It was probably around ten in the morning already. There really wasn’t much time left—and with Countess Ruth’s sudden appearance, Mepeilu’s once-happy mood had soured noticeably.

“...Let’s go, shall we?” Liana tugged on Mepeilu’s hand. At a time like this, she’d have to take the lead.

Let her be the one to heal Mepeilu’s ruined mood—even just a little. It was rare to get time off, and Liana didn’t want Mepeilu to waste it brooding.

They walked through a street lined with fragrant shops, overflowing with a wide variety of food and specialty goods from all territories.

Liana grabbed Mepeilu’s hand and broke into a light run. They passed cobblestone paths lined with fresh flowers and stopped in front of a transparent domed structure built entirely from frosted sugar.

It was a candy house—created entirely with candy magic. The shop’s owner looked like a girl barely in her teens, using a wand to guide colorful syrup across the sugar dome, drawing a rainbow above them.

“Wanna go in?” Liana asked.

“Mm.” Mepeilu nodded.

After the two of them entered, Loraviel also moved to follow—but Vivian caught her by the hand. “Let Lady Liana and Princess Mepeilu have a bit of private time, shall we?”

“...Mm.”

“Oh my, Your Highness—welcome!” The young girl put down her wand, having spotted the two cute girls entering.

“Hello, Miss Wendy.” Mepeilu looked around with curiosity. This was her first time coming to a place like this.

“Your Highness knows me?” the girl, Wendy, blinked in surprise.

“I’ve heard a bit about you.”

Wendy’s gaze moved to Liana. Based on her appearance and the recent rumors, it was clear—this was indeed Liana. A rare visitor.

“Would the two ladies like to buy something? Candy, ice cream, pudding—we have all kinds of sweets,” Wendy said with a polite smile, though she was clearly a little nervous.

Mepeilu wasn’t really interested in sweets. Too much sugar made her sleepy and sluggish, so she rarely indulged.

“Pudding?” As soon as Liana’s eyes spotted that word, the little ahoge on her head perked right up. “I want one!”

“I’ll call Miss Wendy right away.” Liana lightly patted Mepeilu on the shoulder.

Wendy turned back to Mepeilu. “And what would Your Highness like?”

“A strawberry sundae, I guess.” Mepeilu looked around. She wasn’t sure what to pick.

“Very well. Please wait a moment while I prepare your order.” Wendy turned and headed into the back.

“You really like sweets, don’t you, Liana?” Mepeilu asked. Liana was now staring at the various desserts on display, eyes glittering.

“Guess so? I just love the sweetness.” Liana casually grabbed a piece of candy from the shelf and held it up to Mepeilu’s lips. “Try this!”

“When you’re feeling down, a little dessert can really help you feel better.” Liana smiled. “And hey, they say a really delicious bite can bring back your happiest memories.”

Who said that? No one knew. But...

“Mmh. It’s really sweet.” Mepeilu tasted the milky richness and nodded. “Maybe there’s truth to the rumor.”

“Oh? Looks like you just thought of something happy.”

Mepeilu had seen a happy moment. But not one from memory—no, it was happening right now, in front of her.

Milk candy was sweet—but there was something even sweeter in her sight.

Liana’s smile.

Mepeilu took a deep breath. What was wrong with her? She’d made Liana worry again.

“Liana, what kind of candy flavors do you like?” Mepeilu asked.

“Flavor? As long as it’s not anything too weird, I’ll eat anything,” Liana replied.

They chose a seat by the window and sat down.

“Even the furniture here is made of candy...”

“Won’t it stick to our clothes...?”

Liana loved eating sweets, but hated the sticky syrup that came with melted sugar. The thought of it on her hands was already unpleasant—let alone on her clothes.

She wouldn’t have to clean the clothes herself, of course. But they were going ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) shopping afterward. She couldn’t walk around in a sticky mess.

“Don’t worry!” Wendy returned, carrying a tray of desserts. “These are all magically protected. They’re only decorative. Functionally, they’re no different from normal furniture.”

“Is that your magic?” Liana asked.

“Yes! It’s my innate magic—Candy Spellcraft!” Wendy answered proudly.

“All of this... you made with magic?” Liana still didn’t quite understand. What exactly was the effect of food made from magic? 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

“Does it taste like normal candy? Or does it, like... fuse into your body as mana? Or is it just normal after all?”

Wendy shook her head. “These are all handmade. Candy made purely from magic just tastes really sweet—but compared to handmade ones, it’s not nearly as good.”

“So magical candy is edible? No side effects? What happens if someone who can’t use magic eats it?” Liana asked.

“Oh! That’s right—Lady Liana can’t use magic. My apologies.” Wendy realized belatedly that this was a key point for her guest.

But Liana didn’t snap or grow angry. She stayed calm, and simply asked, “So? What happens?”

“Candy created by magic has only the sweetness. If you want more complex flavors or textures, you have to enhance it with additional spells—which uses up a lot more mana. Since I don’t know that many spells, I make most of my candy by hand.”

So much talk—and not a single clear answer!

“So then, there’s no difference at all between handmade candy and magically-created candy?” Liana asked.

“None at all.”

“That’s magic for you—it can create objects out of thin air, with only mana as the cost.”

“If that’s the case, then... if Liana just ran off and opened a jewelry store, she’d make a killing...”

Sigh. If only the demon tribe weren’t a constant threat. If it were a peaceful age, she wouldn’t have to keep playing the villainous noblewoman just to keep the story on track.

Although the story had already gone completely off the rails, the demons still existed. And with the protagonist missing, Liana’s fantasy could never become reality.

“I see.” Liana waved a hand, signaling Wendy to step away.

Wendy exhaled in relief. She’d thought she was about to be scolded or yelled at—but Lady Liana hadn’t said anything harsh at all.

“I know a little about this shopkeeper,” Mepeilu said.

“Oh? What’s special about her?” Liana asked.

“Magic, in some people’s eyes, has a hierarchy. Combat magic is considered more noble than support magic. After all, most people treat magic as a tool for battle—a weapon.”

“And Wendy’s magic, as you saw—candy magic—has no offensive use. No support function, either. Just a touch of defensive ability. That’s all.”

“...”

Really? Or is that just underdeveloped? Liana clearly remembered that guy from Mountain Bandit King who used candy as a weapon.

“Mm? What’s wrong?” Mepeilu asked.

“So, even though she can use magic, many don’t think highly of her,” Mepeilu continued. “In their eyes, she’s only a little better than someone who can’t use magic at all. But she didn’t let that bring her down. She made the most of her innate talent and opened this candy shop. She became the shopkeeper here.”

“...I see,” Liana nodded.

Mepeilu had a reason for saying all this.

“Some crafting spells do consume less mana than others. But you, Liana—you’re clever. You’re able to make the most of your own unique abilities. Your gemstone magic has a distinct offensive trait, after all.”

So all this... was just to comfort me?

Yes, she did have other ways to attack—but they all required mana. And right now, she simply didn’t have the reserves. Training magic was an unknown, and with her current physical state... she probably was trying to reassure herself.

Even if Wendy had no combat potential, even if her magic reserves were weak—she still managed to become a skilled and successful confectioner.

“...Thanks,” Liana said, scooping up a spoonful of pudding. “Here, take this as a thank-you! Don’t worry—I haven’t eaten any yet. The spoon’s clean.”

“...Then hurry up and eat it! I don’t like flavored spoons,” Mepeilu snapped back with a laugh.