The sun blinked lazily over the café's ivy-strewn rooftop, casting golden halos around hanging herbs and wind-chimes shaped like coffee spoons. The day was oddly quiet. No magical oaks growing from beans. No flying frogs. No Percy the parrot yelling about invisible hats.
Instead, a mysterious sign hung on the café's front door.
"Closed Today — It's Rosemary Day. –Sabel"
Inside, chaos brewed.
Rosemary stood at the center of the main room, arms crossed, apron spotless, a twitch in her eye. "What in the seven roasted beans is Rosemary Day?"
Behind the counter, Sabel grinned with hands on hips. "It's your day, obviously! You're the heart, the muscle, and the terrifying voice that keeps us alive. You deserve... pampering."
Rosemary squinted. "Pampering?"
"Yep," Sabel said. "You're banned from lifting trays, scolding, organizing spices, or threatening me with hot water. Today, we serve you."
"I don't like this," she muttered.
Phase One: The Ceremony of Sitting StillThey set up a plush velvet chair in the middle of the café, right under a handmade banner that read: ROSEMARY RULES (but also relaxes).
"I made it with illusion magic and recycled coffee filters," Sabel beamed.
Percy the parrot landed on her shoulder wearing a tiara. "All rise for Her Majesty, Lady of Lattes, Duchess of Decaf!"
"Stop it," Rosemary barked—but sat anyway, reluctantly smirking.
Malaki marched in next, balancing a plate of lopsided cookies. "I baked these. Don't ask what's in them. Just... chew carefully."
A nearby cookie twitched.
Rosemary eyed it. "I'm touched. Also mildly afraid."
Phase Two: Entertain the QueenSabel put on a one-man play reenacting the first day Rosemary hired him. He performed all the characters, including a mop with googly eyes that somehow won a dramatic monologue award.
Everyone laughed. Rosemary tried not to.
"You're all ridiculous," she said, cheeks warm.
"Correction," Percy said, "we're ridiculous for you."
Phase Three: The GiftSabel disappeared for an hour. Everyone panicked.
"Did he fall in a bean barrel again?" Malaki whispered.
"No," said Rosemary, "that usually smells louder."
Finally, the door flew open.
Sabel marched in, covered in dirt, hair wild, carrying a clunky wooden box.
"I dug this up from under the old well," he said. "Legend says it was an ancient barista's secret stash."
He opened it with dramatic flair.
Inside: a single, dusty cup... shaped like a cabbage.
There was silence.
Percy landed on the box. "This is... hideous."
"I love it," Rosemary said, laughing full-heartedly. "It's awful."
Sabel winked. "Perfect for tea that bites back."
EveningAs the sun dipped, the staff gathered on the rooftop, sipping sweetened rose-chili tea from mismatched cups. Lights twinkled above them. Wind rustled the leaves.
Sabel yawned, leaning against the bannister. "So? Did you hate it?"
Rosemary looked at the star-studded sky. "I hate how much I didn't hate it."
Then she flicked his forehead. "But tomorrow, you're scrubbing every dish in this building."
Sabel grinned. "Totally worth it."
Percy burped. "That tea bit me. I think I'm dating it now."
Everyone groaned. Rosemary laughed.
And for once, the café felt peaceful.