OCOB 25

Chapter : 25

The capital of the Jenan Kingdom, Noren, was always peaceful.

Unless there was a special event, the same unchanging days flowed by again and again.

Commoners and nobles alike—

everyone lived in peace.

And because of that, laughter had grown scarce.

As laughter faded, so did idle chatter. Despite being a city teeming with people, Noren was always quiet unless something out of the ordinary happened.

That was why, thanks to the miracle that had occurred to the statue at the Dael Temple, the city had been unusually lively these past days.

However, Ash, the youngest daughter of Baron Viola, believed that this excitement would soon die down as well.

A miracle at the temple—

that was something only the followers of Dael truly cared about.

To Ash, who was only thirteen years old, the miracle of the Dael faith held little meaning.

Ever since she could remember, God had already become a vague, distant existence. Perhaps that was why the miracle failed to move her heart.

“Mother and Father are making such a huge fuss over it.”

What’s the big deal—hmph!

The girl’s lips jutted out on their own.

Those same people who had endlessly criticized the temple when divine blessings disappeared were now washing their mouths clean and praying the moment a miracle appeared. She found it ridiculous.

Because of that, Ash was thoroughly sick of the whole situation.

Her parents were busy spending enormous sums of money visiting the temple to see the statue, while her older sister and brother were absorbed in their usual routines.

A social scene that had lost all meaning and grown unbearably chaotic, endless extravagance—

and the more it continued, the more boring daily life became.

The same dress shops every day, the same tasteless tea parties,

and finishing it all off with dinner parties.

A life that spun like a hamster wheel—she truly hated it. This miracle had only stirred irritation in the young girl’s heart.

“Isn’t there anything fun?”

“Even something ordinary would be fine—just something enjoyable!”

Ash desperately longed for a new刺激, a new spark. Perhaps that was why she noticed the subtle changes happening beneath the surface so quickly.

As always, the girl was seated at the restaurant she frequented.

Because it catered exclusively to nobles, instead of noisy chatter, the only sounds were knives cutting food and wine glasses being set down.

Then, a whisper reached Ash’s ears.

“So that ‘café’ is opening today, right?”

“Yes, madam. I heard it from our household servant… apparently, today’s the day.”

“Then, ahem… would it be acceptable for us to go now?”

“But it’s only just opening… shouldn’t we wait for the right timing? Appearances matter, after all.”

“Hm, I suppose so.”

It was a conversation between noble ladies.

They spoke in hushed but excited voices. However, since the restaurant itself was so quiet, every word carried clearly.

Everyone present must have heard it.

Ash—being the youngest customer in the restaurant—certainly did.

She calmly pretended to sip her water while angling her ear toward them.

“I’m curious about that ‘ice cream.’ It must be incredible—ever since the day my servant tried it, he’s been wearing a blissful expression nonstop. He says it melts smoothly in your mouth.”

“Really? I’m more curious about the coffee. Didn’t the leader of the Miel faith praise it highly?”

“That’s right! I’ve even heard rumors that Leader Miel himself will stop by to congratulate them on the opening. If we’re lucky, we might even get the chance to meet him.”

Unaware that everyone was listening, the women continued chatting.

From time to time, they mentioned how nobles should wait before visiting commoner establishments to preserve their dignity.

But that didn’t matter.

The content alone was enough to ignite the heart of a girl craving something new.

Ash Viola made a decision.

As soon as this meal was over, she would go see that ‘café’ everyone was talking about.

“I’m really looking forward to it!”

With a visibly excited expression, Ash began eating.

Where had all the noble dignity her father constantly preached gone? She shoveled her food down hurriedly.

The dishes prepared with the chef’s utmost care went down so fast it was hard to tell whether they entered her mouth or her ears.

Once she finished, Ash abruptly stood up. The people dining with her looked at her in surprise—she was always so ladylike.

She offered them a light farewell and left the restaurant, immediately boarding a carriage and telling the driver about the café she’d overheard.

Surprisingly, the driver already knew about it.

