Chapter 139
“Welcome! This is Emma’s Bakery!”
A few days after arriving home, with nothing to do, I decided to help at Auntie’s bakery.
After indulging in delicious meals and tasty bread every time, it felt right to pitch in.
Above all, Auntie’s bread is genuinely delicious. I’m not just praising it because it’s Nova’s parents’ place; I mean it from the heart!
The variety, the texture, and the perfect baking state—honestly, I could eat a whole bunch!
“I wonder if there will be any left today…” Hehe… My assessment wasn’t wrong, as many people gathered early in the morning to buy bread.
The bakery wasn’t just a place for buying and selling; it even had tables for people to sit like a small café.
“…What a cute girl! Give me two baguettes.”
“I want three to go! Make sure Stella herself wraps them for me!”
“Yes, yes! Please wait a moment!”
To start working, I prepared myself with an employee uniform and name tag—just for that professional feel! Though I’ve never done customer service, I, Stella, have been through so much! I can handle this!
“Here are two brioche!”
“This over here is crème brûlée!”
“Yes! Four! One moment, please!”
“When’s my coffee coming?”
“Ugh…”
I felt like my head might explode. They handle this amount every day?
Well, the truth is, Uncle is baking inside, so Auntie is handling this all alone… And meanwhile, that Nova kid is managing everything: serving, taking orders, and handling payments like a pro!
“Here’s your coffee.”
“Here are two brioche, three baguettes, and five cream puffs for a total of two silver coins and one gold coin.”
In this world, one gold coin is worth about 100,000 won. Since ten silver coins equal one gold coin, that’s roughly 21,000 won… Can people even pay that in one go? That’s just insane…
“Hey! When is my order coming?”
“Oh! Yes, coming right up!”
Yikes!… Now’s not the time to worry about others; with how fast things are selling, will there even be any left for me?
It’s been a while since Nova started working here; I wonder if he knows anyone, but I’m just a complete newbie, and people are starting to notice me.
“Hey, that girl is pretty, isn’t she?”
“Totally! I’ve never seen anyone with that kind of looks in this village; is she from somewhere else?”
I’ve grown up around here, but to think so few people would recognize me…
I mean, I might be somewhat known for being the apprentice of the Master of the Golden Tower, but my face has never been revealed.
In fact, aside from my missions, I’ve hardly ever been outside the magic tower, so it seems fewer people know what I look like.
Sure enough, whenever I’m spotted outside, it always ends like this!
The village boys were practically shouting while looking at me.
“Hey, should I try flirting with her?”
“Crazy! Do you really think she’d even pay you any attention?… But, just in case, I might try…”
Just as they were about to approach me, a cup of water slammed down in front of their table.
Nova, who had been at the cash register, appeared right in front of them, delivering the cup with a flourish.
“Welcome, dear customers~ What would you like to order~”
His mouth was smiling, but there was something terrifying in his blood-red eyes—it felt like he could kill with a glance.
Under Nova’s chilly pressure, the boys looking at me started sweating profusely and lowered their heads.
“Uh… I’ll go with one honey bread…”
“Order received, dear customer~ If you have any inconveniences, please. do. tell me!”
“Ah… Yes…”
Well, there’s no need to go that far… I guess Nova is just really jealous!
I totally expected a situation like this; I’m a pro! I can handle it naturally…
“Isn’t that boy handsome? Look at his face…”
“Ah… Nova! I missed you so much!”
Clink!
With the sound of shattering glass, everyone turned to look at me… I had gripped the serving cup too tightly without realizing it.
It’s okay! I’m a pro, so I’ll clean this up right away…
“Who was that girl just now…?”
I had completely overlooked that Nova, too, had such a stunning appearance that he could monopolize the attention in this world.
Though he doesn’t show it, that Nova boy got a good number of confessions at the academy—especially when I wasn’t around.
Thinking about how he probably chatted with girls while I was all alone training at the magic tower…
“Hey, are you okay?!”
“Uh. Huh?”
When I snapped back to reality, I noticed Nova was right in front of me, holding my hand and checking for any injuries.
His worried expression while touching my hand made my face warm up instantly.
The other girls watched with longing as he fussed over me.
“Since it’s dangerous, I’ll clean this up—just in case, I’ll get some disinfectant, so wait!”
“Uh… Okay…”
Right… with everyone looking at me like this, there isn’t much to worry about, is there?
In fact, is there any reason to worry? He isn’t interested in you!
Somehow, I felt a bit of pride swelling up, and for some unknown reason, I felt triumphant as I huffed at those girls. They looked back at me, dumbfounded.
“Hmph… Ahem!”
“…What’s up with her…?”
“…Let’s just eat some bread…”
Time passed in the busy morning, and at last, the long-awaited lunch hour approached.
