* * *
“Did you think I’d let you get away with it again?”
“Uh, uaaah!” With another blast of wind magic, Abisan tumbled loudly across the floor.
Good thing I’d anticipated this hotheaded fool and took a potion in advance. I silently thanked Duke Kalinos as I watched Abisan—utterly hopeless at magic—struggle on the ground. Then I opened the window.
Abisan, limping furiously, tried to come up behind me…
“Do you still see me as the same foolish Giselle from the past?”
Outside the window stood a knight in armor bearing the Florette family crest.
“It’s an ambush.”
“Yes. Just as expected.”
“I’ll report directly to the Count.”
“Y-You…”
I laughed and glared at Abisan, who was sprawled on the floor. “Idiot.”
Mariposa had made a foolish choice. If Abisan were truly talented, of course it would have been better to leave him in the family. But Abisan was a hotheaded troublemaker who only caused problems everywhere he went. I figured he’d only make Count Florette angrier.
If Abisan causes another incident while still in this family, even Mariposa’s chance of returning will vanish. That’s why I never told Count Florette to kick Abisan out. Instead, I had secretly spoken to Count Florette.
“Giselle is feeling uneasy. Could you discreetly assign a loyal knight to Giselle’s room, just for tonight?”
Just as Abisan was gritting his teeth in frustration and swearing, Count Florette, having received a swift report from the knight, came running to me in a hurry.
“Giselle!” Count Florette took my hand and muttered quietly, “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. As long as Abisan is expelled from the family and never returns.” I smiled, and Count Florette shot a chilling glare at Abisan.
Abisan stomped his feet in rage. “Grrr…! Giselle Florette, you…!”
“How dare you use violence against a gentle child. Get out of this mansion, Abisan. Like your mother, go reflect on your actions in a shabby house!”
Abisan hurled curses, but he was promptly thrown out by the knights. Afterwards, only Count Florette and I remained in the room.
“You only told me to throw him out, not beat him first. You’re too kind-hearted.”
“That’s right. I’ve always had a kind heart. As soft as the finest sand. On that note, I have a request.”
“A request?” Count Florette smiled gently. “Whatever it is, tell me. I’ll do it.”
“You haven’t forgotten to give me the coffee house, have you?” I grinned, bringing a pen and the contract to the table.
It was time to take over the coffee house, which Mariposa had transferred to the family, and make it my own.
* * *
“Ma-Madam Mariposa and Lord Abisan have been placed under house arrest?”
“They’ve been stripped of everything and expelled!”
As a result, the waitress who used to look down on others relying on Mariposa’s authority, as well as the coffee house owner whose hobby was harassing passing women and brushing it off as ‘It’s just a joke, why get so mad?’ were also thrown out.
But there was one person who couldn’t leave the coffee house. It was a forty-five-year-old man, Liliv, who had worked as a chef, waiter, and barista all at once.
Being fired… Now, where can I go? No one would hire him after his severe childhood polio. The only reason he got a job at this coffee house was because he agreed to work for almost nothing.
No, I can’t despair. If my wife and daughter saw me like this, they’d be heartbroken. He was a father who had to support his family. As if trying to convince himself, he rubbed his weathered face and stood up, shouldering his shabby bag.
“You probably know, but I’ve taken over this place with Count Florette’s permission. I’ll be remodeling it, Mr. Liliv.”
“I-I see. Congratulations…”
He remembered how he had occasionally given Giselle some bread. He’d pitied her, since they’d both been mistreated. But that was all.
“Well then, goodbye.” He forced a smile and was about to leave—
“Then I’m looking forward to your skills, sir.”
“…Pardon?”
Giselle smiled and held out her hand for a handshake. “I’d like you to be the coffee house manager and head chef.”
“Huh? B-But I’m a cripple… And I don’t have much experience as a pâtissier or barista.”
Whether it’s a coffee house selling desserts or a restaurant serving food, the head chef is the face of the establishment. It wasn’t just about skills; usually, good-looking people were chosen for the job.
He was about to decline when a man with glasses and a red nose appeared, holding a contract and several ledgers. “Nice to meet you, Manager and Head Chef Liliv.”
“I-It’s already been decided?”
