Episode 19

Before becoming an influencer, she had a lot of practical experience working part-time at a cafe.

I’ve heard enough rumors among them to make my bones ache, even though I’m there.

Starting with the story of the woman in room 101 and the bachelor in room 203 having an affair, it’s become a given that my husband goes to the urologist these days.

So-and-so’s in-laws’ life is very harsh, how much is our family’s total assets – and so on.

Did I accidentally overhear all kinds of stories?

“Probably in a few days, everyone will think of the employees as NPCs and chatter amongst themselves. All I have to do is sit quietly and accept what’s being fed to me.”

It was the same for her as a guest.

Humans are not very aware of the fact that once they start concentrating on chatting among themselves, their voices get louder.

Especially those who come out to make a fuss like in a cafe.

Eileen’s staff were all trained to be sharp-witted, possess a presence that seemed almost absent, and make a coffee that was amazing.

“This is the ultimate cost-effectiveness. Spend a fortune at a salon, get a makeover every season, and host a lavish party. Meanwhile, I can sell coffee and desserts, roasting the stories I’ve gathered as if they were coffee.”

The conscientious employees will gather all kinds of rumors and stories and bring them to Eileen.

This meant that Eileen didn’t have to become a social party host and quickly build relationships with fake smiles and pretense.

Unlike Eileen, who had a plan for everything, Floran couldn’t understand why the cafe was the source of all the chaos and chaos.

“So, you don’t have to worry too much.”

But he wasn’t particularly worried, as Eileen had said.

“Trust only me.”

I plan to believe only her, as she says.

Seeing her confident expression, Floran looked at Eileen with amazement and said,

“Sometimes I wonder who my wife is.”

“yes?”

“I don’t think she’s just some noble young lady who’s lived her entire life harmlessly in a comfortable greenhouse.”

What on earth is this woman’s true identity?

For a noble young lady who has never worked in her entire life and has only grown up as a greenhouse flower, she knows society very well and knows how to use it.

Above all, the confidence that comes close to certainty that you show when trying something new.

There is no hesitation or hesitation, as if he is already acting several steps ahead.

“Of course, I’m not ordinary. There’s no one else like me in the world, right? At least in this empire, I’m the only Southern Grand Duchess, right?”

Eileen, who had been stabbed for no reason, cleared her throat again and continued speaking.

“Ahem. Where else would you find a Grand Duchess so passionate about revitalizing her territory? She’d be so reluctant to move to the southern provinces, where land prices have skyrocketed!”

At the sight of Eileen speaking loudly for no reason, Floran finally let out a snicker and spoke.

“I won’t be soft.”

“Of course. I won’t just sit back and let you go, though—”

Eileen, who was joking around, met Floan’s eyes again through the mirror.

This time, strangely, Eileen was the first to turn her head and sit up, feeling as if she couldn’t meet his gaze with a proud look.

“It’s funny how I’m embarrassed all of a sudden. It’s not like I’ve never seen a handsome man before!”

I didn’t do anything special, but my face felt incredibly hot.

It felt like if we made eye contact, my shy feelings would be revealed.

“Oh, I’m just tired today, so I guess I’ll just go to sleep. I’ll go to bed first. Good night!”

And then, he still made a wall with pillows in the center of the wide bed and covered himself with the blanket up to his head.

“Eileen? I thought you had to do some stretching and a pack too.”

“Oh, I think I don’t have to do it for a day or so.”

Eileen probably hadn’t seen it, but Floran, who had enjoyed watching her evening routine, looked quite disappointed.

“That’s too bad. I found it fascinating to see you busily stretching and sticking a sliced cucumber to your face. Are you in pain somewhere?”

“That’s not it.”

Then why does a woman who takes care of her skin every day by stretching, using honey packs, cucumber packs, apple packs, and other such things suddenly go to bed with a serious expression?

“Or did I say something wrong?”

“no-”

“But why are you suddenly so stiff—”

“I need to sleep. I have a meeting tomorrow regarding coffee bean imports—”

“Isn’t that a meeting I’m attending? It’s about trade.”

