Chapter 21
Meanwhile, following Aelin’s request to definitely come to the café around lunchtime today, Floan, having finished his morning official duties, headed toward Café Kawa.
“You don’t have to come with me. Just come around lunchtime,” Aelin insisted firmly when he offered to accompany her.
Since there was no particularly important official business, Floan wanted to go with her, but Aelin reiterated decisively, “I want to create the image of the Southern Duke dropping by the Duchess’s café briefly during his busy official duties around lunchtime.”
He wasn’t sure whether to say she was refreshingly honest or blunt.
Floan smiled softly, recalling his conversation with Aelin that morning.
Upon entering the café, he saw Aelin chatting with young ladies famous as followers of Lady Mera from afar.
“Oh, it’s so nice to all chat together here at the café like this. Please visit often from now on,” one of the young ladies said.
“That was the plan anyway,” another replied.
“It would be really nice if Lady Mera could come next time too—actually, I felt so sorry the last time because she left halfway through like that.”
“What? Why would the Duchess be sorry?”
“It’s because she feels she didn’t meet expectations. I didn’t mean it this way, but I’m not the kind of coward who can ignore what kind of things Lady Mera might have heard because of me.”
Saying this, Aelin firmly held the hand of the young lady in front of her.
“I just wanted to become closer and talk openly here at this café like this…”
Floan clicked his tongue at the perfect hypocrisy.
Not that her hypocrisy was unpleasant or creepy, but rather her ability to say such things with a completely straight face was impressive acting.
However, the young ladies, completely unaware of Aelin’s hypocrisy, were simply admiring her good-natured personality.
“Not at all. Lady Mera is always selfish and divides people by status, so it’s been hard for us too. She’s completely fed up with always having to cater to others.”
“Right. She’s only kind when she wants to show off something new she bought.”
“If you don’t play along, she gradually isolates you and kicks you out of the group next season. It’s not socializing, it’s terrifying.”
“We just want to chat peacefully without worrying about status or being polite.”
There’s always a place where people sort and rank others.
Aelin had accurately grasped their needs.
“What a remarkable woman, really.”
Floan couldn’t help but shake his head and admire that ‘nice face’ acting.
He barely suppressed a burst of laughter and approached Aelin.
One of the young ladies asked,
“By the way, Aelin, how did you decide to go into the coffee business? They say it only comes from the southern region. Did the Southern Duke give you a tip beforehand, or something?”
Before Aelin could answer the obvious question of whether it was all her own effort, Floan gently placed a hand on her shoulder and stood behind her.
“This business was started entirely by the lady’s own efforts. I merely followed her orders.”
The young ladies, clearly sensing the man’s devotion, half-lost themselves in dreamy smiles.
Had this man become addicted to acting?
Of course, this was not the kind of affection Aelin would reject.
Rather, she looked at him lovingly and firmly held the husband’s hand on her shoulder.
“Oh, Duke, orders? It was you who accepted my suggestion.”
“Aelin, we agreed not to use those titles.”
“Huh?”
“You always call me ‘darling’ with that sweet voice.”
Now that he mentioned it, this man was not just enjoying himself but teasing Aelin.
“Oh? So you’re going to play that way, huh?”
Well then. Since she was going to be a clown anyway, she intended to be the best clown.
What could stop her?
After all, the most entertaining thing was watching other people’s romances.
With the mindset of showing a 17th-century style “We Got Married,” Aelin responded.
“Oh, you’re something else. That’s only when we’re alone, and there are so many people here—”
Even without turning her head, she could tell from the eyes of the young ladies at the table and others around that all attention was on them.
Floan’s good looks dazzled, and Aelin herself radiated brilliance just by being there.
When a handsome couple openly shows affection, who wouldn’t be interested?
It didn’t matter who judged or criticized; Aelin only wanted people’s attention.
After all, isn’t drawing attention the basic principle of marketing?
“I think we really managed to draw a lot of attention.”
Looking at Floan, who was gazing at her lovingly, Aelin smiled with satisfaction at the long-awaited eyes.
Then Floan bowed his head slightly and approached her closely.
A few gasps of “Oh my!” were heard.
From afar, it might have looked like a kiss on the cheek.
“He really is sly. Sly, I say. He’s better at stirring up attention than me. Is it a natural talent? Judging by his face, it must be.”
Floan leaned in and whispered quietly to Aelin.
“Is this enough?”
“Yes, very satisfying. Please ask like this often from now on.”
“…I’m a bit curious what kind of thoughts occupy your mind, my lady.”
“I guess it makes me realize I’m suited for a life as an attention seeker.”
At Aelin’s words, Floan furrowed his brow slightly, seeming not to understand what ‘attention seeker’ meant.
“Oh, it’s short for ‘interest junkie.’”
Right. Everyone watch closely.
Spread the word that we’re close, my café is spacious, and my coffee is delicious!
Mwahahaha!
Aelin let out a sinister internal laugh as if she were some kind of villain.
But at that moment,
“Get the manager out here!”
A sharp, harsh voice rang loudly throughout the large hall.
Aelin didn’t even need to look to know who the rude voice belonged to.
Attention seekers recognize each other.
At the sight of that sharp upward slant in the eyes, it was obvious that Lady Mera would eventually be the troublemaker for this café.
The young ladies at the table gasped in surprise, hastily pulling out fans to hide their faces, visibly uneasy.
“Oh my, she really came.”
“She’s probably here to catch us…”
“I told you to give a heads-up before she came!”
The young ladies were nervously blaming each other, while Mera, who was yelling at the desk, quickly caught her breath and spoke again to the staff in front of her.
“Whether it’s the Duchess or the manager, get that woman out here. Quickly. How dare they set me up like this and act so calmly?”
“Our staff here assist with orders and bring menus if you raise your hand from your seat, ma’am.”
“What? ‘Ma’am’? You called me ‘ma’am’? You should call me ‘lady’!”
The staff member was flustered for not being able to call her ‘lady.’
Before Mera could cause more chaos, Aelin approached her with a kind smile and said,
“What’s the matter, Lady Mera?”
“You!”
“There are other customers here, so please lower your voice.”
“…You’re so arrogant. How dare you quietly lure away my salon’s servants and members like this? Isn’t that just too mean? Return them!”
At Mera’s words, some customers in the café looked bewildered, staring into the distance while sipping their coffee.
Aelin gave a bright smile in response.
Her unique eye-smile vaguely resembled the one Floan made when teasing her.
Facing Aelin’s bright smile, Mera thought to herself, ‘So annoyingly pretty and causing a fuss.’
“Of course, I will return them.”
“……”
“If I have taken something that belongs to you.”