“Yes. I’m Lady Giselle’s personal accountant, Kima. Now, shall we begin the salary negotiations? We also need to check the coffee house’s current financial status.”
“And of course, your salary will be properly negotiated.”
“I-I can hardly think straight right now…”
“You know, in the future, you’ll become an even greater man than the palace head chef who won the emperor’s favor. That’s why I want to secure you in advance.”
“Hahaha! You’re quite the joker.”
“Yes, just a joke. A funny joke.” Giselle grinned and spoke to him, “But Liliv, I want you to grow even more than that waitress or chef from earlier.”
Suddenly, Liliv remembered what his daughter had said that morning:
“Dad, I want cotton candy!”
“Alright, Dad will bring back some after work!”
“Yay! Bring lots! Dad, you can do it! I love you!”
To everyone else, he was just a cripple, but to his daughter, he wanted to be the coolest dad in the world. Because he was the head of the family.
“If you believe in me… I’ll do my best!”
To buy cotton candy for my daughter, I have to work hard. He was grateful to Giselle. Not because she didn’t look down on me, but because she saw potential in me. For giving him the chance to keep a promise to his daughter.
As he looked at Giselle with an emotional expression, she smiled at him with wide eyes.
“By the way, I got something from Count Florette.” She took out a small box, from which she pulled out bottles of cardamom, high-quality pepper, clove, nutmeg, and more. “Count Florette just came back from the Spice Islands.”
“Ah…”
“Since he has generously supplied us with free spices, please create something unique with these special ingredients, Chef.”
The gift from Count Florette to Giselle. It was an unlimited supply of precious spices for the coffee house.
Liliv’s eyes widened as he looked at the spices. “C-Can I really use such precious things?”
“As much as you want.”
Showing off his skill by combining cardamom and nutmeg, he declared, “I’ll repay you with the best recipes!”
* * *
A few days later, the coffee house was filled with a bright atmosphere. Word had spread that it used spices supplied by the Florette family.
“It seems like a lot of people are coming now that we’ve developed dessert recipes based on these unique spices.”
“Good job, Liliv.”
The spices provided by Count Florette and the recipes Liliv developed were both truly flawless.
In the distant future, Liliv’s talent will get him noticed by the emperor and make him the palace chef. How lucky I am to have secured him early!
I smiled with satisfaction as I looked around the lively coffee house interior. The sound of young noble ladies chatting in groups reached my ears.
“Wow, I’ve never smelled anything like this before.”
“These are new spices from the Spice Islands. Isn’t it amazing?”
“And it tastes good, too. It’s really interesting.”
The most important thing about this coffee house now was its ‘unique aroma’ and ‘distinctive flavor.’
In the future, regret male lead #1, that wretched Marquis Berto, brought a huge supply of spices, developed delicious food, and became filthy rich. After returning from the Spice Islands with all sorts of unusual spices, he opened a restaurant and coffee house. Thanks to the protagonist’s halo, both businesses hit the jackpot.
But now, I’ve already claimed that uniqueness first. Though he would surely succeed because he’s the male lead, the fact that I’ve already taken the lead in uniqueness will certainly be a blow to him.
The value of Count Florette’s gift is truly priceless, especially if it means I can deal a blow to that guy. There was another good point as well.
Mariposa Florette tried to seize the coffee house for a reason. A coffee house is a great place for gathering rumors. Of course, the rumors would be unofficial and unverified.
People tend to relax with a fragrant cup of coffee and a slice of cake. On days like that, they’re bound to talk more loudly than usual. With my face hidden, I started walking slowly down the private room hallway in the coffee house.
“Did you hear the news?”
“Oh, about Marquis Berto?”
“They say he’s going on a short voyage, too.”
As their conversation continued, a familiar name made me stop in my tracks. The ladies burst out laughing.
“I hear he’s already found his lady. Word is, he’s getting engaged as soon as he gets back from his voyage!”
“Hah, the foolish young ladies who swooned over him will go crazy again.”
“Oh, you mean ladies like Giselle Florette.”
Not realizing I was now the owner of the coffee house, the young ladies giggled as they looked at each other.
I clenched my teeth and thought bitterly. Right, now is not the time to be satisfied with a mere revenge against Mariposa.
