Our Cafe is Open as Usual - Chapter 73
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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 73
Returning to the day of the ‘Red Tulip’ gathering.
The meeting concluded successfully.
Except for the noblewoman who disrupted the atmosphere midway, all the other ladies enjoyed themselves comfortably before departing.
‘I was quite surprised when they suddenly called for me in the middle…’
It turned out better than expected.
It felt somewhat like being a well-behaved child attending a parents’ neighborhood meeting.
The praise for me that started with Mrs. Viola became even more embarrassing when Mrs. Grimani joined in.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Manfredi nodded her head subtly in agreement with the compliments about me.
I had simply sat quietly and answered well, yet my reputation improved tremendously.
When I heard from Mrs. Viola, she said they didn’t particularly like me… but this made me worry unnecessarily.
Of course, it also helped that the tea and desserts I prepared were well-received by the ladies.
The quince tea and crungee received an even greater response than I had expected.
The quince tea was especially popular.
The ladies praised the quince tea enthusiastically, saying it was the first time they’d had such fragrant tea, and their admiration was endless.
Mrs. Manfredi showed great interest in the quince tea, following her interest in corn tea.
I had only prepared a small amount of corn tea so I couldn’t share it, but I had made quite a bit of quince syrup, so I shared some with her.
When I quietly prepared some for Mrs. Manfredi before she left after the meeting ended, she showed a slightly surprised expression.
“You would give me something so precious?”
“Yes, it’s a gift. If it feels burdensome to accept, please consider it a birthday present from me. I made plenty with the intention of sharing it if you liked it.”
“…I’ve received an unexpected gift. Thank you, Lailah.”
Mrs. Manfredi was very pleased. She added that this was the first time she’d received such a gift, and wanted to repay me as well.
‘I didn’t give it expecting anything in return…’
This is easy to make too…’
Since I didn’t want to make a big deal out of something like this, I declined, saying it was fine.
Then Mrs. Grimani, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, interjected.
“How about having her grant you a favor later? Or Mrs. Manfredi could prepare a gift suitable for Miss Lailah.”
“Hmm, that would be good too.”
“Since you’ve decided to give something to Miss Lailah anyway, how about generously giving both? From what I’ve seen, Miss Lailah doesn’t seem like she’d make presumptuous requests.”
“True. Then let’s do as Prinda suggests.”
Is this what they call reaping the benefits without effort?
I had simply kept my mouth shut, yet suddenly two great benefits fell into my hands. As if that wasn’t enough, Mrs. Grimani seemed a bit disappointed.
“You should make good use of this opportunity, Miss Lailah. It’s not an opportunity that comes easily. If it were me, I would have asked for a building in the capital. That’s right, how about a building?”
She smiled brightly while looking at Mrs. Manfredi.
Mrs. Manfredi had an expression suggesting she could do that much.
‘…Wow, a building is quite tempting?’
Should I just close my eyes and ask?
In my heart, I wanted to childishly ask for a building.
If this were a one-time meeting, I might have jokingly brought it up.
But I couldn’t be blinded by greed and waste my connection with Duchess Manfredi on a one-time transaction.
‘If I ask for a building, there won’t be a next time.’
There’s always a price for excessive greed.
I shook my head and answered.
“…That would be too burdensome for me.”
“Ah, what a shame. The day Mrs. Manfredi’s treasury opens doesn’t come easily.”
She definitely looked exactly like Iliyana, but Mrs. Grimani had a completely different personality. That gap felt very awkward.
I ended up laughing awkwardly.
Nevertheless, Mrs. Grimani kept nudging Mrs. Manfredi as if trying to secure one more thing for me.
However, Mrs. Manfredi shook her head.
“There will be more opportunities to meet, so let’s leave it at this for today.”
Leaving words that promised future meetings, Mrs. Manfredi left the cafe.
After she left, Mrs. Grimani also left the cafe entrance with a final greeting: ‘Let’s meet again next time. Then let’s meet with my daughter too!’
The cafe that had been filled with cheerful conversation became quiet.
Mrs. Viola, who had seen off the ladies with me, approached my side.
“Thanks to Lailah, it ended well.”
“Mm… I can’t deny that. But it’s because you helped me that I managed this much. I think I scored points because you tipped me off that those two would arrive so early.”
“Hmph, that much is basic. Even though I haven’t been in the group for long, I should know such things.”
Though she spoke primly, her ears were flushed red.
Milena pursed her lips and looked at me.
“Thank you. For readily agreeing.”
“It was something I needed too. I told you before that I wouldn’t accept any more thanks…”
“Still, accept it, Lailah. The weight I was carrying and the weight you were carrying are different. You deserve to receive thanks.”
“…If you put it that way, I’ll accept it.”
This kind of thing is really awkward…
I hesitated but eventually accepted Milena’s gratitude. My face felt hot.
Milena looked at me and smiled warmly.
“Good. Then please bill the Viola estate later for today’s cafe rental and beverage costs. You can charge a lot, so make sure to bill us.”
“That’s only natural. I’ll calculate thoroughly.”
“I said you can charge more.”
“If you say that, should I really charge boldly?”
Milena smiled primly as if telling me to try it. Then she gathered her outer garments.
“Oh, as you heard during the meeting… a royal ball will be held soon. If you want to go, let me know.”
“Really?”
“Even if not me, there will be quite a few people who will extend invitations to Lailah to go together… I’m just saying to remember that I’m also an option.”
She paused for a moment before speaking.
“And… I sent a warning to Viscount Poerul. Of course, even though he’s someone who won’t be swayed by warnings alone… it would be good to know. Still, be very careful. He’s someone who might do anything.”
Leaving advice filled with concern, Milena also left the cafe.
I stood still until Milena’s carriage disappeared into the distance.
Only when the carriage was no longer visible could I stretch.
It seemed like everything was finally over.
No wait, there was still one more thing to check.
I quietly shifted my gaze to the side. It was empty air, but an opaque window appeared in my vision.
An opaque window that appeared as soon as the royal ball was mentioned.
In other words.
Main Quest!
-Path to Becoming a Novice Boss 3
-Present a ‘new menu’ at the royal ball.
*It must be a menu being introduced for the first time.
Reward: 3,000 gold & 20 diamonds
5% increase in influence
Upon failure: Reputation decline and 10% decrease in influence
It was a Main Quest window that appeared after a long time.
‘I was so startled when this suddenly popped up…’
No one would know how much my heart raced because all eyes were focused on me.
I looked at the Quest window with its still bewildering contents.
“…How am I supposed to do this?”
Yes, I acknowledge that to succeed in the Jenen Kingdom, I need to get close to the royal family too. I naturally understand attending the royal ball as well.
But.
‘Why do I need to present a new menu at the royal ball?’
This was really hard to understand.
I have no idea what they want or why they put out something like this as a Quest.
‘Seeing that they’re giving influence as a reward… there’s definitely something there…’
But I just don’t know what it is.
I sighed and shook my head.
That’s when it happened.
Ding!
A clear sound rang in my ears.
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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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