Chapter 38

"Does Nifsara have self esteem issues by any chance?"

The maids looked surprised by that question but Ayda just felt stupid asking it. She already knew the answer. What kind of hero wouldn't have them?

"The Commander? Why would you ask that?

-Is she insulted by other nobles often?"

The maids lowered their voices:

"Well... Not everyone likes the idea of a commoner taking their child's place at the academy.

-I see.

-It's so unfair! The Commander never took anyone's place. She is simply talented.

-And very humble!

-She would never be like those nobles."

Could it be that Nifsara got used to the insults? She seemed fine when Ayda insulted her in the past but maybe she got hurt without realizing. As years went by she got used to being looked down upon and started believing in it without realizing. That could explain why she didn't believe that Ayda was in love with her.

She did look disgusted when Ayda talked about love. After all, Nifsara said so herself that she didn't want to get married. But Ayda still was a noble. Maybe deep down Nifsara couldn't believe Ayda because she didn't think herself worthy of someone of her birth. Despite her interesting family situation, Ayda was still a noble.

Ayda nodded, thinking that it made sense. But what could she possibly do? She wasn't a psychologist. Maybe she should insist on Nifsara having saved her more. She tried her best not to look pitiful so Nifsara wouldn't pity her and compare her to her lost mom but maybe that could be the solution. Maybe feeling like she saved Ayda, Nifsara would finally feel like her equal and would accept her feelings.

"Are any of you in a relationship?"

The air grew suddenly cold and Ayda had no idea why. the maids who had defended their master with excitement seconds before had their faces suddenly drop. Having no answer, Ayda looked at them one after the other:

"Have I said something wrong?"

One of the maids laughed awkwardly:

"You didn't say anything wrong, Lady Maganti. Unfortunately, none of us are in a relationship.

-Oh."

The youngest maid straightened up:

"But that doesn't mean we can't help you confess!"

Even Ayda got scared by the maid's excitement.

"Okay... And how would you do it?

-I would bake cookies for my loved one."

Ayda frowned:

"Bake her cookies?

-Yes. In my favorite book the female lead bakes cookies for her love interest and when he tastes them he realizes how important she is to him!"

Ayda didn't want to burst the maid's bubble but she had to ask:

"If she wants cookies can't she just buy them?

-No!"

Ayda took a step back:

"Okay... But wouldn't they taste better if they were done by a baker?

-That destroys the whole purpose. the Commander will surely understand your feelings if you put in the effort and give her something you made. And what better way to seduce someone than through their stomach?"

Ayda wasn't convinced but she nodded. After all, these maids knew way more about romance than she did.

"Okay."

The maid was even more surprised than Ayda that she liked her idea.

"Really?"

Ayda was already regretting it.

"Yes."

The young maid got very excited and she started jumping up and down:

"We have to put a lot of chocolate in the cookies! Who doesn't like chocolate? And I heard someone say that cookies taste incredible with rose petals in them!"

Ayda frowned. She hated roses. But after all, weren't they the symbol of love?

"Why not."

Ayda had no idea how to make cookies but she was sure that it couldn't be too hard. She died more times that she could tell, some cookies couldn't be that difficult to make. She started heading to the kitchens when she realized that the maids were still following her. She tried making them understand that she didn't need their presence but they were way too invested at that point. Ayda had to admit that they were very helpful and the cookies turned out way better than if she had done them on her own.

Ayda felt exhausted. She really hated baking. She hoped that that would be enough to convince Nifsara of her feelings. If it didn't, she would scream.

"Wait!"

The young maid immediately bit her lower lip:

"I am so sorry, Young Lady... I didn't mean to scream."

Ayda didn't really care and shook her head.

"You can't just take the cookies to the Commander on a plate.

-Why not?"

The young maid looked very worried for a second but she quickly shook her head:

"I have a very cute basket that I could lend you. It even has a pink ribbon on the side!"

Ayda really didn't see why that was needed but she just sighed:

"Thank you."

Ayda thought that everything would be finally over once the cookies were backed but for some reason the presentation took way longer than the backing. Ayda had to use breathing exercises to calm down but luckily the young maid finally looked satisfied:

"Perfect!"

She looked on the verge of tears for some reason:

"It's just perfect. I am sure that the Commander will understand your true feelings with this. I wish you the best of luck, Young Lady. But I am sure you don't need it."

Seeing the maid so excited have joue ton Ayda. Did the cookies really look that good? Ayda hoped that she was right. She couldn't bear the idea of having spent so long working for Nifsara still not to understand her feelings.

However, Ayda shouldn't have gotten too ahead of herself because Nifsara didn't look at all phased when she saw the cookies.

"Lady Ayda?"

Ayda was so frustrated at that point that she didn't even speak and just handed Nifsara the basket. The knights that were close enough twisted their necks to see what Ayda had brought. A curious silence fell on the training grounds and Ayda felt like time had stopped for a second. The knights weren't even pretending to spare at that point and just shook their swords in front of them without looking.

Nifsara put her sword down and walked closer to Ayda. The latter thought that she would take the basket from her hands but all she did was lift the napkin on top and glimpse inside.

"Cookies?"

No. That was cookie shaped soaps. Of course it was cookies!

"Yes."

Nifsara smirked but a second later her cold expression got back on her face. Was that a good sign?

"I am truly touched, Lady Ayda. But you don't have to feel as if you are forced to give me such things."

She wouldn't give such stupid things if she wasn't so desperate to die. Ayda forced herself to calm down. She was way too frustrated lately. She had to breathe. What did the young maid tell her to say again? Ayda tried her best to behave the same way as that energetic girl:

"I heard that the best way to seduce someone is through their stomach..."

Ayda held back her breathing to make her cheeks go red. It seemed to have the desired effect because the knights around them started pushing each other to get closer. Ayda could feel her frustration fly away seeing that people were understanding her intentions perfectly. It was now. It was finally time for Nifsara to understand Ayda's true feelings.