OCOB 40

Chapter : 40

Since that day, I visited Baron Viola’s residence every single day.

From the guests’ tastes to the desserts being prepared, even how everything would be decorated—there were far too many things to figure out. Because of that, I hadn’t been able to visit the temple at all. I had contacted Parhan, but he must have been busy as well, because he hadn’t replied.

If even one of us had been free, we could have set a date, but since we were both busy… my visit to the Dael Temple kept being pushed further back. I would probably only be able to go after the Rose Garden tea party was over.

For now, nothing urgent was happening, so I decided to postpone the temple visit. It was wiser to come up with even one better idea than to spend time worrying about that.

I wracked my brain as much as I could, trying to think of ideas.

But—

“…This isn’t it!”

Like an old man smashing pottery he didn’t like, I found myself shouting “No!” several times a day.

It had already been four days like this.

Today, once again, I was moving around frantically. Especially today, I had to finish my work at Baron Viola’s residence in the morning.

Because it was about time I showed up at the café.

No matter how diligently Ninbook was handling things, it wasn’t good for the owner to be away from the shop for this long. I needed to know how the café was running, whether there were many customers—small details like that. Only then could I respond quickly if a problem arose.

And also—

“Ilianna… Are you really leaving?”

“Yes.”

The end of Ilianna’s promised part-time schedule had come into view. Today was her last day.

I had wanted to ask her to stay until the tea party, but her face had been growing paler by the day… I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

Anyway.

Since it was her last day, I needed to be busy today to throw her a little farewell party.

Once again, I locked myself in the Viola family kitchen and began experimenting.

First, I decided to try making ades—sparkling fruit drinks.

With carbonated water and high-quality fruit, I should be able to make something fresh and delicious.

But just ade felt a little lacking.

“I’m sure everyone’s had something like this before.”

So I wanted to prepare something different. Something that would make people say, “This is my first time trying this!”

And that didn’t have to be limited to drinks—I was experimenting widely, including desserts and sandwiches.

Still, I thought it would be good to have at least one familiar drink, so I decided to start with ade.

I took out the fruit syrups I had made in advance, one by one. Hesse slowly sidled up next to me.

“Hey, how do you make this so well? Whenever I try, it all spoils.”

“Didn’t you add a bit of sugar?”

“Hey, I’m the head chef. I wouldn’t mess that up.”

“Then maybe you’re lacking sincerity?”

“What?”

In the meantime, Hesse and I had grown close enough to speak casually. We were about the same age, so it felt like I’d made a friend my own age.

Hesse grabbed a clean pair of tongs and picked up a slice of lemon from the lemon syrup, popping it into his mouth.

“The ratio’s perfect. Not too sweet, not too sour… Want to learn cooking under me? I’ll treat you well.”

“I’m already overwhelmed with what I have.”

“I meant, if that fails, come to me.”

“…Hesse. Why don’t you go do your own work?”

“Okay, I’ll shut up.”

He had even picked up my way of speaking. It was the downside of being around each other all day. At times like this, he really felt like an annoying younger brother—though he was more professional than anyone when it came to work.

Still, it was convenient having him nearby to ask questions.

He wasn’t head chef just for show; Hesse had extensive knowledge of ingredients.

For example, he knew about the maesil syrup sitting next to the lemon syrup.

Even if this was a game world, I knew that maesil—green plum—originated from China. How did he even know about it?

In fact, Hesse had been the one to recommend it.

“You’re looking for fruit to preserve as syrup? Then… how about maesil? A merchant I know imports it too.”

How on earth was it being imported here?

Anyway, since maesil was unfamiliar in this place, it would make for a good attempt.

So I acquired a large quantity of maesil through Hesse. I had wanted to buy directly from the merchant, but he refused, saying it wasn’t possible yet—so I had no choice but to leave it to Hesse.

All the maesil I obtained became maesil syrup.

“That one’s simple—just turn it into an ade.”

