Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Couple Who Danced at the Festival... (7)
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“Then we’ll be off. Do your best this afternoon too.”
Right after finishing lunch, Elena and Erze left with those words.
I watched their retreating figures for a moment before letting out a sigh and leaning back in my chair.
‘This is way more exhausting than I thought…’
My stamina was fine since I trained regularly, but there was nothing I could do about the mental fatigue. Especially since these weren’t just any guests—they were all big shots.
On top of that, my stomach was stuffed full, making my body feel languid for some reason. The sunlight streaming in through the window felt especially warm.
“Luke, you look really tired?”
Before I knew it, Evi had come up behind me and started kneading my shoulders with her small hands.
A typical woman’s shoulder massage doesn’t feel that great, but Evi’s touch was the exception. Probably because gripping and swinging a sword builds up your grip strength.
I barely held back a groan that sounded like something an old uncle would make. It was too crude for someone serving the Frozenheart Ducal Family.
“I’m just worn out. I could use a nap right now.”
“I see. I could use a little too…”
Evi trailed off, pressing her thumb firmly into the back of my neck.
Maybe Evi had a real talent for massages. It felt that good—enough to make the thought pop into my head naturally.
Warm sunlight, a relaxed atmosphere, and a refreshing massage. It was the perfect setup for dozing off.
Unfortunately, that leisure didn’t last long.
“His Majesty the Emperor really smiled...?”
“That’s what they say. And it was a very satisfied smile, at that.”
The door, which had been closed, swung open with those voices, and two men who looked like high-ranking nobles entered.
“I’m Luke Nineheart. Please have a seat wherever you like, and I’ll serve you to the best of my ability.”
I bowed politely to them in greeting.
I’d straightened up the moment I heard the door, so they probably didn’t catch me slouched over.
I never imagined the reflexes I’d honed as a knight would come in handy like this.
“Sir Luke, just one question. Did His Majesty the Emperor really come here...?”
“Yes, he did. He enjoyed some sandwiches, tea cakes, and tea before leaving.”
“I-it’s true! Then bring us the same!”
“Understood. Please wait just a moment.”
I bowed once more and headed to the kitchen.
I hadn’t expected guests to show up just because the Emperor had stopped by...
Well, whatever. Better than an empty shop.
That’s what I thought. Up until about an hour ago, anyway.
“Evi, could you serve tables 1 and 3?”
“Y-yeah...!”
Evi nodded and hurried off. I was just as busy—the teahouse was packed with customers now.
There were even people waiting outside. Talk about the butterfly effect from the Emperor’s visit.
‘Never thought I’d live to see nobles lining up to wait...’
I thought that to myself while keeping a bright smile on my face. I couldn’t afford to show any flaws as a servant of the Frozenheart Ducal Family.
And so an hour passed, then two, then three...
Nobles of all ranks and genders kept pouring in—from dukes to earls, barons, and marquises. At this rate, I’d end up acquainted with every noble in the Empire.
But the problem didn’t end there. Nobles love to gossip, so regardless of the food’s quality, word spread, drawing even more people.
The result...
“I’m truly sorry, but we’ve run out of ingredients.”
“You’re serious...? What about tomorrow? Can we eat tomorrow?”
“I promise it’ll be possible tomorrow.”
“Guess we’ll have to stay overnight at a nearby inn. Alright, we’ll come back tomorrow.”
The elderly man turned away with a regretful expression.
We weren’t actually out of ingredients. We’d prepared more than enough—way more than I’d anticipated. The customers had just vastly outnumbered my expectations.
Staying at an inn nearby, though? That seemed like overkill just for sandwiches, tea cakes, and tea.
Of course, it wasn’t coming out of my pocket, so I didn’t plan to say anything, but their high expectations made me inwardly uneasy.
Not everyone’s tastes match perfectly. There was always a chance someone might say it wasn’t good.
Luckily, everyone left satisfied today.
It happened a little while later.
