toto couldn't hear properly, Killian opened his mouth.
“If you just fill your mouth, I could make you penniless in an instant.”
Pete tapped his head with his index finger.
“I’m telling you to think carefully about why Madam is helping you with this business.”
Two men pressed against him with menacing gazes. Toto felt a chill run down his spine, as if their gazes could be used to murder him.
"Oh, of course! I already agreed with the villagers about that. We'll only use crops from Sinope as ingredients, and we'll hire all Sinope people."
He was sincere. All the residents cared for and cared for one another like family. It was Toto's wish that they all lived well together.
Toto tried to reassure them, making exaggerated gestures as if to tell them not to worry about such things.
“You’ve set up good employment conditions, right?”
Pete asked, still looking suspicious.
"Yes! We'll pay wages higher than the market rate, provide generous breaks, and even provide separate meal allowances. We'll even award vacations to outstanding employees."
Toto began to list the employment conditions, his mouth agape. Many of them were more favorable than those offered by other companies in the same industry.
“How do I know you’re only saying that?”
Pete asked with a suspicious look.
“Please review the documents and other items before proceeding, as we will review them in advance.”
Killian once again threatened Toto, who was dripping with cold sweat.
“This is Emily’s first investment, and if you commit any corruption, you’ll pay with your life.”
“Well, then!”
Damn, I'm canceling the fact that I'm not scared.
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