Our Cafe is Open as Usual - Chapter 69

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 69

 

Lucrezia Manfredi.

 

Commonly known as Manfredi.

 

Even after elevating her son to the ducal position and seeing her grandchildren, she was always called Manfredi.

 

Since her son’s wife had passed away long ago,

 

Manfredi remained the way to address her.

 

Though there were days it felt like shackles, she had lived bearing the weight of that name for many years.

 

As the only ducal house in the Jenen Kingdom, she strived to maintain the dignity befitting that status.

 

Thus, rumors about ‘Manfredi’ only continued to accumulate.

 

A merciless, frightening, strict, and cold-hearted person.

 

She knew that even the maids of the ducal house regarded her as such. Of course, she had treated worthless people that way.

 

If she had shown mercy even to such people, the prestige of Manfredi would have fallen.

 

As a result, there weren’t many people left by her side.

 

Only the fearless Prinda Grimani was the one who stayed by her side, acting coquettishly in every way.

 

Even the ‘Red Tulip’ she had barely managed to gather with people to her liking was somehow becoming muddied.

 

Except for Prinda, everyone had approached her because of her reputation.

 

Still, Milena Viola was among the better ones.

 

Despite her low status as a baron’s wife, she was not intimidated. Rather, she regarded her husband and family with dignity.

 

Though she was still young and had aspects where she couldn’t properly express her intentions.

 

“Manfredi will surely take a liking to Lailah when she meets her. So please stop the malicious speculation about her.”

 

She was someone who knew how to step forward when necessary.

 

Thanks to that, Manfredi was able to come meet the much-rumored Leilah Token.

 

She was a person she had become curious about and wanted to meet at least once.

 

However, there had been no justification to meet the commoner Lailah.

 

What would a ducal house lack that they would extend their hand first?

 

What would she lack that she would step forward first?

 

For mere beverages?

 

The Manfredi ducal house imported small quantities of tea leaves and coffee beans to drink, so there was nothing lacking at all.

 

However, she acknowledged that she was someone who sparked curiosity from the beginning.

 

She still remembered when the rumors about Leilah Token had spread even to the ‘Red Tulip’.

 

Except for Prinda and Milena, all the noble ladies had no good feelings toward her.

 

They had talked extensively about how she was giving noble culture to commoners, and without compensation at that.

 

Moreover, since that woman was also entangled with a noble priest, it was severe if anything, not less so.

 

Manfredi tried not to evaluate people based solely on rumors.

 

However, the thought that came to mind as soon as she heard Lailah’s rumors was ‘impudent’.

 

The fact that she displayed that precious ability to everyone without reservation was extremely impudent.

 

That was all. Even though she hadn’t spoken it aloud, the people at the gathering inferred it just from her expression.

 

‘Manfredi doesn’t seem to like Lailah.’

 

The first impression, which had some misinterpretation, concluded like this.

 

But even at the next gathering, people’s interest in Leilah Token didn’t die down.

 

Those who liked to chatter talked enthusiastically among themselves and even asked her.

 

What did she think of Leilah Token?

 

Manfredi said just one thing about Lailah, who had been busily causing incidents between the last gathering and this one.

 

“Impudent.”

 

It was a view unchanged from her first impression.

 

Then Milena Viola stepped forward saying such things.

 

Two gatherings.

 

The incident in between.

 

Milena had experienced Leilah Token, and Leilah Token proved to be charming enough to make her step forward.

 

So Manfredi also impulsively suggested.

 

“Then arrange a meeting somewhere. Let’s have the next gathering there. Ah, that’s right… wasn’t the next gathering in three days?”

 

The cycle of gatherings wasn’t set regularly.

 

However, on special occasions like birthdays, they always held gatherings.

 

Since it was Manfredi’s own birthday, it was natural to have a gathering.

 

Three days was certainly a tight schedule.

 

However, for some reason, Manfredi had faith that Milena and Lailah would pull it off. And that faith was rewarded.