“Who’d have thought I’d have such a satisfying experience at the Academy. It’s all thanks to you, Sir Luke. I’ll invite you to a banquet sometime—please come.”
“I’m honored to leave you with such a good memory.”
The man who’d introduced himself as Marquis Crowe turned and left. A satisfied smile lingered on his face as I last saw him.
After seeing him off at the entrance, I turned back to the clubroom. It was eerily quiet now, as if the earlier bustle had been a lie.
‘Today’s finally over...’
Of course, there was still work to do. I had to clean the used dishes and restock ingredients. But with no more customers coming, I could call it a day.
Exhausted but feeling a sense of accomplishment, I loaded the dishes onto a cart and headed to the kitchen.
Once there, I saw Evi washing the used dishes.
“Evi, good work today.”
“Work? You did everything.”
“Like I said earlier, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Really...?”
Evi gave an awkward smile.
Her reaction was so cute that I smiled and moved to her side.
We started washing dishes together. How much time passed like that?
We’d finished washing everything and were wiping the water from our hands on our aprons when Evi suddenly tilted her head.
“Huh? Don’t you hear music?”
“Yeah?”
I closed my eyes and listened.
Sure enough, faint music soon reached my ears. Woodwinds and strings blended harmoniously in a pretty nice rhythm.
“You’re right.”
“They said the band would play at the final day’s banquet, right? Maybe they’re practicing.”
“Probably.”
I said that and started to step away. Honestly, I didn’t care about the music. All that mattered to me was prepping for tomorrow’s business.
But Evi thought differently. She suddenly grabbed my clothes.
“Luke, I worked hard today, right?”
“Yeah, you did.”
“Then can I ask one favor?”
“What is it?”
“Can you dance with me now...?”
Evi’s eyes darted around nervously. Her hand gripping my clothes trembled faintly, and the tips of her ears were red.
‘Dance, huh...’
Honestly, I wasn’t confident. Servants work behind the scenes, not in the spotlight.
But it wasn’t like I couldn’t. Dancing was basic noble etiquette, covered in our manners classes.
‘Well, she did work hard.’
With that thought, I turned to face her, bent my knees slightly, and offered my hand.
“W-wait a sec...!”
Evi said urgently and undid her ponytail. Her brown hair cascaded softly down.
Had Evi ever let her hair down in front of me before? Definitely not, not once.
Why do it now?
As I pondered that, her hand overlaid mine.
I pushed the questions from my mind and gently took her hand.
“Your hair down suits you better.”
“E-eh...? Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
With that, we danced to the faint melody drifting in.
No dresses or tuxedos, no ballroom—just school uniforms in a kitchen. But it’d make a nice memory anyway.
Wonder where that idiot trio’s gotten to. Not a peep from them. They must be having a blast somewhere.
* * * * *
Time flowed on, and before I knew it, the next day had arrived.
“Luke, take good care of things this morning.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Mornings with Elena, afternoons with Erze.
Considering how many we’d turned away yesterday, it’d be busy, but probably not as insane. Yesterday had the Emperor as a special case, after all.
“Then we three will head out. Take care of things, you two.”
“Where to today?”
“Probably somewhere fun we hit yesterday...”
The idiot trio left right after we finished opening prep, apparently thrilled about whatever.
They acted just like they did at that banquet when we were kids. Frustrating, since they’re the ones who need Elena’s points. Someone please give them a scolding.
“Then I’ll go hang out with Evi and come back to switch in the afternoon.”
“I’ll be off too.”
Once Erze and Evi left, only Elena and I remained in the clubroom.
I did a final check for anything missing, then approached her.
“My lady, it’ll get busy soon. Enjoy this moment of peace while...”
“Luke.”
Before I could finish, Elena suddenly yanked the necktie around my neck.
My upper body lurched forward, bringing our faces within inches. Close enough that I could exaggerate and say I heard her breathing loudly.
“M-my lady, did I do something wrong...?”
“You danced with Evi yesterday... didn’t you?”
Looks like Elena had installed CCTV in the clubroom.
Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense.