Episode 16

“……Doesn’t this feel awkward?”

“It feels good because it’s soft and moist.”

I knew he was a gentle, sunny human being, but did he also have a pervert side?

Eileen seemed seriously flustered, even stammering more than usual.

“Ugh, since when have we been holding hands like this?”

“Madam. As the world knows, ours was a love marriage, not a contractual one, right?”

“to?”

Come to think of it, didn’t one of Eileen’s Southern Revival marketing plans include a 17th-century lovestagram?

“Oh, that’s right. That’s very good. Please keep that posture.”

“Do you like me?”

“…….”

“You have to say yes. A soulless lie will be exposed in no time.”

Floran continued speaking in a soft voice, squeezing her hand even tighter.

Eileen, who had been blankly staring at the sight, muttered softly.

“My soul is leaving…….”

I glanced at Floran.

Did I speak too loudly?

Fortunately, he didn’t seem to hear.

This time, I will keep my mouth shut so that nothing comes out.

‘Is it because it’s the south…? Whatever you do, it’s natural and charming… … . It makes people’s hearts flutter.’

Thinking so, Eileen looked straight ahead.

The door opened and I slowly walked out with Floran.

Many people’s eyes were fixed on the tightly held hands between her and Floran.

Feeling those passionate gazes, Eileen mulled over her plan.

In two years, he will leave the country and I will inherit all of this.

Until then, her entire attention will be focused on the Southern revival.

* * *

The long-awaited opening day of the cafe <Kawa>.

Duchess Mera and her friends could not be left out of such a place.

Some, including Madame Mera, looked around with sharp eyes to find fault with Cafe ‘Kawa’, but were soon shocked.

No, not only her, but everyone gathered here was in shock.

The architectural beauty I feel like I’m seeing for the first time in my life.

A salon of a type I’ve never seen before.

Whether it’s a salon or a banquet, it’s all the same. In the end, isn’t it a question of who the host is?

Eileen, that woman just came up with a unique name to attract attention, but I thought there wouldn’t be anything special when I opened the lid…

“What are those people doing at that long table in the middle? What is that fragrant aroma? Of all the hundreds of teas I own, not one is even remotely similar!”

Start by roasting and grinding something like black beans, then slowly pour hot water over them.

Then, a delicious fragrance spreads far and wide… … .

Oh my goodness, how can there be such a heartwarming fragrance?

I don’t think Mrs. Mera is the only one who feels that way.

“What on earth is this scent?”

“Oh my gosh, I’ve never smelled this kind of tea before.”

“Something a little warmer, richer, and stronger—Your Highness, what kind of tea is this?”

All the other nobles who attended the opening ceremony, regardless of gender, seemed surprised by their performance and this unidentified scent.

“This is not tea, it’s coffee.”

“Coffee? What is that?”

“This is one of the treasures of the South I discovered during my recent tour of the South. It’s a beverage made from roasted coffee beans. Drink it mainly during the day to clear your head and feel strangely refreshed.”

Eileen demonstrated hand drip right in front of their eyes.

She finely ground the roasted coffee beans, placed them on a filter, and poured warm water over them.

Then, dark brown water dripped down from underneath.

‘You want me to drink this muddy, pitch-black water?’

Although no one said it out loud, most people who witnessed the scene looked shocked.

It would have been met with disapproval from the nobles who preferred a transparent feel with a reddish tint, like black tea or raspberry tea.

“Isn’t this muddy water?”

Don’t you know that drinking black tea with honey is a social trend these days?

Everyone likes sweet things, but why would you pay money for something that tastes bad and is so bitter?

As if reading the nobles’ gazes, Eileen met Madame Mera’s eyes, smiled, and answered.

“What kind of mud could possibly smell so fragrant?”

Eileen began to sip the coffee she had made herself.

The nobles, who had been watching him with his eyes closed and savoring the drink, seemed curious and began asking the staff to pour them a drink, saying, “I’d like to have one too.”

Some people savored the aroma of coffee for a long time, then very carefully stuck out their tongues to taste the salty taste.

“……!”

He seemed to like it quite a bit, so he started sipping his coffee in earnest.

But some people looked at them with a disgusted look on their face, saying things like, “I don’t like the color,” or “I don’t want to drink it.”

Mera was one of them.

“So, Your Grace, what do you plan to do with this coffee beverage? What is the precise definition of a café? How is it different from a salon?”

“I think what sets this café apart from the salon is that it is open to anyone who wants to buy a drink.”

“You buy this and drink it? Pay for it? Do you think people will come if you do that, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, of course. Anyone who pays for coffee here and sits down can stay here.”

“Who is that?”

“Yes. Anyone.”

“Even if I’m a street urchin?”

“Yes. Anyone.”

Mera snickered.

They say they’ll accept dogs and cows as long as you pay for them.

Yeah, that’s right. You’re just imitating the actions of some shallow bourgeois.

‘It’s nothing compared to my salon, where only the very special ones are allowed in.’

The very comparison with Mera’s salon was laughable to her.

Her salon was an elite social club where only the very highest nobles, carefully selected by her, could enter after careful screening and recommendation.

‘It won’t be long before we’re reduced to the market floor, where all the idiots are flocking to. I was a little nervous because they were making such grandiose announcements, but my worries were completely unfounded.’

Mera’s attitude changed after thinking about that.

Unlike before, when he had been cautious and searching, his gaze was a bit contemptuous.

‘I don’t understand why Mr. Hillias cares about this woman. She’s just a woman who does odd things.’

Mrs. Mera laughed as if there was no need to spy any longer and left the cafe.

The young ladies who were members of Madame Mera’s salon—whose followers I don’t know—followed her with regretful expressions.

“It’s obvious it’ll be nothing but flies before long. Who would pay to drink that kind of muddy water? After all the fanfare, they must have bought the newsletter.”

The young ladies reluctantly nodded at Madame Mera’s snort.

“But Mrs. Mera, at least try the coffees—”

One young woman tried to speak, but then stopped speaking quietly.

Because the gaze of Madame Mera glaring at me was sharp.

Mrs. Mera smiled softly to hide her sharp gaze and spoke soothingly.

“Why bother with such low-class entertainment in a place that’s practically a business? Let’s go to my salon. The black tea I just imported from the Kingdom of Rom is truly amazing. I’ll show it to you all first. I’m afraid my new shoes will get dirty if I stay out here in the countryside any longer.”

The young ladies looked at each other and said, “Yes, that’s right,” and smiled reluctantly.