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15. The Moving Shadow
“It hasn’t yet been revealed that the mysterious investor is you, Tiana, but just in case, we should tighten security.”
I smiled at Lucius, who spoke with a graver expression than mine.
“All right. Thank you, Lucius. Having you by my side is so reassuring.”
“This isn’t just anyone’s business—it’s yours. If someone tries to interfere with something you’ve prepared with such care, of course I can’t take it lightly either.”
His words, spoken out of concern for me, touched my heart. Yet, there was something in his tone—an unusually sharp edge—that made me curious.
“Is that the only reason? Nothing else?”
“There’s also the matter of disturbing the noble society and giving His Majesty cause for worry.”
“And?”
“…This might be the right time to draw a clear line and set boundaries once and for all.”
I could sense the weight in his lowered voice. What was this? Could it be that Lucius held stronger feelings of dislike toward Marquis Even than I thought?
Of course, this incident was big enough to shake the noble society that had been maintained until now. But Lucius, who rarely showed hostility toward anyone, reacting this way was surprising. It wasn’t like how he treated Marquis Calvino, either. This felt different—like he truly despised the man.
What had happened between Lucius and Marquis Even? Naturally, as the representative of the noble faction, Lucius wouldn’t get along with him, but this open hostility was new.
“Lucius, do you dislike Marquis Even?”
“…Pardon? Why do you ask that?”
“I just… feel like you do. You seem more sensitive to him than to other nobles.”
“Ah…”
“Not that it’s a bad thing. I don’t like him much either. But hearing the way you spoke, I wondered if there’s another reason. After all, there was that incident with the marquis’s wife before.”
“That’s…”
He looked slightly troubled by my unexpected question. After a moment of thought, he sighed deeply and said:
“I simply can’t stand people who act recklessly, intoxicated by their own authority and power. The marquis and his wife fit that description perfectly. No matter how much you warn them, it never lasts. They always return to their old ways. Truly unchanging people.”
“I see.”
Yes, Marquis Even was the very image of an arrogant noble. Reckless people intoxicated by power and authority, he had said. For some reason, I felt he wasn’t only talking about the Evens.
One name came to mind immediately: Marquis Calvino.
Lucius, so kind and gentle by nature, wouldn’t show such strong emotions unless it was because of Calvino’s influence. He must have seen and endured that man’s reckless behavior more closely than anyone.
“But the manager seemed all right, didn’t he?”
“He’s a capable and trustworthy man. Skilled, and with good character. Hard to believe such a son came from Marquis Even.”
“Perhaps the skills came from the marquis’s side, but the character from his mother’s.”
The gray hair and violet eyes had left an impression. I’d never actually seen Marquis Even, so I couldn’t say if they resembled him, but instinct told me he must take after his mother. There was no way such character came from the marquis’s blood.
“In any case, we must be careful from here on. There may be times I’m absent, dealing with faction matters, but I’ll stay by your side as much as possible.”
“If we strengthen our defenses, it should be fine. Just make sure you don’t overwork yourself, Lucius. Be careful.”
“Yes. I won’t push myself to the point of worrying you.”
“Good. My thoughtful husband.”
How could he always be this considerate, no matter how much time passed? The way he always put me first filled me with pride. I tugged his face down and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. Blushing, he smiled shyly, slipped his arm around my waist, and kissed me on the lips.
I closed my eyes and savored the sweetness pouring from his heart.
A week had passed since the opening of Café Roland’s capital branch. The opening ceremony had gone smoothly, and now that full business had begun, the branch was growing rapidly day by day.
The special menu items and tea sets showcased at the ceremony had received glowing praise, and from the very next day, customers had come in far greater numbers than expected. Even those hesitant due to the rumors spread by Marquis Even had begun to visit after hearing word of mouth.
Another week later, the bad rumors had all but vanished, replaced by endless compliments about the café.
“Have you been to Café Roland’s capital branch yet?”
“Of course! It’s the most popular place right now.”
