Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Cafe Medici (2)
At the Medici family’s banquet hall, there was one dish that captured everyone’s attention.
A cake decorated with pure white whipped cream and fruits that shone like colorful jewels.
The nobles’ attention naturally focused on that special dish.
“Did such a dessert exist in the Tuscan Empire?”
Some assumed it must be an item from the East simply because it was new.
“The baking guild doesn’t make dishes like that. Isn’t it from the East?”
“But it matches too well with the other dishes at the banquet to be from there.”
Even as they marveled at it, they did not let their guard down.
“To present something like this, did they hire a genius chef? The new Medici baron is no ordinary man.”
Just as curiosity heated the atmosphere, Albert, who had newly become the Medici baron, entered.
Thanks to the newly created dessert, the mood had become quite lively.
It wasn’t exactly warm, but curiosity filled the air, and expectations toward him had risen accordingly.
‘To think Fabio’s newly made dessert is already being praised like this.’
“This is a new dessert created by our family, called cake. It will be served as dessert at the end of today’s banquet.”
The nobles from families friendly with the Medici family congratulated Albert on inheriting the title or exchanged small talk.
At the same time, they subtly revealed their interest in the cake.
“I’m curious what the new dessert presented by the Medici baron will taste like.”
Because of that, the banquet courses were served a little faster.
Tenderloin steak drenched in spices like pepper, cloves, and nutmeg, pasta loaded with cheese, and so on.
Dishes meant more to display wealth than for taste.
Though they were fitting for a noble banquet, many were simply expensive rather than delicious.
“Here is today’s dessert, cake.”
A dish that looks this good—will it taste good as well?
The nobles unconsciously swallowed.
“I look forward to tasting the new dessert made by the Medici family.”
“I’ve grown tired of the same dishes every time.”
Nobles are sensitive to trends.
If they fail to keep up with changing trends, they fall behind politically.
And falling behind can lead to decline and even death.
So if they cannot accept something new, it could cost them their lives. Should they accept this unfamiliar dish or not?
“Please, try it.”
Seeing the cake neatly set in slices, everyone swallowed.
On top of the pure white whipped cream sat a red strawberry, shining like a jewel.
Its appearance was as beautiful as a work of art.
The cake revealed its true value the moment it entered the mouth.
“The white cream melts sweetly like snow.”
“To think such a delicious dessert exists. As expected of the Medici baronial family.”
“This will surely lead the trend.”
Other banquet dishes existed mainly to display wealth, to the point that one hesitated to even taste them…
But the cake had a sweetness that was slightly rich yet not overwhelming, harmonizing perfectly with the freshness of the strawberries.
It was delicious enough to want to eat again the next day.
Some nobles even set aside their dignity slightly in front of the Medici baron.
“Baron Medici, could I have another serving? It’s truly excellent.”
“This is the kind of dessert that would be hard to find even in the imperial palace.”
As the praise continued, Albert, the new Medici baron, smiled and granted all their requests.
And the next morning, the Medici family was flooded with letters from those who had enjoyed the cake, asking for the recipe.
**
“I expected every noble to take interest in this cake, but the response is far better than imagined, young master.”
The head butler walked calmly toward me.
As soon as he saw me, he spoke with a slightly incredulous smile.
“After the banquet a few days ago, requests have been pouring in from the families of those who tasted the cake, asking us to share the recipe.”
In truth, making this kind of cake is not that difficult.
Even a beginner like me could work together briefly with the head chef and produce something neat and beautiful within a few days.
‘If it were truly an extraordinary dish, there would have been far more trial and error.’
No matter how skilled the chef, if it were difficult to make, we would have gone through countless failed attempts before succeeding.
“So what did you do?”
“Young Master Albert, no, Baron Medici, said that since it is a dish created by Young Master Fabio, it should be handled as you wish.”
Now that Albert has become the baron, one would think he would stop being so suspicious.
Has his paranoia worsened after inheriting the title?
It’s understandable that he feels insecure after just taking over, but to test whether I bow my head or not in this way…
‘If I refuse to hand over the recipe, he will suspect me.’
Well, I never intended to make a fortune off a simple recipe in a world without patents anyway.
“Tell them that we can generously share the recipe with noble families close to the Medici family.”
If it were up to me, I would sell the recipe at a reasonable price to friendly families and at a high price to hostile ones.
