Erin wasnât the least bit surprised by Lady Caterinaâs reaction.
As the granddaughter of the Chancellor, Lady Caterina had always had a crush on Einz.
But she was nine years younger than Einz, and of course Einz thought of her as a child and didnât see her as a woman at all.
Even before she came of age, Lady Caterina had a crush on Einz and would often chase after him.
However, Einz would always ignore her, but since she had a crush on him, she decided that she could only be with him.
However, ever since the rumor about Erin having an affair with him. She was extremely devastated, and wanted to invite Erin over to cause trouble and spite her.
The maid brought over a plate and a knife and Erin finally took the cake out of the box.
The finished sachertorte was finally taken out of the box.
It was shaped like a sponge cake and was also covered in round, sweet-looking chocolate.
It was as smooth as it looked.
A thin layer of chocolate covered the entire round cake without any cracks, and above the chocolate was a darker black color.
There were a couple rows of stripes of darker black chocolate and in between, was a few nail-sized white flower-shaped decorations.
âWhat are the flowers made of? Cream..?â
âWhite chocolate.â
âYou made flowers out of white chocolate?â
A few people were surprised by Erinâs explanation.
After all, most decorations on cakes are made with buttercream or marzipan (a confection made with ground almonds and sugar).
Making chocolate form into flowers and other shapes was something that Erin had come up with when she was playing around in the kitchen when she was young.
She loved chocolate so much that she wondered if she could make flowers out of it, and this is what she came up with.
âItâs prettyâŠâ
Luckily, everyone was impressed with the flowers made of white chocolate.
They were elegant and stunning, with thin petals that looked like they would crumble if you touched them.
Erin took a knife and cut the cake herself.
As she cut the cake, the thin layer of chocolate covering the outside cracked and shattered, revealing the chocolate-flavored interior.
When she removed the knife, they found the moist cake solid and the soft chocolate sponge was also very firm.
It looked like a fluffy looking chocolate sponge cake with two layers and between those layers was a tart apricot jam.
The golden, apricot-flavored jam oozed like honey through the chocolate sponge.
âThis looks so delicious.â
Erin heard someone whisper.
âHmm. It looked good on the outside but you never know what itâs going to taste like.â
Lady Caterina thought sourly.
âIâm sure itâs all fancy and flavorless. After all it was made by a woman who used to be a duchess.â
Lady Caterina sat back in her seat, while making all sorts of accusations in her heart.
âIâll just endure it for now.â
Erin passed the cake from plate to plate. Except for Lady Caterina, the other young ladies looked at the cake curiously.
Then, to the surprise of all, they actually tasted an explosion of flavors inside their mouth.
As soon as they took a spoonful of cake to have a taste, the bittersweet chocolate covering melted away to reveal a sweet chocolate flavor, with layers of tart apricot jam.
The tart which was rich in apricot flavor melted on their tongue immediately and blended beautifully with the sweet chocolate cake.
It was Soft and sweet in the middle, Yum!
âDelicious!â
âWow, itâs so good!â
Everyone exclaimed and ate the cake in front of them.
Even the ladies, who hated chocolate, scraped the bowl clean. Lady Caterina looked at the plate in front of her in amazement.
The scent of cake was wafted over with a rich chocolate aroma.
She carefully took a bite of the cake.
As soon as she took a bite, the rich chocolate flavor seemed to have been enhanced.
The tart jam made from fresh apricots and the sweet, bitter, and deep flavor of the chocolate were in perfect harmony.
She thought that it would be very sweet at first glance. After all, it seemed to be overflowing with so much chocolate, but it was just the right amount of sweetness that brought out the chocolate flavor.
âOh my God, this is so good.â
Lady Caterina said as she ate the cake.
Even though she had already come of age, she still loved sweet desserts, and she could honestly appreciate a good one.
âIâm glad you like it.â
Erin smiled in a pleased manner. After all, there was nothing better for her than having to see people enjoy her own desserts.
As the young ladies finished their cake, she looked over at Lady Caterina and asked,
âDo you still need anything else?â
âHey, can I order anytime and have you deliver it?â
âIf Iâm not busy, then sure.â
Erin replied, while smiling when she suddenly saw someone was coming this way from the garden.
The tea room had a large glass window on one wall, and through the clear glass was a view of a garden filled with plants.
A blonde-haired lady in a colorful dress walked through the gate leading to the garden.
Erin knew who it was immediately.
It was Serena, Raymondâs mistress.
Serena was always well-dressed, but now she was dressed even more extravagantly, almost to the point of being too eye-catching.
Her stomacher1 was dotted with tiny diamonds and tiny pearls.
Her drooping beige silk dress alone was dazzling, but her makeup and hair were even greater. It was truly dazzling.
However, Serena was so beautiful that such colorful attire was embellished.
Her dewy white skin was clearer than pearls. Her long, curly blonde hair shone like gold threads underwater. Her lips were also redder than coral.
Serena was, by all means, the Empireâs most beautiful woman.
Objectively speaking, it was a given.
Compared to her, Erin had delicate eyes and round nose. She also had a dainty face and delicate features.
Her green eyes were as vibrant as dewy birch or radish leaves, and her long platinum hair was as soft as silk.
But all of this were still pale in comparison to Serenaâs angelic looks and gorgeous blond hair.
Erin knew she was better than her, at least in other ways. Like management, and knowledge of literary works.
That was the only pride she could take in the face of repeated comparisons, but the other nobles didnât see it that way.
âUnless youâre going to be the emperor or an official of the court, politics, history, and law are of no use to a lady. â
âA noblewoman who can capture everyoneâs attention in the social circles should be as beautiful as a doll, graceful as a swan, with a dainty countenance and a graceful bearing. She should also know how to dance well.â
Thatâs what they said. And their words would always end with the same outcome.
âThe Duchess is in all respects inferior when it comes to all of these.â
âSo it is. There is a reason why she is not loved by the duke.â
Erin shook off all these useless memories with a light shake of her head.
From now on, she will live a truly meaningful life.
Serena still bowed gracefully before Erin.
It was a dignified greeting, like something you would read from an etiquette manual.
âLady Erin, itâs been a long time since Iâve seen you.â
âIndeed. Itâs been a long time.â
âI never thought Iâd see her again in a setting like this, though I suppose Iâd always feel unwelcomed every time we meet.â
Erin tilted her head solemnly.
The other womanâs reaction was bitterly disappointing, but Serena smiled as brightly as a flower in full bloom.
âIâm sorry I havenât come to see you. I didnât know where you were. So I couldnât invite you. I was hoping youâd come to my ball and soiree last week. After all it was something I organized myself.â
She said, and the affection in her voice made it seem as if the bizarre relationship between the two of them, where Serena being a mistress and Erin as the wife, was nothing.
âItâs okay. I donât want to go to that kind of place anyways.â
Erin laughed, emphasizing the âThat kind of placeâ part.
Serena casually ignored the meaning behind her words and smiled while stepping closer.
Erin suddenly realized that all the young ladies in the tea room were watching them with their eyes shining.