LUCIA

HAPPILY EVER AFTER(7)

"Oh my, Sir. Taran. How unexpected to see you here."

Seeing the face of the middle-aged woman who was greeting him, Damian quickly plastered on the expression of a dignified and upright youngster.

"I hope you've been well, Marchioness."

Marchioness Philip's eyes were filled with satisfaction as she looked at her son's reliable friend. If she had a daughter under her roof, she would definitely fight to have him as a son-in-law, and the fact that she couldn't, made her feel regretful. As Bruno approached and greeted her as well, the Marchioness felt like it was truly a pity as she looked at the two dignified young men before her. Her son should have also been beside them.

'Oh, Chris. I'm vexed because of this childish son of mine.'

What 'traveling around the world'. This wasn't the time to do something so useless. The Marchioness was more than a little worried that at this rate, Bruno would fully occupy the position of Damian's closest aide.

As the Marchioness warmly discussed the current hottest topics in the social circle with them, the noblewomen who came with her covertly showed their interest and approached.

"Marchioness, you must have fate with these lovely gentlemen."

"Goodness me, you didn't know? Marchioness' son is close with Sir. Taran and Sir. Matin. Very close."

Hearing the envious voices of the noblewomen, Marchioness Philip's mood was greatly lifted. The two young men thought to themselves that if their friend, Chris were here, he probably won't be able to stand it.

The Marchioness was a very typical noble madam. She liked gossiping, bluffing moderately and worldly things. Chris didn't like that side of his mother.

[It would be so good if my mom resembled half of the Duchess.]

Chris had once said lamentfully.

"What brings you gentlemen here?"

"I came to buy a cake for my mother."

"Oh my, as expected. The Duchess must be so happy to have such a reliable and filial son."

Damian and Bruno were being courteous towards their friend's mother, so they quietly went along with the Marchioness' long chat.

After they managed to free themselves, Damian stood in front of the shop's counter to buy the cake they came for.

"Can you please write down the name of the cake you would like to buy on the order sheet in front of you?"

Damian was very relieved to hear what the staff said. He was glad he didn't need to say the embarrassing name of the cake. As he positioned to write the cake's name on the slightly yellowish paper like the employee said, he glanced at the note his father gave him. Damian alternated glances between the note in his hand and the bakery order sheet, comparing them. Both papers had the same size and material. He put down the pen and handed the note he was given over to the employee.

"Your order has been received. Please wait while your product is packaged."

Damian came to the conclusion that his father had come here at least once. He wasn't shifting the responsibility over to his son. It looks like as long as his mother was concerned, his father wouldn't care about entering a pink looking bakery to buy a cake for her.

Damian took in the entire view of the bakery and tried to imagine his father coming inside here, alone. But he couldn't imagine it at all. Damian really respected his father, in various ways.

In the carriage heading home, Bruno glanced at Damian's expression. And as usual, Bruno's eyes looked upset for some reason.

"Why don't you just get people to go search?"(Bruno)