New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 139: TROUBLE IN THE VANILLA COURTYARD

Chapter 139: TROUBLE IN THE VANILLA COURTYARD

"Yes, I’m Leif." The boy nodded.

The name sparked in Aristia’s mind for some reason, and she became a bit disoriented.

Adeline immediately noticed a problem and moved closer to her with worry, wondering why it was taking her so long to respond.

Finally Aristia responded, passing a reassuring glance at Adeline.

"I’m... Aris," it was a bit difficult for the words to leave her mouth. She nodded politely and turned around to leave.

[What was that?] She thought, confused.

Leif didn’t seem to notice anything odd. "I know. Leila keeps talking about you."

[Huh?] Aristia was confused for a moment before she realized that Leif was responding to her introduction.

She was a bit surprised. She stopped walking and turned to him. "She does? But we’ve only met once..." She trailed off, incredulous.

"Yes..." Leif nodded and bit the inside of his cheek. That was the same thing he had said too. "Thank you again for what you did for Dorothy."

His eyes narrowed, gazing at her from top to bottom again as if assessing her. He could guess that she was wealthy, even though she was putting on regular commoner clothes, and the young lady beside her was probably her servant. Leif had a weird feeling about her.

There was nothing else to say.

Aristia nodded at him again and moved to leave the house with Adeline in tow.

Leif followed them to the door but didn’t go outside. "Goodbye, Aris."

"... Goodbye." Aristia replied.

Outside the house, Aristia turned around and gave the building one last look but Leif was no longer standing there, leaving the doorway empty. She made a decision.

They turned to leave but were surprised by Leilani rushing towards them. Specifically, to Aristia.

She stopped herself just in time before she crashed into Aristia, huffing lightly and breathing deeply. She seemed to have just run quickly over from the other side when she caught sight of Aristia leaving.

Finally, she raised her head and looked up at Aristia.

"You’re leaving already?" She pouted. Aris had just come to see Dorothy and was already leaving?

"Yes. I have to return home." Aristia replied simply.

"Oh... Okay, then come to visit sometimes." Leilani proposed instead, compromising.

Aristia just nodded, "I’ll see if I can."

"Then goodbye, Aris." Leilani waved, smiling brightly.

Aristia could only wave back.

"Leila! Come quickly! I’ll squeeze your flowers." A childish boyish voice called out to Leilani, grabbing their attention.

They turned to see a little boy around their age holding flowers in his hand while a girl tried to grab it.

Leilani’s eyes widened. "No! Not my flowers!" She turned and run towards the boy.

Aristia smiled. Leilani was adorable.

She and Adeline left soon after.

"Should I find a carriage, young miss?" Adeline asked when they left the street Dahlia’s house was on.

"No need for that. Let’s just look around."

[Leif... Why do I feel like that name is familiar?] She thought. It didn’t make sense. She was sure this was the first time she’d ever met the boy, or anyone with that name.

She pushed the thought to the back of her mind. [Maybe I’m just overthinking things.]

She focused on her surroundings.

A small sigh escaped her lips. [Sometimes I get really bored.] She thought as she and Adeline walked around the streets of the capital.

The snow had long melted and warmness had begun to spread as the residents of the capital welcomed the season of spring.

People could be seen outside their homes going about their daily activities.

Aristia and Adeline had been walking around for quite some time, taking in the fresh spring air and watching the flowers in bloom.

Aristia remembered that there would soon be a Spring Festival in the capital.

This was the month of spring. Amberale’s ’Flower Season’.

Finally, the girl and teenager took a carriage ride and ended up in the middle of the capital, right in front of The Vanilla Courtyard. There was no way they could just walk to the restaurant. The distance between the Kendall sisters’ home and The Vanilla Courtyard was a bit wide.

The outside lights weren’t on in the restaurant as it was still bright in the late afternoon, but the inside lights were on.

Aristia turned to Adeline. "Let’s go inside, Linny. We can have an early dinner and see Dahlia."

"Okay." Adeline nodded in acceptance.

