Chapter 81

"Miss, please take the order for the table in the back. I'll clean up here."

"Got it. Thanks, Evan."

I replied to Evan, who works more efficiently than anyone else, despite being one of the most skilled knights in the country, and headed to the back table.

Lately, I've been working at the café I opened in Milliel once a week.

Agnes, Jasper, Rona, and Zita, Rona's sister who occasionally helps out, are the four of us who have been running the café since it opened.

The elderly couple sitting at the back table were familiar faces.

"Oh, you're here again today."

"Yes, the food is delicious, and it's also nice to contribute to the children."

"Ah, thank you...!"

I felt my heart swell with those words and smiled at them.

This café was created with the wish that hungry children could have a free, delicious meal. In my previous life, I was extremely poor, and such a place saved me both physically and mentally.

The children's meals are covered by the revenue from regular customers. At first, I was worried whether this system, which didn't exist in this world, would be accepted and whether the café itself would survive.

However, since the café's approach has spread, more people have started to visit, wanting to help. Thanks to them, the café is bustling and running at a profit.

I have a new goal: to see more of these cafés spread and increase.

"Hehe, you have to dream big."

"Miss, that creepy grin of yours is scary. The children might be frightened."

"Ugh... I'll be careful."

Evan, without any hesitation, pointed out my mistake, and I hurriedly put on a bright smile.

Although I consider myself to have moved past being a villainess, my sharp features and slanted eyes apparently give off a harsh impression, and my grin looks like I'm plotting something evil.

It's been a year since I was reborn as Grace Sentsberry, the villainess from a novel.

Initially, I was supposed to be the love interest of the protagonist, Zain, and be cruelly dumped as part of the story's setup.

However, no matter how many times I tried to escape from him, he always caught me, and I eventually fell in love with Zain. After many twists and turns, I decided to live with him.

There are still many issues to address, such as the war and avoiding Grace's death, but I want to cherish the people I love around me and do what I can, one step at a time.

"Yana, two pasta sets, please."

"Got it."

Yana, like Evan, is a maid from a marquis's household but works here with the same skill and efficiency.

I seriously wonder if there's anything she can't do. She's perfect at everything from hair styling and personal grooming to housework and customer service at the café.

She's also a great actress and gives accurate advice on love. I can't imagine life without Yana; I've been relying on her so much.

"Rona, can you prepare the drinks first?"

"Sure thing!"

Rona, with her bright brown hair tied up with a red ribbon, is a lively sixteen-year-old girl.

Recently, she seems to be getting along well with a regular male customer, and I enjoy hearing her love stories.

The cute wooden chime signaling that the food is ready rang, and I, who had just finished a task, headed to the kitchen with light steps.

"Three children's meals."

"Thanks, Jasper."

Jasper, who handles the kitchen, is quiet but works quickly and is considerate. He is essential to the café.

"Wow, it looks so delicious."

"Thank you."

I thanked him again and headed to the children's area with the freshly made children's meals.

Lately, many customers have been donating books and toys, and more children are visiting, treating it like a place to play.

Some children even bring their new friends, and I can feel the community growing.

"Here you go, enjoy."

"Wow, it looks delicious!"

When I placed the plates on the table, the children's eyes lit up. They put away their toys neatly and started eating.

"It's so yummy!"

"I love this sweet meat."

"Hehe, I'm glad. Eat up."

Although I don't need to work, I continue to help because I enjoy hearing the customers' and children's voices directly.

While I'm at the café, Evan and Yana also say they want to help and find it fresh and enjoyable, and I can't thank them enough.

"Miss, I'm sorry. I went out to throw away the trash and ended up bringing back about ten women."

"What!? Don't say you're bringing in more customers."

I thanked Evan again for bringing in so many female customers with his good looks and hurried to attend to them.

◇◇◇

I intended to help for three hours, but ended up working until closing.

The café was incredibly busy, and there was no time to rest. One of the reasons for its popularity is the unique recipes and systems from my original world.

"Phew, what a good sweat."

After seeing off the last customer and moving the sign from the front to the back storage, I closed the storage door, took a deep breath, and headed back to the café.

"I wonder what Zain is doing right now."

I often think of him, the person I love so much. It still feels unbelievable that I'm the lover of someone as wonderful as Zain.

Just thinking about Zain makes me feel ticklish and happy, and my feet feel light.

However, he's been very busy lately, and I haven't seen him for about two weeks.

"I want to see him..."

I want to see him, but I don't want to be a burden by being selfish to his busy schedule.

I decided to write a letter updating him on my recent activities when I got home to the mansion and opened the café door.

"Everyone, good work—"

I froze as I stepped into the café.

At the central table was the person who shouldn't be here.