Ferdinand & Dorothea B

Ferdinand
Ah, you have arrived at just the right time. Care for one of these handmade treats?

Dorothea
My goodness, Ferdie. When did you become such a talented confectioner?

Ferdinand
Oh, Dorothea! I am hardly an expert.

Dorothea
Nevertheless, you have managed to make some tasty-looking treats.

Ferdinand
Well, it is the first time I have tried my hand at it. Honestly, there were several unsuccessful attempts preceding this batch.

Ferdinand
I made these pastries to solve that riddle you gave me. The reason you despise me.

Dorothea
Oh?

Ferdinand
You said I was like a bee. The bee is a dutiful worker, just as I am.

Ferdinand
But the bee inherits a capacious home, with a wealth of honey. Similarly, I inherited my fortune. I did not receive it as a reward for my labor.

Ferdinand
I surmised that perhaps you'd feel differently about me if I earned something all on my own.

Ferdinand
That was my plan. To emulate your transformation from desperate pauper to successful songstress.

Dorothea
All on your own? Did you renounce your nobility? Give away your riches?

Ferdinand
No. I made these!

Ferdinand
I obtained all the ingredients on my own, without anyone's help.

Dorothea
You mean...you got the sugar and the flour.

Ferdinand
Yes. To earn the flour, I worked in the fields. To earn the sugar, I carried a merchant's wares.

Dorothea
Who did the cooking? You?

Ferdinand
Naturally! I took on some extra chores in exchange for use of the kitchen at night.

Dorothea
I have to admit, that's impressive. Hey... It looks like you had a bit of an accident. Is your hand OK?

Ferdinand
I burned myself a little while I was baking. Nothing to worry about.

Dorothea
Nonsense. That burn will scar, you know. Come on, let's get you to the infirmary.

Ferdinand
Wait! Dorothea! You have yet to try my treats...

Dorothea
You should be fine now, Ferdie. Big-shot nobles have to treat their bodies with care just like the rest of us.

Ferdinand
There you go again. Noble this, noble that. Though you did say it with less disdain than usual.

Dorothea
Nothing gets past you. As it were, I may have reconsidered you a little.

Ferdinand
You have reconsidered me? Finally! Just as I had hoped, we are becoming friends. Now then, I propose that we—

Dorothea
I only said I reconsidered a little. And you still haven't figured out why I said you're like a bee.

Dorothea
Which is funny, because you look like a bee right now. Bye!

Ferdinand
So, I am still a bee. A completely mystified bee...