Chapter 3
The courtesans of Joseon and the courtesans of this world were different from the start.
It wasn't simply a matter of free citizens versus slaves; many courtesans here were from noble families.
They were women who had missed their short window for marriage or those whose families had fallen from grace.
They possessed knowledge and refinement from being educated as noble ladies from birth.
With their innate lineage and a will to live life actively.
Women with all these qualities were qualified to become everyone's favorite.
Especially in this continent where it was considered virtuous for a man to keep several such courtesans or take them as concubines, in addition to the main wife.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Fabio de Medici, second son of the Medici baron family. It's truly an honor to meet someone as beautiful as you."
This was the common greeting any noble would give a lady.
However, for now, it didn’t contain a single lie.
The person before me had looks that could easily rival Hollywood actresses in movies.
'Is this what they call a feast for the eyes?'
"It's nice to meet you."
Though her words were polite, her attitude seemed to look down on me, but I had no reason to feel bad.
As the courtesan of Count Beauvais, my father's lord, her social status might be unknown, but in terms of power alone, she was clearly above me, the mere second son of a baron family without a title.
"I've been indebted to the former Baron Medici for a while, so I'm glad to have this opportunity to repay the favor."
She unconsciously gave a smile that could bewitch people.
Her smiling face was like a living photo spread.
No wonder men went crazy for courtesans.
"And I've been quite interested in you, young master."
"In what way?"
Her gaze lingered on the refreshments placed before us.
White cream cake and fragrant black tea.
"Although it's just a dessert, it swept through trends as soon as it was created. Thanks to that, you've become quite famous in social circles, young master."
In the 21st century, you couldn't become a member of parliament just by leading trends in Korea, or even the world.
But in this era, power was divided according to reputation among nobles...
Just leading trends could be considered overcoming a major obstacle necessary for advancement.
‘To think I'd be evaluated this highly just for making one cake.’
"I'm truly grateful that you think so highly of someone as inexperienced as me, madam. By the way, I came here because I have a special favor to ask."
"Yes, please speak freely. I'll introduce you to a suitable companion."
For unmarried nobles in the Tuscan Empire, it was common sense to bring along a courtesan when making their debut in social circles.
Well, in romance fantasy web novels, they might bring their lawful wife, but...
Because couples married for political reasons often didn't get along well, unless it's a very formal occasion, even married men often brought courtesans as partners.
It's more comfortable for men to go with a beautiful, cultured, and obedient woman.
By 21st century standards, it might be incomprehensible to cheat on one's wife, but what could you do?
In a world where everyone has only one eye, a person with both eyes is considered abnormal.
"That's not it, I came to get some help with my business."
"Do you want me to arrange meetings with other nobles or merchants?"
The courtesan before me had the ability to introduce other people.
But if I wanted to ask for that, I would have asked my father.
"That's not it. I'm planning to open a cafe, a restaurant that sells the cakes and tea I make. I just need you to introduce my shop to the courtesans you know and hint that they should come often. That is all."
She tilted her head after hearing my request.
"Is that all you need me to do?"
From ancient times to the modern day, beautiful women have wielded absolute power.
A wise person even said, 'Cuteness is justice.'
In other words, just as in the 21st century, clothes worn by girls or items they used on social media sold out instantly or became trendy.
In the Tuscan Empire too, the places where these beauties gather would lead the flow and trends.
"I'll provide free cake and tea at the cafe to those introduced by you, madam. And I'll also give them cake when they leave the shop."
It was difficult to directly compare prices between 21st century Korea and the Tuscan Empire.
But if we had to compare, a slice of cake would feel like it costs at least 30,000 to 50,000 won.
It's a crazy act of giving away 100,000 won per customer, but...
The effect would be greater than the investment.
Our cafe would definitely become trendy.
The courtesan of Count Beauvais before me smiled with her eyes after hearing my words.
"Alright. And considering your sincerity, I'll bestow one more favor. After you open the cafe, bring cakes to the tea party I host every Saturday."
Although it was called a tea party, 5-7 people would come, so it would be a considerable expense, but...
