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chapter 25
Cordelia willingly threw herself into Lynette’s care, and she quickly started eating her affogato, avoiding her parents’ spoons.
“This is the first creation our Lynette made just for me. Don’t even think about touching it.”
“They say raising a daughter is useless.”
“Was it ever useful?”
“Well, that’s true. Ever since she was little, she never listened. I even opposed her marriage, and yet she still caused trouble.”
“I was going to cause trouble regardless. You don’t think young men and women just go around holding hands without anything happening, do you?”
Cloud shook his head at the mother-daughter conversation that surpassed imagination. It was amusing to him, but Angela thought it might not be appropriate for education.
“Since I didn’t bring a snack today, go buy some bread for now.”
“Yes! I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time. Very slowly.”
As soon as Angela left, the store heated up thanks to Rosemary and Cordelia.
“Mother, you got married after giving birth too, didn’t you?”
“Oh my, where did you hear that?”
“Grandma told me. She said you ran away abroad with father because you weren’t allowed to marry.”
Not just to a villa or nearby area, but abroad? This family operated on a massive scale.
“You really say the darndest things.”
“And I also heard I almost became a dual citizen because of it.”
“You had no idea you were going to be born.”
“I didn’t decide to be born. The one who married a year after giving birth to me in Sepia must have been the first marriage for both of you.”
Bringing a toddler along as part of the dowry? Lynette’s jaw dropped at the audacity. And the fact that Cordelia spoke so freely in front of others was remarkable.
“Sometimes, you need to set a precedent. Because of that, you got married, and that’s a success. You grew up in a good family, ate well, and got married—wouldn’t you say that’s also a success?”
Cloud, who had just been listening to the mother-daughter story, quietly washed his hands. He wanted to leave immediately, but Rosemary held him firmly, making it difficult. Judging by his expression, as if telling everyone not to recognize him, he seemed to be the only sane one there.
“All right, if you’ve finished your coffee, mother will be waiting, so let’s go. Lia, you shouldn’t stay too long here, so go see your husband.”
“I was planning to go anyway. Benjamin will be waiting, so I’ll head out. Lynette, you were amazing today. I still have my ex-husband, but please don’t forget me in your heart.”
Cordelia, who always had a way with words, stood up first, bowed, and hurried out. Only after her daughter left did Cloud escort Rosemary, finally looking somewhat alive.
“I thought father was a straw man, but a single word and everyone complies.”
As Lynette cleared the table, she chuckled at the note beneath a cup coaster:
“Thank you for making something delicious for your sulking daughter. Seeing her smile so brightly when she’s been down lately made me truly happy.”
Seeing the golden coin neatly wrapped on the note, Lynette laughed. She didn’t need to go this far, but she accepted it anyway.
“Lynette, I bought the bread.”
“Hmm, I’m not hungry, so you can eat it all.”
Lynette polished the table as Angela, who had returned from the bakery, stuffed herself with bread.
“I wonder what Xian is doing now. If he heard this family, he might’ve laughed out loud.”
She imagined his lips curving into a smile. Though she had never seen it, she felt more curious and somewhat lonely in his absence.
“Next time we meet, would it be rude to ask him to show his face?”
❅
The café primarily sold cakes. Lynette had considered making some but decided it was too troublesome. Waking up early every day to make them was impossible.
Instead, she tried making simple sandwiches with bread, vegetables, raw ham, and cheese.
She made only about twenty as a test, but lunch-hour customers who wanted coffee and food simultaneously bought them all. Catherine, who made the sandwiches, was so pleased she hummed a tune while working.
“The sandwiches Catherine made are the best in the world.”
“Thank you for saying that, Miss.”
Whenever Lynette complimented her food, Catherine’s mood instantly lifted. Always happy around Lynette, Catherine cheerfully made today’s batch.
Lynette filled a basket with sandwiches and placed them in the refrigerated showcase, then started roasting coffee beans.
The aroma drew customers who enjoyed sandwiches with their coffee.
