Chapter 9
When Edgar saw Casper all neatly dressed up with gifts for Lynette, he shook his head in disbelief.
“Wait, didn’t you say Lynette was getting married soon? I was planning to attend her wedding… Don’t tell me her running away has something to do with that marriage?”
“Oh, that’s off. But it’s not really my place to explain—ask Lynette yourself.”
At Edgar’s words, Casper clenched his fists tightly. Something bad had definitely happened.
“Did that guy do something terrible to her?”
“Could be.”
“And you—when Lynette was there, you just let him be? You should’ve beaten him up right then and there. You keep acting behind the scenes, so Lynette misunderstands you!”
When Lynette was younger and came home after being beaten by other kids, Edgar never stepped in to defend her on the spot. Instead, once he heard about it afterward, he would storm over and thrash the kids twice as hard. Casper had often seen it.
“How could I start brawling in front of a child! That’s bad for her upbringing. I’d send her home first, and then kill those brats.”
“You should’ve done it in front of her. Doing it behind her back only makes Lynette think you’re useless and resent you.”
“And what, should I brag about beating kids up to her face?”
Edgar, a little old-fashioned in his ways, handed Casper a piece of paper Kenneth had given him the day before.
“What’s this?”
“Lynette ran away and opened a shop. That’s the address. Don’t tell her I gave it to you—go there with Uncle. In a few days. Tomorrow, I’ll go myse—Hey! Casper!”
By the time Edgar turned his head mid-sentence, Casper was already gone, just a dot in the distance.
“Good grief, that boy is hopeless. Still… it’s a relief Lynette has someone who loves her so much.”
With a bitter smile, Edgar trudged back to training to make up for being late. Meanwhile, Casper had already arrived at the Florence estate.
“Faaather!”
He shouted before he even reached the office.
“Didn’t I tell you not to act so rashly! What’s got you so worked up this time?”
Count Conrad Florence, who had been dealing with estate matters, frowned as he looked at his son.
“Father, Lynette left home and opened a shop.”
Casper carefully relayed what Edgar had told him. At that, Conrad shot to his feet.
“We must go see our Lynette at once! The world is a dangerous place, and she’s so small, so cute, so precious—just looking at her feels like she could wear out from it. And she’s out there all alone?”
He spoke as if someone might snatch her up and carry her away in their pocket. Casper burst out laughing at the thought.
“Father, before you go, shouldn’t you unseal the family gates?”
“Ah! Of course. Nothing wrong with that. For Lynette, I’d do anything. And it is about time we stretched our legs after all these years.”
Thus, after thirteen long years closed to the world, the House of Florence lifted its seal—just to go see their runaway niece.
❅
For days, Lynette had been catching flies in her empty shop. Stretching with a yawn, she heard the door chime.
“Welcom—… oh, it’s you.”
Her expression instantly soured.
“Tsk, tsk. Is that how you greet a customer? With that face? How do you expect to run a business like this?”
“If the shop fails, I’m the only one who fails. Mind your own work, big brother.”
Edgar chuckled at Lynette’s frown and went straight to the point.
“Coffee? It’s bitter, isn’t it? Aren’t teas usually bitter already?”
“This is even more bitter. It does give you energy, but for you, that hurdle might be too high.”
“What? Don’t underestimate me. I may look like this, but I’m an Imperial knight.”
“I still can’t believe you’re a knight. Whoever picked you must’ve had cataracts.”
As always, their sibling quarrel kicked off. Watching them, Katrin smiled in relief—at least Edgar and Lynette weren’t estranged, despite Esther’s mess.
“Enough nonsense! The person who chose me had excellent judgment. Now quit it and just give me the coffee.”
“I warned you, so don’t complain after you drink it.”
Normally, drinks were prepaid, but she couldn’t bring herself to take Edgar’s money. She brewed him a strong espresso and handed it over innocently. Edgar flinched at the jet-black liquid but refused to show weakness before her.
He took a sip, grimacing, then forced his face smooth again.
“D-Delicious.”
“Just admit it. It’s horribly bitter.”
“…Honestly, yeah. It’s so bitter I can’t drink this. And you sell this stuff?”
Katrin quickly passed him some water. Shaking his head, Edgar groaned.
