Desserts

In the end, Frieren still bought Fern a white dress as a birthday present. The dress was simple in style, made of soft fabric, and had delicate lace trim. When Fern received it, her pale purple eyes lit up noticeably, and she gently stroked the lace on the hem of the dress with her fingertips, unable to put it down.

"Frieren." Her voice was filled with obvious joy.

"Hmm," Frieren responded, her gaze already drifting to the sign of a shop on the street corner, wafting a sweet aroma—"Ding-Ding 70% Sweet."

Shops under Little Aino's name.

This shop is one of the properties of the Continental United Academy, selling desserts made from magical creations designed by the genius magician Aino. Aino herself is still studying at the academy, and the shop is run by her followers or lower-year students.

It is said that the chef is not human, but a magical creation also called "Ding-Ding 70% Sweet".

"Ding-Ding 70% Sweet" is a small shop decorated with warm-toned wood and magically maintained fresh greenery, with a sweet aroma of sugar and cream filling the air. Soft, magical lamps illuminate each small wooden table.

The four of them went into the shop and found a table by the window to sit down. The menu was filled with illustrations of all kinds of desserts, a dazzling array.

Frieren barely glanced at the menu before ordering the signature honey mille-feuille and a milk tea with double the nuts. Lowell ordered a lava cake drizzled with chocolate sauce and watermelon juice. Fern carefully considered the options and ultimately chose a strawberry sundae, a pancake sprinkled with icing sugar, and a small slice of strawberry cake.

Fern sat upright, delicately dividing the cake with a small spoon, her movements elegant, but her slightly luminous pale purple eyes betrayed her inner joy. She wore a new dress, the lace hem swaying gently with her movements. Frieren ate small bites of mille-feuille, her eyes half-closed in satisfaction. Lowell slowly scooped cake, a smile playing on his lips.

Only Sein frowned at the menu filled with pictures of desserts. "I said..." he scratched his head, "Don't you have... well, like roast meat, bread, or anything else that's decent food besides desserts?"

The young female shop assistant maintained a professional, sweet smile, "Excuse me, sir, we are a professional dessert shop; we only offer desserts and drinks."

Sein sighed and resignedly pointed to the least sweet-looking nut and cheese tart on the menu, "This one will do. At least it looks like it has a lot of filling, like a small pie."

When Fern temporarily left to go to the restroom, Sein immediately lowered his voice and said to the other two, "You guys really went to a lot of trouble... to bring the kids to such a cloyingly sweet place."

Frieren was forking the last piece of a muffin when she heard this and mumbled, "Hmm? So delicious..." with her cheeks still bulging.

Sein looked at her genuine expression of enjoyment and choked for a moment. "... Okay, are you a child too? What about Lowell?" He turned to Lowell.

Lowell chuckled and put down his spoon. "Haha, who says men can't like desserts? Sein, when life feels bitter, eating something sweet can lift your spirits; when life feels sweet, shouldn't you celebrate with dessert?"

Sein clicked his tongue. "Tsk, really? We both love desserts, but your description makes it sound... much more sophisticated and philosophical. Alright, I'll have a sundae then." After ordering, he looked at Lowell with a probing gaze. "However, Lowell, although you and Frieren are lovers, you two seem... a little unlike each other."

Frieren had finished her pancakes and was sipping the complimentary fruit tea when she looked up and said, "Why doesn't it look like it?"

Sein stroked his chin. "Hmm... it's just a feeling. My older brother once said that elves are probably less sensitive to emotions because they live longer. But Lowell, you're human, so shouldn't you be more affectionate? At least you should be sitting with Frieren, right?" He pointed to the spot next to Frieren where Fern had just been sitting.

Lowell remained calm. "I'm not human, I'm Demons."

"Huh?" Sein a short exclamation, leaning back slightly to examine Lowell closely. But he quickly relaxed, scratching his head. "Tsk, well... was I overreacting? Demons... are emotionally insensitive too?" He seemed to accept it unusually quickly, perhaps because Lowell's previous behavior had already exceeded his understanding of "normal."

"Demons probably don't have the 'emotionally insensitive' trait."

"... Then why is this the way we're getting along? It's like we're accommodating Frieren?"

"How could that be? Don't get me wrong. How can you call it making concessions? Don't make it sound like I sacrificed something for Frieren. I did it for myself." Lowell shook his head. "I only did it because I really enjoy being with Frieren. I cherish every day I spend with her."

"Yeah..."

Just then, Fern returned. She happened to overhear the last few sentences, gently covered her mouth with her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed, and whispered, "Too erotic..."

Sein amused and exasperated. "... Where's the pornography in this? It's clearly a very sincere and noble confession, okay?"

Fern gave a soft "humph," offering no further rebuttal. She simply walked over and sat down close to Frieren, affectionately taking her arm as if declaring ownership. Frieren let her lean on her, continuing to hold her cup in her other hand.

As night fell, the town quieted down, with only a few scattered lights and the distant barking of dogs. The four of them walked back to the inn along the cobblestone path.

As they walked, Frieren seemed to remember something, stopped, and turned to Fern.

"Fern."

"Hmm? Lady Frieren?" Fern looked up at her.

Frieren thought for a moment, then placed her left hand on her hip, brought her right index and middle fingers together, lightly touched her lips, and then gave Fern a crisp, clean "kiss," adding a soft onomatopoeic sound, "Qiu~"

Fern was completely taken aback by this turn of events. Her eyes widened instantly, as if struck by an invisible heart, and her cheeks flushed bright red. She let out a very soft whimper, her body swayed, and she even took a half step back. Her legs gave way, and she was about to fall backward when, fortunately, she managed to grab onto the wall and barely managed to stay upright.

Her heartbeat calmed down a little, but the blush on her face hadn't faded, and her eyes were still a little flustered.

"... What are these two doing?" Sein looked at Frieren speechlessly. "What childish tricks are they playing? Someone come quick and take these two kids home. It's late; children shouldn't be out."

Frieren raised her chin slightly, hands on her hips, a hint of smugness on her face. "Hmph~ Maybe it's too early for a brat like Sein? But oh well, Fern seemed a little jealous today, so I'll give her a special reward."

"A woman burdened with sin, unconsciously exuding charm." Lowell looked at Frieren with tenderness and a hint of envy.

Sein at Frieren's matter-of-fact expression, and then at Lowell beside her with an "that's how it is" look, Zain sighed deeply, "So where exactly is the charm... really... where is the gentle and mature older sister..."

Frieren had already turned around and continued walking towards the inn, her silver hair flowing in the moonlight. Lowell naturally followed. Fern patted his cheeks, raised his forearms to encourage himself, and barely regained his usual composure before quickly following. Only a faint blush remained behind his ears. Sein watched the three figures disappear into the distance, smiled helplessly, and followed after them.

The town streets returned to tranquility at night.