“The café seems to be improving day by day. It’s pleasant to see.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Rosemary and Cloud sat in their usual spots, drinking coffee and chatting warmly. Without Cordelia’s spicy presence, Rosemary was notably calmer. Occasionally, when Cordelia came along, it almost made them laugh out loud.
“Could we have a sandwich too?”
“Sure, just a moment. Angela, please bring one over.”
As Angela reached into the showcase, a group entered.
“Welcome to Igeulim. What would you like?”
“Ah, just a cup of coffee. They say it helps to wake you up.”
Seeing the men and women dressed as Indigo guards, Lynette made five cups of Sepiano, weakly brewed, and said:
“That’ll be 1 Epsilon 50 Bron, but give it to you for 1 Epsilon.”
“Eh, what?”
“Just 1 Epsilon. That should be enough.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes, of course. I’m the owner.”
Lynette felt it natural to give a discount to those who protected the city.
Before becoming Lynette, Seo Yul’s older brother was a career soldier. He joined ROTC during college and became an officer upon graduation.
One day, a rookie mistakenly threw a grenade toward the unit instead of ahead. Her brother threw himself to save his comrades but died at twenty, leaving Seo Yul with his medal-covered remains.
He was the only family she had, and he left without considering her. She had cried countless times, feeling utterly alone.
Though others tried to console her, it was useless. Eventually, those who kept in touch and shared meals became like her new brothers.
Even before her brother died, she maintained contact with these “new brothers,” but the memory still pained her.
That’s why Lynette deeply respected those who protected the nation, except Edgar.
“Can we drink here?”
“Yes, of course. Sit wherever you like.”
The five guards made the café feel full. One man, seated, protested:
“Why do they get a discount and we don’t?”
“They are guards.”
“Being a guard isn’t a rank. They work and earn a salary just like us.”
Lynette explained:
“It depends on the task. Are they working for family or for strangers? Think about it—if something happens to me, who helps me?”
The man blushed and left. The guards smiled awkwardly.
“Sorry about that. We’re just drifters.”
“No need to apologize. You simply hadn’t received the benefits you were entitled to. This is just a service. Eat plenty.”
The guards were grateful as Lynette piled fruit and cookies for them. If the café or she were ever in trouble, these guards would be the first to help. So she felt it was important to treat them well.
“How much longer until our return?”
“About an hour. Why?”
“Just… feeling a bit hungry.”
Remembering the guards’ meals weren’t great, Lynette decided to quietly clean up instead of buying more food.
“Eat this first; if still hungry, we’ll think later.”
The five shared the fruit and cookies, which hardly filled them. They drank coffee more for alertness than enjoyment and soon stood to leave.
“Shall we buy a sandwich each?”
“No, let’s eat back at the station.”
Though they got a coffee discount, the guards decided not to buy sandwiches. Lynette stopped them.
“Take these sandwiches with you. Field rations can’t compare to these.”
“But ma’am, we don’t deserve these…”
“It’s fine. Free of charge. You remind me of my brother…”
She handed each a sandwich and waved as they left, hoping they’d patrol nearby more often, reducing the chance of theft.
Cloud, seeing Lynette return, smiled:
“Lynette, giving away like that won’t hurt business?”
“No, it’s fine. They protect the city; they shouldn’t go hungry.”
“Lynette, the more I see you, the more I think you’re an uncut gem. Your thoughts go beyond normal people—it’s delightful.”
At first, he visited to reminisce, but observing people’s joys and sorrows had become enjoyable, even moving at times.
“I’ll pay for today’s sandwiches.”
“No need. I’m already overcompensated by you and Rosemary every day.”
“This is different. I was truly moved today. Consider it for those who just left.”
Lynette accepted the money with a smile.
“Then next time, I’ll give them sandwiches free again.”
“Oh, how gracious! Hohoho!”
Rosemary, wishing for a daughter like Lynette, smiled warmly and held her hand.
“If our son heard what you just said, he would have loved it.”
“Is your son a guard or soldier too?”
“Something similar. He’s far away now, keeping Igeulim safe until he can come here.”
