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(Lurelia’s Christmas Bonus – Update 4/4 🎉)

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But this cafe is different now. Not only is its location in the heart of the bustling area, but its exterior is also an eye-catching, splendid style. Needless to say, the interior decor seemed to have been given considerable attention by the Duke.

‘Let’s wait and see for the first day.’

As soon as it turned 9 AM, a man entered with the tinkling sound of a bell. It wasn’t the customer I was waiting for.

“You’re not late.”

“……”

Eric’s face looked as if he had chewed on bitter medicine, but he approached the counter without a word.

“Please tell me what I need to do.”

That’s right.

I had set the condition that Eric would work at the cafe for three hours in the morning in exchange for considering returning to the Duke’s mansion. Of course, Eric had vehemently refused, but when Count Jacob gave him a look, he accepted with a resigned face.

[Get a grip! What do you think His Grace will say when he returns? And when he finds out about what happened? Is this the time for you to be picky?]

The thought made me frown involuntarily. Surely, Duke Baniche will fly into a rage when he learns of this. I hope he doesn’t show another fit of madness.

But I wasn’t the target of that anger, and I had no intention of protecting someone who had been mean to me.

In fact, I felt a bit of satisfaction.

‘Of course, it might be different if he does the job very well.’

I looked straight at Eric.

“Please take care of the customer service.”

“Customer service?”

Eric looked surprised. I gestured broadly at the luxurious interior of the cafe. Now that I look at it, the interiors, which the Duke Baniche had clearly requested to be as lavish as possible, were not much inferior even compared to the Duke’s mansion.

Surely, the customers who will visit here…

‘Will be people with more than average wealth.’

The coffee prices were also set quite high. Would people who pay such money be satisfied with ordinary service?

‘As annoying as it is, someone accustomed to treating high-status people appropriately would be better. Eric would be much better at serving than me.’

I carefully explained my thoughts to Eric.

“You understand, right? I want it to be not only flawless but also make the customers feel like they’re being treated well.”

“…I understand.”

Eric nodded with a still dissatisfied face. I tilted my head.

“I’m glad you understand. And it would be better to hide that expression right now.”

Eric’s face wrinkled even more.

“Why should my expression…!”

“Of course, if you don’t want Elodie to go to the Duke’s mansion, you can keep that expression.”

I smiled brightly. Ah, how delightful. Come to think of it, I might be quite mean-spirited.

“I’m not in a position to force anyone, so I’ll leave the choice to you. What will you do?”

***

About a week had passed since <Cafe Aria> newly opened its doors.

It was enough time for word of mouth to spread, even without any special promotion. Even when I closed the cafe and took a walk with Elodie, I occasionally heard people talking about my cafe. Just like now.

“Have you been to the new cafe on Saturn Street?”

My ears perked up as I was looking at spring clothes with Elodie. The bright voices of two girls who looked to be in their late teens echoed through the store.

“Ah, that place! The really fancy one?”

“Yeah. It has many interesting menu items and the interior is really pretty. Plus, if you go in the morning, the waiter…”

As the boasting girl paused for a moment, her friend urged her on impatiently.

“What about the waiter?”

“He’s very… very refined.”

“Is he handsome?”

“I don’t know. He’s just a middle-aged man, but he pours tea so elegantly. You should wake up early and come with me sometime.”

I pondered for a moment. Certainly, Eric’s personality and skills were exactly inversely proportional. As I had warned him, he always wore a subtle smile and treated customers with a polite tone, which was well-received by people of all ages and genders.

‘That’s good.’

I hummed a tune while looking for more clothes that would suit Elodie.

‘Thanks to that, it’s settled faster than I thought.’

Perhaps it’s doing too well. The news of a mere new cafe doing well had reached the ears of Theodore Baniche, who was out on an inspection in a remote area.

“It’s truly fortunate that Your Grace has returned. For powerless nobles without backing like us, it’s truly a relief.”

Theodore slowly nodded at Baron Penack’s flattery. The Baron was a coward who hadn’t participated at all in Earl Shilo’s betrayal.

It was difficult to move that much, but he had built up many connections over time, which made him valuable enough to be persuaded and utilized. Baron Penack took a sip of wine and smiled affectionately.

“These days, my daughter has been pestering me to take her to Saturn Street…”

“Saturn Street is the pride of the entire duchy. How old is your daughter?”

“She’s just turned ten.”

Ten years old. Only three or four years older than Elodie. Just the thought of his beloved daughter brought a faint smile to Theodore’s face.

It was a genuine smile, different from the stiff one he had worn just minutes ago. Baron Penack immediately noticed this and seized the opportunity. It was time to use the tact that had allowed him to survive until now.

“Come to think of it, I heard you found the young lady? Congratulations, Your Grace! I too have been praying for the young lady’s return…”

“Elodie is my joy.”

Theodore answered pleasantly. Baron Penack’s intentions were obvious, but there was no reason not to play along.

“When you take your daughter to see Saturn Street, let me know. I think Elodie would also enjoy meeting a companion to play with like a sister.”

Of course, if he wanted to, he could find plenty of playmates for Elodie.

But years ago, Elodie had disappeared without a trace from the playroom in the Duke’s mansion, where no intruder should have been able to enter. Theodore was not foolish enough to repeat the same mistake.

The Baron Penack’s daughter was of sufficiently guaranteed status, and given the Baron’s timid and cautious nature, he wouldn’t dare to try anything foolish.

‘This much should be enough to feel at ease.’

Whether aware of Theodore’s inner thoughts or not, Baron Penack looked extremely moved.

“To think my daughter could be a playmate for the young lady… It’s an honor, Your Grace. I’ll tell Agatha to prepare well!”

Theodore wiped his lips and stood up. Having arrived after dinner time, they had a light drinking session in the Baron’s private study instead of a meal. Of course, Theodore was not unaware that the wine was quite expensive, perhaps excessively so considering the Baron’s financial situation.

As he walked down the corridor towards the room he had been guided to earlier, a fluffy curly-haired figure bumped into him at waist height. He blinked and looked down. Thinking it might be a clumsy servant, he was surprised to see an unexpected person.

“Y-Your Grace!”

Baron Penack’s daughter, Agatha, curtsied with a pale face. Just ten years old. The young girl looked terrified, unable to bear the fact that she had accidentally committed a faux pas against the Duke. Thinking of her as his daughter’s future playmate, Theodore’s tone softened considerably.

“It’s alright. Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Agatha quickly scurried away. Theodore chuckled and was about to move to his room when he noticed a piece of paper that Agatha seemed to have dropped, furrowing his brow.

‘What’s this?’

The glossy paper seemed a bit odd to be used for letters or memos. As soon as he picked up the paper, Theodore’s eyes hardened. The paper, which seemed to be part of a catalog or magazine, contained content he had not expected at all.

<Tiana’s Hot Corner for Sensible Ladies>

Today’s news is… about a cafe that has suddenly become famous on Saturn Street. <Cafe Aria>, which suddenly appeared one day on Saturn Street, the pride of our empire. I, Tiana, went to check it out!

Oh my, as soon as I entered, I saw an employee worthy of its reputation. I wonder what the name of this dignified gentleman is?

He exudes a refinement that’s not easily found.

“Excuse me, madam.”

Ah, the class that can be felt even in this simple phrase!

Is it just my imagination, or is there a subtle undercurrent flowing between him and the beautiful female owner?