Chapter 11
Since that day, Conrad kept apologizing to Kennith, even though he wasn’t the one who had committed the crime. He apologized, saying it was his fault for not raising his younger brother properly, and shut himself in with the weight of a sin he could not take lightly.
Recalling Marcia, who had thrown everyone into shock, Conrad tightened his grip on his cup.
“You can squeeze it all you want, but that cup won’t break.”
“Oh my! Are you worried about me? Thank you, my lovely Linette.”
When Conrad smiled gently, it was just like their mother. Linette shook her head, reminded of the mother who always smiled softly whenever she looked at her.
“I heard Fernando was supposed to marry Phyllis soon. Why did he suddenly break off the engagement? I asked Edgar, but he clammed up.”
At Casper’s question, Linette let out a deep sigh.
“Maybe I’m just not attractive enough.”
“What nonsense. There’s no woman in the world cuter and more charming than our Linette.”
Seeing Conrad speak so earnestly, Linette decided there was no point in hiding it and confessed everything.
“So he was sneaking around with another woman?”
“Before marriage, already fooling around with someone else? That bastard deserves a beating.” Casper bristled as though it had happened to him.
“Really? Well, you can beat him up, but I doubt you’d be able to touch her, Cas.”
“Do I know who she is?”
“Yes. It’s Esther. Esther Fruina. I fainted when I fell down the stairs, and during that time, in the room, they were just… well, just—”
At Linette’s explanation, both Conrad and Casper’s faces went pale. Then, without a word, they embraced her.
“I—I’m sorry. I’m sorry again.”
“Why, Uncle?”
“Because, after your mother, now even Esther has left you scarred.”
“How could that happen… Especially Fernando. That bastard should never have done that to you. You risked your life and even gave up your future to save him!”
While Linette was nestled in Conrad’s arms, Casper gently patted her back, biting his lips so hard he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
This was beyond disgraceful to the family. Perhaps that’s why Kennith had taken steps to keep all matters involving Esther strictly under wraps. That must also be why Edgar’s expression had been so rotten lately—he must have known.
Whenever she tried to ask him anything, he’d scowl and brush her off, saying she didn’t need to know. His foul expression had lingered for months but seemed to ease only in the past few days.
“Anyway, Edgar already caught him and half-killed the bastard.”
“What, Edgar actually beat someone up openly—? Ahem. Well, then I’ll finish off the other half. As for Esther… sigh, there’s nothing I can say.”
It was clear she had inherited far too much of her mother’s blood.
“Linette, my house will always be open to you. Come by anytime. Don’t keep your pain bottled up inside. Knowing Count Fruina’s personality, I doubt he comforted you properly.”
No matter the circumstances, Conrad understood his brother-in-law Kennith well and comforted Linette. Then, just like when she was a child, he kissed her cheek and forehead.
“Our dear Linette, I’ll be going now. Thank you for the coffee.”
After saying goodbye, Conrad slipped his hand into her pocket. From the jingling sound, it was clearly money.
“I don’t need to take money from you, Uncle.”
“I know. But at the start, you’ll have more expenses than income. Just take it, as if you don’t know.”
As if reluctant to leave, Conrad brushed Linette’s hair gently before finally stepping away. His place was quickly taken by Casper.
“Our pretty Linette, don’t act tough. If anything happens, tell your brother, all right?”
If the empire allowed marriage between close relatives, perhaps Linette would have clung to Casper as her groom. Unlike her real brother Edgar, Casper was the very image of the kind and affectionate brother one only found in novels.
“I’m not a child. Cas, if anything happens to you, tell me. I’ll beat them all up for you.”
“Pfft! If Edgar heard you say that, his face would be priceless.”
After joking, Casper leaned in and pressed his lips to the same spot Conrad had kissed earlier. The light affection he had always given her as a child felt strangely awkward now.
“I’ll go now. Work hard, and buy me lots of delicious food later.”
Casper too slipped money into her pocket before leaving. When her uncle and cousin were gone, Linette chuckled to herself as she cleared away the empty cups.
“Funny, they’re better than my own father and brother.”
Having been wounded by the same family members, Linette sighed quietly and shook her head. After washing the empty cup, she pulled out what was in her pocket.
“Oh no, I don’t have change. My very first customers might turn out to be a bad omen—this could be a jinx.”
In her hand were not one, but ten golden coins. Enough to live idly without work for a while.
Suddenly rich, Linette busied herself tidying up. Just as she finished cleaning, the sound of the door opening made her look up.
“Welcome.”
Bright as the golden golrons, Linette greeted the customer. It was the same man from yesterday.
“What would you like?”
“Today, I’d like to try this one.”
“Milk tea? That’s not exactly coffee, but is that all right?”
“Yes, that will do. Please make it sweet, like yesterday.”
