Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Cafe Medici (3)
The gisaeng of Joseon and the courtesans here differ even in status.
It is not merely the difference between commoners and the lowborn—many courtesans here are ladies born into noble families.
Women who missed the brief window for marriage or whose families fell into ruin.
The knowledge and refinement they received from being educated as noble ladies since birth.
Their innate lineage, along with the will to actively live their lives.
Women who possess all of this deserve to become everyone’s favorite.
Especially on this continent, where it is considered a virtue for a man to keep several such courtesans or take them as concubines instead of relying solely on his wife.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Fabio de Medici, the second son of the Medici baronial family. It is truly an honor to meet someone as beautiful as you.”
This is the kind of greeting any noble would naturally offer to a lady.
But in this moment, there is not a single word of falsehood.
The person before me possesses beauty that rivals a Hollywood actress from a movie.
‘So this is what it means to feast one’s eyes.’
“Nice to meet you.”
Though she spoke politely, her attitude carried a subtle air of looking down on me, yet there was no reason to feel offended.
She is the courtesan of Count Beaubang, my father’s liege. Regardless of social rank, in terms of power, she stands above someone like me, merely the second son of a baronial family without a title.
“I have long been indebted to the former Baron Medici, so I am glad to have the chance to repay that favor.”
She unconsciously displayed a smile that seemed to enchant people.
Her smiling figure was like a living portrait.
No wonder men are so obsessed with courtesans.
“And I was quite interested in you as well, young master.”
“In what way?”
Her gaze lingered on the refreshments before us.
A white whipped cream cake and black tea with a rich aroma.
“It may only be a dessert, but the moment it appeared, it swept through trends instantly. Thanks to that, you have become quite well known in high society.”
In the 21st century, leading trends in Korea—or even the world—does not make one a member of parliament.
But in this era, power is determined by reputation among nobles.
Simply leading a trend means overcoming a major obstacle to success.
I only made a cake, yet to be evaluated to this extent already.
“Thank you very much for thinking so highly of someone as inexperienced as me, madam. That aside, I came today because I have a favor to ask.”
“Yes, please speak freely. I can introduce you to a suitable companion.”
For unmarried nobles in the Tuscan Empire, it is common knowledge to attend their social debut accompanied by a courtesan.
In romance fantasy novels, one might bring a lawful wife.
But in reality, political marriages rarely result in close relationships, so unless it is an extremely formal occasion, men often bring courtesans as partners even after marriage.
Because going with a beautiful, refined, and obedient woman is more comfortable from a man’s perspective.
By 21st-century standards, having an affair while married is hard to understand, but what can be done?
In a world where everyone has one eye, the one with two eyes is considered abnormal.
“That is not it. I came to seek a bit of help for my business.”
“Are you asking me to arrange meetings with other nobles or merchants?”
The courtesan before me has the ability to introduce people.
But if I wanted that, I would have asked Father.
“That is not it. I plan to open a café that sells cakes and tea I have made. Please introduce my shop to the courtesans you know and casually suggest that they visit often. That alone will be enough.”
She tilted her head slightly after hearing my words.
“That is all you need?”
From ancient times to the modern era, beautiful women have always wielded absolute influence.
As some wise person once said, “Cute is justice.”
Just as in the 21st century, when items worn or used by girls on social media sell out instantly and become trends,
in the Tuscan Empire, the places where these beauties gather will lead trends.
“For those who come through your introduction, we will provide cake and tea for free at the café. Additionally, we will give them cake when they leave.”
It is difficult to directly compare prices between 21st-century Korea and the Tuscan Empire.
But roughly speaking, one slice of cake would feel like at least 30,000 to 50,000 won.
It is madness to give away the equivalent of 100,000 won per customer…
But it will produce effects greater than the investment.
Our café will definitely become a trend.
The courtesan of Count Beaubang smiled with her eyes upon hearing my words.
“Very well. And considering your sincerity, I will extend one more favor. Once you open the café, bring cake to the tea party I host every Saturday.”
Even if it is called a tea party, five to seven people will attend, so it will not be a small expense.
But it will surely generate promotional effects beyond the investment.
No, honestly, it feels like an unexpected windfall.
“Thank you.”
**
A café is about emotion.
More precisely, a café is a place where people consume atmosphere and mood.
The reason people go to cafés is to buy the experience of enjoying the aroma of coffee in a beautiful setting.
Therefore, to succeed as a café, it must be visually appealing and beautiful.
“You cannot work at our shop.”
The man who heard that widened his eyes and protested.
“I was the head waiter at Twilight Evening until just a few months ago. Surely I could be of help at this café as well?”
If I were hiring based on ability, I would have chosen this man.
Twilight Evening is a restaurant frequented by high-ranking nobles with titles.
The level of skill required from its staff must be high.
And he was the head waiter? There is no need to say more.
But in our shop, there is something more important than ability.
“I am not ignoring your experience, but the most important condition we look for when hiring staff is appearance.”
Places like cafés or internet cafés can see revenue double or triple depending on whether they hire attractive staff.
Would people of this era, especially nobles, be any different?
I am not even satisfied with just hiring attractive staff—I am offering free food to courtesans as well.
This man simply does not have the appearance that matches the atmosphere of our café.
“Otherwise, do you think I am crazy enough to pay three times the wages of other shops?”
I do feel a bit guilty for doing the same unfair things I experienced when job hunting in Korea.
But does conscience put food on the table?
It is not as though I am betraying anyone, so there is no reason to feel bad.
The man in front of me slowly walked away after hearing my words.
“Choosing staff based solely on appearance certainly makes the place look good.”
The men in suits looked quite handsome even to me, and the women in maid outfits brightened their surroundings.
Along with the furniture, flooring, wallpaper, and tableware placed in the shop,
thanks to the effort put in, it looked like a scene straight out of a romance fantasy.
“With desserts and tea that women go crazy for added to this? There is no way it won’t become the center of trends.”
Once rumors spread not long after opening, it will cause a stir.
Nobles, who do not even have the concept of patents, will surely try to imitate our café.
They cannot tolerate not having something others possess.
And they are people who will do anything if it makes money.
The grandfather clock I bought to create ambiance and keep track of time chimed.
“Is it time to open?”
It is only a temporary opening since staff training is not yet complete, essentially a practice run.
The employees, trained intensively with high wages as bait, quickly moved to their positions and began working.
As soon as business started, several beautiful women in elegant dresses arrived at the shop.
“Welcome.”
A male staff member in a suit approached them promptly.
As he greeted them with a smile, smiles appeared on the women’s faces.
As expected, being handsome and beautiful is best.
“I will guide you to the terrace.”
The male staff member guiding them was merely an ordinary citizen chosen for his looks and height.
But thanks to accelerated training, his movements carried a refinement comparable to that of a noble household’s butler.
Though still not comparable to the real thing.
“What would you like to order?”
After taking their orders and leaving, the courtesans began chatting.
They talked about the café, what happened yesterday, which clothes looked pretty, and so on.
And the gazes of nobles and passersby lingered on them.
Though in different forms, those gazes carried admiration and a hint of envy.
Some noble ladies, after seeing the café sign, tried to step inside themselves.
“We apologize, ladies. We are not officially open yet, so unless you are specially invited by Young Master Fabio, you cannot enter.”
The ladies looked ready to protest,
but after seeing the convincingly handsome faces of the staff, they nodded in acceptance.
“We will officially open the day after tomorrow, so please do visit, ladies.”
In just one day, the number of ladies who promised to come could be exaggerated to fill a truck.
Success was already as good as guaranteed.