In fact—

“To be honest… when the café owner was handing out desserts at the central plaza, I lined up and tried one myself. I was thinking I’d definitely visit when it opened… so today’s the day, huh.”

He had already tasted it.

A cold, smooth, and sweet dessert!

The more Ash listened to his description, the more saliva filled her mouth—even though she had just finished eating.

She instructed the driver to head for the café. Though he hesitated slightly, he set the carriage in motion.

After about thirty minutes of travel, a single building came into view in the distance.

A two-story structure standing before a wide reed field.

White walls, a red roof, and ivy climbing gracefully along the exterior—an exceptionally beautiful building.

Unlike the densely packed capital, this lone structure made it feel as though they had arrived in another world altogether.

Ash leapt down from the stopped carriage, eyes shining with admiration.

There were as many people gathered in front of the café as there had been at the central plaza after the miracle. Even so, the café still appeared spacious.

Some people were enjoying sunlight and coffee in the beautifully arranged garden, while others relaxed inside the cozy, warmly decorated interior, embracing the presence of nature.

That wasn’t all.

“What’s that?”

Beside the café’s main gate stood rows of towering flower arrangements. Large ribbons were tied among the flowers.

And written on those ribbons were messages.

“I’ve never seen anything like this in my life…”

Ash slowly read the messages written on them.

“Coffee that even the gods admire. I hope many people come to know its flavor.” – Farhan Miel
“The miracle that can make even a sick child leap to their feet is right here at Yongari Café!” – Frisia Roboton
“Wishing you great success.” – Walter Han
“Please save a cup of coffee for me too~!” – Rev Barserd

“Wow…”

They were messages from figures famous by name alone.

Frisia Roboton—so many nobles had shed tears of blood because she hadn’t accepted commissions for an entire year, yet here she was!

There were even messages from Sir Walter and Sir Rev, knights of the royal order.

Leader Farhan went without saying.

Faced with such illustrious names, Ash felt slightly overwhelmed. Just what kind of café was this, to receive congratulations from people like them?

With pure curiosity, she read the sign hanging above the gate.

“…Yongari Café?”

It was a word she had never heard before.

“What does ‘Yongari’ even mean?”

Even as the question lingered, her heart pounded.

Pressing a hand to her racing chest, Ash stepped into the café. Conversations buzzed throughout the space.

For someone used to perpetually quiet dining halls, it was unfamiliar—but fascinating.

And for some reason, she loved it.

This, she thought, must be what people meant by enjoyment.

As she stood there blankly, a gentle-looking woman with brown hair approached her.

“Miss, would you like to come this way? I’ll show you to your seat.”

“H—Yes!”

Ash walked awkwardly, her right arm and right leg moving together, before sitting where she was guided. The woman handed her a menu and moved on.

With trembling hands, Ash read it.

Menu

Coffee

• Espresso
• Americano
• Iced Americano
• Drip Coffee
• Café Latte
• Café Mocha

Non-Coffee

• Strawberry Latte
• Chocolate Latte
• Steamed Milk

Dessert

• Ice Cream

One menu item per person, please.

“W-What is an Americano…?”

Another unfamiliar word. Her curiosity stirred—but what she wanted most was the ice cream the driver had already tried.

Ordering turned out to be unexpectedly simple.

A large hamster suddenly appeared on the table and spoke.

“Customer! Please tell Hugh what you’d like to order!”

It was so adorable that Ash nearly forgot all noble decorum and hugged the hamster on the spot. Barely restraining herself with the patience of a thirteen-year-old, she placed her order.

The food arrived surprisingly quickly.

At most restaurants, it took anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour after ordering before the first dish arrived.

Yet here, not even twenty minutes had passed.

And the pale pink–haired woman who brought the ice cream even said—

“Sorry for the delay, miss. Orders piled up, so it took a bit longer.”

It was an absurd statement.

But Ash had no patience to correct her.

She immediately scooped up a generous spoonful of ice cream and put it into her mouth.

“!”

It felt as though heaven itself had exploded across her tongue.

The girl smiled brightly, overflowing with happiness.

Watching her, the pink-haired woman smiled as well—

with deep satisfaction.