After taking his order and payment, Linette boiled water over a gentle flame and brewed black tea. She added milk and honey, pouring it into a cup before the milk could boil. The sweet, creamy milk tea was ready in moments.
The customer held the cup tightly with both hands and sipped slowly, his face still hidden. Watching him, Linette wondered if she’d finally gained her first regular customer, and she smiled.
Though he never spread word of her shop, the man who had promised to return often kept his word, coming every day as if clocking in for work. Days passed this way.
He was still quiet and reserved, speaking only when ordering his drink. But Linette preferred such customers, so one day she brought him cookies with a warm smile.
“Um, this might be an odd question, but… some time ago, I saw you hugging and kissing two men.”
“What? Oh…”
He must have seen her with Conrad and Casper.
“Do you usually share such affection with anyone?”
For a split second, Linette nearly smacked him with her tray—but since he was her only regular, she forced a bright smile.
“Of course not. It’s because we hadn’t met in thirteen years.”
“So you remember people you met after thirteen years. Then do you remember someone you met fourteen years ago?”
Fourteen years ago, she would have been six.
“Who are you talking about?”
“Oh, no one. Just asking. For example, if you’d gone out and met someone then…”
“Even if I did, I wouldn’t remember. I guess that person just wasn’t important enough.”
When she was six, she used to sneak out of the Fruina estate to play, though she was often caught and dragged back. So even if she met someone then, she wouldn’t recall.
“I see… yes, if they weren’t important, it’s natural you wouldn’t remember. Then a few months ago—ah, never mind. Forget I said anything.”
The man clammed up, lowering his head and clutching his cup like a dejected puppy, as if he had just been rejected after a hard-won confession.
Worried she might lose her only loyal customer, Linette quickly brought more cookies as a service.
“Here, something sweet. Cheer up.”
“Thank you…”
“Don’t be discouraged just because you were rejected once. You might find another good relationship, or maybe she’ll accept you later.”
Seeing how downhearted he was, Linette almost wanted to sit beside him and pat his back. She prayed silently that the woman he liked would accept him.
“Do you really think she’d accept me? She doesn’t even seem to remember me.”
“If she doesn’t remember, then make her remember. Try harder.”
“Ah! Yes, I understand. I’ll work harder, and try to meet her more often.”
Hearing him sound as if making a vow to himself, Linette nodded with a smile. Glad his spirits had lifted, she offered him something new.
“Would you like to try this caramel macchiato? I’m planning to add it to the menu.”
Since he’d already had a sepiano, she poured just a small sample. After sipping it, a bit of cream clung to his lips—on his strikingly red lips, the white foam looked like beer froth.
“What flavor would you say this is?”
“Hmm, warm and sweet… like the unforgettable taste of a first love that eats you up and then leaves you.”
“Cough!”
Hearing his “tasting note,” Linette decided she should never again ask him for reviews. She felt a pang of pity—eaten and abandoned, yet unforgettable? That was heartbreaking.
“And if you met that first love again, what would you do?”
“Of course, I’d hold on tight so she could never leave.”
Linette blinked, flustered. Was he the kind of man who could only love one woman for life?
Whoever his first love was, Linette prayed she would never appear before him. Unless it was mutual, being shackled by someone you didn’t love was terrifying.
“I—I see.”
“Yes. I’d shower her with so much love day and night that she wouldn’t even look at another man. I’d make her cling to me in tears. Though… knowing her, she probably never would.”
Linette shook her head quickly, realizing she was picturing indecent scenarios she shouldn’t.
“I—I hope things turn out the way you want. Ha, ha, ha.”
Though it had nothing to do with her, she felt oddly uneasy, so she hurried back to the counter when another customer entered.
“Welcome.”
Linette explained the coffee in detail to the new customer. The man nodded and asked the lady beside him,
“Lala, what would you like?”
“Um… something sweet and smooth…”
Her cheeks were flushed, as if they had just started dating. Finding it cute, Linette served their drinks with plenty of cookies.
“These go well together.”
“Wow, do you give cookies with the tea here? Other places don’t. Thank you so much.”
The lady smiled shyly in gratitude, and Linette beamed back.
After that day, business began to pick up strangely, especially with couples.
To think I’m jealous of that? No, I mustn’t lose!
Steeling her heart, Linette gave the lady customers plenty of caramel macchiato cream.
“The price is higher than other cafés, but the taste just melts in your mouth. Like our first kiss, Adele.”
Hearing such words, Linette finally understood why the caramel macchiato had become so popular. Word spread, and customers increased.
One busy day, someone walked in.
Sharon Michaela.
Seeing the heroine of this serialized novel, Linette wondered if she was here again to ask her to sell the shop. But Sharon instead said something Linette hadn’t expected.
“Please hire me as your employee.”
