Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 198

Side Story 18: Accepting Change

2024.02.14.

The construction of Fantasia’s Wells Bakery was finally complete.

The small glass castle of Fantasia sparkled as if it had gathered all the light in the world, except on cloudy days when it didn’t particularly need extra illumination.

The kitchen, with its bread oven, retained its rustic charm, while the areas for preparing salads, coffee, and yogurt were decorated with sophisticated elegance.

Importantly, all the food preparation areas were open for viewing, giving customers a sense of trust and transparency.

“Madam, is this really where I’ll be working?”

Jim Baker asked again, still finding it hard to believe even after seeing Wells with his own eyes.

“Yes, it is. Mr. Baker, you simply need to bake bread as you always have.”

Leah carefully assessed him from head to toe. Thanks to Tom’s thorough training, her posture was perfectly upright.

Jim looked quite different from their first meeting, when he was stooping and bowing his head in a servile manner.

Now, in his crisp white chef’s uniform, his face was bright, his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and he radiated confidence.

“Mr. Baker, and Duncan!”

Leah called out to the father and son in a firm tone. Jim and Duncan looked at her with slightly nervous expressions.

“Don’t forget that you are both employees of Fantasia Department Store. Please work diligently, as if you were the owners of Wells.”

“Of course. The Duke and Duchess have given our family a new life, so how could we not……”

Jim Baker couldn’t finish his sentence, his voice thick with emotion.

“Duncan, you mustn’t neglect your schoolwork either.”

“Hehehe, this kid used to skip school all the time, but he’s completely changed since meeting the Duke.”

“Dad! You weren’t supposed to talk about that.”

Duncan’s face turned bright red as he tugged at his father’s sleeve.

“I’m curious. Please tell me more.”

Leah pressed, and Jim Baker, also blushing, said,

“Duncan, should I tell them, or will you do it yourself?”

“I… I will.”

Duncan mumbled, barely moving his lips.

Leah couldn’t understand a word he was saying. Then Jim Baker shouted like a thunderclap,

“Hey! Speak up so they can hear you!”

“I, I want to become a great gentleman like the Duke. So, I have to study hard at school.”

“Oh my.”

Leah stared blankly at Duncan, taken aback by his unexpected answer, and then burst into laughter.

She felt she understood perfectly without Duncan needing to explain further.

Terrence, who had shown kindness to him and his father, must have made a strong impression. Indeed, no one could deny that he was a remarkable gentleman.

“Duncan, you can become a wonderful gentleman like the Duke too. So, you mustn’t neglect your studies! Got it?”

“I will keep that in mind, Duchess.”

Duncan smiled at Leah.

Soon, the Wells hall manager and the kitchen staff arrived. Leah shared some important guidelines with them.

“The employees of Fantasia don’t just sell goods to customers; they sell the best service. Respect their pride so they don’t feel like they’re wasting their money. That doesn’t mean you should shower them with insincere flattery. Respect the customers with sophisticated and kind smiles, and cultured speech.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Above all, the Empress and reporters from the Lebon Daily [a fictional newspaper] will be visiting Wells today.”

“Yes?”

The employees all looked nervous, as if Leah’s words were a heavy burden.

The Empress’s visit was a significant event, but the presence of newspaper reporters meant their every move would be scrutinized.

“There is one thing we must never forget. There is no need to treat the Empress with excessive deference. Treat her the same as any other customer. After all, they are all Wells customers.”

“Yes, I understand. But the reporters…!”

“Especially, don’t try to stand out.”

The employees chuckled at her words.

“Just ignore them completely. Do what you always do.”

After all, they would be more interested in the fact that Empress Vivian had broken her long seclusion than in the specific confectionery Wells offered.

After the meeting, Terrence arrived to pick up Leah.

Whenever she finished work and turned around, he was always there.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes. We’re just waiting for the Empress to arrive.”

“Typical Grace, knowing how to use Vivian to her advantage.”

“It’s not like what Terrence is thinking this time. I’m not trying to use the Empress to promote Wells; my intentions are purely for her benefit. I wanted to encourage the Empress to enjoy Wells and venture out.”

“Well, it has been quite a while since Vivian has been confined to the palace.”

Terrence knew her situation well. That was the crux of the matter.

Then Leah shared some news with Terrence that she knew he would appreciate. She tiptoed and whispered in Terrence’s ear.

It was about Duncan’s transformation—no longer associating with his old friends and engaging in misconduct, but diligently studying at school.

“Ha!”

Terrence coughed, almost choking, after hearing Leah’s whispered explanation.

“I am a role model for growing boys. That’s hardly news.”

