NOVEL NEXT Chapter 70
Other guild masters are influenced by the merchants, but they still have some degree of independence. Swoosh!
Even if the merchants refuse to trade, it’s still possible to somewhat carve out their own supply of raw materials or sales channels. Wham!
However, the Spice Guild, in particular, can’t help but be swayed by the merchants. Ding ding!
If the Medici Baron Clan’s guild and the three merchant families that monopolize the spice trade join forces and cut off the supply, sugar and pepper will become unavailable. Boom!
In short, they’re cutting off all means of survival. Zing!
Furthermore, the current Medici Baron secretly dislikes Fabio. Grr!
“If I show that kid Fabio a bitter taste, maybe he’ll sell me pepper at a lower price next time.” Snicker!
“Surely, none of the Masters here don’t know Café Medici. I also often go there to enjoy coffee and pastries.” Mmm!
Café Medici is a small social club riding the wave of trends. Woop!
Though they’re not officially nobles, they have some noble-level power and, as they don’t come from the best bloodlines, they have to put on an aristocratic front. Uh-oh!
They even feel inferiority towards blue bloods who were simply born lucky. Sad trombone!
“They can’t fall behind the aristocrats in culture.” Hmm…
So, even though they’re clueless about various performances, plays, literature, and arts, they throw their support all over the place. Splat!
Visiting Fabio’s Cafe is not just a matter of preference but a necessity for survival. Zing!
“Fabio is a major player for our Spice Guild. He buys dozens of tons of sugar every month. I think everyone understands why.” Aha!
At Café Medici, they do not skimp on sugar when making desserts. Sweet!
They pour sugar excessively into cakes, cookies, tarts, and donuts, so nobles tasting dishes sprinkled with pepper or with fried chicken cooked in pepper instead of flour will be left impressed. Wowza!
Moreover, it’s no exaggeration to say that in Florence, where grand feasts are held almost daily, ‘Fabio’s Desserts’ are a must-have. Applause!
Every day, thousands, no, over ten thousand servings of desserts are sold. Cha-ching!
Nobles may not know, but this is common knowledge even for guild masters. Nod nod!
“We, the Spice Guild, plan to sell no sugar to Medici Young Baron from now on. I intend to issue orders to the Spice Guilds in other cities as well.” Ominous music!
At this declaration, the guild masters present started to applaud. Clap clap!
This should strike a powerful blow without provoking the Emperor behind Fabio or Duke Visconti. Bam!
Moreover, this will undoubtedly be a lethal blow… Gasp!
“A merchant’s life depends on trust and consistent sales; cutting off the sugar supply means the dessert sales would stop?” Uh-oh!
Even if sugar supply resumes and business restarts later, they’ll be stuck competing against latecomers. Yikes!
They’ll never regain their absolute No. 1 position in desserts. Whoa there!
However, what hurts Fabio the most will be… Dun dun dun!
“A merchant has to keep promises and transactions, no matter the reason. Otherwise, trust diminishes. Haven’t we all suffered losses and cried about it before?” Wail!
Even if it means a loss of hundreds, perhaps thousands of gold coins, trust must be upheld. Bzzz-t!
Because with time, it can overcome the lost money. Tick tock!
“Money can be earned again, but regaining lost trust takes much longer.” Sigh!
“If a young man loses trust once, it won’t be easy for him to bounce back.” Facepalm!
The guild masters here did not think Fabio would fall this easily. Heh!
If it were a capable young man, perhaps, but Medici Young Baron is a monster entirely different in skill. Gulp!
“There’s no way he’ll die from just this.” Nay!
“I won’t deny that he’s talented. But once he gets hit, he’ll appreciate our kindness and bow his head voluntarily. Just like a wild horse can be tamed with a proper beat.” Smack!
A smile crept onto the face of the Spice Guild Master. Grin!
If he succeeds in striking a fatal blow to Fabio this time… Dum dum dum!
His standing within this guild master meeting would rise drastically. Woo hoo!
It’s a dreamlike story, but if he has the support of all the guild masters present, he might even become the vice-chairman of the city council. Ta-da!
“Becoming the vice-chairman of the city council means a hereditary knight title will be conferred. He’ll become a noble.” Wowawiwa!
An active guild master reaching that point? Shocked!
Then he can pass on the Guild Master position to his son. Wow!
Moreover, gaining favor from the Medici Baron, one of the major players in the spice guild, means he can buy spices at a discount and still make a profit. Cha-cha-ching!
“Such a mouth-watering situation.” Drool!
“If everyone agrees, please raise your hands.” Whoosh!
All the guild masters present raised their hands high. Yesss!
