Our Cafe is Open as Usual - Chapter 72

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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 72

 

Red Tulip.

 

A social circle gathering known to have been created by Mrs. Lucrezia Manfredi.

 

The membership always stayed between 7 to 8 people, never growing or shrinking.

 

This was decided when Mrs. Grimani the Marchioness’s wish for an intimate gathering was conveyed to Mrs. Manfredi.

 

Thanks to this, many noblewomen of the Jenen Kingdom wanted to join this gathering, but had to wait with fingers crossed due to lack of available spots.

 

Nevertheless, ‘Red Tulip’ became the center of the social circle.

 

Mrs. Manfredi and Mrs. Grimani.

 

These two alone were sufficient explanation.

 

Mrs. Manfredi from the only ducal house who still maintained communication with the Jenen Royal Court, and Mrs. Grimani who had deep knowledge of tea and close relations with the Jenen Royal Court.

 

Besides these, ‘Red Tulip’ had quite many noblewomen with deep connections to the Jenen Royal Court.

 

Of course, there were also those like Mrs. Viola who had no connections at all.

 

Therefore, for them, this was both a place of opportunity and advancement.

 

Even after the disaster 5 years ago, the authority of the Jenen Royal Court remained considerable.

 

So if one could connect with the royal court even a little, it would bring great honor to their family.

 

All noble families wanted information related to the royal court, and ‘Red Tulip’ was the gathering where such information was shared.

 

It wasn’t that Mrs. Manfredi and Mrs. Grimani would open their mouths.

 

They would simply correct the words of noblewomen who brought new rumors and news to the gathering.

 

This was thanks to Mrs. Manfredi’s personality of disliking false information being spread.

 

Therefore, most stories that came out of ‘Red Tulip’ were factual.

 

For this reason, ‘Red Tulip’ became a gathering everyone wanted to join.

 

Today as well, a lavishly dressed noblewoman who had brought new news and rumors sat in her assigned seat.

 

Every time she attended Red Tulip, she always felt her nose rise high to the sky.

 

However, today was different. There was an unwelcome guest mixed in.

 

‘If she stays there like that, won’t she hear all our conversations?’

 

The noblewoman glanced at the cafe owner standing at the dessert bar.

 

Whether knowing this fact or not, the owner of Yonggari Cafe, which had become the meeting place, calmly explained about the tea prepared for today.

 

‘Quince tea, was it? More importantly, why is she standing there?’

 

The noblewoman who loved to chatter poured out complaints internally.

 

‘In a place like this, precious information would surely spread to the social circle quickly.’

 

Holding onto information everyone wanted, just pretending to leak a little would make everyone try to please her somehow.

 

This gives an emotion you can’t know without experiencing it. The noblewoman had already tasted this sense of superiority several times.

 

Therefore, this sense of superiority had to belong solely to ‘Red Tulip’.

 

‘That woman is lucky.’

 

Though she probably can’t properly utilize the information.

 

The noblewoman lifted the corners of her mouth fully and took a sip of the provided tea.

 

The fragrant aroma pleased her nose first. The scent alone was enough to widen her eyes, and the taste was sweet with a pleasant throat feel.

 

There was a reason Mrs. Viola had defended her. Looking at it, everyone attending the gathering seemed satisfied with the tea.

 

She had to acknowledge what deserved acknowledgment and move on. While everyone was satisfied, if she made sharp remarks saying she disliked it, she would immediately fall out of Mrs. Manfredi’s favor.

 

Even Mrs. Manfredi was smiling brightly, so she absolutely shouldn’t provoke anything.

 

This was one of the methods the noblewoman had used to survive in this gathering.

 

Since everyone was enjoying their tea, it wasn’t yet time to start conversation. Therefore, the noblewoman’s gaze naturally turned to the dessert placed in front of her.

 

‘What is that?’

 

Seeing familiar bread flattened down, the noblewoman frowned.

 

‘Who on earth made a croissant like that?’

 

This was something to be dissatisfied about. However, since she couldn’t be the first to express dislike, the noblewoman quietly cut a small piece of the flattened bread and put it in her mouth.

 

Along with what was called ice cream placed on top.

 

‘…Hmm, it’s delicious.

 

I really did well to stay quiet.’

 

The crispiness of the pastry was maximized, crumbling like a cookie in her mouth.

 

The pieces that could have been sharp were wrapped coldly and softly by the ice cream.

