Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Distrust

Before the prince's visit, it is necessary to briefly advance the time a little and talk.

Because if I don't explain the really many things that happened over the past few hours, I felt like I would go crazy from itching!

The hastily established plan to entertain the prince, and the idea of emptying the restaurant 30 minutes early to match that, caused a bigger uproar than expected.

...Even the gentry were obsessed with my Chicken and Chips.

The problem was the five tables whose time was ambiguous.

As soon as I saw the disappointed expressions of the customers who had come to enjoy a good atmosphere, I also felt a pang of regret.

They were also precious customers and excellent people who would become future money sources, and I had been too rash.

Only after scattering the Glenburn I hastily summoned from the point shop was I barely able to soothe them. Fortunately, they liked it when I gave them black tea as a gift. These black tea ghosts.

At this point I had already lost a large amount of points. But the moment you care about sunk costs, that's a lost game. I had no choice but to swallow tears and somehow resolve the situation.

The one who saved me from the quagmire was unexpectedly Mr. Henry.

The reputation of being a famous banker, and the social position of being the actual owner of the restaurant, played a big role in persuading the customers.

Of course, when Mr. Henry talked about debts and interest or something, the customers lowered their heads, but I decided to pretend I didn't see that.

Because of that, even if Mr. Henry sat down in my office without going home, there was no particular way to kick him out.

�Um, are you really not going home? Your wife must be waiting.�

�Me? Why? I was also thinking of greeting that guest of young Jean.�

"Yes...?"

"Even when I begged so much to share, you said there was none and didn't give it, but today that Darjeeling keeps springing up from somewhere? Enough to give as a conciliatory gift to the customers. I'm even considering asking that teacher of yours to share a gift with me too."

�...The person coming today is not the person Mr. Henry is thinking of. Anyway, here. Take this.�

"Ahem, seeing you care this much, there must clearly be circumstances you can't talk about. I won't ask anymore. Tell me later if you feel like it.�

Mr. Henry quickly snatched the Glenburn envelope I held out, then smiled and returned to the office.

Ah, in the end I was crushed by the disaster I brought upon myself. This gentry who only looks good-natured on the outside was still fiercely fighting with the virtual person A I had bluffed.

Moreover, whatever he was suspecting, he kept loitering around me all day today. It seems he smelled money again for sure. This time with gold coins.

Not only this, but many hands were needed for the hasty preparations. Honestly, if help hadn't come from here and there, even giving an hour instead of 30 minutes would have been overwhelming.

So I sent the newspaper seller kitchen assistants who had suffered a lot out with a full load of Chicken and Chips. They liked it while being delighted.

"Emily, aren't you going home?"

"Me? Hehe, I'm going to get delicious things Jean makes here?"

"..."

Emily also clearly smelled something suspicious in my actions. In the end I couldn't send her back either. Anyway, I needed someone to serve too.

Emily, with her innate sense raised on Baker Street, had already secured the role of mascot of our restaurant. Clearly, this kid lied about her age to me. No matter how I look, she seems the same age as me, not my younger sister.

Come to think of it, the Earl of Derby isn't visible today. Did he preemptively flee sensing he might run into the prince? Well, whatever. As long as he doesn't interfere, it's good for me.

Edith was currently in the kitchen finishing preparations for the appetizer and Chicken and Chips. Now for something like Chicken and Chips, she handles it skillfully by herself.

I covered my face with both hands.

Really, I won't do this kind of thing again. This time I realized it to the bone. As expected, people should live within their means.

Like that, somehow I barely finished all preparations on time.

###

And turning time back to now. I took out a pocket watch outside the restaurant and checked the time.

Current time 9:05. The surroundings were still quiet. A cool early summer night with fog gradually seeping from the ground.

Soon a carriage was seen approaching from afar. Three escort agents on horseback in front and behind. All familiar faces.

Snort snort, neigh!

�Young Jean! Haha, feeling the outside wind after a long time feels refreshing! Moreover, the Chicken and Chips I've longed for so much! I'm thinking of definitely leaving this matter on a commemorative stamp someday!�

The Duke of York appeared from inside the carriage. Disguised with an awkward Kaiser mustache and swinging a cane.

Ting.

"Thank you! I'll serve you with the best service!"

I quickly caught the gold coin he flicked. At this point I was curious where the gold coins keep popping out from every time. As expected of the prince of the British Empire that commands the world.

But I was more concerned about the mustache he attached than the gold coin. It was slightly dangling and seemed like it would fall off soon. The prince also noticed my gaze and hurriedly reattached the mustache. The disguise, it's okay, right?

Anyway, I took a breath.

�Then, I'll guide you. Welcome, this is my restaurant Culina Divina.�

Creak.

When I opened the door, a melody flowing gently. Chopin, Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2.

It's not a song a pianist is playing. I sent that person back too for security.

The music flowed from a large phonograph placed in the center of the hall.

A special Edison phonograph procured from America. An item whose rumors were slowly spreading even among London's upper class.

The cylinder records were obtained separately from Harrods department store by asking Mr. Henry.

Of course, even if the phonograph and records existed, it wasn't to the extent of freely appreciating music like in my previous life. Recording technology was poor so noise was severe, and above all there weren't many types of records available in the first place.

Thanks to that, finding classics suitable for the restaurant was quite a headache. No, why are all the records only operas and arias?

The prince also seemed moved by my thorough preparations.

"Oh...! Isn't that the 1899 Edison Concert model! The sound is much more majestic and atmospheric than the Triumph I have. Where did you get it? Can I take a quick look at the cylinder?!"

...It wasn't the music part?! This person is a machine enthusiast.

