Chapter 20
Lynette understood that it meant the food was delicious.
Angela, who had even cleaned the crumbs left in the pan, scrubbed it thoroughly with a sponge. Perhaps because she had eaten the pancakes to her heart’s content, her face was glowing with color. The loud rumbling of her stomach was gone.
After the snack, Angela didn’t just sit idle in a chair. She studied what Lynette had written down for her, cleaned, and washed the dishes.
The busy day finally came to an end, and after sending Angela off, Lynette let out a quiet sigh.
“I’ve been underestimating this world too much. There are so many people who can’t even read or do simple math. Haa…”
Once you went beyond counting with your fingers and toes, it became impossible for many. That was why so many here were what people called “math dropouts.” Those who gave up on numbers.
“That must be why swindlers run rampant. But I wonder if Angela will be able to pick it up quickly enough.”
Since she had already hired Angela despite her illiteracy and inability to calculate, Lynette couldn’t very well dismiss her now.
“Well, she has to learn quickly if she wants to make a living.”
After closing shop, while enjoying a short break with a cup of coffee, Katrin appeared. Since Lynette hadn’t returned soon enough, she must have come out to meet her.
“Young lady! What are you doing here? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
“Sorry, I just wanted a bit of coffee. I’m done now, so let’s go.”
Because Katrin claimed coffee made her heart race and kept her from sleeping, Lynette never gave her more than one or two cups. That left Lynette drinking alone most of the time.
“Were you angry because I was late?”
“Of course not. It’s just that the warm food is getting cold. I poured so much care into making it for you.”
“I’m sorry, let’s hurry and eat! If it’s cold, we can just reheat it.”
Hand in hand, they went home. Lynette deliberately ate heartily to show appreciation, and then fell back into her coffee obsession. Striving daily to perfect her ideal coffee ratio, she eventually fell asleep with her head resting on the dining table.
Katrin, who had been knitting by candlelight, smiled softly at the sight.
“Even a single cup keeps me awake, but our young lady seems to have developed such tolerance that she can drink strong coffee and still sleep soundly.”
Looking at the dozing Lynette, Katrin gently brushed her hair behind her ear and kissed her there. She found her beautiful—choosing to live and work outside despite being able to enjoy a comfortable life at home.
“If work ever becomes too difficult, tell me. Even if the master refuses, I’ll kneel and beg to make sure at least you can return to the Count of Fruina’s estate.”
Instead of merely draping a cardigan over her frail shoulders, Katrin picked her up. Stronger than most, she carried Lynette carefully to bed, removed her shoes, tucked her in, and stroked her stomach while humming a lullaby.
“Hush little one, sleep so soundly. My little one…”
No matter how early or late she went to bed, waking up in the morning was always hard. Even with one day off a week, the fatigue was unavoidable.
“Is two days off a week asking too much?”
Muttering to herself on her way to the shop, Lynette shook her head. Despite arriving on time, Angela was already there cleaning again. Lynette had lost count of how many times this had happened. She smiled faintly.
“Angela, remember, today we’re doing a math test. Be ready.”
“Yes! I think I can do well today.”
The test was simple: “If one Sepiano and two Lattes cost how much?” Without any numbers written, Angela had to calculate it in her head from what Lynette said.
“One Milk Tea… one Cappuccino… um…”
She had memorized the menu prices but still struggled with calculations. After thinking hard, she raised her hand brightly.
“Milk Tea is 30 bron, Cappuccino is 40 bron, so… 70 bron!”
“Good. Then, if a customer gives you 1 silon, how much change do you return?”
Thrown into subtraction right after addition, Angela hurriedly used her fingers.
“30 bron!”
“Correct. But remember I told you not to use your fingers in front of customers. They might look down on you or even try to cheat you.”
“Yes! I’ll remember.”
Though Lynette had worried a lot about Angela learning reading and arithmetic, Angela was bright and picked it up quickly. Relieved, Lynette decided not to stay in the shop one particularly pleasant day—the shop was quiet anyway.
Leaving Angela inside, she took a cup of coffee and enjoyed the sun outside. It felt nice to relax during business hours. Angela, watching her from inside, smiled while practicing her writing.
Any other boss might have been hysterical with no customers, ordering chores endlessly. But not Lynette. Instead of scolding, she encouraged Angela to study, giving her paper and a pen.
Angela practiced both writing and arithmetic problems on her own. She studied diligently, while Lynette enjoyed her leisure.
