After the servant left, Nalant pushed open the door directly. What met his eyes was Bessie, huddled in the corner like a startled rabbit.
Nalant immediately put on a warm smile, making himself look as approachable as possible.
"Your name is Bessie, right?"
"Y-Yes... Lord..." Bessie nodded timidly.
"Bessie, don't be nervous. I brought you and your grandfather to the castle not to harm you, but to give you a better life!" Nalant reassured her.
Hearing Nalant's gentle tone and seeing his kind expression, some of the tension on the girl's face faded.
"Bessie, you've only just recovered from being ill, so you surely haven't had lunch yet. I have some sweet, delicious cream cake here. Come and try it—it's made with milk and honey!"
Rather than immediately taking out the potion cup, Nalant held up the small porcelain plate he had casually brought from the kitchen. On it sat a neat little square of cream cake, topped with a single small grape.
Although Bessie had never heard of cream cake before, the mention of milk and honey was enough for her to imagine how delicious it must be. She unconsciously swallowed.
"Come, sit here with me."
"Y-Yes, Lord!" She was still a girl, after all. Completely unable to resist her lord's enhanced approachability and the temptation of the cream cake, Bessie timidly obeyed and came over to the sofa.
Of course, the girl certainly did not dare sit down. Nalant did not force her either. There was plenty of time; these things had to be taken step by step.
"Here, eat! Once you're done, I'll speak with you!" As he spoke, Nalant slowly handed the cake to the girl in front of him.
Grrr...
Now that she was so close, the fragrance of the cream cake filled Bessie's nose.