Because if she had been honest in that moment?

She couldn’t make cake. She had never made cake. Cake was impossible.

Cara had once started a grease fire, and then poured water on the flames. That was how good at cooking she was, and she had a similar level of passion for the field.

However. She had one advantage. And that was [One True Falsehood]. Cara rubbed her hands together.

“I know how to make a cake. I know how to make a cake. I was a Michelin-star chef—no, take it back.

I…know how to make a cake.”

And she did. Cara grinned with delight. And then she got to work and…

…Realized something.

Knowing how to make a cake did not mean you could make a cake. Especially if you were her.

——

“It’s so lovely! And how do you eat it?”

“In slices. You put ice cream or frosting with it. Which, uh, I can’t make. You’re out of sugar, by the way, sorry.”

The villagers of Landsmecht crowded around. Miss Meuna took a thin slice, bit into it, and smiled slightly.

“Oh, a sweet bread! It’s lovely. You can borrow some of my sugar—and bring back a bag from town, Violetta.”

“Thank you, Miss Meuna! And can we share the cake around, Cara?”

“Of course, Violetta! I mean—it’s your cake.”

The [Singer] smiled and hid her fingers behind her back. Idelt sighed. As Violetta took slices around from the little cake Cara had made, he offered the young woman another healing potion.

She guiltily took it, and the cut finger and burns vanished. Cara looked at him.

As it turned out, knowledge of how did not equate to skill and the production thereof. Idelt had happened to hear the swearing, cries of pain, and stopped his work to help her. He had baked the cake with her knowledge.

[One True Falsehood] had limits. Cara sucked on a now-healed finger as she reflected on how she had failed to use it.

She should have said ‘I know how to bake food’, rather than, ‘I know how to make a cake’. Very important.

Also, the first failed cake was apparently so bad it had given a Gloomwren explosive diarrhea. Which was impressive when you thought about it. Also—slightly horrible since cakes were made with egg, and she’d fed it to the Gloomwren.

Cara had never claimed to be a good person. Or an honest person. And she was not a [Cook], clearly, nor would she be receiving the class.

“Thanks, Idelt.”

He looked at her and nodded.

“It’s good to see her smile. And you will be coming to town with us?”

He phrased it as a question, but Cara nodded slowly.

“I…don’t have many options. I lost my, um, money and my horse.”

“Lord Lantal will help with that. Thank you for…telling me how to bake a cake.”