Since there are no patents, I can’t expect royalties, so I would at least secure business capital this way.
However, if I were to give the recipe even to hostile families, Albert would surely suspect me.
It would be easy for him to misunderstand me as a coward trying to survive by currying favor with enemies.
“Yes, young master. Also, the retired baron wishes to commend Young Master Fabio for your achievement this time. Please head up to his room.”
Honestly, my achievement is not small.
I created a dessert that elevated the banquet, which is a matter of pride for nobles, thereby increasing the Medici family’s influence.
And by freely sharing the recipe of what could become the centerpiece of imperial banquet trends with friendly families, I placed them in considerable debt.
It may seem like just a recipe.
But even in Korea, before smartphones became widespread, a simple cold noodle broth trick could be sold for millions.
Let alone the method of making a dish that influences a noble’s prestige—it is worth whatever price is asked.
As I finished hiding my abilities and began to think about receiving my reward, my steps felt light.
I almost felt like humming from how good I felt.
I held it back, thinking it might look strange if I appeared too excited…
“Has Young Master Fabio been hiding his abilities all this time?”
“He seems to have become quite dependable in just a few days.”
They say that when someone who used to do bad things does one good deed, they appear exceptionally kind.
I wasn’t a troublemaker, but I had lived while acting ordinary.
Now that I stopped holding back and showed results, my evaluation among the servants could only rise.
Father’s opinion of me must have risen as well.
I briefly basked in the joy of making a smooth start in this new world.
“Father, I will come in.”
Just a few days ago, I had entered Father’s room like this to discuss my future.
But the me from then and the me now are different.
Now I hold clear justification and results to persuade him.
“Your gait has become confident.”
Father smiled as soon as he saw me.
It is only natural—his child has achieved something worthy of pride at a young age.
Maintaining his smile, Father pushed a basket on his desk toward me.
The basket was filled with letters sent by nobles.
“You must have heard through Sebastian, so I won’t speak long. Well done. Thanks to you, Albert was able to save face.”
For nobles, a banquet is like a battlefield where life and death are at stake.
Among them, weddings, funerals, and banquets held upon inheriting a title are especially important.
‘A political debut banquet is where a noble’s capability is judged.’
Father, after praising me, suddenly let out a sigh.
“To show such talent even in something as trivial as commerce… if you were to become an officer or official, you would likely achieve great success. But since you have kept your promise to me, I will not force you.”
“Thank you.”
“If you are to engage in business in earnest, you will need capital. How much do you require?”
The more initial capital, the better.
But speaking carelessly to a noble who has survived lifelong political struggles won’t work.
“I need a shop of suitable size on Vecchio Street, a skilled pâtissier, and fifty gold coins.”
It is difficult to convert the value of one gold coin precisely into Korean currency.
Because the nominal monetary values of this era and 21st-century Korea are incomparable.
However, in terms of prices in the Tuscan Empire,
fifty gold coins are enough to buy a house for a middle-class family in the capital.
“You ask for quite a lot.”
“I believe my achievement is worth that much. And I will return even greater political benefits.”
It’s like demanding an entire apartment just for creating a single cake…
But the value of what I did is at least that much.
I proved that there is no uncertainty in the Medici family’s succession and even increased the family’s value.
“What do you plan to use it for?”
“I intend to create a space where people can casually converse while enjoying cakes, pastries, and black tea that I make.”
If I release new desserts not present in this world every few months, it will quickly become the center of trends.
Nobles are always thirsty for something new.
If it stands at the center of trends, the café will become the center of politics and economics.
“Even though your cake has made the name Fabio de Medici known, that alone will not be enough to gather people.”
Right now, I am merely the second son of a baronial family who devised a new dessert.
I cannot say I lack recognition.
But people won’t flock to a café just because of my name.
So I will use another method.
“I will attract courtesans using the fame of the cake.”
Courtesans, in Korean terms, are both entertainers and idols.
As I call them idols, a significant portion of the empire’s trends is influenced by them.
Why? Because they are extremely beautiful.
And a café frequented by beautiful women—no, idols—cannot fail.
“Even if we simply give them cakes and pastries for free, they will line up to come.”
Father immediately wrote an order and a check on the spot.
“You have proven your worth, so do as you wish. Even if you fail, I will not reproach you.”