“……Then you should go to sleep too. Don’t stay up late and oversleep.”

It was Eileen, still mumbling with the blanket covering her face.

How long will she endure being under a thicker blanket?

He pulled up a chair and sat down in front of it with his arms crossed, legs crossed, and waited.

“Are you mad at me?”

“I said it’s not a fire, it’s just—there is something like that.”

“What on earth is that?”

“Don’t try to know too much. You don’t talk much about yourself either.”

Then Floran smiled brightly.

“Eileen, can you breathe?”

“…….”

Not long after, Eileen came out quietly, her face flushed red from the thick blanket, and her eyes met with Floan’s, who was sitting in front of me.

Eileen tried to sneak back into the blanket like a hermit crab, but worried about her blush, she turned around and closed her eyes.

Then, in a voice as small as an ant.

“I just need some time to think on my own.”

“cave?”

“Yes. Like a tunnel. So don’t talk to me too much. It’ll upset me.”

What on earth had suddenly made her so upset that she went into hiding? Floan, the one responsible, seemed completely oblivious.

So that’s why. Eileen is just saying nice things that make her feel like she’s going to burst.

“It’s a thick cotton blanket, so it’ll be hot, so I’ll tell you to change to a summer blanket next time.”

Oh my. This is embarrassing.

Eileen nodded, mumbling the six-character phrase to herself.

* * *

Not long after, an article about Cafe Kawa appeared in Miss Fortune’s newsletter, a rival to Madame Antoine’s.

Since the day my old husband was laid in bed.

Mrs. Mera, who started sleeping late every day, ordered that the newsletter be brought as soon as she opened her eyes early in the morning.

[A door open to everyone? Is the Southern Grand Duchess’s Cafe Kawa targeting the bottom of the market?]

“Ohhoho!”

Mrs. Mera is rolling her feet on the bed, seemingly in a state of excitement, enjoying tea and cookies.

It was only natural. The title came out exactly as I wanted, so I couldn’t be more satisfied.

[Cafe Kawa, the place that was only rumored about, I went there myself and thought this.

As expected, an empty cart makes the most noise. It seems it’ll take quite a while for the southern “coffee” to become accepted, at least among the people of the capital.

To borrow someone’s words, a muddy drink so black that you can’t tell what’s settled underneath…

……(syncopation)…….

Maybe this time, the second place rebellion will finally begin.

Madame Mera’s salon is a special membership-only establishment, open only to a select few elite, truly the pinnacle of high society.

Mera, who had read the newsletter with satisfaction, started to prepare early in the morning.

It wasn’t the social debut period for young ladies, nor was it the social season, nor was it a banquet day, but today was the day when the members of her salon were gathering.

“I bet Hillias is reading this newsletter by now, too?”

What kind of expression would he have on his face when a woman who was so anxious and impatient was being humiliated like this?

A refreshing smile?

Or a cold expression like he was glaring at me?

Anyway, Mera planned to use this as an excuse to contact Hillias again.

“He’s a dangerous man, thinking of destroying it before he can get his hands on it. Well, that’s what makes him so attractive.”

It was annoying that they wanted Eileen, but they still had a common purpose.

Hillias wanted Eileen’s downfall to get his hands on her, and Mera also wanted her downfall for her own fame.

Now that those interests were aligned, Mera felt like she had gained a huge support system, as if she had the Emperor on her back.

Of course, I had no intention of letting Eileen just fall into Hillias’ hands.

Her larger goal was actually Hillias.

“Hillias needs to realize soon that I’m a better woman for him in every way than Eileen. Oh, what a shame. Even such a talented man has no eye for women—”

Mera, who entered the toilet room while humming, was dressed up more brightly than usual, as if she was commemorating the day.

Perhaps, there are people who read the newsletter and are eager to get into the salon, standing in line in front of the salon.

So she arrived in front of her salon building with high expectations and a heavy heart.

‘What? It’s different from what I thought.’

To hide my slight disappointment, I opened the door and went inside, fluttering the hem of my extravagant dress.

“Why… is there no one?”

Mera muttered in disbelief.