Why is the atmosphere not right?

“Ding‑a‑ling!”

The shop door swung open, the bell chiming to announce a guest’s arrival.

“Welcome—eh! Ailena! It’s been so long!”

As expected of the heroine!

The instant Sophina saw me, she beamed the brightest, sunniest smile imaginable—nearly too cute for this world!

“Long time no see, Sophina.”

She opened her arms, intending to hug me.

But just as she drew close, it was as though she glimpsed something terrifying.

She froze on the spot, horrified, and in an instant turned her hug into a handshake instead.

As we clasped hands, I blinked in confusion, then glanced back—only to see Milady standing there, her smile as elegant as ever.

…Could it be that the heroine has some hidden ability to see spirits?

Why did I never know about this?

Maybe the scriptwriters didn’t think it was important enough to include…

“Um, Ailena,” Milady’s voice chimed sweetly, “I would also like to greet this… young lady. May I shake hands as well?”

“Ah…”

Disaster.

I, a servant, greeted someone before my lady did.

How dreadfully rude of me!

“My apologies, Milady.”

“No need. Today I am serving as your escort. You greeting her first was quite proper. Besides, you came here to see your friend, didn’t you? I wouldn’t want noble etiquette to dampen your enjoyment, so treat it as casually as you please.”

…Did she just stress the word friend?

Before I could dwell on it, Milady elegantly stepped forward, her aristocratic aura radiating as she extended her hand.

“Long time no see, Miss Sophina. My maid seems to be enjoying quite a lot of your attention.”

“Eek!”

Sophina trembled, but, for politeness’ sake, accepted Milady’s hand.

“N‑No, not at all… In truth, my little shop has always been humbled by the grace of the Ducal House.”

“Hehe.”

“Ahaha…”

It was just a polite handshake, yet why was the air between them so very strange?

The two remained there, hands clasped, trapped in the thick awkwardness…

“Yo! Isn’t that little Ailena and the Duke’s young lady? Always a pleasure! What brings you here today? A craving for sweets, perhaps?”

The bluff, cheery voice broke the tension.

It was none other than Sophina’s father, Mister Lauber.

I hurriedly interjected.

“Well… that’s part of it, yes. But mainly, I came to spend some time with Sophina.”

Of course, that wasn’t the true reason.

This was Mission: Villainess & Heroine BFF Arc!

Lure them together with sweets, gently step out of the way, let them talk… and they’d naturally bond into best of friends!

The doom flags would wither away completely!

“Hahaha! In that case, tonight I’ll treat you girls to my proudest mille‑feuille cake! Have as much fun as you’d like!”

“Really? Thank you so much!”

Perfect! Time to bring them to the table!

“Please, Milady! Their cake is absolutely divine! But, alas, it’s so delicate that it can’t be ordered—too easily spoiled during transport. So up until now, you’ve seldom had the chance to enjoy it yourself.”

“Gu…”

Oh, the temptation clearly caught Milady’s stomach.

“Since we’re here already… let’s give it a try.”

She promptly selected a seat for herself.

“Sophina, let’s sit as well.”

“Ah, yes…”

Naturally, I sat beside Milady, while Sophina hesitantly took the chair opposite.

It was her family’s own shop, yet she seemed utterly timid.

Milady, meanwhile, simply stared straight at her without a word.

“…”

And thus, the three of us drowned in dead silence.

“U‑Um…”

To shatter it somehow, I scrambled for a topic.

Glancing about, I realized the shop was practically empty—only three other people glimpsed all day.

But last time I came, it had been bustling.

“Ah, it’s just that spring has barely started,” Sophina explained with a resigned smile.

“The villagers are busy with planting, no leisure for visiting. But once evening comes, after the work is done, people will return again.”

“I see…”

“Here we are! Uncle Lauber’s special mille‑feuille! For three little beauties—please enjoy!”

With cheerful laughter, he placed the cake before us, then vanished again, leaving the stage to his daughters’ drama.

The sweet fragrance drifted up, teasing the taste buds until my mouth watered.

Perfect timing! A new conversation lifeline!

“Milady, please try it!”

I sliced a portion and served her.

“It’s absolutely delicious!”

She accepted the plate, at first carefully maintaining noble decorum, cutting dainty pieces and eating them slowly.

But the instant the flavor reached her tongue, the act shattered.

Her eyes lit up and she began devouring huge bites like a starved child.

Seeing this scene, I couldn’t help but smile indulgently.

This was the true Milady—unguarded, pure, and childlike.

That overly polished aristocratic mask simply didn’t suit her.

“Milady, don’t eat so fast. There’s plenty more.”

“I always thought the Duke’s daughter was a very serious, composed young lady…”

Even Sophina seemed stunned.

“W‑W‑What is it!”

Flustered under our teasing, Milady flushed scarlet.

“Nothing at all.”

I rested my cheek against my palm, smiling at this crimson‑cheeked golden little pufferfish.

Just watching her like this made me feel utterly sated.

“See? I told you their cake was irresistible. I knew you’d love it.”

“…I admit, it is truly delicious. Worthy of praise.”

“Your approval is an honor for our humble home.”

Perhaps the lighthearted mood set her at ease, because Sophina’s nervousness melted away, replaced with her signature gentle heroine’s smile.

Milady turned slightly, cheeks pink, hiding her face as she kept eating.

Excellent. The atmosphere was turning brighter!

A few nudges more, and maybe they’d become genuine friends.

But how?

What did girls usually do to express friendship?

Having been a man in my past life, and lacking any close peers in this one save for Sophina, my experience was laughably lacking.

…Ah! Of course!

Why not use the way I usually interact with Milady as reference?

That should work—girls often behaved that way with each other!

Brilliant, Ailena!

So right now, the best approach must be… sharing food!

And since Milady could never refuse sweets, this was guaranteed success.

I’d serve as the bridge between them.

“Sophina, that strawberry of yours looks delicious. May I try it?”

“Eh? Um… of course.”

Without hesitation, she lifted a strawberry with her fork and offered it to me.

See? Totally normal between girls!

“Here.”

“Ah~m.”

Juicy sweetness burst across my tongue, filling me with bliss.

“Mmm! It’s wonderful! Now, let’s have Milady… try one too—”

But before I could finish, a sudden chill coiled up beside me.

I turned, only to find Milady smiling… except not a trace of warmth reached her face.

And the fork in her hand… had been crushed and bent between her fingers.

…Huh?

Wait.

Wasn’t this supposed to be genius?