 

Milena perfectly prepared the gathering within the tight schedule, even sending out invitations.

 

While securing the venue and people that Manfredi wanted.

 

Now that she had justification, Manfredi, who always kept her appointment times strictly, headed to the cafe earlier than usual.

 

She wanted to appreciate Leilah Token purely through her own perspective.

 

When various opinions reached her ears, being human, she inevitably reflected them.

 

So she came early, but ended up encountering Prinda, who had the same idea.

 

Prinda was acceptable. At least Prinda wasn’t swayed by rumors.

 

Having come all the way to the front door to meet Leilah Token, what she discovered was a sign with such writing…

 

“Impudent, too impudent.”

 

The evaluation inevitably became harsh. Nevertheless, Manfredi strangely felt amused.

 

She couldn’t understand why. Was it because this was the first time she’d encountered someone so fearlessly impudent?

 

‘She must have heard through Mrs. Viola that I was coming…’

 

Or perhaps it was a declaration of will that she wouldn’t be swayed by anything.

 

Whatever it was.

 

It was true that Lailah was close to the type of person Manfredi liked. She opened the door to Yonggari Cafe with anticipation.

 

“Welcome to Yonggari Cafe!”

 

Along with the kind voice, Yonggari Cafe came into view.

 

“…Hmm.”

 

A smile naturally formed.

 

The interior of the cafe was decorated overall with white tulips.

 

In the hall, tables were connected to form one large table.

 

On it, tableware showing traces of time was set, and bouquets of red and yellow tulips were placed on each table.

 

Overall, it wasn’t flashy, but she liked it as it was.

 

This was just right rather than being too flashy.

 

She couldn’t tell if it was Milena’s handiwork or the owner’s sense. However, since Milena wasn’t visible yet, judgment was impossible.

 

Then, turning her gaze, there were those welcoming Manfredi.

 

Staff with proper manners and posture, and staff who strangely caught the eye.

 

And a cute hamster wearing waiter clothes.

 

Lastly, the pink-tinted woman who welcomed her warmly as if she already knew this would happen, Leilah Token.

 

She could recognize her immediately without introduction. That woman in the center was the protagonist of those rumors.

 

Only she was looking directly at her. While others slightly averted their gazes, overwhelmed by her presence, only Lailah’s gaze didn’t waver.

 

Utterly fearless.

 

‘If only that child weren’t a commoner, I would keep her by my side.

 

No, would I have already married her to my grandson?’

 

Though they hadn’t even properly exchanged greetings yet, Manfredi was certain she would come to like Leilah Token.

 

She almost regretted not meeting her sooner.

 

Manfredi opened her mouth with a faint smile.

 

“You know who I am and welcome me so warmly?”

 

“I know from what Mrs. Viola told me. However, I couldn’t intrude upon the pleasure of exchanging first greetings, so I waited quietly.”

 

Lailah bowed her head and asked for understanding. That gesture was also pleasing.

 

Weren’t she and herself meeting for the first time? She hated the foolish act of having one’s first self-introduction done through someone else’s mouth.

 

Had Milena pointed this out too?

 

It was a rumor well-spread in social circles. Nevertheless, many people broke this simple rule.

 

At least the first impression was a pass.

 

Manfredi smiled faintly as she spoke.

 

“Is that so? Well, I am Lucrezia Manfredi.”

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Manfredi. I am Leilah Token, the owner of Yonggari Cafe. Please feel free to call me comfortably.”

 

“Then Lailah. May I call you by your name?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Well then, Lailah. I’m wondering if I came too early… is it alright?”

 

Mrs. Manfredi observed Lailah closely.

 

It was to catch any signs if she showed confusion or discomfort.

 

However, Lailah smiled brightly as if she had expected this.

 

“I knew you would come early. Mrs. Viola also stepped away beforehand for this reason. Then I’ll escort you inside.”

 

It was an incredibly bold response.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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