A Mother’s Love and a Daughter’s Delight

Upon hearing the news Firefly announced, Josie was initially stunned.

“Is it true? Aren’t all nobles the same?”

“Would they truly be willing to fund a dance troupe that yields no profit?”

“Exactly! They aren’t just trying to boost our morale and trick us, are they?”

Josie’s impression of the nobles in Saint Se had long been cemented.

Indeed, upon their arrival in Saint Se, she and Firefly had secretly approached several nobles due to financial constraints, hoping to secure funding. However, the outcome had left them bitterly disappointed.

These nobles had agreed to provide sponsorship, but only on the condition that the nature of their performances be altered to generate profit. This, however, would have betrayed the original intent behind forming their troupe.

Ultimately, both parties parted ways acrimoniously. This incident had made them thoroughly see through the true nature of these nobles, prompting them to abandon any further thoughts of seeking aid from them.

Yet, now Firefly was telling her that a noble lord was willing to sponsor them?

She slammed the ledger she held onto the table before them.

Casting a suspicious glance at Firefly, Josie flipped through the ledger. Her gaze finally settled on a particular number, and she couldn’t help but gasp.

“How much? Ten thousand gold coins? So much?”

“Heh heh, that noble lord said that if this isn’t enough, we can always go back and ask for more assistance. And, there are no other demands or conditions attached to this sponsorship!”

“That generous?!”

“Of course!”

Josie stared intently at Firefly, trying to discern the truth from her expression. Yet, Firefly’s face only showed pure delight, fueling Josie’s curiosity even further.

“Who is that noble lord? I’ve heard these lords play all sorts of games, Boss, you…”

Dong!

A sharp rap landed squarely on her head. Josie immediately clamped her mouth shut, saying no more.

“What are you thinking, all day long? His agreement to this matter is purely because it’s the will of an elder in his family. That lady is kind-hearted and, like us, wants to help homeless children. It’s not what you’re imagining, understand?”

As she spoke, Firefly rolled up her sleeves, as if itching to deliver another rap to Josie’s head.

This funding was clearly given out of Lady Lena’s kindness. How could its reputation be sullied by such thoughts? Josie truly deserved a beating!

Unsure of what had angered her boss, Josie turtled up, silently beginning to consider her future tasks. Firefly did not dwell on the topic, instead turning to the two remaining dancers in the room.

“Now, call everyone over. The troupe has work to do recently.”

With money, the dance troupe could operate normally again, and the upcoming dance festival in a few days would proceed as scheduled. She felt incredibly motivated now.

Watching Firefly’s bustling figure, Josie pondered for a moment before she couldn’t help but pour cold water on her enthusiasm.

“Boss, can we really succeed with just our own strength? Aside from you, Boss, the other adventurers in Saint Se aren’t particularly well-known. Few people even know about them. And if it’s just you, I’m afraid we won’t be able to sell that many tickets…”

As if fearing Firefly would get angry again, Josie quickly added, “I’m not saying you’re not famous, Boss. I’m just saying you haven’t been active in Saint Se for many years, so the residents here might not remember you as well.”

Due to her idol career, Firefly had spent recent years holding performances in other places and befriending adventurers. However, the influence of a local sixth-tier adventurer like her was largely unknown to most residents.

Even Firefly herself, despite being a member of Saint Se’s ace squad, had seen her popularity decline significantly due to her long absence from Saint Se. It was no wonder Josie would doubt whether the performances would sell tickets.

“If this performance doesn’t yield good profits, will that noble lord still continue to fund you?”

“I told you he’s funding us because that lady is kind-hearted, but you do have a point. There are only a few days left until the performance, so let’s make good use of this time to promote it thoroughly.”

Upon hearing this, Firefly also frowned. The joy brought by the funding gradually faded, replaced by growing anxiety about the performance scheduled in a few days.

“I hope that by then… the dance hall will be packed.”

****

Meanwhile, at the entrance of Joiy Estate, Aelin gripped Liss’s wrist tightly, a pitiable, abandoned look on her face.

“Miss, are you going out?”

“Mm.”

A noble carriage waited at the estate’s entrance. Lena had already stepped into it, a step ahead of Liss.

“Miss, take me with you!”

