Chapter 101
By the time the duke's carriage left the Sun Temple after being seen off by the chief priest, it was already time for lunch.
The area around the temple, an upscale shopping district, has many high-class restaurants. As an Imperial Country with a long history, there are a number of long-established restaurants that have been in business for over a hundred years. My grandfather, Sergei, used to patronize one of these old restaurants, and we had lunch there.
We got off the carriage in front of the massive exterior of the restaurant, and Alexei escorted us into the restaurant.
The doorman bowed graciously as he opened the door to reveal a waiting bar with a chic, historical atmosphere. This is where you can enjoy an apéritif while waiting for your table to be set.
(E/N: apéritif - an alcoholic drink taken before a meal to stimulate the appetite)
3rd POV
As Alexei and Ekaterina stepped into the bar, the black-clad manager appeared and bowed to them.
"It's been a long time, Alexei-sama, no, Your Excellency the Duke. It is an honor to have you here." (Moore)
"It has been a long time, Moore, and I am glad to see you are well." (Alexei)
The manager, Moore, a rather small man with natural silver hair and a soft face, looked up at Alexei with a warm gaze, and Alexei replied with nostalgia.
"Moore, this is my sister Ekaterina. This is her first time coming here." (Alexei)
After the introduction, Moore bowed to Ekaterina once again.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ekaterina-sama, I have heard so much about you. You are even more beautiful than what I have ever heard." (Moore)
"Well, you are very good. I've been looking forward to seeing you at grandfather's favorite restaurant." (Ekaterina)
"Thank you. Now, let me show you to your seats." (Moore)
The manager himself led the Duke of Yurinova to the back of the restaurant, and the people waiting at the waiting bar looked at them with envy and admiration.
They were shown to a private room at the far end of the restaurant, where they had been seated since their grandfather's time.
The furnishings were luxurious yet dignified, creating a relaxing atmosphere. It was brightly lit with large windows overlooking a small but beautiful garden with roses and people passing by on the fashionable street. It must be the best seat in the house.
Ekaterina's POV
I had heard in my previous life that in Europe and America, seating in a restaurant is clearly determined by the class of the customers and their patronizing. This may be the case here as well.
However, in my previous life, I was told that in the U.S., the best seats were those that were close to the entrance and can be clearly seen from the outside. Sure enough, different places have different values.
As soon as I settled in my seat, I asked Brother who was sitting across from me.
"Is this your favorite place too, Big Brother?" (Ekaterina)
"No, not since grandfather brought me here a long time ago." (Alexei)
Big Brother was still a student and living in a dormitory, so it was unlikely that he would eat out at a place like this.
"You were still a little boy then, Your Excellency. I'm sure Prince Sergei would be very pleased with how good you've grown." (Moore)
Alexei smiles wryly at Moore's words.
"With how you say those words, it seems that you still treat me like a child." (Alexei)
"The only pleasure an old man can have is to treat a young man like a child. Try it sometime when you are older, my lord."
After saying this in a clear voice, Moore smiled.
"That is what Lord Sergei told me a long time ago. He was a gentle man with a bad temper... When I think about it, at that time, he wasn't even old enough to be considered that old."
The last part was said almost like a murmur.