 

It was a fantastic combination.

 

She really had to acknowledge this woman’s ability alone.

 

So that’s why her reputation reached the social circle and even reached Mrs. Manfredi, wasn’t it?

 

‘I should get acquainted with her while I have the chance.

 

Who knows if there’ll be a use for it later?’

 

While the noblewoman was having greedy thoughts, conversation slowly began.

 

The conversation naturally started with congratulating Mrs. Manfredi on her birthday.

 

Casual stories slowly began to emerge. Then the topic the noblewoman had been waiting for so eagerly came up.

 

It was none other than talk about the Crown Prince.

 

“By the way, has His Highness the Crown Prince had no activities lately? I haven’t heard any stories of anyone seeing him.”

 

First, it was another noblewoman sitting across from her who brought up the topic.

 

Despite her timid personality, she was quite greedy and often acted without reading the room.

 

That noblewoman would likely be expelled after this gathering.

 

Because Mrs. Manfredi’s expression wasn’t very good.

 

But the noblewoman who had been waiting only for this topic couldn’t miss this opportunity.

 

“Oh my, is that so? I heard he visited Dael Temple after the miracle was performed there… I guess you didn’t hear about it.”

 

“Ah… I suppose so. I’m always slow with news, you know.”

 

“That can happen. It’s news about His Highness after all.”

 

The shy noblewoman’s face turned red instantly. The sound of Mrs. Manfredi clicking her tongue reached the noblewoman’s ears.

 

The noblewoman got excited for no reason and casually brought up a rumor she knew.

 

“Still, you’ve heard the news that His Highness the Crown Prince is preparing a royal ball this time, right?”

 

“Ah… was that so?”

 

“Oh my, you didn’t hear this either?”

 

“…No.”

 

“Goodness… So there was even a rumor that all the deep blue colored fabric from Noren was dedicated to him…”

 

The noblewoman covered her mouth with her hand and pitied the shy noblewoman. Indeed, being quick with news was the best in this field.

 

Just as she was praising herself.

 

Clatter!

 

The sound of tableware being misplaced came from the dessert bar. The person who made the noise smiled awkwardly and spoke.

 

“I’m truly sorry for interrupting your conversation. Please don’t mind me and continue.”

 

“…Well, yes.”

 

After completely breaking the mood, what was so good that she was laughing so carelessly? No matter how capable Leilah Token was, this crossed the line.

 

The noblewoman glared at Lailah for a moment with triangular eyes, then turned her head sharply.

 

Then she raised her tone slightly and asked Mrs. Manfredi.

 

“Mrs. Manfredi, have you heard about the ball?”

 

“I have, but why do you ask?”

 

“I was curious if you would attend. I wanted to ask if you would… absent yourself again this time.”

 

“Even if I do absent myself, it won’t be you. There’s someone else I’d like to take.”

 

For a moment, Mrs. Manfredi’s gaze seemed to turn toward the dessert bar. It was so brief that the noblewoman thought she must have seen wrong.

 

The noblewoman subtly read the room and spoke again.

 

“Still, I was relieved because news about His Highness the Crown Prince has been coming frequently lately. I heard he can be seen often at the temple…”

 

“Ah, I heard that news too. I heard he’s been making many inspections lately, so there must be some reason.”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Tsk, I didn’t know you all had such interest in His Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

Mrs. Manfredi frowned and stopped the conversation.

 

The startled noblewoman shut her mouth tight. It seemed she had gotten too excited today.

 

When she no longer spoke up, the gathering’s topic returned to casual content again.

 

Then there was a brief time to introduce ‘Leilah Token’, and at some point, Lailah began conversing as if she were a member of the gathering.

 

Everyone received Lailah favorably. The biggest reason was that Mrs. Manfredi showed her favor toward her.

 

Not only her, but also Mrs. Grimani and Mrs. Viola.

 

Since more than three members of the gathering supported her, the other noblewoman had no choice.

 

Moreover, the drinks and desserts she presented were extremely delicious, so it was a natural result.

 

At some point, the noblewoman began to sense something was wrong.

 

‘…This isn’t right.’

 

Throughout the meeting, the noblewoman desperately tried to regain control of the conversation, but all her attempts were ignored.

 

Without being able to say a single word, the gathering came to an end.

 

And a few days later.

 

The noblewoman received a letter stating that she had been expelled from the ‘Red Tulip’.

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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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