Preparations to open a Japanese cafe proceeded surprisingly quickly.
It must've been thanks to Freed spearheading it, but Brother taking care of land rights also played a big role.
"You… Another new store!?"
When I asked Brother to cooperate with Freed, he tilted his head wondering what it was about, and after hearing the story, he held his head in his hands.
"You! Just recently you opened a hamburg steak specialty store!"
"Sure, I did, but that was striking while the iron is hot. And since I've got time now, I thought of opening a Japanese café."
"I can't stand that enthusiasm of yours!"
"But… Father said it was okay…"
"No way, that damn geezer."
Brother looked shocked by my words, but I didn't lie.
To clear Freed's condition to only employ those who work in the castle, I got permission from Father-in-law, the King, and Father, the Prime Minister.
The King was amused by the story he heard and said he'd like to go to the store with his wife once it opens, but Father made a bitter face. I wondered if it was no good and prepared to be opposed, but in the end Father said yes.
I didn't know, but recently the Royal Capital, and especially the southern town, has been recognized as the 'food town', and even a considerable number of tourists from foreign countries come to visit it.
"A new store. You'll introduce precious original recipes there, right? I have no doubt it will stimulate the Royal Capital. But I understand His Highness's worries very well, so until it gets going, it's certainly safer if you're surrounded by people from the castle… His Majesty doesn't appear to oppose it, so although I feel complicated, I will allow it."
"Wow! Yay!"
When I unconsciously expressed my joy, Father glared at me.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Honestly… You haven't changed at all after marrying."
As Father started scolding me that I was exactly the same as before marriage, Freed smiled wryly and hugged me.
"Lidi, I love you as you are, so you don't need to change."
"Freed."
"Lidi, you're my cute wife who I'm proud of."
I was glad to hear that, but I was aware that I hadn't done anything since we had gotten married, so I couldn't nod. I wanted to do one or two things that would benefit Freed already.
"Muu…"
"Lidi, I think you've contributed enough."
Freed naturally reached out his hand and stroked my head. When I squinted my eyes and accepted it, he laughed, "Cute."
"… Your Highness."
"What is it, Prime Minister?"
"As a father I'm relieved that my daughter is happily married, but could we slowly return to the main subject?"
"Sure."
Freed smiled wryly at Father's words. Father cleaned his throat.
"I have one suggestion regarding the Japanese café. Considering Your Highness is involved so much, how about using it as a selling point?"
"In other words, it would be advertised as a café that the Crown Prince sponsored, and the Crown Princess provided recipes to? If we do that, I'm sure nobles from all over the country will scramble to come… for the sake of having conversation material for the following evening parties. Lidi's aim to have everybody enjoy it regardless of social status won't be fulfilled that way. I think it's better to keep it ambiguous as always."
I nodded many times to Freed's words.
"I see… No, that's certainly true."
Although he was just a little disappointed, Father agreed with Freed. Seeing Father like that, Freed smiled and said.
"In the first place, there's no need for advertising, Prime Minister. Lidi has been frequenting the town ever since opening the curry store, and her face is known as its owner to many people. Before they hadn't known her status, but after the debut parade, they learned Lidi is my consort. In other words, the owner of the curry or hamburg steak store is known to be the Crown Princess. So even if we don't say anything, it will naturally spread to the people. A café run by Crown Princess. When she herself shows up at the café, there will be no doubt."
"Certainly…"
"On the contrary, it won't spread to nobles who don't go to town much, and probably nobody from the town will tell them. Lidi is liked by everyone. There's no person in town who would want to cause problems for Lidi."
Father nodded to Freed's assertion with a groan.
"… We're talking about my daughter, so I can hardly say it's impossible. I understand. Let us do what Your Highness says."
"Thank you. But I think it will probably be better this way."
―― And well, when I reported to Brother that such a conversation took place, he vigorously cursed Father.
"And! All troubles have been pushed onto me! That damn geezer! He'll regret this!"
And so, despite clicking his tongue, my capable brother managed to obtain a deed to a property in the best part of the town as Freed wished.
By the way, the previous owners readily left.
When I first heard it, I suspected they were forced out of their property, but as expected of Brother, he'd investigated beforehand and approached stores that were in financial trouble.
Of course, some people refused because they were attached to their properties, but eventually, an elderly couple running a hat store agreed because they wanted to move closer to their son and his wife living in the countryside.
They needed a lot of money for things like moving expenses. Brother negotiated to pay a fair value for their property and remuneration in cash, so the elderly couple left the Royal Capital with a smile.
"The newlywed Crown Prince and Crown Princess will invest in that café, so we're happy."
They said that. As expected, Brother honestly told the elderly couple that I and Freed are involved.
Anyway, I obtained a store.
While the store was being renovated, I set to selecting cooks.
I needed staff to help me with the Japanese café.
Despite me saying that they didn't need to force themselves since they have work in the castle and asking for only those interested, everybody including the head chef volunteered.
I was grateful to everybody, and since nobody budged, a rotation system was set up.
Since it reduces burden on each person, it might be good.
As we reached a decision, I taught them the dishes.
Since it's a Japanese café, I chose menu that focused on Japanese confections.
I handed the daifuku recipe to my parents, so I couldn't use it in the café.
Instead, I prepared joyo manju, sakuramochi, ohagi, uguisu mochi, nerikiri, zenzai, and for children, mitarashi dango and sanshoku dango. I spared no recipes. I'm going all out with the Japanese café.
As for tea, as a result of studying Ms. Delris's recipes, I was somehow able to make hojicha, genmaicha, and regular sencha.
I want to be sure both cold and hot tea can be enjoyed in the café.
While I was presenting yet unseen new confections one after another with a serious expression, I realized everybody's eyes turned increasingly fanatical, but… I had no time for that, so I ignored it. In any case, it was simple reverence, so the usual.
Later I heard from Freed that the cooks seem to revere me as if I was a founder of a religion or something.
"Master's words are!"
"Absolute!"
"Master's enemies are!"
"Our enemies!"
"Master's existence is!"
"World treasure!"
"We will protect Master with all our might! To see miracles Master creates in the futuuuuure!!"
"Oooooooooo!! Master!! Master!!"
I wish I hadn't known everybody made such a frightening war cry every time before the morning greeting.
"I never want to become their enemy."
Brother said that after hearing that war cry in practice, but I wish he'd listen to me that it happened before I knew it.
Anyway, the preparations were going well.
The café uses light brown and green as base colors and has a short curtain that I made at the entrance. I'm the type to be particular about details, so even employees' clothes were custom made.
Since they didn't exist in this world, I explained kimonos and had them made. I also made geta.
Even though I say so myself, I was making the Japanese café quite passionately. With everyone's cooperation, it became a week before opening in no time.
Chapter end
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