After finishing up my work and sitting down, I struggled to calm my racing heart.
Inside, Aunt Emma brought out a freshly baked cake that was still warm.
A sponge cake generously coated in whipped cream with perfectly ripe strawberries!
“Stella, you’re drooling. Calm down a little.”
“Rgh… I am calm enough!”
The leftover bread I had at home was already a fantastic taste, but what would a freshly baked cake be like?
Even while serving, the aroma had made my mouth water several times… Ugh, I’m drooling…
With a kind smile, Aunt Emma set down the plate with the cake in front of me.
“You two worked hard helping out! Feel free to have more, okay?”
“Yes! Thank you for the meal!”
As soon as Aunt Emma went back inside, I picked up my fork and took a generous bite of the cake.
So soft! The fluffy, spongy texture sent a delightful sensation all the way to my fingertips.
As I swallowed a piece, I could feel my body trembling from the sweetness dancing on my tongue.
“Mmm~♡♡ This is the taste!”
The outer layer of the perfectly baked sponge was just slightly crispy while the inside was moist and soft.
The whipped cream was just the right amount—not too sweet—highlighting the cake’s smooth texture without being greasy.
In fact, I usually tend to eat sweets much sweeter than this, but it’s impressive that it can taste this good…
“Maybe I should give it a try…”
Pfft!
In that moment, Nova, who had been drinking juice, suddenly spat it out in shock.
“What the heck was that for?”
“Cough cough! Sorry, what did you just say?”
“Hmm? Oh, I was thinking of trying to make one myself because this cake is so delicious.
I thought it might be nice to make it later for Shia and Serena, too.”
“Oh… Haha, really?”
“What’s with that face?”
“Huh? What’s wrong with my face…?”
Seriously, how could he be that obvious? To be sweating like that so obviously, does he think no one would notice?
Well… I may not be a master chef, but I can cook a bit—well, I can even make beef stew, which is relatively difficult, so why that face?
“Do you think I can’t do it?”
“…No way! If you want to try, I’m sure you can make anything!”
“Right?! Of course… Yeah! Absolutely, I can!”
Then, I should ask Uncle for some tips right away!
As I headed toward the kitchen, suddenly Nova cautiously opened his mouth, looking at me.
“Um… Stella? Before you give any to them… how about a taste-test?”
“Huh? Why are you asking something so obvious? You should be the one!”
“Haha… Yeah?”
Nova’s parents are professionals in baking, so maybe he’s a little scared of their evaluation.
Until he makes a decent bread, the only choice is to ask Nova for a taste.
That said, Nova seems a bit too uptight about things, doesn’t he?
It seems a bit excessive for him to make a face like that when his girlfriend is offering to make something herself…
With a disgruntled expression, he muttered quietly.
“Your cooking skills are just too much…”
“What?”
“Oh. Nothing, nothing…”
Did he just read my mind? Nah, it must be my imagination!
Ignoring that, I stepped into the kitchen, and soon I spotted Uncle kneading the dough for the bread.
I approached and politely asked if I could learn by his side, but he paused for a moment.
“…If you’re hungry, I can whip something up right now.”
“No, that’s not it! I really want to try making it myself…”
The uncle seemed to be touched by my sincerity and stood silent for a moment.
Then, just when he was about to say something, Aunt Emma came from behind and covered his mouth.
“Ah, you want to make bread? I’ll teach you, dear.”
“Auntie… You’re going to teach me yourself?”
“Of course! Your dad is busy prepping for the next sale.
Let’s start with the ingredients for the bread. Go to the warehouse first!”
Oh… Starting with the ingredients? This feels so official, my heart is racing!
I responded energetically and headed towards the storage room.
“Yes! I’m going right now!”
*
As Stella exited the kitchen, Emma turned and smacked her husband Logan on the back as she shouted.
“You seriously! Why are you trying to discourage her?!”
“Emma, you know people can be unable to do things…”
“Be quiet! It’s because Nova takes after you that he’s so cold-hearted!”
With a resounding smack against his back, tears welling up beneath Logan’s serious gaze.
Emma, with a firm expression as if heading into battle, strode determinedly towards the storage room.
“People can change… I believe in that girl’s potential.”
Watching her from the door, arms crossed, Nova bit into the bread he was holding and asked.
“Is there popcorn on the menu?”
“Why would you need popcorn? There will be plenty of food to eat later, so don’t waste it on that.”
“Huh? What does that mean…”
With a gentle smile, Emma looked at Nova as she said.
“You should be tasting what you need to, Nova. Don’t fill up on other things.”
With wide eyes, Nova dropped the bread he had been holding.
“…Please, Mom…”
Ignoring what Nova was desperately trying to convey, Emma fixed him with a serious look.
“Should I eat it then?”
“…Help me…”
