Chapter 61

A new banner was hung in front of the shop to promote a new menu.

[Cool and creamy milk with a spoonful of sweet red bean paste!]

“What could that be?”

Everyone’s attention was drawn to the illustration above the text. It depicted a dessert in a rounded bowl, with white and dark red elements, topped with something white.

The image of a generously filled bowl piqued people’s curiosity, prompting them to step into the rice cake shop.

“Red bean shaved ice, please!”

“Here’s your red bean shaved ice. You can mix the red bean paste with the milk ice or eat them separately. The rice cakes on top are glutinous rice cakes filled with sweet red bean paste, offering a chewy and unique texture. Enjoy your dessert.”

Inside the rounded bowl was finely shaved milk ice that looked like snow. Glossy red bean paste glistened on top, with white rice cakes neatly placed.

“Look at this red bean paste. It’s so shiny and looks absolutely delicious.”

“Just looking at it makes me feel cooler.”

Using the spoon provided by the staff, they scooped up a generous helping of milk ice and red bean paste.

“This is so soft and sweet!”

“There’s a slight crunch in the middle—maybe it’s sugar?”

“Try the rice cakes! It’s amazing to think you can enjoy all this deliciousness in just one bowl!”

Everyone eagerly dug into the creamy milk ice, unable to stop themselves.

“Ah!”

Soon, they clutched their foreheads. The icy coldness sent chills up their spines and shook their heads.

“It’s so cold it hurts my head!”

“But I can’t stop eating!”

As the red bean shaved ice flew off the shelves, the glutinous rice cakes on top also saw a surge in sales.

“Do you have a less sweet version of the shaved ice?”

Some customers found even the red bean paste on top a bit too sweet.

“We have injeolmi shaved ice! It’s topped with soybean powder, giving it a nutty flavor that’s simply delightful.”

“I’ll take one of those.”

The injeolmi shaved ice looked like fine white snow sprinkled with golden sand. A customer who hadn’t expected much took a bite and widened their eyes in surprise.

The ingredients were simple, but the flavors were complex. The soybean powder, mixed with a hint of sugar and salt, tantalized the palate. The addition of nuts added a delightful crunch.

“This is revolutionary.”

The customer declared that there couldn’t be a more perfect dessert in the Kentri Empire.

One satisfied customer led to another. Those who had a good experience at the shop spread the word, and the popularity of the rice cake shop continued to soar.

***

The buzz about unsweetened desserts gaining sensational popularity in the capital eventually reached Eched’s ears.

Unsweetened desserts. Eched, who had once vowed to find a dessert that perfectly suited Shaterian’s taste, sought out the shop he had heard about.

Fortunately, the waning popularity of the rice cakes meant the line wasn’t too long. Eched was more than willing to wait for Shaterian’s sake, so he took his place at the end of the line.

Both those in line and those arriving to queue hesitated, stealing glances at the tall man standing among them.

‘Duke Astrea?’

‘Why is he standing in line here…?’

He had wrapped himself in a cloak, thinking it would conceal his identity, but his tall stature and broad shoulders gave him away. His mere presence was enough to intimidate those around him.

‘He could have sent a servant.’

Despite their murmurs, everyone admired how patiently and lawfully he waited for his turn.

Already known for his good reputation, Duke Astrea’s actions only further endeared him to the crowd, who quickly averted their gazes to avoid making him uncomfortable.

Noticing that Eched wanted to keep his identity hidden, the crowd subtly coordinated to ensure he wouldn’t feel exposed.

“Do you know what time it is?”

A man standing in front of Eched casually spoke to the person behind him, stepping aside in the process.

“Oh no, I dropped my money.”

A woman in front deliberately dropped her coins, bending down to pick them up before moving behind Eched.

“There’s dust in my eyes!”

Someone else claimed they couldn’t see and stepped aside.

“There’s a butterfly flying around!”

Another pretended to chase an invisible butterfly, moving backward.

“The wind is pushing me!”

Despite the stifling heat and lack of any breeze, someone used this excuse to shift positions.

“Oh, you want to stand behind me? Sure.”

A mother holding a baby gently patted the infant’s cheek and moved aside.

“……”

In no time, Eched found himself at the front of the line.

“Sir, may I take your order?”

The staff member, wearing a cheerful smile, addressed him.

Eched scanned the displayed items and nodded.

“I’ll take one of everything, packaged.”

Having quickly achieved his goal, Eched left the shop with his hands full and headed to the Grievance Counseling Office, where Shaterian was likely waiting.

When Eched entered the office, Shaterian looked at him with a mix of surprise and disbelief. More precisely, she was staring at the rice cakes in his hands.

“Aren’t those the rice cakes that have been trending in the Empire lately?”

‘I can’t exactly sew that mouth shut.’

Shaterian shot a disapproving look at Pell, who was marveling at the desserts in a robotic tone, before turning her gaze back to Eched.

“What is this?”

“It’s an unsweetened dessert.”

He looked thoroughly pleased with himself as he spoke.

