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chapter 66
Originally, they were people of few words. Yet, strangely enough, whenever they returned from a trip, energy filled the space between them, and their words increased slightly.
“This is a small trading company, so I’m almost embarrassed to even speak of it. Now! Let’s get you seated. The head of the family and his wife are waiting.”
Alex subtly changed the subject, a cold sweat running down his spine. Although Linette seemed like an ordinary young lady from a common family, she somehow exuded charisma. Alex swallowed hard as he took the basket from her hand, feeling the subtle presence she radiated. The basket was quite heavy.
Holding the basket, Alex helped Linette into the carriage.
“It’s a very nice carriage,” she remarked.
“Yes, our small trading company has been running quite smoothly lately,” Alex replied.
As the carriage rolled slowly, Linette crossed her arms and closed her eyes for a moment. Glancing at her, Alex gave a faint smile.
She had become famous enough that no one in Indigo didn’t know her. He hadn’t visited personally, but those who had were fond of the place.
It seemed even the head of the family, his wife, and perhaps their son had fallen for her. Coming out from a family with no protective walls and achieving greatness on her own, Linette appeared enviable and impressive.
“Excuse me, but when did you learn to make coffee? I haven’t been myself, but everyone I know who’s visited raves about it.”
“Well, I suppose I’ve been learning since I was in the womb. At first, I went to a shop selling tea leaves to run a tea house, and there I found coffee beans.”
Linette shrugged as she explained that roasting, grinding, and brewing those beans had been her introduction to coffee. She had gambled on something unique, stepping away from conventional tea houses—and succeeded.
“That’s impressive. But I noticed there aren’t any other coffee shops around yours,” Alex commented.
“Hm, indeed. I thought once people tried it and learned the method, similar shops would pop up like mushrooms, but surprisingly, none have.”
Usually, successful businesses attract imitation. Yet strangely, no one had tried to replicate Linette’s café.
“Could it be that your coffee is just a barrier others can’t surpass?” Alex asked gently.
Linette chuckled softly.
“Not at all. I don’t know why, but thanks to the lack of other coffee shops, I get to sell coffee exclusively, which is nice.”
“Then why not train someone to follow in your footsteps?”
“I’m not that professional. But I do teach my staff.”
Alex smiled at how naturally Linette answered without any trace of annoyance. He felt that if she stayed in the mansion, she would brighten up the dim rooms.
While they chatted, the carriage stopped. Alex picked up the basket, opened the door, and helped Linette down. As his hand reached out, Linette instinctively took it.
“Ah? Cloud, Rosemary, hello.”
Seeing Cloud holding her hand and Rosemary beside him, Linette greeted them promptly.
“Welcome, we’ve been waiting for you, Miss Linette,” they said.
“You’re here! I’ve really wanted to see you,” Linette responded.
Cloud and Rosemary weren’t the type to wait so eagerly for visiting royalty. Alex looked slightly surprised.
“Thank you for inviting me. For a small trading company, your house is quite large,” Linette remarked to Alex. He merely bowed, sweating.
“Ah, well! Our business just took off unexpectedly. Hohoho! Come on, let’s go in. We can’t stay out here forever.”
Rosemary hastily ushered Linette inside, speaking vaguely. At that moment, a slightly older maid rushed over.
“Ah! Master, Mistress, the matriarch has just woken up.”
Everyone was pleased to hear that the matriarch had awakened upon Linette’s arrival.
“Linette must be a lucky charm. She’s been sleeping for so long, but she wakes up as soon as Linette arrives. Linette, why not greet your mother?”
“Of course, she is the elder of the house. Plus, I prepared food for her. Ah! Please keep this refrigerated.”
Linette’s request was natural, and everyone nodded, returning to their positions.
“Mother might even be pleased to see Linette,” Alex commented.
“I hope so, but I worry because she’s unwell,” Linette thought. Illness could make her mother irritable, and Linette feared she might disapprove. But soon, she realized her worries were unfounded.
Opening the door to the matriarch, warm sunlight poured in.
The matriarch sat on the soft carpet rather than the bed. Leaning on the sofa, she sipped water from a low table. Despite her elegance, her eyes showed the frailty of illness.
“Yes, there’s a guest,” she said weakly.
