Chapter 3
Secret Tasting Bread
Noticing the hint of the tasting bread, Roa decided she couldn’t hesitate any longer. She called out to the owner and spoke urgently.
“Excuse me… the bread under your apron… If possible, could I have a taste of that?”
“Under my apron?”
“The tasting bread… is that not it?”
The owner looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected such a request. However, seeing Roa’s earnestness, his expression softened into a warm smile as if he had understood her predicament.
“Oh, so you came specifically for the tasting bread.”
“Yes?”
“If you wanted to try the tasting bread, you should have said so earlier. Please, come this way.”
Though Roa didn’t fully understand the reaction, her desire for the bread drove her to follow the owner’s gesture into the store.
Inside, the cool air was a welcome relief from the oppressive heat outside. Roa sighed in relief, feeling the pleasant chill.
“You must have been very hot.”
“Yes… The sun in Calantus is different from the central region.”
“This isn’t your first time visiting the south, is it?”
“Yes, I came once as a child with my family…”
For a moment, Roa wondered why the owner seemed so certain that she wasn’t new to Calantus. It was as if he knew her past visits.
Roa’s suspicion briefly flared, but she pushed it aside, focusing instead on her desire to taste the bread.
Well, it’s probably just a lucky guess. She thought, trying to stay calm. Right now, tasting the bread was her top priority.
“What’s your name, Miss?”
“Roa. Roa Eckladen.”
As Roa answered the owner’s question, he looked visibly surprised when she mentioned her noble surname.
“It’s rare for guests to provide their full names. You must really want to taste the bread.”
Given that ‘Eckladen’ wasn’t a common surname, Roa realized that the owner’s surprise at her noble background made sense.
It was a fortunate turn of events, as she hadn’t expected anyone in distant Calantus to recognize her family name so quickly. For Roa, who had already left her family behind, the surname ‘Eckladen’ was now just a relic of her past.
Though there was no tangible benefit for her, as a resident of the south would likely be unaware of her family’s internal matters, it seemed that a bit of luck or perhaps her subtle persuasion had paid off.
Whether it was due to her strategy or sheer fortune, Roa was in a favorable position.
“I really want to taste it. Even just a little… Please.”
“I’m grateful for your enthusiasm. I’ll make sure to serve you a delicious bread that meets your expectations.”
“Really? Thank you so much!”
The owner’s affirmative response brought a bright smile to Roa’s face, and she cheered softly like a child. Whether it was due to her faint persuasion or just good fortune, Roa was now in a position to taste the special bread, and that was a definite win for her.
“Would you like me to unwrap it for you?”
“Yes! Since I’ll be eating it right away, that would be better…”
“You are quite bold. Then I’ll take off the wrapping now.”
The owner gave a slightly enigmatic smile as Roa said to skip the wrapping. His ears seemed to turn a bit red…and his demeanor exuded a strong sense of anticipation, which puzzled Roa.
Despite her confusion, the owner maintained a calm smile and reached out toward Roa.
Although she flinched slightly, he only touched the ends of her long, silver hair with great care.
The touch was gentle and cautious, not at all aggressive. Roa wondered if he was doing something with her hair, but she let him continue, intrigued by his actions.
“And the sweet milk?”
“Sweet milk?”
“Do you usually sprinkle sweet milk on it?”
Perhaps gaining confidence from Roa’s silent approval, the owner looped Roa’s hair with a delicate touch and asked another question.
Sweet milk. Roa’s mouth started to water.
She was a fan of pairing the intense bitterness of black coffee with lots of shots with sweet desserts, and just thinking about the rich, creamy texture of custard cream and the subtle sweetness of the milk had her feeling good.
As Roa imagined the sweet, milky flavor of the sweet milk, she couldn’t help but nod eagerly.
“Yes, I prefer it generously sprinkled, enough to overflow.”
“Indeed, women from the central regions seem to have a bolder approach compared to those from the south.”
“I just love sweet milk. It has a nice milky taste.”
The thought of trying the tasting bread made Roa’s mouth water. She tried to hold back the drool, licking her lips and smacking them in anticipation.
As she did so, the owner’s eyes widened noticeably.
What was so surprising? There was an awkward pause before he finally spoke again in broken replies.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.