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chapter 51
Since visiting Count Pruina’s mansion after two years, the sky had strangely twisted, and rain poured relentlessly. It had already been a week. The rain kept coming and going, and the atmosphere felt oddly heavy.
“Has a sudden rainy season started out of nowhere?”
Perhaps because of the frequent rain, the dampness inside Ikkeulim made Lynette stare blankly out the window.
Ding-dong—
Even the sound of the wind chime seemed heavy from the moisture in the air.
“Welcome! This is Ikkeulim. What can I get for you?”
Angela greeted the guest with a bright smile.
“Oh, how cute. How old are you? You look about my daughter’s age.”
Some guests would occasionally ask Angela’s age. It wasn’t unusual for someone younger than her to be working, but seeing her serve while showing her face like this was rarer.
“I’m fifteen this year.”
“My daughter’s also fifteen, still quite immature… Haha. We’ll have a latte and a Sefiano, please.”
A refined-looking female guest handed Angela one shillon. Normally, Angela would return the change, but the guest refused.
“Consider the rest as a tip; buy yourself something nice later.”
“But…”
Angela glanced back at Lynette for guidance. Lynette nodded at her.
“Since it’s a tip from the guest, you should say thank you.”
“Hehe! Yes, thank you so much. I’ll use it well.”
The sight of a girl their age working seemed a bit pitiful to the two women. Once they were seated, Lynette handed Angela the Sefiano and latte. Angela piled cookies on a plate with extra care and immediately served them.
“Business has been so slow lately, it’s worrying.”
Angela spoke in a small voice after serving. She seemed concerned about taking a salary without many guests visiting.
“It’s fine. There were plenty of customers before.”
Ikkeulim wasn’t a business that would fail just because a few days were slow. Lynette avoided mentioning the lack of guests so that Angela wouldn’t worry; she knew that if a boss expressed concern, employees would become uneasy.
Feeling the gloom might spread, Lynette pulled out some coffee beans and started roasting them. Slowly, the rich aroma filled the shop, dispelling the dampness. After the last guests left, Lynette rubbed her wrist and frowned slightly.
Rainy days weren’t good for her. Occasionally, her wrist ached. Too lazy to take medicine every time, Lynette applied ointment and wrapped her wrist in cloth.
“Angela.”
“Yes! What is it?”
Calling Angela, who was idly playing with Cheese, Lynette pointed at the door.
“Shall we clean the door?”
“No need; it’ll rain again anyway. So leave it. Go home early today. There are no guests, so you can go talk with Angelo.”
When Angela entered the Knight Academy, Lynette had sent Angelo with the agreement that the 10 gold she gave him would be returned once he became a knight. Whether he was naturally suited or just worked tirelessly, he had continued to receive scholarships ever since.
Angelo claimed it was all thanks to Lynette’s early guidance, but she just shrugged.
“Then I’ll go.”
Inside Ikkeulim, Lynette’s word was absolute. Angela didn’t hesitate and prepared to leave.
“Take some sandwiches with you. They probably won’t sell today anyway.”
She had made fewer than usual, and with no customers, they remained unsold. Feeling guilty about selling them the next day, Lynette handed them to Angela for Angelo.
“Thank you! Angelo loves the sandwiches you make here, Lynette!”
“Good. Take them and share with him.”
After sending Angela off, Lynette looked at Cheese, left behind.
“Cheese, aren’t you going anywhere? The other cats go out and play.”
Meow.
Cheese, now a perfect house cat, jumped onto Lynette’s lap and curled up. Once small, Cheese had grown into a plump adult cat over the past two years.
“You clearly need more exercise.”
Lynette picked him up, placed him in his box, and immediately brewed coffee.
“It’s raining again.”
The brief pause in rain ended, and it poured once more. Lynette sipped hot espresso while watching the raindrops. Sitting in a guest chair instead of at the counter, she held her cup with both hands.
No one even sought shelter under the trees. Perhaps due to the frequent rain, the streets were empty, with only occasional gusts disturbing the silence.
As the warmth in her hands cooled, Lynette poured hot water to make a Sefiano. Just as she was staring into the dark coffee, the door shook.
Ding-dong—
The wind chime’s sound drew her gaze.
“Xian, you’re here.”
Xian, a regular who only appeared when there were no other guests, smiled warmly at Lynette.
“I can’t start my day without drinking your coffee, Lynette.”
It was the start of the day, not the end, Xian said, so Lynette prepared coffee. She made a latte with a pretty design and then sat at her own table.
“Lynette, is something wrong? You’ve seemed distracted and down these past few days.”
“Hmm, really? Sorry. I tried not to pay attention, but I guess it bothered me subconsciously. I need to shake it off. Rain just makes me feel extra sensitive, I suppose.”
