🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 31
“Ashu Viola.”
An even deeper, lowered voice echoed once more.
In an instant, everyone inside the café turned their attention toward the entrance.
A stern-looking middle-aged man with purple hair stood there.
From his neatly tailored suit and frock coat to the silk hat on his head, anyone could tell at a glance that he was a nobleman.
The café slowly filled with murmurs.
“Why is a noble lord coming all the way here?”
“Did the owner offend someone important?”
“Does this mean the place is going to shut down?”
Whispers filled with worry and concern reached my ears.
‘…This won’t do.’
The café had only been open for two days.
I couldn’t allow a stain like this to form already.
I knew better than anyone how powerful rumors could be.
Even the smallest incident could grow into a scandal big enough to shake a country.
Hadn’t I used rumors myself to bring customers into this café?
I quickly walked up to the middle-aged man, bowed politely, and greeted him.
“Welcome. This is Yonggari Café. I’m Leila Token, the owner.”
His polished shoes caught my eye, and I could feel his gaze resting on my back.
He remained silent for a long while. Just when my nerves were about to snap, he finally spoke.
“So you’re ‘Owner Token’?”
“Yes, that’s me… Is there a problem?”
“The Token I know wasn’t this young.”
“Oh— that must be my grandmother. It seems you know her.”
Please… know her!
And please let it be in a good way!
If some bad history surfaced out of nowhere, handling this situation would be even harder—especially since the café’s image had probably already taken a hit because of Ashu’s incident.
I silently prayed it wasn’t a bad connection and looked up at his face.
The middle-aged man wore a strange expression.
‘Why… why does he look like that?’
Does he know Grandma Basha or not?
I couldn’t read his face at all. His naturally cold gaze didn’t help.
I just blinked at him as a chilly silence settled over the café.
The one who broke it was none other than Ashu.
“Father! You should greet her first! How long are you going to make Leila stand there?”
“Ashu.”
“That’s what you taught me!”
She’s sharp.
Everyone who heard her had the same reaction.
Smart and dependable— and she helped me too!
Even though she couldn’t see me, I gave her a small thumbs-up.
The middle-aged man sighed deeply, removed his silk hat, and gave a light bow.
“I am Baron Antonio Viola. Forgive my rudeness upon first meeting.”
“Not at all, Baron. It’s an honor just to have you visit my café.”
“Hm…”
“May I show you to a seat first?”
“Very well.”
‘Phew, that was tough.’
Sweating nervously, I led him to the most secluded corner I could find.
Since every seat was visible from everywhere, I had to choose carefully.
As soon as Antonio sat down, I set up a partition.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the nobleman, practically staring holes through that corner.
‘Frisia is a lifesaver for giving me this partition for free…!’
After setting it up neatly, I handed him the menu.
“Please let me know once you’ve decided. Miss Ashu, wait just a moment— I’ll bring your ice cream again soon.”
“Ice cream? What is that?”
“A cold, soft milk dessert, Baron.”
“Then give Ashu something else. Yes… a strawberry latte would be good.”
“F-Father!”
Ashu glared at him with wide eyes, but Antonio completely ignored her.
“She’s a child who’s always sickly. Please.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare a warm strawberry latte. And what would you like to drink, Baron…?”
“I’ll have the same.”
“Pardon?”
“Give me a strawberry latte as well.”
“Ah— of course! Please wait just a moment.”
I nearly got flustered. He looked like someone whose veins might run with blue blood if you pricked him.
But I was a seasoned part-timer once— this level of pressure wouldn’t shake me. I smiled and headed to the kitchen.
After asking Iliana and Hugh to watch the floor, I went inside.
Clatter!
As soon as the curtain at the kitchen entrance closed, I grew serious.
For some reason, Baron Viola seemed to know Grandma Basha.
And somehow… that connection felt like it might work in my favor.
If their relationship wasn’t a bad one— if it truly wasn’t.
“I’ll make the best strawberry latte he’s ever tasted.”
Then I could be the one to continue that connection.
“Grandma Basha really left a lot behind.”
There was the matter with Frisia, and now with Baron Viola too.
Maybe the game setting of her being a successful café owner wasn’t there for nothing.
At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if even the king of the Zenon Kingdom knew Grandma Basha.
‘That sounds more like a horror movie.’
Everyone I didn’t know somehow knew my grandmother— it would make a perfect horror film tagline.
Chuckling to myself, I focused intensely, just like when I made Lumi’s strawberry latte.
My hands moved without the slightest error.
This time, I even finely grated white chocolate for topping!
Then—
You have created a “Strawberry Latte That’s Pleasant Just to Look At.”
– 100 gold awarded for minimum production.
The recipe has been added to your collection.
- You can review recipes through the collection.
- After making it more than 100 times, [Automation] will be unlocked.
Another translucent window appeared.
Strawberry Latte That’s Pleasant Just to Look At
– Filled with a warmth that gently eases people’s hearts.
Effect:
– Energy +5%
I slowly nodded.
“The system really does give things that fit the situation… almost like it’s watching me.”
Even if I had customized the drink myself.
“Well, I can experiment with that later.”
For now, what mattered was that I’d made a strawberry latte with the exact description I wanted.
I placed the drinks on a tray and walked over. Ashu and Baron Viola were talking.
“Why did you come here again without telling me? You even canceled your lunch with the Count’s family.”
“…Because this place is more enjoyable than that boring meal. You know how dull those gatherings are too, Father.”
“You still think you’re a child, Ashu. If you keep this up, I won’t be able to overlook it anymore.”
“…Father.”
Her shoulders drooped as if they might touch the floor. She looked completely deflated, but the Baron continued.
“A noble cannot act on impulse. You know that well— so why cause trouble? I didn’t grant you your allowance for this.”
“…I’m sorry. But I really like this place. It’s lively, full of people… and nothing here makes me feel suffocated.”
“….”
“And the ice cream here is a dessert you can’t find anywhere else. Anyone who tastes it will fall in love.”
Ashu looked straight at Antonio.
The timid child from moments ago was gone.
Only a confident girl remained.
She took a deep breath and spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.
“And besides… you were planning to come here anyway, Father! To entrust the Baron family’s tea party to this café!”
It was practically a bombshell announcement.