“Some people like it this way.”
Lynette took his cup back, diluted it with water and syrup, then handed it over. Edgar realized she’d been teasing him but let it go.
“This tastes different.”
Still a little bitter, but not overwhelmingly so. The syrup added sweetness, and the roasted aroma was pleasant. Blowing on the hot drink, Edgar sipped.
“And what’s this one?”
“That’s coffee with milk. And this one—foamed milk with cinnamon on top…”
Curiosity sparked, Edgar asked one question after another, and Lynette grudgingly explained.
“If I drink all of these…”
“You might not sleep tonight. Coffee keeps you awake, you know.”
Since he had to report to the palace tomorrow, Edgar stopped himself and nodded, savoring the cup he had.
“Go sit over there and drink. I don’t feel like staring at my ugly brother.”
“If my face looks ugly to you, that means yours must look ugly too. Think about that, dear sister.”
As Edgar moved to the window seat, someone else came in.
“Nixon? What’s the butler doing here?”
“It’s my day off. I just wanted some tea. Didn’t know this was Miss Lynette’s shop.”
The look Edgar shot him clearly said don’t lie. Lynette brewed him a lighter cup for his first try and refused the money he offered.
“Keep it. Spend it on sweets for your grandson instead.”
She shoved it back into his pocket. She’d heard recently how doting he was at home.
“But I’m your first customer today…”
“What nonsense! I was the first. Don’t cut in line. Do as Lynette says.”
Edgar grumbled from his corner, making Nixon chuckle.
At first, he’d dismissed Lynette’s shop idea as childish rebellion against her father. But once inside, he felt it—this place had an inviting aroma, warm and comforting, almost intoxicating.
After finishing, Nixon promised to spread the word, and Lynette asked him not to mention she was of noble blood. If society learned a noblewoman was running a shop, she’d be ridiculed, and common folk would be too intimidated to come.
After sending him off, Lynette welcomed her next visitor with a bright smile.
“Welcome! What can I get you?”
“Oh, is this that coffee I’ve heard is only found in the Sepian Empire? I saw your sign by chance. I had to try it for myself.”
A real customer. He ordered a “Sepiano.” Lynette reached for the 30 bron coins when he dropped a gold coin instead—one whole golon.
Her brow twitched. Was her idiot brother trying to ruin her business on its first day? With one golon equal to nearly a million won back in her old world, it was like handing over a hundred-thousand-dollar bill for a $3 cup of coffee.
“Oh my, sir… I don’t have change for this.”
“Keep it. I’m your first customer, after all. No need for change. Truly, I mean it.”
Clearly the coffee’s awakening effect had hit him hard.
“My goodness, it must be that delicious! My heart’s racing already.”
Others watching were suddenly convinced the coffee must be worth it.
So Lynette reluctantly accepted the golon, prepared his Sepiano, and handed it over. The customer took one sip and exclaimed:
“This is the perfect harmony of sweetness and bitterness. One day, I’ll challenge the pure version without syrup!”
He loved it. Relieved, Lynette smiled brightly. All that remained was for word to spread.
“Your young master must really care for you, giving you so much money.” Katrin teased.
“He must’ve eaten something weird this morning.”
But it didn’t seem like that. Edgar had muttered outside:
“Damn… no customers. I’d tell my friends, but if they swarm here and pester Lynette, that’d be trouble.”
His face had been full of worry. Katrin smiled faintly at the brother who, beneath all the bickering, truly looked out for his sister.
Time passed. The true first customer had long left, and still, no one else came. Just as Lynette was about to close for the day, the door opened again.
“Welcome!”
A broad-shouldered man in a deep hat hesitated at the sight of her. Lynette tilted her head. Something about him felt oddly familiar.
“Have you tried coffee before?”
He shook his head slowly. She smiled kindly, showing him the menu.
“Then let me explain the flavors.”
After listening, the man cautiously pointed at the café latte. Since it was his first time, she sweetened it with syrup and handed it over once he paid.
He drank and nodded thoughtfully. Lynette asked gently:
“What does it taste like to you?”
The man paused in silence, then carefully moved his lips.
“Soft and sweet… yet it tastes like the unbearable thirst of a first love.”
