In the banquet hall of the Medici family, one dish caught everyone’s attention.

    A cake adorned with pure white whipped cream and vibrant, jewel-like fruits.

    Naturally, the nobles’ interest was entirely focused on this unique dessert.

    “Has there ever been a dessert like this in the Tosca Empire?”

    Being unfamiliar, they assumed it must be some kind of exotic Eastern delicacy.

    “The Bread Guild doesn’t make anything like that. Could it have come from the East?”

    “But it fits so well with the other dishes in the banquet.”

    They were both intrigued and cautious.

    “To come up with something this new, they must have hired a genius chef. The new Medici Baron isn’t ordinary.”

    Just as curiosity was heating up, Albert, the new Medici Baron, entered.

    Thanks to the new dessert, the atmosphere was relatively bright.

    It wasn’t exactly lively, but curiosity was in the air, and so was a sense of heightened expectations for him.

    ‘Fabio’s new dessert is already receiving such high praise.’

    “This is a new dessert our family has created, a cake. We will serve it as the final course of today’s banquet.”

    Nobles from families friendly with the Medicis congratulated Albert on his succession and exchanged small talk.

    In doing so, they subtly revealed their curiosity about the cake.

    “I wonder what this new dessert from the Medici Baron will taste like.”@@@@

    As a result, the banquet meal was served a bit earlier than usual.

    Dishes like peppered tenderloin steak, pasta laden with cheese, and other dishes coated in spices like cloves and nutmeg.

    They were more about flaunting wealth than flavor.

    Most of the dishes fit the banquet of nobility perfectly but were, honestly, just expensive.

    “And now, for today’s dessert: cake.”

    Would something that looks this good also taste good?

    The nobles swallowed instinctively.

    “I’m looking forward to seeing what this new Medici dessert tastes like.”

    “I was getting bored of the same old dishes every time.”

    Nobles are incredibly sensitive to trends.

    Failing to keep up with changing fashions could mean political downfall.

    Decline often leads to ruin or even death.

    So, if they don’t adapt to something new, it could be the end for them. The question is, should they accept this unfamiliar dish?

    “Please, enjoy.”

    They swallowed again as they gazed at the cake, each piece carefully plated.

    It looked like a work of art, with glistening red strawberries atop the white whipped cream.

    The cake’s true worth became apparent the moment they tasted it.

    “The whipped cream melts sweetly, like snow.”

    “What a delicious dessert. Truly worthy of the Medici name.”

    “This is bound to start a trend.”

    The other banquet dishes served only to showcase wealth, and many nobles felt it wasn’t even worth eating.

    But the cake had just the right amount of sweetness, not too overpowering, and the strawberries’ fresh tanginess was perfectly balanced.

    It was so good that they already wanted to have it again the next day.

    Some nobles even let their guard down in front of the Medici Baron.

    “Baron Medici, could I have another slice? It’s truly delicious.”

    “Your steps seem bolder.”

    Father smiled the moment he saw me.

    It’s only natural he’d be pleased to see his child achieving results to be proud of at such a young age.

    With a smile, he pushed a basket on his desk toward me.

    The basket was full of letters from nobles.

    “I’ve heard from Sebastian, so I won’t belabor it. You did well. Thanks to you, Albert was able to hold his head high.”

    To nobles, banquets are wars where lives are on the line.

    Of those, weddings, funerals, and the first banquet held after assuming lordship are particularly important.

    ‘The debut banquet is a moment where a noble’s capabilities are assessed.’

    Father’s praise was soon followed by a sigh.

    “You’re standing out even in a humble trade. It makes me think you could have a stellar career as an officer or official. But since you’ve kept your promise, I won’t force you.”

    “Thank you.”

    “If you’re serious about business, you’ll need seed money. How much will you need?”

    The more initial capital, the better.

    But there’s no point in speaking too broadly to a noble who’s survived lifelong political battles.

    “One suitable shop in Vecchio Street, a skilled pa?tissier, and fifty gold coins.”

    I can’t precisely convert a gold coin into Korean won.

    That’s because the nominal value of currency in this era differs vastly from 21st-century Korea.

    But, based on the Tosca Empire’s standards...

    Fifty gold coins would buy you a middle-class home in the capital.

    “You’re asking for quite a bit.”

    “I believe what I’ve done is worth that much. And I’ll return the favor with political gains.”

    It may seem excessive to ask for the equivalent of a small apartment for a single new cake...

    But what I’ve done is worth at least that much.

    I’ve proven that the Medici family won’t have uncertainties in its leadership succession, and I’ve raised the family’s prestige.

    “What do you intend to do?”

    “I want to create a space where people can chat over cakes, pastries, and tea.”

    Introducing new pastries or cakes every few months in a world that doesn’t have them will quickly turn it into a trendsetting hotspot.

    Nobles are thirsty for anything new in this stagnant environment.

    Once at the center of trends, the cafe? will become a hub for political and economic influence.

    “Even though you’ve made a name for yourself with your cake, Fabio de Medici, that alone won’t be enough to attract people.”

    Currently, I’m just the second son of a barony who invented a new dessert.

    I’m not exactly unknown.

    But people won’t flock to the cafe? just for my name.

    So, I’ll use another strategy.

    “I’ll use the cake’s reputation to attract courtesans.”

    Courtesans, the empire’s equivalent of Korea’s geishas or idols.

    As idols, they heavily influence trends across the empire.

    Why? Because they’re stunningly beautiful.

    And if beautiful women—idols, no less—frequent the cafe?, there’s no way it could fail.

    “Just by giving them free cakes and pastries, they’ll line up to come.”

    Father picked up a pen and quickly wrote an order and a check.

    “You’ve proven your worth, so do as you please. Even if you fail, I won’t hold it against you.”