FDSML CH17

Chapter 17

Only belatedly did I realize Nanael’s true intention.

This was a classic, nasty trick in high society.

At first glance, offering someone food didn’t look like bullying. But it was actually a trap.

If you accepted, they’d keep pushing food on you until you got sick or even vomited. If you refused, it would be spun as, “Oh, she rejected kindness.” Either way, you lost.

Considering Nanael had already gotten me drunk once at my debutante ball by offering me wine, there was no doubt about it—this was a setup.

But… there was a problem.

I can’t handle alcohol well.
But desserts? I could eat them until the end of time.

In fact, while preparing for my debut, I’d been slapped with a strict “no sweets” order by my chaperone. I had to keep the perfect figure, she said.

So for weeks, I’d been living on nothing but bland rabbit food.

Which meant this wasn’t a trap at all—it was a gift.

“Oh my, do you really mean for me to eat all of these by myself?”

I asked one last time for confirmation.

Nanael smiled, as if I’d just shown weakness.

“Of course. You said you love desserts. Or was that an exaggeration?”

“No, no. I really love them. Don’t take it back later, okay?”

“…What?”

I watched her smile crack. Then I turned toward Mei.

“You heard that, right? It’s not that I want to eat them. Her Highness Nanael personally insisted I eat them.”

Eyes sparkling, I looked at my maid. Mei gave a strangled laugh like she was about to cry.

“Ahaha… My lady, surely you don’t mean to eat all of that?”

“Why not? Can I possibly refuse the princess’s gracious offer?”

I winked, and Mei smacked her forehead. That was code for, Talk to the chaperone for me later and smooth things over.

“Aha… yes, yes. Please enjoy yourself. Ahaha… Poor Mei’s going to die from the fallout.”

She clapped her hands halfheartedly, resigned.

I pressed a hand to my chest and beamed at Nanael.

“Thank you so much, Your Highness. Honestly, these are all my favorites. I was heartbroken at the thought of only taking one or two.”

“…”

“Oh, how long has it been since I’ve had such sugar-filled bliss?”

I dug in, my face glowing with joy.

Nanael’s expression was priceless—utterly bewildered. Clearly not the reaction she’d expected.

Did you know?
The worst possible match for a villainess is an airheaded heroine.

Nothing weakens a villainess’s power like someone who beams, “The world is full of sunshine and rainbows!”

And while I wasn’t the heroine, I could pretend to be airheaded just fine.

I cheerfully emptied my plate, then chirped,

“Your Highness, this is absolutely delicious! As expected of a patissier trained in the palace! For today, I’m actually jealous of you. To be able to eat first-class desserts like this every single day—wow, just incredible!”

I piled on the exaggerated praise, and Nanael’s face twisted like she’d bitten a lemon.

“…I’m glad it suits your tastes.”

“Oh, it more than suits them! I could cry with happiness. Really, I’m so envious of you, Your Highness!”

She had meant to torment me, but I was having the time of my life.

Her plan backfired spectacularly. Face stiff, Nanael raised her teacup to hide her expression.

Well? Annoyed, aren’t you?

I grinned and dug in with even more gusto.

At the table, only my fork clattered merrily.

A few girls licked their lips, clearly tempted, but no one dared move under Nanael’s watchful eyes.

Finally, she cleared her throat and launched her next attack.

“Lady Ferris, how fortunate you are. With such an appetite, I imagine you buy new dresses all the time.”

Translation: Keep eating like that, and you won’t fit in your clothes.

I blinked innocently.

“Oh my, how did you know? I actually have a whole closet of dresses that no longer fit.”

Nanael faltered. I turned to the other ladies and asked sweetly,

“By the way, don’t you think dressmakers make things too small on purpose? Shouldn’t tailor-made clothes fit our bodies, not the other way around? Don’t you agree?”

The table went silent. One young lady nodded before quickly looking down, flustered.

Truth was, every girl here probably suffered from the same problem.

In this world, dieting wasn’t a choice, it was survival. Dresses were deliberately cut tight, forcing ladies to slim down or suffocate.

There were no diet sodas here, no artificial sweeteners. Losing weight was brutal.

By brushing against that shared misery, I cracked the wall.

Soon, voices trickled out.

“I haven’t eaten a single slice of bread today. They said I had to starve if I wanted to wear my new gown for the next ball…”

“Me too. Honestly, I feel a little dizzy right now.”

The murmurs spread until Nanael snapped her fan shut with a sharp snap.

“Ladies must shine brightest at a party. Such sacrifices are only natural. Isn’t it stranger to gorge yourself without restraint?”

I jumped on the chance.

“Don’t you think those standards are a little too harsh?”

“Only weak-willed women would say that.”

“I don’t think willpower has anything to do with it. When ladies faint at parties because they can’t breathe in their corsets, maybe it’s time for change?”

Her lips thinned. “Lady Ferris, your way of thinking is rather… dangerous.”

The longer we argued, the more her composure slipped.

And in high society, the first to lose their temper always lost.

“I simply believe that outer beauty can’t hide a lack of inner grace,” I said sweetly, a thorn hidden in my words.

Her face twisted.

“Are you suggesting I’m just pretty wrapping paper?”

I widened my eyes.

“Goodness, no! Your wrapping paper is very beautiful, Your Highness!”

“You—!”

“And besides, if eating one slice of bread means I can’t fit into a dress, then I’d rather not wear it at all! Everyone knows—if you eat happily, you don’t gain weight!”

Her face went rigid, as if staring at some deranged lunatic.

That’s right. Just for today, I’ll be the lunatic standing in your way, Nanael.

The other young ladies struggled to hide their laughter, burying their faces behind their fans.

But Nanael was sharp—she didn’t miss the shift in the air.

“Does anyone else here feel like eating dessert as greedily as Lady Ferris?”

Greedy, she called it now. So much for manners.

I ignored her jab and popped another macaron into my mouth.

Then—

“I’ll have a slice of strawberry shortcake, please.”

One young lady—Roti Beige—spoke up, summoning a staff member.

Soon, a slice of cake was placed before her.

“Roti, what do you think you’re doing?”

Nanael’s gaze was like a predator’s. Roti flinched but managed to answer.

“L-Lady Ferris made it look so delicious… I just couldn’t help myself.”

Her hand trembled, but she raised her fork and took a bite.

I felt a swell of pride. Clearly, by standing tall, I’d given her courage.

I encouraged her warmly,

“Isn’t it delicious? It goes perfectly with tea. I was actually thinking of having another slice myself.”