Ione stared at the mirror, her reflection almost unrecognizable. Beatrice had insisted she put on the estate's official maid uniform.
The dress was black, its fabric smooth and snug, trimmed with crisp white lace that lined the sleeves and hem. A frilled white apron wrapped around her waist, tied neatly in the back with a large bow.
'Why would they make me wear this? A maid uniform? I'm no servant of this house, just a slave… And yet… it looks…'
The skirt flared slightly, swaying just above her knees, and the layered ruffles added a softness that contrasted against her usual ragged clothes. Her gloves—simple black—fit tightly around her slender fingers, making the look almost too proper for someone like her.
Her long red hair, wild and untamed before, now cascaded like silk down her back. She hesitated, then gathered it in her hands, tying it into a high ponytail. The fiery strands framed her face, highlighting her foxlike ears that twitched nervously.
She felt out of place, but she needed to remember one thing.
'I'm still a slave, so even if they treat me badly, I have to hold it in. At least they seem nicer compared to the ones in de Clein… The Young Master too, the way he smiles… seemed a little kind…' She shook her head, trying to stop herself from having pointless thoughts.
She stepped out from the room, each careful step making the skirts rustle faintly.
Beatrice, mid-conversation with the stoic Adrine, turned—and froze. Her hand flew to her mouth, eyes widening.
"Oh, my goodness—!" Her eyes sparkled. "You're adorable! Look at you, Ione, you look like a proper young master's maid already!"
Ione stiffened. Heat rushed to her cheeks, her tails lowering in embarrassment.
'Adorable? She's mocking me, isn't she? There's no way she's saying that to a slave.'
Beatrice, however, wasn't joking. She circled Ione with a teasing grin. "Mm, if the Young Master sees you like this, he might not let you out of his sight."
Ione's ears burned red. "N-no… I—" She looked down, fidgeting with her gloves.
'Why would he even notice me?'
"Come on," Beatrice laughed, tugging her along. "We'll be late if we don't get to the kitchen. We have to see what the new dish, Young Master is making tonight."
"A new dish…? Does he really cook?" Ione blinked, confused. How could a noble cook in his own house? She'd heard rumors that the Ahn family had been declining recently, but surely not so badly they lacked a proper cook?
"I know what you're thinking," Beatrice smiled knowingly. Ione stiffened—she didn't want to make a bad impression on her first day—but Beatrice continued.
"I-I wasn't—"
"It's okay. I know the rumors. But we're not that badly off. We do have a cook—it's just that the Young Master likes to cook himself." Beatrice smiled.
"Recently, he's been spending more and more time in the kitchen. You saw it yourself—he wouldn't have been able to win you if he didn't know how."
Ione remembered. 'Oh… I guess he really did beat the twins.'
"Enough chit-chat, I'm sure he's making something better today too. I can't wait to see!" Beatrice, brimming with excitement, dragged Ione along while Adrine followed quietly into the kitchen.
When they arrived, they found Cook Wood and Haide hovering outside the door, trying to peek in.
"What are you doing, Wood?" Beatrice called out, approaching with Ione and Adrine behind her.
"Oh, Beatrice! When did you arrive—" Wood straightened awkwardly, startled, before his eyes fell on the fox girl behind her.
"We were just waiting for the Young Master to finish what he was making." He pointed to Ione. "And who might this be?"
Beatrice gestured. "This is Ms. Ione Amberfang. The Young Master's maid."
Ione bowed respectfully.
"Oh, welcome to the Ahn family then!" Wood's tone was as energetic as ever.
'The people here are… welcoming,' Ione thought, but then—
A strong, rich aroma spilled out from the kitchen. Its bitterness and warmth all at once, a smell unlike anything she had ever known. She wasn't the only one, everyone smelt the wafting coffee smell.
"Is that… coffee?" Haide muttered, almost entranced.
"Is the young master making something with coffee?" Beatrice asked.
Wood couldn't wait any longer. "Should we just go in? I'm sure the Young Master's finished by now."
No one objected. They opened the kitchen door and stepped in.
Inside, Ji Hoon stood at the counter, sleeves rolled up, a mischievous smile on his face.
"You're just in time," he said warmly. His gaze caught Ione's, and for a moment, he paused. His eyes lit up.
"Oh… you look really nice."
The words hit Ione like a spark. She froze, ears twitching uncontrollably, tails puffing slightly. Her face went crimson.
Wood was already buzzing with curiosity. "Young Master, what have you made today?"
Ji Hoon chuckled at Ione's flustered look before turning back to the table. Six cups were already lined up neatly. There was dark espresso poured into each one, their scent filling the air.
