(A/N Notes: So… I got myself distracted with a few stuff *coff* Modded Minecraft *Coff*… And then I got a bit unmotivated to write, and then my little devil said for me to start rewriting a certain story again… … …
And I did write a prologue for it… And I'm getting ideas for it… And I'm planning for how it should go… And I'm building up the characters as well…
This is just me saying that I might release something here or there sometime in the future, for something completely unnecessary, because I'm an idiot)
-
It was early afternoon, and the busy streets of the royal capital were bustling with activity. They were even busier than usual due to the presence of the many test participants who were enjoying their visit to the capital trying to forget about the incoming despair of them potentially failing the entrance exam.
Of course, Edward was also one of such exam participants who enjoyed his visit to the capital, minus the despairing part, as he was accompanied by Florence, a girl he had met at the entrance of the royal academy and who was also guiding him through the capital.
"Now we shall take a turn here"
By that, it meant that they were going through the various side roads and alleyways, which, unlike the main streets and plazas, which were crowded with people, were practically empty, with only a few residents also walking through them.
It was at one of such roads, that Edward and Florence stood in front of a cafe with only a small sign on its front, almost as if it wasn't trying to get any attention.
"Shall we go inside, Edward-sama?"
"Of course, Florence-sama"
So, like a gentleman, Edward went ahead, opened, and held the door for Florence to enter, to which Florence thanked him. Once the two were inside the cafe, they both saw a very charming interior, designed in such a way as to make anyone feel cozy and calm and behind a counter, they saw a handsome old man polishing a cup.
"! Oh-ho? If it isn't, Lady Florence? Good afternoon, and I see you brought a new guest with you today as well"
"Good afternoon for you too, master. And yes, I brought a new friend of mine with me today!"
"… *Nods*"
"… *Nods*"
Without saying anything, the cafe owner and Edward just curtly nodded to each other as greetings.
"Now Edward-sama, let's go take a seat at my favorite spot"
"Of course"
Urging Edward to move, Florence led him towards a table with two chairs, that was located right at the big front window of the cafe, giving them a perfect sight of the peaceful street, but it also made the two very visible to those outside.
"Edward-sama, I like this spot, because at this time of the day, the sun gets inside at just the right position that it warms me up, without hindering my sight by having the light hit my eyes"
"Hm *nods* I can feel what you mean, Florence-sama. Thank you for showing me such a nice place"
"Hehe… Now, shall we look at the menu?"
"Sure"
"Excellent! Also, I must say that I personally recommend the hamburger sandwich if you are feeling really hungry, but if not, then I suggest the grilled cheese with eggs, especially if you order coffee. And you also cannot pass the pudding here, it is simply divine"
"I see, then I think I'll go with your suggestion, Florence-sama"
"Heeh… Are you trying to charm me up by following all of my recommendations, Edward-sama?"
Seeing how Edward had just been following all of her leads so far, Florence couldn't help but make that playful statement as she showed an amused and suggestive smile to Edward.
"Hm? Well… Since you are such a cute girl, I can't help but want to please you, Florence-sama"
"… Well played, Edward-sama…"
However different from how she thought Edward would act, by refusing her words, instead he shot right back at her with equally playful words, even if it was by accident. That she couldn't help but blush a little from being caught off guard.
"Are you two ready to order?"
Then before either of the two could go any further with their playful remarks, the cafe owner came to receive their orders.
"Ah! Yes, I would like this one and a cappuccino"
"Noted, and what about you, sir?"
"Hmm… I would like to order, this one, and this one… And for my drink, I want to try this make-yourself coffee"
"Oh-ho? You'll be challenging yourself by trying to make a gourmet coffee by yourself?"
"Yes, especially since I do not know when I will be able to come here again, so I might as well make the most of it while I'm here"
"Heeeh… Then master, could you change my cappuccino for the make-yourself coffee as well"
"Of course, are you going to try it for yourself as well, milady?"
"No, rather, I am thinking of having Edward-sama make it for me. What do you say about that, Edward-sama?"
"Sure. I would love to serve some coffee to you, Florence-sama"
"…"
"… Very well, I shall come back with your orders as soon as possible"
At Edward's answer, both Florence and the cafe owner became silent, with him taking his leave immediately after, thus once again leaving Florence and Edward by themselves.
"Edward-sama… You really are like as the rumors say"
"Eh!? And what do they say about me?"
"That you are a womanizer"
"How!?"
"By you saying the stuff from earlier without an ounce of second intentions in your words"
"How does that make me a womanizer!?"
"That comes from the fact that you also managed to get yourself engaged to the daughter of Duke Neville, as well as to the princess of Akeshi"
"… … … That's true…"
Edward tried to argue against that last argument of Florence, but he also realized that no matter how he looked at it as well, he just looked like a womanizer.
"Fufu, but you do not have to worry about those rumors with me, Edward-sama. I do not mind what they say about you."
"Huh?"
"But… I will warn you, that if you act just as the rumors say, I will have you take responsibility for the consequences"
"I-I will keep that in mind"
"Fufu, please do so"
While Edward was showing a troubled smile at Florence's words, she on the other hand was showing a smile that she was looking forward to seeing how Edward would act for the rest of their date. However, for now, she was happy just seeing Edward making a troubled face as he tried to come up with a way to not act like a womanizer.
But as she was enjoying the view in front of her, the cafe owner came back with a simple gourmet coffee-making kit, and with most of the ingredients already prepared. Now all that was left was for Edward to simply brew the coffee in a way that would bring its flavor in the best way possible.