I glanced at the escort agents following behind the prince. Including Lord Blackwood and Lord Ashford, there were familiar faces, and faces I was seeing for the first time. About 6 people in total.

"Then, um, the guest please follow me, and the people behind I'll prepare meals in another place�"

The moment I was about to roughly call him 'guest' because no suitable title for the prince came to mind, he suddenly snatched my arm and whispered in my ear.

"Wait, I forgot to tell you my external alias. From now on just call me 'Edward Richard.' And, if it's not rude, can they also dine at the same table as me? Eating alone is a bit burdensome."

"Yes, no problem. Mr. Edward. I'll prepare right away."

I guided them to the table positioned right in the center of the restaurant.

An elegant tablecloth, delicately arranged flower decorations, and cozy lighting that softly settled matching the center.

The result of urging the newspaper sellers for 30 minutes. I left only one or two tables and pushed all the rest away.

The fact that I had arranged it with this kind of situation in mind from when designing the restaurant interior also helped a lot.

"Preparing this much in such a short time! Man, anyone would have no choice but to be moved!"

For special guests, a special experience.

That's my marketing motto.

Feeling sound when seeing a beautiful scene, recalling its shape when touching something soft, imagining taste when smelling a good scent is a natural thing.

No matter how delicious the food, if the smell is foul or the decoration is a mess, appetite inevitably drops.

At least there should be synergy, it shouldn't be interference, right?

So to give the prince the highest satisfaction, I set the atmosphere in advance with music and visual direction.

If I had added a subtle aroma scent to purify the mood on top of this, it would have been icing on the cake, but unfortunately because the era is the era, incense sticks were hard to obtain even at Harrods.

It seems like there would be some if I searched, but I didn't have the leisure for that. Anyway, since the smell can be covered by the food aroma, it's not a big problem.

"Then, please enjoy the atmosphere comfortably until the main dish comes out. It won't take long."

"It feels like my belly skin will stick to my back. I starved from lunch for this moment today! Hahaha."

Just then Emily appeared pushing a serving cart. Having missed the timing to escape, I had no choice but to be held at the seat and add a brief explanation.

"First, the appetizer. I prepared a simple salad for pre-meal balance."

"Hm? It's different from the order I heard? Does your restaurant also have appetizers? I think I heard the course composition wasn't like that."

No... My restaurant also tried hard to be faithful to course cuisine. It just seemed that in the eyes of the gentry of this era it didn't look like a proper course.

"I prepared a special composition for Mr. Edward's party. In fact, today's main is not Chicken and Chips. Didn't I tell you, that I would reserve the best time."

"Heh... Is that so. That's what it is? A new course, I'm even more looking forward to it. You guys too, right?"

The two escort agents reluctantly nodding. I casually looked into their thoughts with the status window.

[ Arthur Blackwood: Rather, I'm worried the food won't meet the Duke's expectations. / Emotion: Worry / Satisfaction: - ]

[ Geoffrey Ashford: It's just an ordinary restaurant, right? I still don't feel any specialness. / Emotion: Distrust / Satisfaction: - ]

...Can't I just remove these people's chairs?

"This is a Waldorf Salad. It's the skill of our sous chef (*Sous Chef, assistant head chef)."

"Oh, putting this much effort into the appetizer! How luxurious!"

When Emily set down the serving plate containing the salad, a refreshing scent spread fragrantly.

I was also surprised. Unlike the salad Edith made for me yesterday, she had put tremendous effort into the decoration.

A salad meticulously decorated with herbs, edible flowers, high-quality nuts and fruit pieces.

Her decoration sense is better than mine?! But there was no need to help with this much sincerity...?! What on earth is this woman thinking?

"Then, please enjoy the sequence from now. I'll take my leave."

"Thank you, young Jean! See you later!"

Sigh, I should go quickly and fry the donkatsu hard.

Feeling a slight sense of defeat at Edith's skill, I quietly stepped back.

###

Geoffrey Ashford. He looked sideways at the young man leaving the seat.

A young man with a quite slender and handsome face.

The boldness of holding his head high without being intimidated even in front of the Duke.

He's clearly not an ordinary person. But that's all that is shown.

From the start, holding his head high was probably because he didn't receive proper etiquette education. The son of a lowly plumber, right? Isn't he one of the working class overflowing in London.

Such a person being the chef of such a large restaurant. A situation that was completely incomprehensible.

Moreover, the Duke who is so happy over trivial matters, and themselves sitting in this place led by that whim.

Chicken and Chips? What on earth is that?

Isn't it just putting chicken frying on the fish and chips that laborers eat. Coming up with a new idea is praiseworthy, but it was just good luck.

Anyway, he too had tried several times out of curiosity to buy and eat Chicken and Chips on his days off.

He had heard rumors that Baker Street was the original, and that other places were terrible. Especially the talk that Chicken and Chips that wasn't 2.5 pence was fake.

It was a story he heard from a man who was lining up together. Of course the line cut right in front of him, and in the end he had no choice but to turn back empty-handed.

After that he challenged a few more times out of stubbornness, but failed every time.

The Duke obtained it several times through the Earl of Derby who visited the hideout, but didn't give even a single piece to him. Not even a single piece!

Geoffrey opened his eyes wide and crossed his arms.

If that Scottish chicken frying doesn't meet expectations, I'll use the power of the Ashford barony to make that greenhorn suffer.

'Hmm... But this salad isn't bad.'

The dressing was quite excellent.

'Of course, this is the sous chef's skill so it has nothing to do with that greenhorn.'

The sound of a creaking serving cart was heard again from afar.

Finally it was the turn of the main dish.

However, because of the cloche (*Cloche, round cover) covering the plate, the contents were completely invisible.