A maesil ade with its unique fragrance and sweet yet tangy flavor. Honestly, I didn’t think it would be divisive.

“It’s good for digestion, too!”

After eating greasy food, if you gulp down water mixed with maesil syrup… ah. It’s a refreshing sensation beyond words.

“Well, maesil is decided. The problem is the ratio.”

That’s why I was still stuck perfecting the ade.

With a sigh, I mixed three spoonfuls of lemon syrup into carbonated water and took a sip.

“Hmm…”

Since the lemon syrup itself wasn’t very sweet, three spoonfuls seemed insufficient. I immediately added one more.

Now it was too sweet.

“This is driving me crazy.”

Repeating this process over and over made me feel like I was going insane—but it also sparked my stubbornness.

“I’m going to find the perfect ratio no matter what!”

While I was wrestling with the proportions, Hesse came over holding something.

“Hey, do you know what this is? The merchant who sells the maesil told me to show this to you.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve never seen it before. Looks interesting.”

I turned my head to see what he was holding—and immediately jumped to my feet.

“Take me to the merchant who gave you that.
Now!”

The Yongari Café was crowded again today.

It had been a week since opening.

Normally, the initial buzz would be dying down by now. Yet there were still plenty of customers.

It was because of a new rumor surrounding the café.

“I heard the owner’s working with nobles?”

“Yeah! We should try it before it disappears.”

“I heard something different—soon they’ll only accept noble customers.”

These rumors had started after Baron Antonio Viola visited.

As Leila became associated with a noble, people who had been putting off visiting—thinking, “I’ll go later”—began showing up one by one.

They grumbled, but they still enjoyed the café.

As a result, Ilianna’s workload increased even more. It wasn’t that customers were outright troublemakers—but with the mindset of “It might be hard to come again,” they refused to give up their seats.

Customers wouldn’t leave, yet there was a line forming outside.

“If it weren’t for Freesia’s request, I would’ve quit long ago…”

Still, since today was her last day, Ilianna endured and continued serving customers.

Thankfully, Hu and Ninbook were competent and helped a lot.

If not for them, she might have already turned down Freesia’s request.

As the sun set and the sky grew dark, it was almost time to get off work. Soon, she wouldn’t have to return to this damned café ever again.

With a faint smile, Ilianna gathered her remaining strength.

Just then—

“Ilianna, have you been working hard?”

Freesia, who had gone on a short trip with Rumi, entered the café together with her. Seeing her after a while, Ilianna greeted her warmly.

“Lady Freesia! You didn’t go straight to the shop—you came here? Did you come to see me?”

“Ah, that too, but I have something to give Leila.”

“…Pardon?”

“More importantly, where’s Leila?”

Unaware of her feelings, Freesia kept talking about Leila.

Ilianna lightly bit her lip, but still answered properly.

“She should be here soon. She said she’d finish work in the morning and come over, but I guess she’s running a little late. Lady Freesia, would you like to sit and wait?”

“Hmm, sure. While we’re at it, I’ll watch you work.”

“…Yes.”

It felt like she had been pushed aside. Ilianna pressed her lips together and handed the order slip to Ninbook.

Soon, Leila arrived at the café. She looked quite flustered.

“If it were usual, I wouldn’t even talk to her… but Lady Freesia and Rumi are here now.”

Ilianna approached Leila.

“Leila? Lady Freesia is here.”

“Oh, really? Just a moment! I have something to sort out first!”

In her rush, Leila went straight upstairs.

“Ah…”

Ilianna’s face hardened.

She checked the time, then looked around the hall. Aside from Freesia and Rumi, there were no customers left.

Without a word, she untied the apron around her waist, tossed it aside, and slipped out of the café unnoticed.

It was an impulsive decision.

A short while later, inside the café—

“Ilianna! Thank you for working with us all this time!”

“You’ve worked hard!”

…Huh?

Leila and Freesia stared blankly at the empty space behind the counter.