“Oh! Is that so? But why does Killian want to be like His Majesty when he grows up?”

“What? That kid…!”

Leah barely managed to drag Terrence, who was shaking his head in disbelief, out of Wells.

* * *

Vivian finally arrived at Wells. As soon as she appeared, reporters swarmed around her.

It was the first time they had seen her since she gave birth to the fourth prince and had remained within the palace walls.

“My goodness, it’s been over a year since she gave birth, but she still looks swollen.”

“I know. Her former beauty is nowhere to be seen.”

“The Empress is no different from anyone else. She’s just a plump middle-aged woman.”

“I thought the Empress would be different.”

The hurtful words seemed to find their way directly to Vivian’s ears. Leah heard them clearly as well.

Leah’s heart ached as she watched Vivian’s expression shift from moment to moment in response to the cruel remarks.

Vivian, who was usually more confident than anyone else, looked utterly dejected.

‘This won’t do.’

Leah smiled brightly, walked over, took Vivian’s hand, kissed it, and then kissed her lightly on both cheeks, whispering,

“Show them the dignity of the Empress as you always have.”

“Grace.”

It was the first time Vivian had revealed her inner thoughts to someone other than her husband. Of course, there was Channer [likely a former confidante], but that was long ago.

She felt ashamed of herself for allowing herself to be intimidated, even for a moment, by the cruel words. Leah’s encouragement snapped her out of it.

Vivian soon raised her head and smiled radiantly at the reporters.

“Please restrict access to Wells so that the Empress can dine comfortably.”

Leah made a special request to Tom, the general manager of the department store.

“Yes, Madam.”

‘I was short-sighted.’ Leah realized. ‘I didn’t consider the reporters who would be taking pictures and writing articles every time Vivian took a bite of bread.’

With them present, it would be impossible to truly savor the taste of even the most exquisite food.

“Unexpected.”

Vivian couldn’t help but be surprised when she entered Wells.

Outside the glass windows, she could see buildings, cars moving along the road, and busy pedestrians.

On sunny days, rainy days, and snowy days, all those scenes would become a vibrant, ever-changing painting.

Above all, the people outside the glass window looked inside with envious eyes. Leah led Vivian to a seat by the window.

“It feels good to have my heart open. It’s not stuffy in here.”

Vivian was captivated by the scenery outside.

“How is it? Does it feel like a burden just to come out like this?”

“It does. It took more energy than I anticipated.”

Vivian recalled the night before, when she couldn’t sleep because she was so excited about going out today.

It was just a trip to a department store in the city, but she felt as excited as a chick breaking free from its shell and venturing into the world.

A little later, the serving staff brought out the food prepared for Vivian.

Vivian looked quite surprised to see the spread on the table.

She hadn’t expected much, assuming it wouldn’t be much different from what the palace chef prepared, but it was a table setting unlike any she had seen before.

“Empress, please try it. This bread is naturally fermented without sugar, butter, or milk. Dip it in olive oil and try it.”

Following Leah’s suggestion, Vivian began to eat slowly.

She took a bite of the rye bread and was startled.

It was definitely bread, but it didn’t feel heavy or like it would contribute to weight gain. It was savory and not greasy.

It was perfectly satisfying when she ate it with yogurt and salad drizzled with a little unsweetened honey.

‘These are things that could be made in the palace, so why haven’t I ever been able to enjoy them?’

When she complained about gaining weight, all they did was reduce the seasoning and portion sizes of her usual meals.

They seemed obsessed with extravagance, always decorating the table in a dazzling, over-the-top manner.

But the foods at Wells were simple and elegant, not at all shabby. Perhaps it was because they used the finest ingredients.

However, she initially questioned whether it was worth buying at the department store for a high price.

That thought vanished when the plating of exotic fruits arrived, presented with exquisite artistry.

“Is there anything else you need?”

Leah carefully observed Vivian’s reaction.

“There was nothing lacking. With bread, vegetables, yogurt, fruit, and meat, I didn’t feel deprived at all.”

“Next time, I’ll prepare bean and chicken breast dishes. I’ll arrange for you to visit two or three times a week, and send the rest to the palace.”

Vivian smiled at Leah’s thoughtful consideration.

For some reason, she felt like she would naturally lose weight if she ate like this for a month. Soon, Vivian’s gaze drifted to the bustling scene outside.

She finally realized that she had been trapped and stagnant in the palace simply because she was the Empress.

Somehow, just venturing out like this made her feel alive and happy.

‘This was unlike me.’

Vivian took a sip of coffee and slowly looked around Wells.