They entered the restaurant and chose a table where they could have a clear view of what was happening in the restaurant. The tables were filled with people having lunch, mostly families.

Aristia didn’t head up the stairs to the Aristocrats’ section on the first floor because she was dressed as a commoner, instead she remained on the ground floor.

A server soon approached their table not long after they had taken their seats.

"Goodday. What would you like to order?" She asked politely, waiting patiently for them to decide.

Adeline waited for Aristia to order before she ordered.

"Your food will be ready soon." The server left.

Her attitude was polite. Aristia nodded in satisfaction and continued to watch the attitude of the other servers.

"The servers have good working attitude." She muttered, "They’re polite and respectful."

The food soon arrived not long after.

"Mm." Aristia licked her lips and started to eat her steaming bowl of noodles. The restaurant now served different types of noodles. Aristia had compiled several recipes into a book and handed it to Charles and Mary Lambert; the head cooks. The couple was truly very talented when it came to making cuisines.

Charles was also trying new recipes with her permission.

"Eat, Adeline." Aristia looked up at Adeline who was just staring looking around the restaurant.

"Ah, yes." Adeline picked up her fork and started to eat.

She had just finished the last remaining noodles in the bowl when she heard footsteps approaching. She looked in the direction only to see Dahlia approaching.

"Miss Aris, miss Adeline," Dahlia stopped in front of her table, seeing that they were done with their meal, she said. "Please, come with me."

Aristia nodded and followed. They climbed the stairs to the second floor where the private rooms and the Manager’s office were in.

They entered Dahlia’s office and Dahlia closed the door behind her. "Goodday, your Highness, please sit down." She pointed at the desk.

After Aristia had sat down, Dahlia put her hands together and bowed. "Thank you for visiting Dorothy, your Highness. And for purchasing medication and contacting a physician."

"How did you know?" Aristia asked.

"Sir Owen told me you were going to visit. And Leif, Leilani’s older brother, told me about the medication and physician. He left just minutes ago." Dahlia replied.

"Okay." Aristia nodded. It seemed Leif had left the house after them when they decided to stroll around the streets. She looked back at Dahlia.

"But that’s not what I was asking. I meant how did you know I was in the restaurant?"

Dahlia showed a look of realisation and answered. "Sir Owen also said you’d be coming to the restaurant, so I was already expecting you."

"I see." She stood up. "I will head to my office. Linny?" Aristia called.

Together, they left Dahlia’s office and headed up the lift towards her office.

Once there, she went into her secret apartment and entered her bedroom. Then she changed her clothes into those befitting nobility.

"Now we can monitor the situation on the first floor." She explained.

They returned downstairs. There were aristocrats and wealthy people on the first floor having meals. Aristia could even see some foreign guests.

She chose a seat and sat down and immediately she did, a female server approached her and bowed, feeling a bit surprised that she was here alone.

"Greetings, your Highness the third princess. Your appetizer will be arriving soon. May I have your order?"

There was always a server assigned to each table, but the servers were rotated, so a server could serve at a table today, but serve at the next table tomorrow.

Aristia randomly ordered a light meal, "Skip the appetizer. I’ll have mashed potatoes for the main course served with a side dish of roasted beef and Brunswick stew, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. For the drink, I’ll have a glass of apple juice."

She had already eaten downstairs so she didn’t order too much. She just had to have a reason to be there and look around.

Though she had the feeling that if she did sit there and do nothing but look around, no one would ask or say a thing.

She looked at Adeline, "You won’t order?"

"No, princess. I’m fine." Adeline declined.

"Okay," Aristia nodded and turned to the server. "I’ll just have that."

The server was surprised when Aristia didn’t take a look at the menu to order. She quickly got over her surprised, bowed and left.

After the meal was served, Aristia started eating, with the server standing at her side.

The server’s job was to serve her till she was done eating. That was why they were paid higher than the servers on the first floor.

She ate the last bite in silence, even though the restaurant was filled with the low buzzing sound of people chatting.

[Everything is going well here.] She was about to wipe her mouth and get up when all of a sudden,

"Pah!

"Ah!"

Her head swerved in the direction of the sound.