"Oh, it's Master Vane." Her smile softened as she recognized the handsome man with a rugged face.

"How's your mother doing, Barbara?" Vane asked, his tone laced with genuine concern.

"She's doing better now. The doctor said there's no risk of death…" Her voice wavered slightly before she stepped out from behind the counter and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. "Thank you… If it weren't for you, she wouldn't have made it."

Vane gently patted her head, his expression calm. "No need to thank me. I've been coming to this place since even before you were born—I care about your mom, too."

She pulled back, her smile tinged with gratitude. "Thank you… really," she said again, her voice softer now. Composing herself, she returned to her seat and asked politely, "What can I get you today, sir?"

"Hmm…" Vane paused thoughtfully. "Four slices of gateau, two Victorian sponge cakes, and four regular black coffees."

Turning back to us, he asked, "Do we need anything else?"

"Umm, something spicy too. It's all sweet. If we eat something spicy before the gâteau, it tastes much better!" Alya chimed in, her tone thoughtful.

"You heard her, Barbara. Anything you'd recommend?" Vane asked.

Barbara's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Actually, yes! I just tried something new, and the results were amazing," she said, taking a quick breath before continuing. "I call this Fire-Spiced Mutton." She pointed toward a dish behind the glass display.

The mutton looked dark brown, glistening under the lights, with a rich curry draped over it. The deep brown sauce hinted at layers of flavor, making the dish almost irresistible to look at. We couldn't help but stare, imagining how it would taste, as Barbara added, "I used high-quality mutton pieces, soaked them for two days in Maltic beer with a mix of spices and a bit of sugar. Then I roasted them to perfection, removing any extra bacteria, and topped it with a spicy curry made with potatoes, onions, and a blend of vegetables."

"That sounds delicious. We'll have four plates of that too," Vane said eagerly.

My mouth was already watering from the sound of it, 'It sounds like some super expensive steaks made in five-star restaurants. I never got the chance to try them…'

Barbara led us to our table. It was a polished wooden slab, its smooth surface free of unnecessary ornamentation, save for buttercream and sauces that looked homemade. The wood's natural grain added a rustic charm, its dark hue matching the bakery's cohesive aesthetic. Instead of traditional legs, the table appeared to float just above the ground, seamlessly connected to bench-like seats on either side.

Leor and Alya sat on the right bench, forcing me and Vane to take the left. The arrangement left us directly facing each other, the polished black wood table standing solidly between us.

Leor broke the silence, his voice quiet but serious. "Did something happen to her mother, Vane?"

Vane sighed, his gaze softening. "Yeah… She nearly died from a sudden heart attack. They had some savings, but it all got used up on her medical bills. Things got worse when their income dropped— Barbara was not as good as her mother at running the bakery. She couldn't pay the waitresses, so they left too." He paused before adding, "I just helped out a bit by covering her mother's medical bills."

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Leor leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. Then, with a mocking sneer, he muttered, "Waste of money. Should've let that bitch die."

For a fleeting moment, His ember-green pupils darkened, turning pitch black —so quick it was almost imperceptible.

"Huh?" For a moment, Vane's eyes widened to the limit. He quickly composed himself, his voice turning cold and sharp. "What the hell did you just say?" Vane yanked Leor by his collar, his voice lowering to a dangerous growl. "Are you out of your mind? What if she heard you? Do you have any idea how much that would hurt her?"

Alya's eyes widened in shock, her gaze fixed on Leor. Her expression wavered between disbelief and denial, as though struggling to process what she had just heard. "Leor… are you alright?" she asked softly, her voice heavy with concern. Tentatively, she placed her right hand on his shoulder, her touch light yet searching.

"Hey, are you alright man?" I asked feeling a bit worried about him. My gaze flicked to his eyes again, unease settling in my chest. Was I the only one who noticed his pupils darken?

Leor blinked, his ember eyes narrowing slightly as he looked between Vane, Alya, and me. "What's gotten into you three?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion. His hands instinctively moved to pry Vane's grip off his collar. "And why are you… ? Did I say something wrong?"

His gaze shifted to Alya, her worried expression making him frown. "And you… what's with that face? I don't understand. What's wrong?"

Vane's grip on Leor's collar loosened slightly, his expression shifting from fury to unease. His voice, sharp as a blade, cut through the tense silence. "Are you still reading those mystical books? I've told you countless times to stop it!"

"Huh?" Leor frowned, confusion flickering across his face. "I stopped reading them ages ago—right after you told me to. I haven't touched one since. Why bring that up now?"

Alya stepped closer, her voice softer but laced with concern. "Leor… this isn't like you." She hesitated, her hand still resting on his shoulder as if trying to steady him. "You've never said anything like this before. Are you feeling alright? You feel… different."

Her gaze bore into him, almost pleading. "Are you possessed by something… an evil God?… Devil? You should go to the Church first thing today, bathe in holy water…"

Leor's confusion only grew, his eyes darting from Alya to Vane. Finally, he looked to me, a silent plea for an explanation. With a quiet sigh, I leaned closer and murmured what he had said, keeping my voice low enough not to alarm the little lady.

Leor froze on the spot, His pupils dilating to the max. His hands started trembling slightly.

Noticing Leor's strange reaction, Alya and Vane got even more worried if that was possible. But then Vane's sharp gaze turned toward me?? narrowing with an intensity that made my stomach drop. 'Huh, Why's he looking at me like I just killed his entire family, and pissed on their graves? I was sitting by your side, completely silent, backing you up the whole time…'

To be continued...…..

Author's note: If you've read till this chapter and are still not adding it to your collections… It's weird man, Are you alright? Even if you want to binge read, you will need to add it to your collections. The dopamine hit, I am missing it a lot. It's like stalemated. I feel like becoming a serial killer.

TYATE Additional Time: Barbara's Bakery is a legacy passed down through generations, with each owner bearing the name Barbara. Along with the shop, the secret recipes that define its reputation have been carefully safeguarded and handed down. Now nearly 130 years old, the bakery has become a cherished establishment in the area, even attracting nobles from the imperial gardens who come specifically to enjoy its offerings.

However, after Barbara III suffered a heart attack, the shop's vitality began to fade. The current Barbara, who was adopted and lovingly raised by Barbara III to carry on the bakery's legacy, lacks the refined skills needed to satisfy the high standards of most customers. Overwhelmed by the increasing workload, she was forced to limit the number of customers the shop could serve. If she allowed everyone to come, she wouldn't be able to serve even a single one properly.

As a result, only a few loyal customers visit the bakery now, providing just enough income to support her and cover the costs of her mother's care. Despite these challenges, Barbara continues to manage the bakery as best she can, holding onto the hope of keeping its legacy alive.