As Lynette slowly sipped the steaming coffee, she gazed outside. Xian followed her gaze. Though the scenery was ordinary, a strange shadow seemed to fall over her dark eyes.
Respecting her quiet moment, Xian didn’t disturb her as she enjoyed her latte. Lynette closed her eyes, listening to the rain like a melody, when she suddenly felt warmth on her shoulder. Opening her eyes slightly, she saw Xian’s coat draped over her.
“Xian, you don’t have to do that.”
It was slightly chilly from the rain, but not enough to need someone else’s coat.
“Your shoulders looked particularly fragile today, Lynette.”
Had Edgar heard this, he would have laughed uncontrollably, but Xian said it casually. Normally he would have handed over his coat, but today, Lynette merely felt the warmth and presence in it.
She drank her coffee, enveloped in the gentle warmth of his coat. As the cup emptied, Xian spoke cautiously.
“Lynette, does your wrist hurt?”
Seeing her wrist wrapped in cloth, Lynette faintly smiled and nodded.
“It’s better, but it throbs when it rains. I applied medicine, though.”
“I’ll massage it for you. Massage works faster than ointment.”
Moving to sit beside her, Xian gently held her wrist, loosening the cloth covering her delicate hand. Seeing Lynette’s hand, marked with old scars and burn marks, Xian held it with care.
“Ugh!”
“Oh! Sorry, was that too strong? I’ll be gentler.”
Applying gentle pressure, Lynette’s eyebrows twitched slightly. The pain initially stung, but gradually eased.
It was just a wrist, but the warm, comforting touch made her drowsy. Leaning her head against Xian’s shoulder, she relaxed, and he smiled softly. He didn’t let go of her hand, giving her a moment of rest amidst her hectic days.
Eventually, Lynette stirred awake and noticed he was still holding her wrist.
“You can stop now. It doesn’t hurt as much anymore.”
Reluctantly, Xian released her wrist but didn’t move away. He simply pulled his cup closer.
“It feels nice sitting beside you like this, Lynette.”
Lynette nodded.
“Would you like another cup? Consider it payment for the wrist massage.”
“You don’t have to, but I won’t refuse if you offer.”
Xian smiled, pleased just to hold her wrist. He briefly removed his hat, revealing his deep ruby eyes, glistening in the rain.
Lynette brought a fresh cup for herself and another for him.
“Your coffee warms me from the inside.”
“It’s not just the coffee; any warm drink works the same.”
“But your coffee is special, because it’s made with your care and effort.”
Hearing Xian speak so eloquently, Lynette couldn’t help smiling. He smiled back, and they exchanged thoughts, letting the rain inspire their sensitivity.
“Thank you for being a regular, Xian. And…”
“And?”
Seeing her hesitate, Xian asked gently. Lynette smiled.
“I even pushed away my fiancé. Though I might have been a bit forceful.”
“That kiss back then was my true feeling. I’ve missed you so much, Lynette.”
Two years had passed, and the regular customer was no longer just a patron but a lover. Xian gently brushed her face with a hand imbued with the warmth of the coffee. Lynette closed her eyes instinctively, placing her hand over his on her face, craving the warmth.
It was a slightly dangerous moment—no, it was dangerous. Her heart raced. Perhaps it was from having drunk two cups of coffee.
Feeling her face flush, Lynette looked at Xian’s lips. Since that first kiss, his lips had captured her attention. Remembering the previous kiss, she exhaled lightly.
“Xian.”
“Yes, my Lynette?”
Caught up in the coffee and atmosphere, Lynette spoke her feelings.
“I… want to kiss you. May I?”
Xian paused, unsure if she was teasing him, and looked at her cautiously.
“Lynette, you shouldn’t say things like that carelessly.”
Even saying it felt like taking his breath away. He smiled faintly.
“I’m serious. Ever since the kiss in front of my ex, I’ve only thought about your lips. I want to kiss you again.”
“Are you sincere? Are you sure you won’t regret kissing me?”
A single kiss wouldn’t change anything. Maybe she seemed impulsive, but she felt this was the only moment to speak honestly.
“I wasn’t surprised before, but I never regretted kissing you. So I want to kiss you.”
Seeing her dark eyes, Xian nodded shyly.
Receiving his silent approval, Lynette lightly brushed her lips across his. Warmth and softness transferred to her fingertips. She pressed her lips gently to his forehead.
Feeling the breath against him, Xian instinctively clenched both hands. Lynette’s lips touched his cheek lightly, sending shivers through him. Holding him gently, she whispered softly:
“Is it really okay if we kiss?”
Nod, nod—
Hearing her warm breath, Xian nodded shyly. Lynette pressed her coffee-scented lips softly against his.
