Chapter 279: They Arrived in Succession!

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Several days later, 【Pale Moon of Dawn】 and the employees arrived. After discussing where to place the various merchandise, it was decided to sell the heavy and popular items on the first floor, the expensive cosmetics and tableware on the second floor, and high-class food as well drinks on the third floor.

Just as Damsel Scarlet had hoped for――or maybe they simply adopted Mr. Amato’s opinion――the third floor was turned into a restaurant. They would provide relatively expensive drinks, but when it came to black tea, they went with the idea of lending out tea utensils at a high price and providing tea leaves as well as hot water. Or rather, it appeared to be a system where they would rent the tea sets at such a high price that it wouldn’t matter if they were broken or stolen, but where you’d get your money back if you returned everything in one piece.

The tea sets consisted of porcelain items made by Sahad.

That didn’t mean customers could simply brew the tea just because they were rented a tea set. It all worked on the assumption that they would bring maids, who could prepare tea, with them. Those maids would then brew and serve the tea after receiving hot water and tea leaves from the store. This method would guarantee a certain level of deliciousness.

Of course, normal commoners could have an employee brew the tea for them if they wanted to, but that would come with a stark loss in quality. To the extent that it’d make more sense to drink other drinks instead.

By the way, the other drink on the menu was made by pickling dried fruit skin and herbs in wheat honey and then melting those in water or hot water, resulting in a slightly fragrant and sweet beverage. We made it at the base as well and it’d be exclusively sold at Bennyboy’s store.

Seeing this, Damsel Scarlet cried out, “Noooees! I didn’t think of something so obvious…! That’s Indra for you. The perfect cheat of cheats!”

But, if you’re a ducal daughter, please use dried fruits pickled in honey. This particular drink is aimed at commoners. I mean it uses scrap fruit skins and all. Or in other words, it’s a very economical version.

＊

Bennyboy apparently hired additional employees, too. He especially focused on hiring people with experience at serving tables for the third floor.

“I was in quite a bind when nobles sirs and ladies suddenly asked me, 『Please hire me at any cost. I will do anything you ask』, while deeply bowing their heads at me…” Bennyboy spat out while looking disheartened.

But Bennyboy, you’ll find all sorts among nobles, too. Especially the children of low-ranking nobles who are all poorer than you, except for the eldest sons maybe.

＊

Damsel Scarlet went, “I will pay for it out of my pocket, so please request Indra to make uniforms in the style of a “Chic Cafe’s Waiter,” consisting of white shirts, bow ties, black pants, black vests, and black aprons, for the staff on the third floor!!”

Given that she kept pushing insistently while roughly breathing through her nose all the while, I humored her.

While at it, I also wanted to tailor waitress uniforms as you’d find them in maid cafes, but since I got called indecent and received a cold glare on top of that, I refrained.

＊

Now then, it wasn’t just the employees whom Bennyboy had called over. We were also introduced to a woman who appeared to be his family.

Maybe she’s his wife…?

I heard that Bennyboy was one year younger than Sword, so it wouldn’t be odd for him to be married by now.

“Umm, is the cute lady over there your family?”

When I asked, Bennyboy got slightly startled.

“You can tell? We gotta resemble in some ways then, huh? She’s my little sister Pumila.”

Now it was my turn to be surprised. …I haven’t meant it in that way, but whatever.

＊

Ms. Pumila didn’t look flashy at all despite being the sister of a frivolous, gaudy guy like Bennyboy. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she had greeted me with 『Hiya!』

Is it possible the cliche where the little sister becomes humble and well-mannered because of her playboy-like older brother?

As I was pondering about this, Bennyboy curtly retorted, “Ah, Lady Indra, you’re thinking something weird again, aren’t you!?”

『Again』!? What’s with the 『Again』!?

“I just thought that you were very typical siblings with the brother being outgoing and flashy while the sister is gentle and graceful.”

As soon as I said that, Bennyboy lamented, “Yeah right, just as I thought, you were thinking something terrible! Or rather, graceful? How!?”

“I felt like she’s got a mature and calm aura. Completely different from you, right?”

“Well…you do have a point…”

I scolded Bennyboy as he was pouting.

“It’s your own fault, Bennyboy. Do something about your loose tongue. I don’t know Damsel Pumila’s personality, but you’re way too easy-going. You’ll have to deal with nobles from now on, right? Damsel Scarlet is a tolerant woman, so she won’t get perturbed by your attitude, but usually, any noble would immediately complain about it.”

“I’m aware of that. I’ll fix that side, and it ain’t like I can’t do it either. Even back in the town before coming here……ah!”

Bennyboy seemed to have made a verbal gaffe again. He suddenly closed his mouth and looked at his sister. Then he said, “I do have a tiiiny request to make, Mr. Sword, Lady Indra.”

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