“We will direct the Spice Guilds in Florence, and further, throughout the Toscan Empire, to cut off the sugar supply within a week.” Clash!
The Spice Guild Master couldn’t sleep that night. Ugh!
“No matter how brilliant a genius, how can he beat the alliance of guild masters?” Hmm?
I was walking down the streets of Florence to inspect Café Medici for the first time in a while. Strut strut!
Sure, a carriage is faster, but it’s not like I’m in a hurry. Swoosh!
“Today, I just need to finish this.” Chill!
When work piles up, it comes in droves, but when it’s quiet, it’s absolutely dreary. Snooze!
It’s not even 10 AM yet, but my work for the day is almost done. Wowee!
I should be done before lunch. Pretty good!
“I’m really glad I can spend the whole day with my Young Lord. If we had a bit more time, we could’ve visited a nearby hill, but today, I’ll give you a nice massage I learned from the head maid.” Squee!
I can already imagine what will happen after the massage. Heh!
While I was walking slowly and chatting, a cat appeared before me. Meow!
An unusually cute brown kitten. Aww!
Without thinking, I reached out to pet the cat. Pat pat!
“It’s so cute! Should we keep one, Chloe?” Aw shucks!
I’m not one to take care of such things myself, but I can have another servant do it. Voila!
We can take care of it with our spare time. Yay!
“I’m against keeping a cat.” Frown!
Unexpectedly, Chloe, who likes cute clothes with lace and frills, surprisingly said no to raising a kitten. Huh?
Why is she against it? Baffled!
Ah, maybe she thinks a cat is a life of its own and shouldn’t be kept carelessly. Hmm!
“When we’re both busy, we can have another maid or butler take care of it.” Duh!
Chloe shook her head. No way!
Then she stuttered a bit before presenting her reason. Uh-oh!
“I want you to only spoil me, Young Lord. If you smile and pet a kitten in front of me, I think I’ll get jealous.” Jealousy strikes!
If the guards weren’t around, I would’ve pinched her cheek and teased her right then. Boop!
There’s no one else around, but with eyes upon us, I regrettably held back. Sigh!
Still, seeing Chloe getting jealous over a kitten is enough for me. Tehe!
I could always go back to my room and have a good laugh about it. Hehe!
Lost in happy thoughts, I noticed Chloe’s face turning bright red as she clenched her fist. Whaaat?
Has she made some sort of resolution? Hmm…
With her fist slightly clenched, she flicked her wrist. Swish!
What I taught her was definitely not this, but her action reminded me of the cat-eared maids I often see in maid cafes. Kawaii!
“Only Chloe is allowed to be spoiled by you, Young Master.” Pout!
Chloe averted her eyes from me, probably feeling shy. Aw shucks!
But it’s too late now. Oof!
She kept pushing her point further. Poke!
“Even though I’m not a cat, you can treat me like one and spoil me just the same. If that’s what you want, Young Lord, I may feel a bit shy, but I’ll try my best.” Giggle!
I’m not feeling sorry for her anymore. Gulp!
Suddenly, I felt blood rush to my face. Thump thump!
Chloe, with nothing on, is in my room, exposing her belly, acting all cute? Blushing intensifies!
‘Even Buddha wouldn’t be able to resist this.’ Heavenly choir!
She leaned closer and whispered in my ear. Whisper!
“I hope you’ll treat me as cutely as you would a kitten, Young Lord.” Flutter!
At that moment, all thoughts of keeping a cat vanished from my mind. Poof!
Why would I need a cat? Duh!
When you think about it, having a cat seems rather inefficient with time. Uh-huh!
It’s not like I changed my mind because of Chloe’s cuteness. Innocent!
‘I’m not that wishy-washy.’ Determined!
I quickened my pace. Zoom!
I need to finish work quickly so I can focus on resting today. Ahhhh!
As I entered Café Medici, Antonio greeted me warmly. Welcome!
“Today, I’ll specially serve you in that room.” Ominous!
Our cafe has a separate room to distinguish it from others. VIP!
The fees are ridiculously high, but it guarantees privacy for nobles who wish to discuss secret matters or for lovers engaged in somewhat extreme affection. Shh!
Though, they can’t go too far in there… Tread carefully!
“Sure, I’ll have an espresso.” Sip!
“Yes, understood.” Nod!
Antonio ordered a shot of espresso, an Americano, and cookies for me. Delicious!
When the food arrived and the door was locked, he spoke seriously. Gulp!
“The Spice Guild members have cut off the sugar supply.” Gasp!
…I was supposed to do cat play with Chloe today! Who dares touch us? Rage!
That daring scoundrel, seriously! Fury!