Erin stood in the room where she had lived for the past nine years.
After they took out all the furniture and luggage, it was still dazzled with its beauty although it was empty.
Luxurious goldwork adorned the fleur-de-lis marble floors and pale green walls, and a sparkling chandelier hung from the ceiling.
I will probably never come back here.
It was a feeling that she was forever leaving this space with familiar furniture and atmosphere.
Erin must leave the Imperial Palace today.
This place didn't suit me from the very beginning.
This place was originally the Crown Prince's room.
Erin lived here because her husband, the Duke of Les Weisberg was the Emperor's grandson and successor.
She was the mistress of the Imperial Palace.
When I was younger, I could not even imagine that I would live like this.
Erin's father was poor from the beginning, so she lived a rather austere life for all nine years, even though she was surrounded by luxury.
He was the second son of the Marquis of Bricia, who is said to have been expelled from his family for marrying an émigré baker.
The mother of the girl who worked as a baker in the village shop was from the Er Dan family, emigrants from the North. According to the imperial classification, these were people from the lower class, without a surname and property.
Although everyone looked at them with dislike, they were still happy. Thanks to this, Erin's childhood was colored with happy memories.
As a former baker, her mother cooked her meals and made sweet desserts every day.
Erin helped her mother and learned how to bake bread and cookies for her pleasure.
Little, she loved to bake cakes and bread very much, she learned how to bake cakes, thanks to her mother, in the kitchen, where white flour was used every day.
Watching the dough in the oven increase in volume, the girl was happy. She made rose petals from cream that was as white as snow and gave off a sweet fragrance.
It was fun to make chocolate from crushed cocoa pods.
Erin is related
With a proud look, her mother took out a small bun prepared by a girl from a tray. As soon as the crust, which seemed to be hard, was bitten off, it chewed softly, and the buttery taste spread in the mouth.
Every time she chewed on a soft bun, it melted on the tip of her tongue.
Erin ate one of the buns in a hurry.
The mother laughed and whispered:
– It's a secret, but in fact, our Er Dan family tastes better than the Imperials.
– Truth?
– Yes. So Erin can bake a delicious cake too.
– Yes! I will bake cakes!
The girl nodded happily, smiling.
Someday, I'll have a whole cake shop!
With this dream, Erin learned how to bake cakes and make sweets.
Despite the even though rich, it was a well-fed and happy life.
However, this happiness faded when Erin was nineteen years old. In the same year, her cousin, the Marquis of Bricia, died.
Uncle, a former Marquis, had been ill for a long time and died leading wildlife.
Uncle's only child was a cousin, but he could not have children.
There were no other relatives in the family who could become heirs, and Erin's father had to take the title of Marquis.
Her father, who was a poor knight, and her mother, who was a baker, became Bricia's married couple overnight, and Erin became the young Marquise.
It was a quick promotion for a poor family that lived an ordinary life.
The marquis was on the verge of bankruptcy.
We lived a noble life, but in an instant, we found ourselves in huge debts.
Her father became a Marquis but was much poorer than when he was a knight.
Even though he was promoted to senior commander because he became a Marquis, it was difficult to continue to eat well with such a salary.
The Marchionesses of Bricia were an ancient family of national heroes, and their only daughter, Erin, had to go to another family.
The man who marries her will become the Marquis of Bricia in the future.
Enough the title was transferred along with debts, many rich people wanted to buy both the girl and the title for money.
However, the father rejected such proposals.
– I'm not going to sell my daughter.
Erin was grateful for her father's affection, but now lf was worth she would rather marry a rich man and pay off all her debts.
It seemed that this family would go bankrupt, and all three would be sold into slavery.
And at that time, an offer came from the Imperial Palace.
There was no reason to refuse. Erin accepted the Duke's offer in exchange for helping the family.
She thought she would never regret it. I thought that I could live happily and help my parents by becoming the bride of the sweet and handsome Duke.
Unfortunately, then she sincerely believed in it.
Erin took one last look around the room and tried to feel gratitude, but the sound of sobs beside her interfered.
–Mally, don't cry.
– But… Yes, Your Highness. Sorry.
The little maid with light brown hair hurriedly bowed her head and wiped away her tears. This maid named Mallie is the maid in charge of drinks at the crown prince's palace.
– I am no longer Her Highness. Just call me Erin.
After these words, Mally began to cry again. This rather sweet tear-stained face was dotted with freckles. Erin smiled and walked over to the girl, handing her a handkerchief.
- Thanks. For all. The coffee and tea you make were really good.
Since coffee was brought from outside the South Sea, the demand for coffee was mainly among the nobility.
In the Imperial Palace, separate servants and maids were responsible for tea and coffee.
Mally hesitated, but plucked up her courage and asked:
"Um… Erin. Can't you take me with you?
- What?
"If you could hire me as a maid…"
Mally was close to Erin.