"Is that just coffee…?" Wood tilted his head, a little disappointed. He had expected him to make something new when he was asked to roast and powder the coffee beans, but what could he expect from coffee powder. It's not like his young master is able to make something new always.
But then the aroma struck him—it was far richer than any coffee he had ever smelled.
"...The aroma… it's so pulling."
Ji Hoon lifted a metallic jug with a narrow spout. They leaned closer to see what was inside. Milk? They got confused.
"Watch this."
He picked up one of the espresso cups and carefully tilted the jug. Frothy milk streamed down in a thin ribbon, rippling as it struck the surface. His hand circled, swirling the mixture into a turbulent spiral, before it formed a brown canvas.
With a small spoon, he dropped a creamy blob from the edge circling onto the center, then he used a toothpick and dragged it inward. A cute-like hearts formed spiraling to the center one after the other.
Gasps erupted.
"What in the world—?" Wood's jaw dropped.
"Did… did he just draw that on the coffee?" Beatrice was speechless.
Even Adrine blinked, a faint flicker of surprise in her otherwise calm eyes. Ione's lips parted, breath caught—she had never seen anything like it.
Ji Hoon moved to the next cup, pouring with steady precision. A swirl, a flick of the toothpick, and a bear's face appeared, complete with little ears.
One after another, he decorated the cups—pandas, leaves, intricate spirals—until all six steamed on the counter, each crowned with its own art.
Beatrice leaned forward, eyes wide. "Young Master… it's beautiful! But… what is it?"
"Just coffee," Ji Hoon grinned. "The drawings are just cream and milk mixing with it."
Wood scratched his head. "Just milk and coffee? It looks like magic…"
"Please." Ji Hoon gestured. "Take one."
They each picked up a cup, staring in awe.
Beatrice hesitated at the sight of the cute little panda before her. "How can we possibly drink these? They're too cute!"
"Exactly! These are art pieces!" Wood agreed, shaking his head in disbelief.
Ji Hoon only chuckled. Even in the modern world, people reacted the same way. Latte art always had that strange charm.
Finally, he slid the last cup toward Ione. On the foam sat a small fox, its ears perked and tails curled, just like hers.
Ione froze. "F-for me?"
"Of course." Ji Hoon smiled. "It suits you."
Her hands trembled as she accepted it. The reflection of her own eyes shimmered in the coffee's surface. She couldn't bring herself to drink—not yet. Her heart pounded.
'They're so beautiful…'
Beatrice crossed her arms, pouting with mock jealousy. "Hmph! The fox cup, really? You're spoiling her already, Young Master."
Ji Hoon laughed. Ione ducked her head, flustered, while everyone else chuckled at Beatrice's playful jab.
Ione glanced around at them all. Compared to her time at the de Clein estate, these people seemed genuinely kind. 'Maybe… they really are different.'
"Taste it." Ji Hoon motioned.
They lifted their cups in unison and sipped.
~Sip-Sip~
The warmth coated their tongues first, the frothy cream melting like velvet before the bold bitterness of the espresso surged through. None of them had ever tasted this kind of coffee before—its depth was foreign, smoky, and strangely invigorating. Sweetness lingered from the milk, balancing the sharpness into something harmonious.
Their eyes widened as the flavor spread deeper. For a moment, they were no longer in the kitchen. Beatrice imagined herself standing in a field of golden-brown coffee beans under the sun, the rich aroma washing over her like a tide.
Wood's senses exploded with energy, his spirit feeling sharper, clearer, as though he could cook for hours without tiring. Adrine, usually calm and stoic, blinked rapidly, her ears reddening slightly as warmth spread through her chest. Haide shivered, gripping his cup tighter as if afraid this bliss would vanish if he let go.
Even Ione—she was lost in it. The creamy sweetness hugged her tongue, and the deep bitterness chased it, awakening something restless inside her. Her tails flicked unconsciously, ears twitching. 'This is… so delicious!'
Ji Hoon, watching them, took a sip of his own. He closed his eyes, savoring the taste. The coffee was just as he remembered it, and yet… somehow these were even better.
He didn't know if it was the alchemy's skill or that he shared it with these people. A piece of his old world, reborn in this one. He smiled. He was glad he transmigrated into this body, which made his plan to avenge Cassian even more serious.
At that moment, Haide cleared his throat, breaking the trance. He held out a sealed envelope. "Young Master… the mail from the ICC arrived earlier. Tomorrow is the preliminary round."
Ji Hoon's expression shifted, his smile fading into focus. He set his cup down.
"I see."
Wood straightened, a rare spark of excitement in his eyes. "Are you ready?"
Ji Hoon's lips curved into a confident smile. "Of course."