“Ruila still needs your etiquette lessons.”

“Huh? Hasn’t she learned them already?”

Liss turned, forcefully releasing Aelin’s hand, and winked at Ruila, who stood beside Aelin. Ruila, understanding immediately, nodded and stepped forward, grabbing Aelin’s hand. She whispered apologetically, “Sister Aelin, I’ve forgotten so much again…”

“So, Aelin, you go be busy.”

With that, Liss walked towards the carriage, her skirt swaying gently. At this moment, she resembled a young maiden heading towards her beloved. Though her expression couldn’t be seen, Aelin knew she must be smiling, and it was a gentle, radiant smile.

Yet, the back she left behind was utterly heartless. A pang struck Aelin’s heart, and she cried out, wanting to chase after Liss. Alas, Ruila blocked her path.

“Miss! Miss!”

“Sister Aelin!”

Unable to take another step forward, Aelin could only watch helplessly as Liss boarded the carriage, watching as the carriage, carried by the rhythmic clatter of hooves, slowly disappeared from her sight.

It wasn’t until the carriage was completely out of view that she placed her hands on her hips, fuming. “Hmph, to be sent away just so she can have some alone time with the Queen Consort! What kind of personal maid does that make me?”

She was supposed to be the Princess’s personal maid, appointed by the Demon Lord himself, yet now she had become a third wheel hindering the Princess’s time with the Queen Consort. Aelin suspected the petty Princess was still holding a grudge from earlier events.

“Sister Aelin…”

After Liss left, Ruila became much more timid, imbued with a touch of delicate pitifulness, as if this would prevent Aelin from punishing her.

However, she had misjudged Aelin’s ruthlessness.

“Come on! We’re going to have a thorough lesson in noble etiquette.”

Aelin deliberately emphasized the words ‘noble etiquette’ and ‘lesson’. Disregarding Ruila’s protests, Aelin grabbed the crying girl and led her into the estate’s villa.

****

Inside the carriage, Lena, not seeing Aelin, expressed her surprise.

“Where’s Aelin?”

“Oh, she said she needed to review noble etiquette with Ruila, so she couldn’t come.”

“Is that so? I recall Ruila’s noble etiquette was already quite good.”

“She always forgets some things, you know.”

After a casual explanation, Liss affectionately hugged Lena’s arm and began to talk about other topics. As for Aelin?

Today was her and Lena’s world for two; no third wheel was needed!

At noon, the carriage stopped in front of a restaurant in the city center. Lena and Liss entered a beautifully appointed private room and sat by the window.

From there, looking out the window, one could see the pale blue sky and soft, cotton-like white clouds. The city’s trees swayed gently in the breeze, their rustling sounds drifting through the window into the private room, bringing a sense of tranquil leisure.

After ordering, Liss began to introduce the place. “This restaurant is said to be the most famous in Saint Se. Both their pastries and dishes are incredibly delicious!”

“Have you been here before?”

“No, my maid told me all this. I thought my first time should be with Mother.”

As she spoke, a man in a manager’s uniform opened the private room door and entered, carrying a wine bottle. He then personally poured red wine into the glasses before Lena and Liss.

“Your Rosestar, please enjoy.”

Bathed in sunlight, the red liquid in the glasses shimmered, like beautiful rose petals or twinkling stars in the night sky, captivating Lena’s gaze.

“This is…”

“This is the best wine in Saint Se, rose-flavored. I tried it a few times on Joiy’s recommendation, and it truly tastes wonderful.”

Some pre-dinner snacks were already laid out on the table. After pouring the wine, the manager left the private room to prepare the dishes. Liss, her eyes sparkling, happily introduced the wine to Lena.

At the same time, she raised her glass and took a small sip. The sweet taste filled her mouth, making her instinctively cover her face with one hand, closing her eyes to savor the moment.

However, upon hearing that this was a wine called Rosestar, Lena felt a slight resistance within her. After all, she rarely touched alcohol and generally disliked drinking.

So, she knew that no matter how delicious this wine might be, it wouldn’t suit her taste.

Having fully enjoyed the taste experience of the wine, Liss opened her eyes, swirled her glass, and chuckled. “They say anyone who’s ever tasted it has fallen in love with it. Aelin was constantly grumbling in my ear a few days ago, saying she wanted to bring this wine back to the Demon Realm.”