“Lady, you’ve been there? I’m envious. Every time I try, the waiting list is too long, so I haven’t gotten in yet.”
“And since it’s not like ordinary cafés where you can reserve a spot, it’s even harder. But once you finally get in after that long wait, it’s worth every moment.”
“Exactly. The moment you taste their tea and desserts, all other thoughts disappear.”
In high society, the capital branch was constantly a hot topic. Visiting the café had become a trend among young noble ladies and highborn women. The newly introduced blue rose tea and Count Werner’s latest pastries in particular were huge hits, with orders increasing steadily, and the café was flourishing.
“These days, every day feels like a miracle.”
It was about 8 p.m., after closing for the day. Over dinner at a nearby restaurant, Baron Evit and I talked about the capital branch.
He spoke with the happiest expression I’d ever seen. I chuckled and replied:
“The profits are climbing higher each day, aren’t they? This is just the beginning, so you shouldn’t be so easily surprised.”
“Yes, you’re right. But it still feels unreal… I never thought it would go this well, so I can’t help but feel dazed.”
“How does it feel to finally expand to your first branch, something you’ve always dreamed of?”
“…A little frightening. Even terrifying.”
“Why is that?”
Frightening, instead of joyful? I noticed the faint tremor in his hand holding the wine glass and waited quietly for his answer. After draining half a glass of red wine, his voice grew deeper.
“Because it’s something I’ve always longed for. Now that it’s real, I can’t quite believe it… and I worry whether I can protect it to the end. I’ve endured countless failures on the way here. And though I was able to open this branch thanks to both of Your Highnesses’ help, I know the road ahead will be even more difficult.”
“You’re right. Even before the opening, there were nasty rumors targeting you and the branch. Half of them aimed at me, the investor, of course.”
He gave an awkward laugh at my joke and set down his glass. I speared a piece of meat with my fork while watching him hesitate over whether to pour more wine.
“But from now on, we must be sharper. Since the rumors failed, it’s likely they’ll try to target the branch directly.”
As the investor, my identity was hidden, but not the branch, nor the baron. They would be far more likely to strike at him and the café than at the unseen investor.
“You’re absolutely right.”
“That’s why we need to prepare again and again. We can’t let a business that’s just beginning to shine be reduced to ashes. I’ll take all the precautions I can on my side, so please keep your focus and manage the branch well.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
He nodded firmly, perhaps a bit pressured by my serious tone, and set aside the thought of more wine. Smiling at his resolve, I gestured for the attendant to refill his glass instead.
With a slightly awkward expression, he raised the freshly filled glass in silent thanks and drank. He must have been quite parched, for he downed several gulps in a row. I chuckled softly and finished the wine left in my own glass.
The deep red liquid slid down my throat with its rich aroma. Watching the last crimson drops cling to the glass, I tried to calm the unease stirring inside me.
I hope nothing happens…
But Marquis Even’s lack of action thus far only made me more suspicious. Surely he was scheming something. The uneasy thought wouldn’t leave me.
Another week later, as if answering my fears, trouble finally struck the capital branch.
“Who’s the manager here? Or rather—the owner?!”
It was a quiet afternoon after the lunch rush when a noblewoman swept into Café Roland’s capital branch. Dressed in a deep green gown, her face was flushed with indignation as she loudly demanded to see the manager.
Sensing the tension, Baron Evit quickly stepped forward.
“Welcome. Thank you for visiting Café Roland, my lady. I am Evit, Baron and proprietor of this capital branch.”
“You’re the owner?”
“Yes, I am.”
He bowed politely. But the lady narrowed her eyes at him, then twisted her lips into a crooked smile.
“And since when does some worthless nobody get to pretend at being an owner?”
“…!”
“If you’re truly the one in charge here, then you should be able to make the right judgment. Look at what trash this product is.”
Without hesitation, she took a box from the maid who had accompanied her and tossed it at the baron.
Thud!
The box struck his chest, fell to the floor, and burst open, spilling a glass jar across the tiles.
“…”
“I demand a refund for these worthless tea leaves.”
