The commercial rights returned by Elder Diarn were put under Erin’s management.
This quickly increased her workload, including the management of the existing café “Angela,” as well as the boutique, salon, and further expanded commercial rights.
Naturally, there was a need to distribute the business more efficiently.
“After opening the salon, there has been an increasing demand for new things among people,” said the topic that garnered the most attention at the salon.
It was a natural response given the strong personalities of Angelina, Claire, Julia, and Erin being the focal points.
“So, we’ve brought many foreign items to the boutique,” added Madame with a positive response.
Hearing this, Erin thought it would be good to introduce exotic desserts at the café “Angela.”
At that moment, Erin’s eyes widened slightly, and she parted her lips as if she just remembered something.
“By the way, Frances arrived safely in Pheron,” Erin told Madame. She had received a letter from her recently.
“She’ll do just fine,” Madame had briefly met with her before she left.
Erin was entrusted with providing various support and advice for her life in Pheron going forward.
“Yes, it’ll happen,” Erin agreed.
She may have been feeling down because of the aftermath of the Karson incident, but she was originally intelligent and wise.
She would surely lead the wine region of Penelron well.
“Things are going quite smoothly.
Thanks to that, we could even consider advancing the plans for the theme park,” said Madame.
The concept of the theme park had originated in Erin’s mind from the beginning, an idea that didn’t exist in this world yet.
That’s why it was determined for her to collaborate with Lienster when Angelina took over the mansion as part of the property division.
“Among the ladies of the salons, there are a few who have shown interest here,” Erin said as she stood up.
Among them, Erin distinguished those who approached business with a serious demeanor and proficiency from those who simply enjoyed it for fun.
“I’ll recommend a few who are responsible and have good understanding,” she continued.
“Yes.”
“Consider if you can be part of the new expanding business.”
“Me?”
“Of course, Madame trusts you and relies on you, doesn’t she?”
“…Because whenever Madame says something, I can’t help but want to do anything and everything,” Madame said, feeling both pleased and embarrassed.
Erin looked at her like that and burst into a cheerful laughter.
“I’ll count on you in the future as well.”
***
Erin came out of the boutique and stopped by the café “Angela”.
She wanted to talk to Brody about the new menu and inform him about the upcoming changes. There, Princess Angelina, who enjoyed desserts with her tea, was present.
“Your Highness, it’s nice to see you here,” Erin greeted her.
She knew the two had met before, but didn’t expect to see them together so naturally.
“What kind of conversation could have taken place between the two of them?” she wondered. In the original work, there was no mention of any relationship between the princess and Brody.
Nothing suggested that the princess had married or met someone. However, Angelina started frequenting the main branch of the café “Angela”, where Brody worked.
Watching her, it was impossible not to notice. “The relationship between Princess Angelina and Brody is still valid,” Erin thought as she sat across from the princess.
“It’s good timing. I have something to ask of you,” Angelina said.
“Other cafes may be fine, but I don’t want to collaborate with the viscountess specifically at this place,” said Angelina firmly.
Seeing her determined expression, Erin anticipated what she would say next.
“Can you give it to me?” she asked.
As Erin pondered, Angelina’s forehead wrinkled, seemingly surprised by the unexpected answer. “That seems a bit difficult,” Erin finally replied.
“Excuse me?” Angelina’s brows furrowed in response to the unexpected answer. “What’s the reason?”
“Well, you see…” Erin began to organize her thoughts.
Brody, noticing the situation, approached cautiously. “That’s not possible,” he said carefully to Angelina.
In response, Angelina looked at Brody with disappointment and resentment. Somehow, even Erin felt the tension between them.
“Just a moment,” Erin quickly interjected. “When I said it’s difficult, it’s because this place is not under my ownership.”
“Really…?” This time, Angelina was surprised in a different way. “Then… who does own it?” she asked, her thoughts seeming complicated.
Erin smoothly lifted the corners of her mouth towards Angelina and began to speak. “It’s Brody.”
“This place has been solely owned by Brody from the beginning until now,” Erin replied decisively.
“When I first proposed the investment to Brody, he said something like that,” Angelina recalled.
