2.
After finishing dinner, Isabel cleared the dishes and wiped the table. Claire boiled water for tea and unwrapped the lemon cake.
Once they had each finished their tasks, the two sat facing each other again.
Isabel was the first to pick up her fork and take a bite of the lemon cake.
“It’s a familiar taste, but it’s delicious as always.”
Hearing Isabel’s praise, Claire also scooped up a big bite of lemon cake with her fork.
Claire liked this moment—a happy time spent with family after returning home from work.
It would’ve been even better if her parents, who had passed away from an epidemic a few years ago, were still with them. But Claire had promised herself not to dwell on such things anymore.
Instead, she would cherish and find joy in these present moments. That was likely what her late parents would have wanted for her.
Savoring the citrusy aroma that filled her mouth, Claire suddenly remembered something she had forgotten and pulled a necklace from her pocket.
“Tada!”
“Is this the one you mentioned earlier?”
Isabel took the necklace, which was dangling from Claire’s hand.
Just as Claire had said, the necklace looked like it had been through a lot—it was full of tiny scratches and marks.
Since gemstones were reserved for nobles, commoners typically used colored glass for jewelry, and the necklace’s violet ornament lacked any real shine.
Isabel inspected it, wondering if there might be initials or a marking somewhere, but she couldn’t find anything.
Even to Isabel, it didn’t seem valuable enough to warrant a lost-and-found report.
In the meantime, Claire had brought a damp handkerchief and gently took the necklace back to wipe it.
Her careful touch gradually became more vigorous, scrubbing until it squeaked, and her expression grew increasingly disappointed.
She had hoped the necklace would shine more once cleaned, but the scratches were worse than she expected.
Claire had thought it might make a nice gift for Isabel.
But Isabel thought differently.
Despite its lack of luster, the delicate violet glass seemed like it would suit Claire better. Isabel was sure it would pop beautifully against her fair skin.
She fastened the now-clean necklace around Claire’s neck and brought over a hand mirror.
“Why are you putting it on me? Don’t you like it?”
“Look in the mirror. It’s perfect on you. You look beautiful.”
Isabel gently tucked Claire’s loose curls behind her ear as she whispered.
Claire looked in the mirror at Isabel’s words.
Really? I don’t think so. This kind of flashy color doesn’t suit me.
“It doesn’t look good on me.”
“You’re just not used to wearing colored glass ornaments. That’s why it feels strange.”
“It seems weird to me.”
“It’s beautiful. Don’t you trust me, Claire?”
Isabel pretended to be offended, and Claire couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Okay, okay. I believe you.”
She kept saying it looked nice, so maybe it really did.
Claire stopped tilting her head in doubt at her reflection.
Claire went to work a little later than Brenda and Drew.
She usually arrived around the time Brenda was pulling out the first batch of bread, greeted by the comforting scent of freshly baked loaves. She would sweep the floor and arrange the bread for display.
Sometimes, when there were a lot of pre-orders, she came in early to help Brenda, but that didn’t happen often.
Claire loved the smell of baking bread. Who could dislike it?
“Mr. Drew, are you feeling better?”
Drew, who was lifting a sack of flour, looked a bit paler than usual.
“After a good rest yesterday, I feel much better. You must’ve had a hard time walking all the way to the count’s manor because of me.”
“It wasn’t hard at all. It was nice to take a walk after a while.”
“The birch forest around the manor is really beautiful.”
“And the scent of the trees was so refreshing. It really calms the mind.”
As Claire and Drew chatted about yesterday, the back door opened and Brenda came in with a basket full of eggs.
“Good morning, boss.”
“That necklace looks really lovely on you today, Claire.”
Claire had worn it because Isabel had said it looked good, but Brenda noticing it right away made her feel a bit shy.
“That violet really suits your skin tone.”
As Brenda continued complimenting her—
“You’ll have the village boys lining up soon.”
Drew added, making Claire’s cheeks flush red.
She wasn’t offended by the compliment, but it made her feel shy.
Unable to endure the embarrassment, Claire quickly grabbed her apron and broom and headed out to the front of the store.
She opened the windows wide for ventilation and tied on her apron. The sunlight streaming through the open window felt pleasant.