Watching the young girl enthusiastically share her favorite things, Lena hesitated for a moment. Finally, she picked up her glass and took a small sip.

“How is it?”

Liss propped her chin on her hands, smiling expectantly at Lena, her eyes full of anticipation, seemingly eager to hear words of praise from her mother.

Lena had intended to do just that, but as the wine touched her lips, the impact of the alcohol made her involuntarily cover her mouth and cough, a faint blush quickly spreading across her cheeks.

After the alcohol taste dissipated, a subtle rose fragrance lingered in her mouth.

While the flavor was indeed pleasant, she preferred rose tea to it.

However, she didn’t voice this, instead choosing to fulfill Liss’s expectation.

“Mm, the taste is indeed quite good.”

Words could deceive, but actions could not. Liss was not blind; how could she not notice the faint blush on her mother’s pretty face?

How could she not see her mother’s reaction to her first sip of Rosestar? It was certainly not the reaction of someone who enjoyed drinking.

While calling a waiter to get Lena a regular cup of tea, Liss said, “Mother, if you don’t like drinking, you can just say so. There’s no need to force yourself.”

“I’m just a little unaccustomed to it.”

“This isn’t just being unaccustomed. Don’t force yourself to like it just because it’s a wine I enjoy. Mother, you don’t seem to drink much, so even if you say you don’t like it, I wouldn’t think anything of it.”

“Understood.”

Lena did not refute, merely nodding in agreement to Liss. Yet, everything that had just transpired caused a pang in the young girl’s heart.

Because her daughter was happily sharing something she loved, even if she herself disliked it, as a mother, she would only indulge her daughter and cater to her feelings.

This was Lena’s gentleness, intertwined with Liss’s understanding of her mother’s love. A love that had grown even stronger due to the years of missed time. Liss loved her mother deeply, but she disliked seeing her burdened by guilt and self-reproach.

‘Some things aren’t resolved simply by speaking them aloud.’

In the silence, the dishes they had ordered were all brought before her and Lena. Raising her knife and fork, she ate while initiating a conversation with her mother.

Not long after, she put down her knife and fork.

“What’s wrong? You don’t seem to have much of an appetite.”

“Perhaps these dishes just don’t suit my taste. I always feel they’re not very good, far inferior to what Mother made when I was little.”

Completely contrary to what the maids at the manor had told her, these dishes looked delicious. Yet, after truly tasting a few bites, she found them quite ordinary.

The best food, by far, was still what her mother had prepared for her in her childhood.

Whether it was a full meal or afternoon tea, those were the most delicious things she had ever eaten in her life.

Back then, the head chef’s meals were merely sustenance, while her mother’s cooking was meant to be savored.

For the sake of her health, Mother would always force her to eat some dishes she disliked. At the time, she even went on a hunger strike to protest vehemently. But in the end, a cursed little cake ruined her plan, leading to its complete failure.

“You think my cooking is good because of rose-tinted glasses, darling. Childhood memories are preserved even now, so these dishes naturally can’t compare. In terms of culinary skill, how could I possibly be better than the chefs here?”

“I don’t care. What they make here just isn’t as delicious as what Mother makes.”

Watching Liss, who seemed to be playfully pouting, Lena thought for a few seconds before calling for a waiter.

“Could you see if it’s possible to use the kitchen here? If so, I’ll cook something for you myself. But don’t you dare say my cooking is bad then, alright?”

“I won’t!”

Upon hearing that Lena was going to cook, Liss became thoroughly excited.

Without even needing to compare, she knew that Lena’s cooking would undoubtedly be more delicious than anything in this restaurant. After all, the enhancement of childhood memories made those dishes surpass everything else.

The waiter called the manager. Upon hearing Lena’s request, the manager bowed elegantly and said, “Of course, madam. We will certainly fulfill your request.”

‘Madam?’

After casually asking, Lena learned that the owner behind this restaurant was actually Joiy. No wonder the wine and dishes earlier had been personally served by the manager.

Well, that was good too, saving a lot of trouble and allowing her to fully showcase her culinary skills.