Feeling slightly exasperated, Shaterian accepted the rice cakes.

“Did you buy these for me?”

He nodded in response, his eyes brimming with anticipation.

Though she managed to maintain a neutral expression, she hesitated to try the rice cakes. Having tasted countless samples during pre-launch tests, she was utterly sick of them.

After a brief internal struggle between her slow movements and Eched’s expectant gaze, she finally untied the neatly wrapped cloth.

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy them.”

As she untied the cloth, Shaterian complimented the elegant packaging. Opening the paper box, she remarked on how delicious the rice cakes looked.

The more she praised the appearance, the brighter Eched’s smile became.

His smile reached its peak when Shaterian took a bite and expressed her delight.

“So nutty, not too sweet, soft, and chewy.”

Pell, sitting across from her and observing the various expressions on her face, struggled to suppress laughter at his superior’s efforts.

“Pell, you should try some too.”

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

“You as well.”

Eched suddenly held a piece of rice cake up to her mouth. It was a gesture born out of a desire to quickly finish the dessert.

‘Uh…’

Without thinking, Shaterian leaned forward and took a bite. The soft texture brushed against her fingertips before falling away.

“It’s delicious.”

Her delicate eyes curved into crescents, and her red lips drew attention as they opened and closed.

Feeling her cheeks heat up, Shaterian quickly averted her gaze.

“I-I should share these with the staff in the adjutant’s office.”

She abruptly stood and hurried out of the counseling office. When she returned, her face had regained its usual calm expression, as though nothing had happened.

Eched’s visit to the rice cake shop unexpectedly became a brilliant marketing strategy.

“Isn’t this the shop Duke Astrea visited?”

“They say he didn’t send a servant but stood in line himself.”

“He must truly love the Duchess.”

People buzzed with admiration for Eched’s kindness and attentiveness.

Thanks to Eched’s visit, the rice cake shop gained even more popularity. Shaterian realized the power of celebrity endorsements.

Word of mouth was great, but nothing beat the impact of a famous visitor.

Luxurious packaging and unsweetened desserts.

Naturally, the next figure that came to mind was the most famous person in the Empire: the Emperor.

If the Emperor visited the shop, the rice cake shop would undoubtedly gain a prestigious title.

However, the only way to get the Emperor to visit was to reveal the shop owner’s identity and make a personal request.

But that was out of the question, leaving only one option…

Shaterian immediately placed an order. She prepared rice cakes to be sent as gifts to the adjutant’s office, the knight order, and the Emperor.

***

The day of visiting the shop. Shaterian deliberately dressed in an extravagant outfit and personally went to the store so that everyone could see her.

As expected, she drew everyone’s attention, but Shaterian paid no mind to their gazes. She simply retrieved the rice cakes she had pre-ordered a few days earlier.

The continuous visits by the famous couple only increased the shop’s reputation day by day.

Rumors also spread about how the Emperor was greatly satisfied after receiving the rice cake gifts, along with the new image of the lady handing out gifts to the shop employees.

The rice cake shop, now recognized even by the Emperor, gained a reputation as a high-end dessert shop frequented by the upper-class nobility.

“As expected, the redemption rate is exceptionally high.”

While the redemption rate was minimal during the first week, it showed a steep upward curve by the second week.

People who came to return the cloth after receiving the gifts got their stamps, and their desire to collect stamps led to additional purchases.

They had entered an inescapable cycle—trapped within Shaterian’s Möbius strip.

Shaterian placed down the sales chart of the rice cake shop, the cloth redemption rate, and the table summarizing sales by menu item, all the while smiling in satisfaction.

‘Ser, that guy, is doing a great job.’

She was particularly pleased with how he handled external tasks and how neatly the sales chart was organized.

‘Look at these beautiful numbers.’

Tracing the numbers with her finger, Shaterian smiled contentedly.

“And over five requests have come in from the Marquisate of Arturito to purchase the rice grown there through the merchant guild.”

“It’s already too late.”

Regrettably, Shaterian already held the exclusive rights to that rice.

Business was booming, and everyone was desperate to make rice cakes.

“Even if they start importing rice now, the costs won’t align, and even if they start cultivating it, finding suitable land will be difficult. It will take about two years. By then, we’ll have earned all we can and pulled out.”

She was satisfied with earning that much. Until then, she planned to drain every last penny from the nobility.

“Are the products designated for donation to the orphanage prepared?”

“Yes. They are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.”

“Good. Don’t forget to make the donation in the shop’s name.”

“Yes. And this is a new professional magazine. It introduces gourmet spots in the capital, and our rice cake shop was featured in its first issue.”

Ser pulled out a booklet about the size of a tabloid. On the cover was an illustration of a square rice cake with a flower design.

“I skimmed through it, and it’s full of praise. They were so impressed by the rice cakes that they decided to publish a magazine dedicated to introducing gourmet spots.”

“Is that so? If it serves as promotion, we can just leave it be.”

As expected, good products naturally bring in profits.

The shop continued to thrive day by day, but problems arose elsewhere.