I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 23
There was no desire to tear himself apart, no terrifying march of demons, no nauseating smell of decaying comrades, and no restless nights filled with anxiety.
Instead, he found himself surrounded by the sweet, comforting aroma pulsating inside the kitchen, together with the woman he loved and his family.
The satisfaction brought upon by that which naturally brought a smile to his face.
Everything was so perfect that he wanted to stop crying.
“Brother, are you crying?”
Edel, who had turned to throw away some pumpkin seeds he had scraped out, was taken aback when he noticed Rufus. Rufus, surprised by his own emotional response, blinked his eyes open.
“Oh, no, it’s just that I accidentally spilled some pepper.”
“But there’s no pepper in pumpkin pie.”
“Fine, fine. Just hurry up and bake the pie, you little rascal.”
Rufus turned his head abruptly. Seeing his reaction, Sarubia couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“What’s so funny?”
“Just because.”
Sarubia began to mash the pumpkin contentedly.
About half an hour later, the pumpkin pie was ready. The three of them, each holding a freshly baked pie, went out to the garden with Baroness Inferna.
“It’s really delicious.”
Baroness Inferna took a bite of the pie, and her face lit up with satisfaction. Edel proudly rushed to her side.
“I made half of it, Grandma!”
“Oh, Edel, your cooking skills have really improved!”
Rufus also took a bite of the pie and suddenly made a choking sound. He spat out an eggshell.
“…”
Rufus quietly grabbed a napkin.
“I’m so glad you like it, Baroness.”
Sarubia smiled brightly as she spoke.
“This delicious food is a rare treat. In our Inferna territory, crops are scarce, so we often have to rely on dried and preserved foods.”
The Inferna territory was located near the border where demons frequently raided. As a result, the land had few residents to begin with, and the poor soil quality made farming almost impossible, making food very precious.
As they enjoyed their cozy teatime with pumpkin pie, a maid approached.
“Lord Rufus, a servant sent by Princess Sordid has come to see you.”
Why would the princess’s servant come here all of a sudden?
Rufus, irritated at having his pleasant teatime disrupted, furrowed his brow and went outside.
“What’s the matter?”
“Princess Sordid has sent a servant to deliver cookies for you while you rest in the palace.”
As she spoke, the princess’s servant handed Rufus a large gift box.
Inside the box, there were various types of intricate cookies. They were exquisite and expensive, something Rufus had never seen before.
“She also recommends that you enjoy them at your earliest convenience.”
The servant added quietly, watching Rufus’s reaction.
“Understood.”
Rufus grumbled inwardly and eyed the princess’s servant.
After the harsh words she had spoken yesterday, she sends a gift without a single word of apology. Her behavior was perplexing, to say the least.
“Should I serve them now?”
After the princess’s servant left, a maid quietly asked Rufus if he wanted to try the cookies right away.
“No, there’s no need.”
The cookies certainly looked delicious, but as soon as Rufus heard that they were from the princess, his appetite vanished.
“Take them and share them with others.”
“What? But how can I, such a valuable gift from the princess…”
“If you’re afraid of catching the princess’s attention, then take them home secretly and share them with your family. I don’t want to see them anymore.”
Rufus firmly cut off any further discussion.
After a moment of hesitation, the maid eventually took the box of cookies with her.
“What’s the matter?”
Baroness Inferna asked Rufus when he returned.
“It’s nothing.”
“Really? I thought that princess was hanging all over you pathetically.”
Saying that, Baroness Inferna chuckled at how Rufus was being so particular about a simple gift.
“Marvelous. That punk of a king! Whenever I sent him petitions asking for financial support for the residents of the territory, he treated me like a beggar!”
“Hush, Grandmother! Everyone will end up in prison if others hear this!”
Edel turned worriedly and looked around. Fortunately, the other servants had already left.
For a while, Baroness Inferna enjoyed her hearty laughter, but then she cleared her throat and poured herself some tea.
“So, when do you two plan to get married?”
Suddenly, she asked, and Rufus and Sarubia froze simultaneously.
Marriage, out of nowhere?
Sarubia quickly spoke up.
“Um, Baroness Inferna… I am a commoner.”
“So?” Baroness Inferna retorted nonchalantly.
