~Chapter 36~
The second store turned out to be a café.
Again, Riden didn’t go inside. She examined the exterior from a distance and said to Glen,
“Explain it to me.”
While she waited for an answer, she asked hesitantly,
“Don’t tell me… my parents handed this place over to an acquaintance again?”
Glen paused briefly and then smiled sheepishly.
“…Yes.”
“I see. Go on, then.”
“They really were warm-hearted people… especially toward their own.”
Glen continued his explanation.
“At least this place doesn’t require rent. It’s in a building owned by the Count’s family, which they purchased and reconstructed.”
That part pleased her.
“To think I’ve achieved what I couldn’t in my previous life—being a landowner. And on such a pricey street too.”
With a pleased expression, Riden stroked her chin as Glen added,
“They mainly serve tea and coffee, accompanied by simple desserts.”
Riden asked,
“You go to cafés too, Glen?”
“Yes, miss. Occasionally.”
“When do you go?”
“Well… I recently picked up smoking again, so I haven’t gone much lately. But I used to visit sometimes when I wanted a good cup of coffee or needed a break.”
Riden pointed at the café in front of them.
“Then Glen, do you think going into that café would lift your mood?”
“Um… if the coffee’s really, really good, maybe?”
Catching her gaze, Glen quickly fell silent. Riden tried to get angry but couldn’t.
Glen’s remorseful attitude and awareness of his own mistakes managed to ease her temper.
‘That’s supposed to be a café? And they rebuilt it?’
She had spent three years watching her ex-husband run a café, so she had a keen sense of what worked and what didn’t.
Some cafés succeeded by catering to students, others by targeting middle-aged locals. Then there were high-priced aesthetic cafés, designed for trendy customers who only showed up for photos.
Looking around, she observed that this was one of the city’s most expensive shopping streets.
‘But who’s their target audience here?’
The building didn’t appeal to young noble ladies, nor was it friendly enough for commoners.
‘Why does the entrance look like a sketchy seafood joint that overcharges its customers?’
Even from outside, it gave off the vibe of stale fish.
“Would you like to at least try the taste?” Glen asked cautiously.
“Sure, let’s taste it. I am a bit hungry anyway.”
When Riden agreed, Glen opened the door.
The old wooden door creaked open, releasing a pleasant scent of coffee.
Soon after, the smell of freshly baked bread filled the air.
‘At least the smell’s good.’
But the interior was bizarre.
Expensive materials were used, but the aesthetic was off, creating an awkward atmosphere.
As Riden looked around silently, the shop owner finally appeared.
‘What kind of villain do we have this time—after the black-clad one?’
Curious, she studied the new manager.
“Welcome! Would you like to sit here? This is our best seat.”
A middle-aged woman greeted them warmly with a kind smile.
Riden ordered Glen to wear his mask again.
The manager looked at Glen quizzically but soon brought the menu.
While Riden browsed, the owner approached again.
“We do have the regular menu, but sometimes we offer specials. Would you like to try today’s dessert?”
She was unexpectedly enthusiastic.
‘I thought she’d be sitting in a nearly empty café looking defeated, but she’s proactively suggesting items.’
Riden smiled softly.
“Sure. We’ll have coffee and milk tea too.”
Soon, a modest-looking dessert was served.
Glen sliced it neatly and pushed a portion toward Riden.
They each took a bite at the same time.
Glen’s eyes widened and he involuntarily slapped the table.
Riden was just as surprised.
‘Why is this so good?!’
She quickly reached for another bite.
The smooth vanilla cream and crisp pastry made a perfect combo.
Just as the cream threatened to feel too heavy, the subtle citrus kick of orange brightened it up.
“Miss, isn’t this… really good?”
“It is!”
But then Riden noticed something odd.
“Glen, why do you look like this is your first time eating this?”
How could the butler of the Count’s house not have tried the dessert from their own café?
Seeing her skeptical stare, Glen lowered his head apologetically.
“Miss, I don’t usually eat sweets.”
“Right…”
As the shop owner brought the drinks, Riden spoke up.
“Madam, please bring us five more of your signature desserts!”
The following plates were all excellent.
The coffee and milk tea were average, though.
‘This place is definitely going to be successful.’
With such outstanding desserts, word would spread quickly despite the rough exterior.
‘It just needs a bit of tweaking to really take off.’
Riden called the owner over.
“Do you have set menus or custom-designed packaging?”
“Set menu?”
She clearly didn’t understand.
“No, never mind.”
‘So, no.’
The desserts were pricey—probably because they weren’t meant to be the main draw.
‘Okay, then change the focus: desserts become the main product now.’
If she wanted to sell to noble ladies addicted to sweets, the branding needed to stand out.
‘The flavor is already perfect. No issue there.’
She recalled how packaging played a crucial role in brand identity in her previous world.
But here, she’d only seen plain brown kraft paper boxes.
‘And that signboard… needs replacing. Design a new brand logo and hang it.’
Wait, wasn’t she planning to return to the Count’s territory?
‘Why am I thinking about rebranding when I’m leaving soon?’
Her train of thought paused.
But then, she shook her head.
‘I’m not giving up a business this promising. Even if I leave, I can put Glen in charge!’
She considered starting with the brand color and then talking to the owner.
The woman didn’t even know Riden was the real owner of the place.
As Riden stood up to approach her—
Creak.
The wooden door of the café opened, and a man stepped inside.
