The Duke replied nonchalantly, wiping his mouth.

“Speaking of which, I too find desserts fascinating. Nothing else pleases the guests like a good dessert.”

A good choice indeed. Nothing wins hearts like a delicious dessert.

Nelia wholeheartedly agreed.

“Bring it.”

Upon Carlos’ command to a maid, the maid nodded and disappeared.

The maids returned swiftly with a trolley, cleared the table, and laid out a new tablecloth suitable for tea.

While the beautifully doveembroidered teacups caught her eye, what truly captivated Nelia was the dessert laid out on the plates.

The table displayed an array of desserts so dazzling, it was almost a pity to eat them.

For a moment, Nelia lost herself, staring at the table.

“Opulent.”

She had thought she had seen the pinnacle of desserts at the Duke’s residence, but this was a breakthrough.

Each colorful dessert looked like a work of art.

“Don’t just look, start eating.”

Nelia felt as if she were bewitched by a dark mage, and as Carlos instructed, picked up a fork.

She sank it into the nearest cake and brought a bitesized piece to her mouth.

As soon as it touched her palate, a rich caramel aroma and sweetness spread intensely.

It tasted as magnificent as it looked. She couldn’t think of anything else.

After chewing the dessert in her mouth and swallowing, Nelia slowly opened her eyes, slightly regretful.

“Huh….”

Breaking free from the magic of dessert, she realized that both men were staring at her intently.

Carlos looked at her as if he was observing an animal in a zoo, while Duke Hart seemed… annoyed.

“Why is he annoyed?”

Did he find her behavior too indulgent?

Though she knew the Duke wouldn’t get annoyed so easily, his expression bothered her.

“Exceeded expectations.”

Carlos issued a vague appraisal.

“I thought you’d enjoy it, but not this much.”

Nelia realized that the ‘exceeding expectations’ comment was about her eating.

As Carlos expressed his admiration, or perhaps pseudoadmiration, she felt awkward.

“Wouldn’t my eyes roll back if you offer such a dessert? I starved daily in my previous life.”

Her strong obsession with food was likely due to her impoverished past life.
Of course, he had a fair appetite for general food, but desserts felt much more appealing. Despite being immersed in a life of abundance, such desires did not easily disappear.

“Finally, I understand why the Duke suddenly bought a bakery.”

Carlos lightly chuckled to himself.

Nelia fidgeted with the fork in her hand.

She wanted to try other desserts, but felt like she was only for show and couldn’t easily reach out.

Just then,

“Why aren’t you eating? Eat more.”

As Carlos pushed the plate towards her, his hand moved awkwardly for a moment.

The plate, pushed further than expected, knocked over the teacup.

Drip–drip[Dash].

The spilled tea stained the tablecloth and trickled down, wetting Nelia’s clothes.

“Nelia, are you alright?”

“Is everything alright?”

Duke Hart and Carlos simultaneously shot up from their seats.

Nelia was more surprised by the two men’s reactions than the spilt tea. She quickly calmed them down.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Weren’t you scalded by the tea?”

Duke Hart came over and carefully examined Nelia.

“It’s a bit hot, but not enough to cause a burn.”

Relieved by Nelia’s words, Duke Hart visibly relaxed.

“That’s good to hear.”

“I should clean my dress first.”

Her light yellow dress was stained with red tea. It felt awkward to keep wearing it.

Upon Carlos’ summon, a maid quickly entered the room.

“Take her to my room to wash up and bring her new clothes.”

“Understood.”

The maid nodded slightly at Carlos and then looked at Nelia.

“Please follow me.”

“There’s no need to change clothes.”

“No. Even if we wipe the tea off, it will take time to dry.”

The maid was polite yet firm.

Nelia looked at the Duke. She was concerned about leaving Carlos alone with him.

However, as if he read her mind, the Duke smiled and nodded.

“Then… I’ll be back.”

Nelia eventually got up and left.

(This is a time separator.)

After Nelia left, the reception room was engulfed in silence.

The Duke peacefully sipped his tea, while Carlos crossed his arms and stared at the door through which Nelia had left.

The first to speak was Duke Hart, who slowly set down his teacup.

“It seems your arm often causes trouble; aren’t you planning to see a doctor?”

Duke Hart had not missed the awkward moment when Carlos’ arm moved unnaturally.

That was why the teacup had toppled over. For a moment, it seemed Carlos couldn’t control the force in his arm, pushing the plate too hard and causing it to collide with the teacup.

Duke Hart thought it was fine to bring it up since Carlos himself had earlier mentioned that his arm was paralyzed.

“Even if I get treated, nothing will change. They’re all quacks.”

Carlos picked up his teacup and spoke cynically. Duke Hart was inwardly surprised.

Carlos usually reacted sensitively when his arm was mentioned. But this time, his response was unusually calm.

“What are you planning to do with that arm?”

“I’m planning to look for other options.”

A faint smile appeared on Carlos’ lips as he said this.

The expression made Duke Hart instinctively uncomfortable.

He shot back coldly.

“Don’t involve Nelia in whatever you’re planning for your arm.”

“You really growl whenever the maid is mentioned.”

Carlos sighed.

“Duke, do you know why I dislike you?”

Despite the blunt question, Duke Hart responded calmly.

“You probably distrust me because His Majesty trusts me excessively. And recently, you dislike me more because of Nelia.”

“That’s part of it, but…”

Carlos’ expression suddenly turned cold.

“There’s another reason.”