Since it was payday, she planned to stop by the butcher’s on her way home to buy some meat. They were also out of butter, so the grocery store was a must.
“Alright!”
A smile spread across Claire’s face.
She swept every corner thoroughly with the broom and noticed dust accumulating on the window sill, so she went to get a rag.
While she was focused on cleaning the window sill, she happened to look up and locked eyes with someone passing by on the street.
“Oh, Claire! Nice to see you.”
It was Max, who was currently courting Isabel. Claire had seen him a few times at the book salon where Isabel worked, so she recognized his face, though they weren’t close.
“Hello.”
Claire greeted him awkwardly.
“Do you work here?”
Max, a teacher at Waverly School, spoke with the kind of friendly tone he used with students.
But Claire felt uncomfortable and awkward having to talk with Max without Isabel around.
Not because there was anything wrong with him—he was a proper, courteous gentleman, exactly the image one would expect of a teacher.
Claire simply wasn’t good with strangers.
Feeling sorry, she quickly came up with an excuse to leave the conversation.
“Yes. Um, it’s almost time for the bread to come out, so I’m a bit busy right now. Have a good day!”
Without giving Max a chance to respond, Claire closed the window.
If he’s a true gentleman, he’ll understand. A small thing like this won’t affect how he feels about Isabel.
After finishing the cleaning, Claire busily moved around, bringing out muffins and cakes to display them nicely. Just then, the bell rang and a customer entered.
A middle-aged woman came in alone and asked for two of each kind of muffin to be packed.
“My grandkids just love the muffins here.”
“Really? Our boss is very talented. I love them too. You should try our lemon cake next time.”
Claire had struggled with customer service at first, but after a full year passed, she had become quite comfortable chatting with customers.
Even so, when it came to talking with non-customers like earlier, she still found herself struggling.
Claire sometimes didn’t like that part of herself, but no one is perfect.
If her personality were really so terrible, she wouldn’t get along so well with Brenda or Drew—and she clearly did.
Claire had inherited her late mother’s optimistic mindset.
Before she knew it, the shelves were empty, the baked goods all sold out.
Finishing work earlier than usual, Claire cheerfully took her wages and walked along Belford Street.
It was just before sunset, the gas lamps not yet lit.
This is what happiness feels like, she thought as she walked lightly to the grocery store to buy her usual butter and then stopped by the butcher.
Should I buy pork? Or beef? Maybe roast a whole chicken?
While contemplating the chunks of meat hanging in the shop, Mike, the butcher, approached.
“We got some excellent beef in today.”
Claire looked closely at the beef Mike pointed to.
She didn’t really know much about meat, but its fresh crimson color looked appetizing.
Alright. I’ll grill some beef in butter for dinner tonight.
After paying, Claire exited the shop with the paper-wrapped beef in her arms—and bumped into someone.
“I’m sorry!”
It was a tall man. Claire apologized while looking around his shoulder.
Normally, the other person would either apologize too or say it was fine.
But the man gave no response at all.
Claire began wondering whether she should wait for a reply.
Should I just go? I apologized, so it should be okay, right?
It’s not like I stained his clothes—no compensation was needed.
But what if he didn’t hear me? Just in case, I should apologize again and then go.
“I’m sorry,” she said again a little nervously. But as she turned to leave, the man grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.
Surprised, Claire finally looked at his face.
He was broad-shouldered, tall, and muscular. Claire was sure she hadn’t seen him before—but somehow, he looked familiar.
His jet-black hair and violet eyes gave him a cold but strikingly attractive appearance.
No way she’d forget a face like his. This had to be their first meeting.
Still, his looks weren’t the issue right now.
He was wearing an elegant shirt under a tailored jacket.
Though she didn’t get a good look at his pants, she was certain they were made from fine material too.
Claire began to worry—had she just crossed paths with the spoiled heir of a wealthy family?
She felt a cold sweat forming down her spine but forced herself to speak bravely.
“I wasn’t looking where I was going. I’m really sorry. Truly.”
Her shoulder where the man had grabbed her was starting to ache—though she couldn’t tell whether it was from pain or nervous tension.
Claire tried to read his expression. He was looking at her, but didn’t seem interested.
Why did it have to be this guy? Why did she have to end up in such an uncomfortable situation?