It would definitely have a promotional effect greater than the investment.
No, to be honest, it's like an unexpected windfall.
"Thank you."
**
A cafe is all about ambience.
More accurately, a cafe could be seen as a place where people consume ambience and atmosphere.
People used cafes to buy the experience of savoring the aroma of coffee in a pretty shop.
Therefore, if you wish to succeed with a cafe, it must be visually appealing and beautiful.
"You can't work in our shop."
The man who heard those words opened his eyes wide and protested.
"But, until just a few months ago, I was the head waiter at The Twilight Evening. Wouldn't I be sufficiently helpful in this place called a cafe?"
If I were hiring based on ability alone, I would have certainly hired this man.
The Twilight Evening was a restaurant frequented even by high-ranking nobles with titles.
The skill level required of employees there would have been high.
And he was the head waiter? No need to say more.
However, there was something more important than ability in our shop.
"I'm not disregarding that experience. But the most important condition we look at when hiring staff for our shop is 'appearance'."
They said that in places like cafes and PC rooms, hiring pretty female part-timers could make a 2-3 times difference in sales.
Wouldn't people of this era, especially nobles, be the same?
I thought even pretty part-timers wouldn't be enough, so I'm even providing free meals to courtesans.
This fellow's appearance didn't match our cafe's vibe.
"Otherwise, do you think I'd be crazy enough to pay three times the salary of other shop employees?"
I feel a bit guilty about doing the same unfair things I experienced when looking for part-time jobs in Korea.
But did conscience put food on the table?
It was not like I was backstabbing anyone, so there was no reason to feel bad.
The man before me walked away dejectedly after hearing my words.
"Thanks to hiring staff based only on looks, it's really pleasing to the eye."
The men wearing suits like butlers were quite handsome even to my eyes, and the women in maid uniforms even brightened up their surroundings.
On top of that, even the furniture, floor, wallpaper, dishes, and so on placed in the shop were pleasing to the eye.
Thanks to paying a lot of attention, without exaggeration, it looked like a scene extracted from a romance fantasy.
"Add to this desserts and tea that women go crazy for? It can't help but become a mecca of trends."
Once rumors begin to spread not long after opening, it’s going to be wild.
Nobles who didn't even have the concept of patent rights would surely try to imitate our cafe.
They're the kind who couldn't stand not having something others had.
And they're people who would do anything if it made money.
The grandfather clock, I bought at great expense to create the cafe atmosphere and check the time, rang.
"Is it time to open?"
Although it was just a temporary opening since staff training wasn't finished yet. In a sense, it could be called a practice run.
The staff, who received intensive training lured by high wages, quickly moved to their positions and prepared for the opening.
As soon as the shop opened, several beautiful women wearing fancy dresses for going out arrived at the shop.
"Welcome."
A male employee in a suit quickly approached to greet them.
When he greeted them with a smile, smiles appeared on the beauties' faces.
As expected, being handsome and pretty is the best.
"I'll guide you to the terrace area."
The male employee guiding them was actually just an ordinary citizen hired based only on face and height.
But perhaps thanks to the power of crash training, his movements exuded dignity no less than a butler from any family.
Though of course, it couldn't compare to the real thing.
"What would you like to order from the menu?"
After taking the order, the employee left, and the courtesans began to chat.
Talk about the cafe, what happened yesterday, which clothes were pretty, and so on...
And the gazes of nobles and passersby lingered on them.
Though the forms were different, generally feelings of admiration and slight envy could be felt.
Some young ladies tried to step in directly after seeing the cafe's sign, but...
"I'm sorry, young ladies. We're not officially open yet, so only guests specially invited by Young Master Fabio in advance can use the cafe."
The young ladies looked like they were about to protest, but...
Seeing the men's plausible faces, they nodded in understanding.
"We'll officially open the day after tomorrow, so please do visit us then, young ladies."
To exaggerate a bit, over the course of today, the number of young ladies who said they would definitely come exceeded a truckload.
The success was already as good as decided.