As the heavy wooden door closed behind them, the thin chime of the brass bell cut through the noise of the cobbled streets outside.
The interior was completely removed from the gloomy, coal-scented air of Sihera. The sharp aroma of freshly ground coffee beans blended with the sweet scent of buttery pastries straight out of the oven. While this provincial branch of Mayard lacked the ostentatious gold leaf of the capital's palace architecture, it possessed an elite warmth with its raw stone walls and dark oak beams.
Akça narrowed her eyes and smiled as she took in the layout of the place and the local nobles whispering around marble tables while spooning down the shop's signature desserts. She experienced the same admiration every time she came here. When Kaahn had first mentioned these food and dessert ideas to her during their early years at the academy, Akça thought he had lost his mind. Yet, she remembered the exact moment she tasted that first plate, the consistency of the syrup, and the texture of the pastry as if it were yesterday; she had been utterly spellbound. Now, seeing those crazy ideas expand across an entire empire filled her with a strange sense of pride.
He really is a total genius, Akça thought to herself, stealing a glance at Kaahn. Or just a lucky guy who has completely lost his mind. But hey, it works, and that's the real madness.
As they moved to one of the secluded tables in the corner, the system that lined up aristocrats behind the counter was working like clockwork. Kaahn left his cloak on the edge of the seat and took a breath of relief. In his daily life, he would completely shed the heavy, sharp ruler aura brought on by the throne struggles. Next to Akça, he was just Kaahn; relaxed, witty, and an insatiable gourmet.
"Finally, a proper chair," Kaahn said, leaning back. His eyes darted straight to the counter. "After that advertising commotion in Muruıre, the tranquility of this place feels like medicine. What do you say, should we order some freshly baked pistachio baklava? Along with a couple of grand portions of revani?"
Akça rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile forming on her face. "Just a moment ago in the carriage, you were talking about establishing a dictatorship, and now your eyes look like they want to plunder the dessert counter. I admire that appetite of yours."
Kaahn leaned back and gave a dismissive wave of his hand, a mischievous smile on his face. "Ruling a state takes energy, Akça, you should know that better than anyone. Besides, baklava isn't just some ordinary dessert; it's pure diplomacy. How quickly have you forgotten the state those snooty nobles fell into just to get one more slice?"
Kaahn chuckled softly, then leaned a bit closer to the table, lowering his voice to a tone only the two of them could hear. "Remember that night in Muruıre... When we were getting the lady out of there and planned to set the warehouse on fire to claim the goods for ourselves, you were the one calling me 'completely insane,' yet you were also the one executing the plan flawlessly. Admit it, when we showed up at her door saying, 'Look, we have a wonderful business idea,' both of our hearts were pounding in our chests."
Meanwhile, Kaahn's inner voice had already dived into the sweet chaos of the past. If Akça hadn't cleaned up after me that night, convincing that noble lady of this crazy franchising system would have been much harder. I'm glad she was by my side.
Just then, a young employee approached the table and bowed slightly. "Welcome, sir. What would you desire?"
Kaahn winked at Akça and turned to the employee. "Bring us two cups of strong fatigue coffee.[1] And add some of the freshest pistachio baklava and revani on the side."
As the boy jotted down the orders and quickly walked away, Akça rested her chin on her hands and looked at Kaahn. "So, what about those special orders you wanted from the blacksmith guild? What are you going to surprise me with this time when we go to the company warehouse?"
Kaahn leaned back as he waited for his coffee, that sly grin playing on his lips. "There's no need to rush, I think. Let the desserts arrive first, we can talk business later."
[1] “Fatigue coffee” is an integral part of traditional Turkish coffee culture and the Turkish concept of hospitality. It is the name given to the frothy coffee drunk after a busy day to shake off fatigue, reflect on the day, and relax the mind.