Volume 1, Chapter 23: I received a request.
A few weeks passed after Helena joined Café Omusubi. Zeke, who had disapproved of her hiring in the beginning, recognized how hardworking she was and stopped holding hostility towards her. Helena was originally a bright and honest girl. I believe the incident before was an extreme expression of her drive and thinking.
I introduced Basil before we reopened. Well, neither Zeke nor Helena could see spirits, so they could only react with “ah…I see…”
At any rate, Café Omusubi was going along smoothly.
According to Angelica, people were talking about this shop, and the rumors were even spreading to other countries. As if to prove that, there were a lot of customers wearing foreign clothes lately.
More people began to ask for the recipes as well, and I directed them to the Ashley Company. Alex also reported that the sales for the recipes had soared recently.
The reason why I opened this shop in the first place was to bring the good food from my previous world into this world and spread food culture, so I was happy to hear that was going well.
Around that time, a visitor came to Café Omusubi.
“Welcome.”
The doorbell jingled, and a customer came in as always. When I looked over, it was Gil who I had just said goodbye to in the morning. An unintentional regular, Gil came here often to escape his work. I glanced at him suspiciously, but changed my assumption when I saw who was with him.
“Hello, Gil, Mister Royce. What is the matter today?”
Seemingly cold at a glance, the man with the air of an intellectual was the current Secretary of Civil Affairs, Royce Warlock. He was one of the eccentric Gil’s few friends as well as his colleague and year mate.
Two men who form the backbone of this country, visiting my shop at the same time…I wonder why in the world they are here.
“Risa, I’m sorry for the sudden visit but we have something to talk to you about. Do you have time?”
“Of course. Let’s move to the second floor.”
I showed them the stairs at the back that led to the second floor. I asked Helena in the front and Zeke in the back to call me if anything happened, and brought a tea set up to the second floor.
The former living room on the second room was now a resting space for Café Omusubi employees with a table set. I had the two sit there and I sat across from them after pouring some tea.
“So what is the matter?”
“I came here today to ask a favor of you, Lady Risa.”
Mister Royce said without sparing a glance towards his tea.
“I see. A favor?”
“Late next month, there will be an international royal conference. Every three years, the royal families and ministers of each country meet in one room to discuss politics, economy, trade and technology. The host this year is our country, Feliformia.”
International royal conference, huh. I guess on Earth it would be something like a summit.
“It is customary to have a large scale dinner party during each conference. Would you be willing to help us with the dinner party?”
Mister Royce bowed his head with graceful efficiency. A man of ability can look good no matter how little he moves…oops, this wasn’t the time to think about such things.
“Uhm, I still don’t quite understand the situation…”
“I’ll explain.”
In reply to my confusion, Gil began to speak.
“Risa, there are rumors about your shop that are spreading not only here in Feliformia, but also to other countries. We had an inquiry from the neighboring country, Engeld, the other day, asking if they would be able to eat your food at the international royal conference. Although the conference is the most important part of the event, since there was such an inquiry, the country’s dignity is now on the line especially as our country is known to have well developed food culture. We cannot afford to fail to live up to their expectations. That’s why we came to ask for your cooperation…although I don’t feel too happy about it.”
Gil finished unhappily, glancing at Mister Royce sitting next to him and shrugging. Mister Royce recoiled slightly at his glance, but recovered quickly with a cough and turned back to face me.
“I understand very well how difficult this request is. It is completely fine if you are unable to attend the day of, but it would be very helpful if you could come to coach our royal chefs during the preparation time. Of course, you will receive compensation…please, could you accept this request?”
It had not even crossed my mind that Gil’s friend and one of the top people in the country, Mister Royce would bow his head to me. Judging from their interaction earlier, Gil must have reluctantly agreed before coming here.
Although I did not know Mister Royce very well, from the few minutes that we had talked, he seemed like someone who was very diligent and made sure he got the job done. The stakes must be very high for him to come to me himself and bow his head.
“I understand. I don’t know how I may be of assistance, but I accept the request.”
After turning the request over in my head, I agreed. Gil huffed in disapproval, while Mister Royce’s expression softened in relief.
“Risa, are you sure? You don’t have to listen to this guy out of politeness, you know?”
“It’s fine, Gil. I don’t think I will be able to do much, but I will try my best.”
“I am eternally grateful, Lady Risa.” freewebnov(e)l.com
After that, I discussed with Mister Royce and decided to head to the royal palace for coaching every two or three days per week, the first day being three days later. On those days, the café would only have Helena there serving takeout for bread and sweets, while Zeke would come with me as my assistant to the royal palace.
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