“Yes, mother. This is Miss Linette, who sells coffee in Indigo. We often visit, and it’s very delicious,” Cloud said.
“Coffee? So you ran off to Sepia to avoid marriage, but couldn’t forget the coffee you tried there,” the matriarch remarked bluntly. Cloud looked embarrassed as he led Linette inside.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Linette,” she said, holding her skirts neatly as she bowed. The matriarch tilted her head slightly, then spoke to her son.
“Cloud, was the guest a little bird?”
“Mother…”
“My, what a cute little bird. If it’s not too much trouble, come closer so I can hold you.”
The matriarch smiled, and Linette carefully removed her shoes, stepping onto the carpet and approaching. As she attempted to sit, the matriarch took her hand and pulled her into her lap.
“Oh my, you’re so warm. Lucy has wanted to marry a little bird since she was a child, and it seems her wish has come true.”
The matriarch caressed Linette’s sunlit hair. The grandmotherly touch made Linette smile rather than feel embarrassed.
“Grandmother, your touch feels wonderful,” Linette said.
“Call me Vivian—or Vivi. Our little bird, our Linette.”
Seeing Linette in the matriarch’s lap, Cloud and Rosemary exchanged quiet smiles behind their hands.
“I’ll bring some refreshments. Have a little chat in the meantime,” she said. The scene of the matriarch and Linette alone felt natural and peaceful, so Rosemary excused herself and Cloud.
“So, you sell coffee?” Vivian asked.
“Yes, at first it was unusual, so customers were few. But now, even if my nanny Katrin dislikes a customer, she can sprinkle salt freely and still make a profit,” Linette explained.
“Oh! When I was your age, I only read books. Now I see I missed out on outdoor experiences. The library is all I remember,” Vivian reflected. Despite lying down most of the time, she seemed well enough, save for her weak voice.
“Mother, please enjoy the refreshments. Linette, you too,” Rosemary said, placing them on the table.
“Mother didn’t eat a spoonful of soup the other day, so try this,” Rosemary offered. Vivian shook her head.
“I don’t want it. Linette, eat plenty.”
“How can I, if you don’t? Ah! I brought something. Would you like to try it? Cloud and Rosemary were worried since you haven’t been eating,” Linette offered. Vivian tilted her head.
Linette went to fetch the dish she had prepared, going to the kitchen with Alex’s guidance. She took out one item, mixed it with water, and boiled it.
“What is this?” Alex and the chef asked, curious.
“It’s made from pressed rice,” Linette replied. Though simple, the boiling rice emitted a rich, savory aroma.
“Would you like to taste it first?” Linette offered. Alex and the chef did, finding it simple yet deliciously wholesome.
“My, it’s so tasty!”
“Not too strong, very mild and flavorful,” they agreed. Linette put it on a tray with spoons and brought it to Vivian.
“Mother, try this. Alex and the chef approved it.”
At first, Vivian frowned, but the aroma stirred her appetite.
“Here, just one spoonful,” Linette encouraged. Vivian relented, tasting it. The wholesome flavor made her chew instinctively, and a faint smile appeared.
“I think I can eat this,” she said.
“See? Take another spoonful,” Linette encouraged. Slowly, Vivian brightened as she ate.
“One more spoon. Ah! Only one left. Eat this, then we can rest,” Linette said, giving her the last bit along with the remaining water.
“My, this is so flavorful. What is it?”
“It’s not tea. It’s called ‘nurungji,’ made from scorched rice boiled in water. Even patients can eat it comfortably,” Linette explained.
“Linette, our little bird! Thank you so much. My stomach feels light and refreshed after not eating properly,” Vivian said. Rosemary nodded, relieved.
“I’ll step out for a while. Call me if you need anything,” Rosemary said.
“I want to stay with our little bird a bit longer,” Vivian replied.
Vivian, revitalized by the simple dish, gently caressed Linette while smiling.
Cloud, hearing that Vivian had finished the entire bowl, finally relaxed, a smile of relief on his face.
Later, as lunch approached, Cloud and Rosemary quietly entered, pressing a finger to their lips.
“Shh!”
Linette, cradled in Vivian’s arms, had fallen asleep peacefully.
