OCOB 42

Chapter : 42

Back to the present.

The day before the tea party, the Viola estate was in a frenzy. Every servant working in the mansion bustled about, and even Baron Antonio Viola himself was busy giving instructions here and there to the head butler and the head maid.

I looked around at the chaotically moving estate in admiration.

They had said it was rather large for a baron’s household, but seeing all the servants moving at once really made the scale sink in.

‘Having a lot of people really is… overwhelming, in a good way.’

Once this event is over, I really should hire someone.

Ninbook will handle making the drinks, so I just need someone to manage the hall.

‘Looks like I’ve really become a boss.’

All I think about these days is hiring staff.

I should at least hire someone competent…

I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again, heading toward the kitchen. As I walked, I recalled what had happened earlier at the café.

‘I wonder if he’s working properly?’

I’m a little worried…

I made my way to the kitchen out of habit, thinking about the person who had come to the café earlier—Tonique, the man Antonio had sent to help me and the café for two days.

Tonique was the son of the Viola family’s head butler and was currently training as an apprentice butler. Because he was still young, he wasn’t allowed to attend this tea party.

‘Well, that’s what Tonique said, but…’

When it was decided that he would help me, the head butler had come to me privately and said:

“…If my son Tonique causes any trouble, please be sure to tell me. He’s only just come of age, and he’s always had a strong interest in the opposite sex…”

“Ah…”

“That’s why I deliberately excluded him from this tea party.”

He had emphasized it again and again.

Just how interested in women was he to warrant such repeated warnings?

A little worried, I waited for Tonique. And he fully lived up to everyone’s expectations.

Black hair that lightly covered his neck. He wore a butler’s uniform, but there was nothing proper about his face.

The flashy crescent-moon smile he gave so easily and the sweet tone dripping from his voice made his character crystal clear.

A textbook playboy!

The moment he saw me, Tonique kissed the back of my hand and winked.

“I had no idea the café owner would be such a beautiful lady. I regret every moment I spent away from the estate.”

“…Ahaha.”

“If possible, I’d love to work by your side for the rest of my life.”

At the same time, he fired off a string of dizzying lines.

At that moment, I thought:

‘I absolutely cannot leave him alone here!’

But the tea party was tomorrow, and I had no choice but to leave the café in Tonique’s care and head out.

No matter how I thought about it, if I left him in charge of the hall, it felt like romantic rivalries would break out among the customers.

Of course, I knew that people like him could actually be good at serving guests…

Just as my worries were deepening, Milan appeared like a savior.

“…What is this?”

He had been coming down from the second floor when he stopped, frowning slightly as he looked Tonique over. Then he shifted his gaze to me.

I looked at Milan with pleading eyes and spoke.

“Milan… The Viola family said they’d send someone to help.”

“Ah.”

He nodded as if he understood. Slowly descending the stairs, he positioned himself between Tonique and me.

Tonique was tall, but Milan was even taller. And no matter how flashy Tonique was, he couldn’t outshine Milan.

Milan had a presence that intimidated others just by existing.

He looked down at Tonique indifferently and crossed his arms.

“Layla, go take care of your business.”

“Huh? But…”

“I’ll put this one to good use. So don’t worry.”

“Really? Truly?”

“If you have time to ask that, you should get going. It’s almost three already.”

“What?!”

I had thought some time had passed, but I hadn’t realized it was already three.

Letting out a short scream, I quickly gathered my bag.

And that was how I hurriedly prepared and came to the Viola estate.

“Ha…”

Thinking about it again makes me dizzy.

If Milan hadn’t been there, I probably still wouldn’t have been able to leave the café because of Tonique.

‘Still, I’m worried.’

Of course I’m worried about Tonique—but I’m worried about Milan too.

How hard was he planning to push him, smiling like that?

Before I left the café, I had caught a glimpse of it—

That devilishly beautiful smile.

He hadn’t even smiled that deeply when he was selling things to me.

Recalling it now, I could almost feel the chill from him. Rubbing my arms, I quickened my pace.

Lost in worry as I walked, I soon arrived at the kitchen.

I reached out to open the door.

Just then—

“Oh, there you are.”

“Baron?”

“Yes, I’ve been looking for you.”

From a distance, the head butler and Antonio were walking toward me. Antonio gestured as if he had business with me.

I quickly stepped forward to stand before him. He looked me up and down before letting out a faint smile.

“You’re a little late today.”

“Ahaha… There was something at the café.”

“It wasn’t because of young Tonique, was it?”

“No, Baron. It was something personal.”

“Hmm, is it because the head butler is standing behind me? If there truly is a problem, come to me.”

“…Haha.”

He’s particularly playful today.

Or maybe he’s just so busy he’s lost his sense of things?

I smiled awkwardly.

Then my eyes met the head butler’s. He was looking at me with pity.

I immediately understood why.

‘He must’ve suffered all day…’

I gave him the slightest nod so it wouldn’t be obvious.

As we silently comforted each other in our respective hired positions, Antonio spoke again.

“I came to inform you of something, but we’ve chatted too long.”

“To inform me? Is it about the tea party?”

“Yes. One more guest has been added. An important one, so I’m counting on you.”

“That important?”

He nodded solemnly and explained.

“The only daughter of the Grimani Marquisate will be attending the tea party. She hasn’t even made her debut and has never shown herself to anyone.

And yet, this morning, we received word that she wishes to attend this tea party.”

“Oh…”

“The Grimani Marquis family is very knowledgeable about tea. So please take special care.”

With that, Antonio patted my shoulder a couple of times, as if to say he trusted me. After a few more words, he left to attend to his duties.

Once they were out of sight, I let out a long breath.

“Wow, this is hectic.”

The Grimani Marquisate…

If they were well-versed in tea, they might not like what I’d prepared.

What I had readied were light drinks suitable for enjoying casually at a party.

And simple desserts to match.

‘Hmm, I wasn’t planning to prepare coffee separately…’

I had a concept in mind, so I hadn’t included coffee on purpose. But now that I’d heard this important news, I had no choice.

‘Well, if I’m told to do it, I’ll do it.’

Nodding to myself, I added finely ground coffee beans to my preparations. Then I pushed open the kitchen door wide.

The kitchen was in full swing preparing dinner. In the middle of it all, Hesse was controlling the flow and cooking.

Since he looked busy, I didn’t bother greeting him and headed straight to the back door of the kitchen. Slipping outside, I began walking briskly.

Behind the Viola estate stretched a vast rose garden. I followed the narrow path running alongside it.

Soon, the large fence surrounding the estate came into view.

There was a small gate in the fence used for bringing in ingredients. Without hesitation, I flung it open.

Beyond it was completely outside.

And the person I needed to meet was standing there.

I approached him with a resolute expression and whispered quietly:

“You’ve prepared everything, right?”

“Heh, of course~.”

A secret transaction began.