"Just in case, sir. But have you ever made a coffee? If so, I can give you a hand, if you want to"
"I haven't. But, I do make tea for myself and my wives quite often, and I also do not think there's that much difference between making tea and coffee, so I do not think I will need a hand for now"
"If you say so, then I shall go prepare the rest of your orders"
" "Thank you" "
The two thanked the cafe owner before he left, and then they turned their attention to the coffee kit prepared in front of them.
"Shall I start with your cup first, Florence-sama?"
"Hmm… Sure!"
"Very well"
At her confirmation, Edward began looking at the types of coffee brands in front of him and carefully observed which he thought would fit Florence's tastes.
"How about this brand, Florence-sama? Are you fine with it?"
"Yes, I am, Edward-sama. In fact, they're my favorite"
"Is that so? I'm glad to hear it"
With the brand decided, Edward began preparing the coffee, he put the right amount of coffee that Florence liked in the coffee press, and then he used his magic to make a small amount of water at the right temperature to bring the most flavor out of the coffee as he poured it inside the coffee press, followed by letting the coffee brew at the exact time it is required. Finally, he began pouring the coffee into Florence's cup, but as he did so he remembered about another step he almost forgot.
"Ah! Florence-sama, do you prefer your coffee with milk, cream, or something the like?"
"I do not have a preference, Edward-sama"
"I see, then here you go, Florence-sama. I hope it is to your taste"
"Thank you"
Florence carefully received the cup of coffee from Edward, and before taking a sip, she could smell the pleasant aroma of the coffee she felt that it was even more pleasant than usual.
"Thank you, Florence-sama"
"And I mean it, Edward-sama. This might be the best coffee I ever had"
"I'm happy that it is to your taste, Florence-sama. I tried to make it while thinking about you"
"… There you go again, even after I warned you"
"Hm?"
"It's nothing"
"Okay?"
Before Edward could dwell deeper on what Florence had just said, the cafe owner came back yet again, this time with the meals that they had both ordered.
"Here are your dishes, I hope you two enjoy"
" "Thank you" "
"Hm?… … … Sir, would you like me to take it away the coffee kit?"
"Huh? Ah! Sure, please do so, and thank you"
With that, the cafe owner picked up all of the coffee kit stuff and left the scene, again leaving Edward and Florence to talk with each other as they enjoyed their meal.
…
At the cafe kitchen
"…"
The cafe owner then picked a clean cup and poured the little remaining coffee into it, and just as he felt when he brought the dishes, the scent of the coffee impressed him, and when he took a sip of the little amount of coffee in the cup.
"…!?"
He opened his eyes wide open in surprise, after all as a coffee connoisseur, the cafe owner had tasted all kinds of coffee brews, and yet… None came close to the one he had just taken a sip from. And just from that sip alone, he could tell that the boy who had made this coffee was one of a kind of talent for making such a high-quality coffee.
"… I can't let such a talent go to waste… I must hone his talent even further, and make him a true cafe master! Or else I shall not be called a coffee connoisseur!… … … But I must first do my duties as a shop owner"
For as much as the cafe owner was really into coffee, he was also a diligent person to not skip his usual tasks. After doing so, he returned to the table that Florence and Edward were sharing.
"Shall I take away your plates?"
"Ah. Yes, please"
"Yes *nods*"
"Thank you, did you two enjoy your meals?"
"Yes, we did, master. As always you did an excellent job"
"Thank you, milady"
"I also quite liked it, though… I think the pudding could do with a little less sugar"
"… Sir"
"Eh? Y-Yes?"
At the cafe owner suddenly called him in a very serious voice, Edward responded with a confused tone as he wondered if he had angered him with his comment.
"Please, come work here"
"… … … What?"
"Sir, you have a one-of-a-kind talent for making coffee, and from what I can see, you also have a talent for cooking. Please, I beg you, come work for me, so that I help you hone your talents to their maximum potential"
"E-Erm… T-Thank you?… I think?… Well… If I pass the entrance exam of the royal academy, and… I have some free time, I will try to see if I can start working here"
"! Thank you very much for your consideration, Sir. I will make sure to always keep my shop's door open for you"
"Ahaha…"
After that unexpected turn of events, Edward and Florence both paid their meals, after the two have a small argument as they try to pay for everything by themselves, but only ends when they come to the compromise of paying for each other's portions.
And now, the two were back on walking down the streets of the royal capital.
"Now, Edward-sama. Is there anywhere else you want to go to?"
"Hmm… I am thinking of buying some sort of souvenirs for my wives"
"… Is that so? Then do you have something in mind?"
"I am thinking about getting them an accessory or clothes since I cannot help but want to make them look cuter and more beautiful"
"… I see… Then, I know the right shop for what you are searching for"
"Is that so? Thank you for the help again, Florence-sama"
"Do not worry, Edward-sama. But… I will only show it to you if you let me walk with you while hugging your arm"
"?… Sure? I don't really mind it"
"Fufu, thank you, Edward-sama"
With his permission, Florence went to Edward's side and hugged one of his arms, before she began to lead the way to the store she had in mind. But as she did so, she couldn't help but notice the annoying sensation she was feeling inside her chest.
"… *Whisper* Why must you think of other girls, right when I'm next to you?"
"? Did you say something, Florence-sama?"
"No, I did not, I was just reminding myself of a few things"
"Ah! I understand"
Florence smiled at Edward as she hid her true feelings from him.
"…"