Translator: Nox

Chapter 58

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Plenty of intriguing dish ideas filled the pages.

Yet their flavors might prove as experimental as their designs, a risk for Kyle’s struggling café teetering on the edge of ruin once more. She wished it stability.

Why not invite patrons to sample prototypes and elevate the favorites to permanent fixtures?

She viewed it as rallying the crowd for support.

Such rivalry among options could foster devoted followers.

Much like mint chocolate’s polarizing fame birthed its own fervent circle.

For a casual spot like this, the gathering doubled as free publicity.

Kyle’s expression brightened at her proposal.

“You know, Ms. Diaz, I really do admire you.”

The words tumbled out casually, as ordinary as praising fruit, prompting her amusement.

“That’s news to me right now.”

When she brushed it aside, he protested softly, insisting she grasp his genuine feeling.

“Drop by the café when you can?”

His real aim surfaced quickly.

No burden in promising that, so she nodded, watching delight spread across his features.

Abruptly, Kyle rose, urgency in his motion, and she followed suit.

“Lucy’s got the details for you. Expect me later today.”

He tossed the goodbye over his shoulder at the threshold.

“No need to rush back here.”

Once his footsteps faded, Lucy quipped with a grin.

Shy around most coworkers save Lucy, she managed a strained chuckle amid the group’s hearty outbursts.

“Save the fake ones.”

Lucy elbowed her lightly in fun.

“Got it for round two.”

Relief softened her as she grinned back.

“Ouch, that stings. Scratch it—just be yourself.”

Lucy pulled a dramatic pout.

“Does humor land with Rina naturally?”

Sophia Trish, the eldest there in her late thirties or forties, stepped in with mock alliance, softly rebuking Lucy before beaming and offering her palm.

“Kyle-rus mentioned me before, but properly: Sophia Trish. Mind if it’s CarolRina?”

“Rina works fine—childhood tag from Grandma.”

Sophia’s gaze lit up during the clasp.

“With all the formality from Kyle-rus, I pictured some highborn type.”

As their hands met, a murmur drifted from the side.

A feminine lilt pointed to Beth.

Rina’s attention shifted her way.

The edge in her voice lacked venom, softened by her petite build and girlish face. Their stares locked, and Beth looked rattled.

Any real barb would have drawn retaliation.

For the moment, Rina held back.

She flashed a wide, disarming grin, channeling sibling advice to channel ire differently.

Catching the undercurrent, Beth recoiled and glanced away.

Nathan and Derek, beside her, jumped in to defuse, noting her unwavering cheer despite the awkwardness.

“Beth picked up court tongue and manners solo.”

“She’s bubbly most days, but unwinds into this.”

“Deep down, it’s ‘Figured you for big status from the titles, but you’re easygoing.’”

Beth bobbed her head, endorsing Nathan’s read.

“Exactly right.”

The clipped phrasing reinforced her self-study, her wide eyes amplifying an innocent vibe that invited patience.

Impersonating aristocracy grew tiresome.

Kyle reserved more deference for her than for Lucy’s crew.

Time to dispel the confusion.

Their initial encounter happened beyond palace walls, where his client-guildmaster formality lingered.

She pondered if that explained it.

Palace staff diverged culturally from outsiders. Academy pedigrees dominated insiders, though not mandatory.

Talented youth flocked there, yielding alumni everywhere.

Academy policy enforced parity—no status displays, family names hidden under strict sanctions.

Subtleties persisted; lifelong noble ties pierced the veil, diluting true equity.

Still, divides softened inside versus out.

Hence first names prevailed among academy-bred officials.

Their outsider start as info guild head and patron locked in the “Ms. Diaz.”

Beth absorbed the clarification, curiosity quenched, lips parting in eager reply until Sophia halted her.

“Any forethought there, Beth?”

Silence gripped Beth for three beats.

“Ah, gotcha. Rina it is.”

Pauses dotted her reply, blunter yet kinder, message clear.

Rina likened her to a socially clumsy feline.

Her initial reserve toward Beth warmed.

Voicing her name warmly drew a radiant return, utterly endearing.

Tension dissolved into warmth.

Sophia guided a brief tea break, names swapped freely now.

Kindness enveloped her, Beth included.

“Field agents trickle back next week—long hauls.”

Beth offered aid, tone tempered politely.

" Frequent treks for you all?”

Rina posed it to draw her out, a gentle prod.

Tea doubled as her initiation, then duties beckoned.

“Start here.”

Lucy grabbed a stack en route to her spot, thrusting case files for review.

“Puzzle over anything? Hit me up or dig in.”

Her bare workstation brimmed instantly.

The volume swelled against the prior void.

Lucy eyed the heap Rina assessed, drifting to seal the exit discreetly.

“Skim for the lay of the land.”

A kindness to anchor the newbie.

Rina beamed, claiming her seat. Lucy hovered with backward peeks, fretting flight, before settling in.

The chair’s magic eased phantom aches.

She sank into the Herman Miller’s embrace, oblivious to Lucy.

A solid launch overall.