The statement was from when she first approached Brody for investment.
“He said that he would like everything to be as he wishes, but he wants this cafe to be entirely his own.”
As Angelina knew, Erin was indeed the one with substantial authority over the cafe “Angela,” but that did not apply to the cafe currently guarded by Brody.
“Is that so?” Angelina’s gaze was already directed towards Brody.
“If you need something, negotiate with Brody,” Erin said, smiling mischievously.
The rest will be handled by the two of them. It’s enough to anticipate what kind of resolution that might be. “I had something to ask the Princess and Brody, but I’ll do that next time,” Erin said.
The two of them simultaneously turned their heads and looked at Erin.
“What is it that you wanted to ask?” Brody asked, breaking the silence.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I’ll tell you when I’m in a good mood. But if I ask next time, please do me the favor,” Erin replied.
“If it’s something madam wants, I’ll do anything,” Brody assured.
“Thank you…” Erin was about to express her gratitude when she suddenly felt a sharp gaze right next to her.
She immediately caught on that Angelina was resentfully glaring at Brody, feeling offended by his taking Erin’s side.
“Brody is siding with me and making her jealous,” Erin thought, communicating through her glance that she was fine and Angelina should not worry.
Erin set down her teacup and parted her lips. “I think it’s best for me to leave first.”
Erin spoke as if she didn’t notice Angelina and Brody casting glances at each other. It seemed like Erin was indifferent to both of them. Quietly, Erin left the café.
It wasn’t unfamiliar for Angelina to display jealousy toward Brody. Erin’s emotions weren’t much different when Aiden showed interest in someone else.
As she watched the two of them, Aiden naturally came to Erin’s mind, and a smile crossed her lips.
In this situation, she didn’t want to bring up business constraints or Zahard’s issues and disrupt the atmosphere.
“After all, the two of them will be seeing each other more often in the future.”
***
“Even so, I didn’t expect to meet this often.” Erin thought to herself as she entered the café “Angela”.
“You’re here again today, Your Highness,” she said, flashing a smile and greeting Angelina. Since then, Angelina had been at the café “Angela” every time Erin visited.
“This place suits my taste perfectly,” Angelina said nonchalantly, seemingly untrusting of Erin. She also naturally interacted as if she had no intention of hiding her friendship with Brody.
“You have no intention of hiding anything, right?” Erin couldn’t help but ask.
“What should I hide?” Angelina replied with a relaxed smile. It was a nonchalant response, indicating that she had no intention of hiding anything in another sense.
So Erin decided to speak again, “Well, I do have a question. Can I ask?”
“Go ahead,” Angelina replied.
Angelina lifted the corners of her eyes as if she found it interesting and said, “Is the name of the café Angela related to Your Highness?”
At Erin’s question, Angelina’s expression turned slightly serious, but soon her mood lifted.
“It’s my childhood nickname,” Angelina said proudly. “When I first met Brody, he introduced me by my nickname instead of my real name.”
Once again, the past of the two was intertwined.
“I didn’t know he had opened a shop with that name,” Angelina said, smiling proudly, her gaze naturally turning toward Brody.
Brody was also looking at Angelina. “Are you feeling embarrassed right now, Brody?”
Brody’s face had turned slightly red. It was a different sight from his usual serious demeanor while making desserts. Angelina even watched him with a subtle smile.
“I felt courageous when I saw the sign,” Angelina was suddenly speaking to Brody. Her face was brighter than ever, resembling that of a young girl.
Seeing how happy she was, Erin’s mood brightened as well. The sight of the two of them was peaceful yet somehow made her heart flutter.
The problem was that Erin was not the only one who felt that way, and many saw the princess’s scandal more negatively than Erin did.
The emperor’s reaction upon hearing the news was as expected. He was furious.
He urged Angelina to come to the palace immediately to explain and sent several messengers along with official letters.
However, Angelina did not obey the emperor’s orders. Her response was always the same.
“I will see you at the palace banquet soon.”
Despite the rumors surrounding her and the pressure from the emperor, Angelina maintained a nonchalant attitude without any sign of being daunted.
