Chapter 6

For some reason, news of my baking and cooking have travelled around the whole mansion. The servants who were afraid to approach me before, come in hoards to watch and whisper when I bake. I find it quite amusing when they think I can't hear their loud whispers.

Bella has even started coming in front of me without looking scared. Am I closer to fulfilling my first strategy of befriending her?

After plating the cookies, I hold them out to the servants. Today I added fruits inside. Tess helps me distribute it to the servants in the doorway. They take them happily.

I grin, my plan is working. Soon, I won't be evil in their hearts. But I wonder if my father has calmed down? I've already contacted the owners of a building which is to let in town and have drawn out a plan for the layout of the bakery. Money really does talk in this world. It won't take long for me to set everything up.

Since that day where Sir Bernard and Lady Swan came, I haven't seen my father at all. I don't know where he got his misogynist ideas from. I need to prove to him that I can run a bakery proudly.

"Come with me to town Tess." I say after taking off the apron. "I need to go and sign the contract for the building."

Tess smiles, "Sure."

Tess is slowly coming out of her shell when she is with me now which I am glad to see. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have at least one friend here.

Most of the shop keepers know me now after I have been visiting daily. They haven't seen my face though since I always wear my black cloak and cover my face with the hood. I prefer to stay lowkey for now.

"Lady Beatrice, isn't that Lady Bella and Sir Laurent Bunter?" Tess suddenly exclaims, her eyes wide open as she stares across the street. I follow her eyes and quickly grab her arm, pulling her into the side alley.

"Shhhh... it has nothing to do with me now Tess." I whisper.

She stares at me, "Why are we hiding?"

My face heats up as I too question why I decided to hide when I saw them. It's normal for lovers to be together and I am no longer his fiancé so I have nothing to worry about.

"Let's go." I mumble and walk back to where we were.

To hope they don't see me is impossible because they are now crossing over to this side of the street. Fortunately, I have my cloak on but Bella will surely recognise Tess.

"Beatrice?"

I take a deep breath before turning around with a smile. Am I that easy to recognise even in disguise? I guess disguises only work in fiction novels.

"Hi Bella." I smile at my stepsister who is walking a few centimetres away from Laurent. Of course society here would spread scandals and rumours about them if they are engaged or married to someone else but dating another one.They probably still think we are engaged so Bella is being careful. Ten points to the good and pious heroine.

"Not drunk today?" Laurent smirks and I glare at him. I forgot he brought me home that day when I drank here. I shiver in disgust as I think about it. How did I let him come close to me?

"I really wish I was." I say, only half sarcastically. "I'm on official business so–"

"Laurent! I thought it was you." The man who gave me the card approaches us. He glances between me and Laurent with a raised eyebrow. Why did he have to meet me in this situation? I need to talk to him but not like this. "You two know each other?"

"No." I say instantly.

"Yes." Laurent says at the same time. Bella stands quietly watching us. I wish I was her right now, watching from the sidelines instead of being in the frontline.

"So which is it?" Francis Tag chuckles.

"I'm the fiancé of–"

"–My sister Bella." I finish quickly, gesturing to Bella. Doesn't Laurent understand that I've already spoken to his parents about breaking our engagement? Why is he shooting his mouth off like this? Beatrice, how did you like this man?

Francis Tag smiles and glances at me, "I was waiting for you to contact me."

I grin, "Sorry, I kept putting it off. But I'm glad I met you today. I have an hour left before my appointment so shall we discuss it?"

"Sure. Shall we go now?" He angles his arm, with his elbow out and gestures to me. Does he want me to slide my arm through his?! On the bright side, he is giving me the opportunity to get away from this couple.

"Sure." I smile and weave my arm through his. "I'll see you at home Bella." I say, glancing back at her. Laurent's eyes are on our arms but I have no time to care about him. I am still mad that he was introducing me as his fiancé when I clearly broke it off.

Tess follows us silently as we walk to the cafe. We sit at a table whilst Francis orders drinks for us. Tess stares at the cakes longingly and I call a waiter over and order one for her.

"N–no, you don't have to. It's just that I never got to come here before Lady Beatrice and..."

"It's on me." I smile softly, "Count it as a gift for coming with me today."

She timidly nods and smiles as the cake arrives. Her eyes sparkle as she digs in. I smile. It feels good to do good deeds like this. Maybe it's because she reminds me of my younger sister from my previous life but my eyes water as I watch Tess.

"You ordered cake?" Francis says as he comes back with the tray of drinks.

"Yes for Tess." I explain, quickly wiping my eyes.

"Shall we talk about the important things you wanted to discuss?" He says once he has sat down. As expected of a knight of the Royal Army, Francis' physique is lean and muscular. His soft brown hair and dark eyes are charming and he is overall a handsome man. I have never seen a handsome person like him before.

"Yes. I wanted to learn sword fighting from you." I explain. "I have the sword but I have no idea how to use it. I don't have any magic either so I want to become a regular swords person."

Francis stares at me, "Why do you want to learn? If you are Lady Bella Hatter's sister, aren't you a noblewoman too?"

"Who said I wasn't?" I roll my eyes, "I want to learn in case there is any emergency so I can protect myself and others."

"Does Sir Stuart Hatter know?" He asks with raised eyebrows.

"My father doesn't need to know." I sigh. "He doesn't care about whatever I do anyway."

"Alright then. I'll take you up as my student. Lessons will be every Saturday at 1pm."

"Thank you Francis! You're my life saviour!" I say happily, jumping up and grabbing his hands. If I can learn to master the sword, this man will truly be my life saviour.

"That's too much Lady Beatrice." He says, eyeballing my hands.

Quickly, retracting my hands, I stare at him with furrowed eyebrows. "How do you know my name?" I have never told him at all.

"Well, if I know you're Lady Bella Hatter's sister and Sir Stuart's daughter, of course I can figure out that you're the notorious Beatrice Hatter." He grins.

I sigh and lie my face down on the table. "Does everyone know me like that? Am I really seen as evil here?"

"Pretty much." Francis admits bluntly, "But from what I know now, you're different from the rumours. You don't seem like a cruel and evil person."

"Thanks." I say monotonously. I don't feel any better. So the whole world knows about me bullying Bella.

"Are you okay?" He asks in concern.

I wave my hand, "I'm fine, fine." My eyes widen and I sit up straight. "Tess what's the time?" I ask.

"We have ten minutes for the appointment My Lady." Tess says.

Panicking, I stand up, "I'll see you this weekend Francis." I say before leaving the cafe with Tess.