Chapter 120

Tactics of the Restaurant

Proofread by Ruriko

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 .