While Altair was still pondering which potion to give her, Vera set down the panther's treats and came over. "Count Altair, you're awake."
Following her voice, Altair found Vera staring with those large eyes at the 'black panther' in his arms, her gaze almost devouring it.
With no other choice, Altair handed the 'black panther' to her and asked, "Where are Hahn and the others?"
Cradling the 'black panther', Vera answered, "Butler Hahn and Irene took most of the staff to the country estate to prepare tomorrow's banquet. Housekeeper Freya went out to deliver the invitations."
"Butler Hahn left with loads of stuff—several carriages even—and wouldn't let any of us near. Only Captain Simon and a few others were allowed. I thought it might be something tasty and tried to sneak a look, but they absolutely refused. I consider that a direct challenge to the authority of your personal maid; we should discipline them for it."
Watching Vera pout righteously, Altair tapped her forehead with a smile. "Are you truly angry because my authority was slighted? Or is it that they didn't share their goodies and you're taking revenge?"
Vera instantly retorted, "Of course not! I'm your personal maid; even with Head Butler Hahn's orders, they have no right to bar me from inspection."
"Naturally, if they were to apologize with a little cake from Mrs. Marin's, Vera would forgive their offense."
Seeing her like this, Altair knew her 'anger' was merely greed for cake.
"All you think about is food. Aren't you afraid of getting fat? Look at your sister Irene—she's helping Hahn. If you grow plump and useless, I'll throw you out."
Vera wasn't frightened; she smiled. "Count Altair, you're bluffing—you'd never abandon me. Besides, I exercise every day just like my sister to keep my figure."
"And I'm so adorable Butler Hahn even said that since we arrived you've been in much better spirits, and he's glad he bought us."
"But I still don't understand what Butler Hahn meant when he said he bought us to be your bed companions. Does that mean we sleep with you?"
"Vera's silly; I don't know what that means. I know about men and women—they taught us—but I don't know what being your bed companion entails. When I asked my sister, she wouldn't explain; she only blushed and said we're adults now and it's fine. So what does it mean?"
Watching her shake her head in confusion, Altair felt he truly needed her. She could be slow, yet that very trait made her endearing.
Still, her life had been harsh: twins, pretty, orphaned, part elf—misfortune stacked high.
Had she been born into an ordinary family, she might have had a happier fate.
"If you want the answer to that question, you'll have to figure it out yourself."
"Go tidy up; we're going out for a stroll."
The first remark left Vera pondering, but the word 'stroll' snapped her back. "Count Altair, you're wonderful! I've nothing to pack; I'll help you change right now. Let me fetch your clothes…"
"…Uncle Neil, please drive to South Great-George, the Royal Mile, Mrs. Marin's confectionery."
Hearing Vera rattle off the address, Altair shook his head in resignation. A girl more home-bound than he was, yet she knew every sweet shop—truly the power of a foodie.
Vera turned happily. "Lucky Butler Hahn didn't take every carriage today, or we'd have had to hire one."
Listening to her chatter, Altair teased, "You're just lazy. And why bring the panther? Aren't you afraid he'll hurt someone?"
She didn't deny it. "Poor thing would be home alone. I'll keep an eye on him."
…Less than twenty minutes later the carriage stopped at the long-yearned-for Mrs. Marin's.
Escorting Altair inside, Vera's eyes darted over every dessert.
Seeing her eager look, Altair said casually, "Pick whatever you like."
At those words Vera stepped forward, pointing into the display case. "I'll have this lemon cake, the strawberry one, the chocolate, this… this Black Forest…"
…Sipping black tea, Altair watched in amazement as Vera devoured slice after slice.
Such a tiny stomach, yet she'd already downed four petite cakes. Though each was small, they were cloyingly sweet; Altair had managed only one bite. When she finally paused, he asked, "Full?"
She shook her head. "The cakes are delicious, but I've had enough for now. I'll take the rest home to share and save some for tomorrow."
Altair reminded her with a smile, "Tomorrow we're holding a banquet in the country; do you think desserts will be scarce? And it's summer—today's cakes won't keep till tomorrow."
…In the end Vera left the shop with a bulging bag of cakes—though none would be saved for the morrow.
The treats were inexpensive: twenty-five cakes plus tea cost five shillings sixpence—about two-hundred-and-fifty yuan.
That averaged to under three pence apiece, in the capital no less—proof that un-inflated currency still bought plenty.
With her wish fulfilled, Vera hummed a cheerful tune.
South Great-George… there should be an Earth Mother church nearby; we could stop in on the way.