“Does coffee taste better outside?”
“Ah! Sian, you’re here.”
Lynette smiled at the man sitting beside her. Sian always hid his face under a hat, but she never once asked what he looked like.
“Yes, it feels warm and pleasant here. Relaxing, almost sleepy.”
“Then I’ll join you. May I have a cup of Sepiano?”
“Of course. Just a moment.”
She hurried inside to prepare it—when suddenly, that loud stomach growl rang out again. Lynette chuckled at the blushing Angela and handed her some money.
“I’m terribly hungry. Run to Anderson’s bakery and buy the same bread I got last time. Just one.”
“Yes!”
Angela bolted out so quickly Lynette worried she might trip. She brought Sian his Sepiano.
“Won’t you drink with me?”
“I just sent my worker on an errand, so I’d better check inside. Please enjoy this one for me.”
Sian sipped a few mouthfuls outside, then went in to his usual corner seat by the window.
“Lynette, the coffee tastes a little different this time.”
She nodded.
“How so?”
Prepared for another flowery metaphor, she half-tuned out.
“The acidity feels more distinct—pleasantly tangy. There’s a faint fruity aroma, and the sweetness is softer. The fragrance that makes the heart race is stronger now.”
Like a connoisseur, he gave his evaluation. Lynette chuckled.
“I tried changing the beans this time. Is it better?”
“Yes, excellent. It was good before, but now it’s even better.”
“Glad to hear that.”
While they talked, Angela came back breathless with a large loaf of bread. She gulped at the sight. Lynette split it, giving half to her. Angela ate eagerly but saved some for later.
Lynette nibbled hers, then set it down.
“This bread feels dry and tasteless today. Just throw the rest away later.”
“Huh? Yes, of course!”
Angela quickly stashed away the leftovers with a smile.
“Angela, don’t waste time. Back to studying.”
“Yes! I’ll work hard.”
Watching her scribble diligently, Lynette smiled faintly, then sat with Sian again.
“Coffee is good alone, but even better when shared.”
“Indeed. It’s wonderful.”
Though she couldn’t see his eyes under the hat, his gentle smile made Lynette smile too, and they drank together.
Days passed peacefully, with no major troubles. Occasionally troublesome customers appeared, but most preferred the café’s quiet elegance and eventually stopped coming. More and more people came to enjoy the calm of Ikklim.
Angela, now able to handle simple math and even write orders, sometimes took customer requests herself. Though her handwriting was crooked, it was legible. With growing skills, her confidence and ease shone through.
Matching uniforms tied the two together as a team.
“Miss Lynette, Table 3 wants one Sepiano and one Caramel Macchiato.”
She both wrote and spoke the order, preventing mistakes. While Lynette brewed, Angela cleaned tables and washed dishes—a capable all-rounder.
Thinking she had hired the perfect worker, Lynette smiled inwardly.
“Angela, we’ll close an hour early today. Keep that in mind.”
With business booming lately, fatigue had piled up. Since the next day was a holiday, she decided on an early close. At 5, she sent Angela home and left soon after herself—heading to Anderson’s bakery.
“Here’s our new candy product.”
The lollipop reminded Lynette of Chupa Chups.
“So many flavors. They’ll be nice to give customers as a service.”
“As freebies? Can you profit selling coffee like that?”
But with no competitors nearby, Lynette’s shop was thriving. She bought the lollipops and planned to leave them at the café.
Returning, she noticed something odd. The door she’d locked earlier opened easily. Inside, she found Angela gathering something.
“Angela? What are you doing there?”
Angela froze, trembling as she slowly turned. Her hands were full of cookies. Lynette had even paid her wages—what was this? Angela burst into tears.
“I-I’m sorry! I’m so sorry. My younger brother… my wages went straight to the debt collectors… h-heugh…”
Her pitiful sobs hardened Lynette’s expression. Under her stern gaze, Angela bit her lip, tears and snot streaming.
“Angela, I can’t believe you…”
“I-I’m sorry. You’ve been so kind to me…”
She had been given clothes, shoes, meals, and treats. Yet at home, her brother was starving. Desperate, she had done something unforgivable.
Lynette shook her head.
“Didn’t I tell you to check expiration dates carefully? These cookies are three days past due. They should be thrown out immediately.”
“Hic… sob…”
“We’re getting new milk tomorrow too. So take those and throw them away. Oh, and don’t dump them near the shop. Take them home and dispose of them there. I don’t want pests around here.”
