Ascendance of a Bookworm

Chapter 120: Tactics of the Restaurant

The waiters working in the commoners' restaurants are always careless since they need to offer a lot of food, and the soup is often spilt out. It will be a great trouble if they work together with Fran. Benno also knew it very well, and I saw him wearing a slightly helpless face.

"… Can you train them at your place?"

"Do you mean that the waiters will be trained at my house? Well… the waiters cannot get permission, let alone the cooks…"

"On the contrary, I mean how about getting the priests to work outside?"

"I'm going to have lunch with the Head Priest tomorrow and will ask him then. But don't anticipate too much."

Once the Head Priest said, "Orphans can only become priests or priestesses because there is no one who introduces or takes care of them." At that time, I thought his words meant "They can go out if they have guardians." But if I had known the reality of the orphanage or the temple, I could not have thought so definitely.

Now that there are so many idle priests, it may be good for them if they could make some money. But this might be considered to break the temple’s rules. It's a matter of some delicacy.

"Right. … I'm going to invite the Head Priest to the tasting. What do you think, Mr. Benno?

"… Wait a minute. Do you mean the Head Priest? He is a real noble. Are you sure he will come?"

It is usually impossible for the noble to come to a commoner's restaurant. Basically, they invite guests to their own house in the noble area.

The temple is at the border of the nobles and the commoners, and there is a gate that leads to both. However, the blue-robed priests do not go to the Civilian Area except for rituals.

Hmm, I think he is interested in the dishes and sweets I made. I think the way used by me to persuade him is important. It’s possible that he comes for the tasting."

“… Well.”

Mr. Benno rubs his chin, considering with great interest.

"So how about inviting some people who are only entrusted by Mr. Benno to the tasting? Do you feel special if you eat with a noble?"

"…Indeed, I think so."

"If it really becomes a restaurant with guests of noble birth, the Italian restaurant will gain prestige, right?"

Mr. Benno's brown eyes are fixed on the profit, bright as a flesh eater's.

"Yes, it will."

"Unlike the pound cake tasting, I don't want to invite too many people at once. I'm going to invite only those who can be trusted in small groups. Besides, considering the number of cooks, it's impossible to prepare too much food. It's expensive, so there would not be too many potential customers. So let’s make it a restaurant for selected people only, and as luxurious as possible. What do you think?"

"If you can get support from the Head Priest, it must be manageable. May you a success."

We smile and shake hands with each other. Rosina turns to me gracefully.

"Excuse me, Miss Maine. What do you think about the music?"

"Music?"

"On a noble party, there will be several musicians who perform alternatively. But I'm not sure if there is a performance at the restaurant."

… I have no idea about BGM.

Then I look at Mr. Benno, who shrugs his shoulders lightly.

"Unfortunately, we cannot find a musician who can perform like those at the nobility's dinners."

"… What do you think, Rosina? Do you want to play in the restaurant?"

"I have more time to play the musical instrument. So there is no problem."

As long as I see Rosina's positive attitude, I can feel that she says so because she wants to play Fespiel.

Is the restaurant mainly for lunch? If a customer makes a request when placing an order and is willing to pay an extra fee… I think Rosina can come to perform after the class.

If there is a guest who pays the extra fee at lunch time and wants to listen to music, I will have my attendant Rosina come when the third bell rings. However, she has to learn the business. Besides, I have to report it to the Head Priest if she needs to go out every day.

"… Hey, can she play music at night?"

"Huh? Some people may have a drink at night. A pretty girl like Rosina should not sit in front of a drunk guest. I oppose the idea definitely. If a musician is needed at dinner time, Mr. Benno needs to find someone else."

Women who work in the bar at night often work as prostitutes meanwhile. It is likely that customers will not obey the rules, even though it's a luxury restaurant and it's different from other places. I don't want Rosina to work at the restaurant.

While talking about the details, the sixth bell rings. It's time to end today's work. Mr. Benno summarizes various items discussed today, and then looks at me.

"If you go to the Head Priest's office tomorrow, try your best to invite him."

"No problem!"

"… Well, I can't help worrying about it."

I pout, seeing Mr. Benno pressing his belly.

"I cannot help but wonder when the work of restaurant will be completed."

The next day I am invited to have lunch with the Head Priest.

The last section of Fespiel practice is finished when the 3rd bell rings. Rosina guides me appraisingly, with a spirited look. Now I can manage to play Fespiel, without any mistake. I may fail to find the position of the strings when I am distracted by the lyrics. Perhaps I can perform well in front of Head Priest if I am careful enough.

After the class, I help the Head Priest with his official business. Fran says that he goes to prepare for the luncheon, and leave Gil to go to the Head Priest's office with me. This is the first time I am invited like a noble. Because the other side is the Head Priest, I think I don’t need to be overcautious even if I cannot behave properly. But Fran and Rosina are extremely nervous.

… Facing the nobles, the two are really a perfect pair.

Rosina has helped a lot on how to get along with a noble at dinner. Fran cannot come along with me to everywhere, for he is a male. But Rosina can. She worked as an attendant of a noble lady.

After the fourth bell rings, I finished the work and return to my room with Gil.

After Delia helps me adjust my clothes, I set off with Rosina and Fran, who carry the big and small Fespiels separately. Besides, Fran carries a set of tableware.

I am able to play the melodies learnt at class, but am so nervous that my hands shiver. However, Rosina is different. She keeps unperturbed when she is required to play Fespiel at dinner in the Head Priest's house.

"… Aren't you nervous, Rosina?"

"Yes, I am. I feel very restless in my heart."

She says while showing a soft smile which makes me rather doubt about her. But Rosina's wearing the same smile as the noble ladies’. Maybe it's a way to protect herself from being seen through by the opponents.

"You look not nervous at all… But do we have to pretend so?"

"Yes, we have to smile and look quite capable."

When we arrive at the Head Priest's house, we see several gray-robed priests are changing the arrangement of the furniture and preparing for the lunch. While noticing the Head Priest's attendants working efficiently, I give a noble greeting to the Head Priest for his invitation.

I speak with a salutation taught by Fran, and the elegant manner taught by Rosina.