RP: Haebaragi_syk

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Chapter 14.1

Claude, who had been listening to the conversation, raised the cup of coffee that April had poured earlier and drank the now-cold coffee in one gulp.

“You’ll see if it works or not tonight, whether your coffee has any effect or not. Don’t you think?”

“But if it’s because of something else…”

“For your information, I haven’t eaten anything else besides this coffee today. It was the same the day before as well. Just to be sure, I only drank water yesterday, but it had no effect.”

“….”

April’s mind was complicated. Perhaps Claude beckoned to his subordinates to consider her feelings.

“Then, I’ll take my leave for now. I’ll come back tomorrow.”

After that, she was so preoccupied that she couldn’t even remember how she ran the cafe.

‘What if it’s really because of me?’

Despite her desire to deny it, April couldn’t help but entertain the possibility that she might be the one who cured Claude’s insomnia. After all, it was April who achieved that feat in the original story, so although she wanted to consider other possibilities, her thoughts kept circling back to this.

‘Should I run away…?’

April spent a sleepless night, seriously contemplating running away, but she eventually gave up the notion. Judging by Lloyd and Claude’s reactions, they would find her no matter what. In the end, after staying up all night with wide-open eyes, she greeted Claude and his party the next day with a weary expression.

Unlike her, who had dark circles under her eyes, he seemed strangely more energetic than yesterday.

“As expected, it’s your coffee.”

“….”

Feeling like she wanted to cry, April tightly closed her eyes as Claude continued his words.

“I was able to fall asleep yesterday after drinking your coffee. Do you believe me now?”

“Is that really true?”

He didn’t answer, but his silence was an affirmation.

Realizing that she couldn’t avoid the situation any longer, April reluctantly offered them a seat, feeling as if she was swallowing mustard. It was only after serving each of them a cup of coffee that she opened her mouth firmly.

“If it’s about yesterday’s proposal, I decline.”

As if he had expected that response, Claude replied quickly.

“I’ll give you three hundred gold as your monthly salary.”

Roughly converting the cost of living in this world into Korean money, one gold was worth about one hundred thousand won. It meant that just by brewing a cup of coffee every day, she would be earning a monthly salary of thirty million won.

April gulped nervously.

‘In the original story, Irene, the heroine, resolved Claude’s insomnia.’

The original female lead, Irene, was also a white attribute wizard. It was the reason why the original title was ⎾ Irene of the White, ⏌ and the story revolved around Claude meeting her and falling deeply in love with her.

‘How much longer until Irene appears?’

Since she would appear after April’s death, it should be around at least a year… and even just one year would be three hundred million gold.

As she hesitated, Claude casually tapped the table with his fingertips and added.

“In addition, I’ll give you an additional one hundred gold per month for the cost of keeping the secret.”

Perk, perk.

April’s ears perked up like a puppy excited to go for a walk as Claude leaned towards her and whispered.

“Is it not enough? Then, how about another two hundred gold on top of that?”
[ T/N: LOL we love rich and generous male leads [̲̅$̲̅(̲̅ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°̲̅)̲̅$̲̅] ]

Seeing her hesitation, he swiftly added.

…Six hundred million a year. It meant that she would be able to open a prosperous cafe in the capital. Not just that! She could even buy a luxurious house!

“But…”

Even so, April hesitated. She had a different dream in her heart.

“My dream is to open a cafe, not to be a full-time barista. I want to share my coffee with as many people as possible.”

“If that’s the case, you should have told me earlier.”

Claude smirked.

“In that case, I’ll set up a cafe for you in the capital.”

“…Yes?”

“While working at the cafe, all I need you to do is make me a cup of coffee before I go to sleep.  All expenses for the cafe will be covered by the Winterville family, and the profits from the café are entirely yours.”

Six hundred million a year, plus an additional offer—!

Claude emphasized.

“Of course, the registered owner of the cafe will be you, April.”

And it would be a cafe in the capital! Still, no, no, no… why not! It would take at least five hundred million for the cafe!

Closing her eyes tightly, she exclaimed.

“I’ll do it!”

She would do this even if there were a risk of dying. The conditions were just too significant to refuse!

Meanwhile, Claude raised one corner of his mouth and smiled.

“I’ll make sure you don’t regret that decision.”

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