With the help of Gilbert and the merchants, the exterior of the inn had been tidied up quite nicely. The screeching door had been oiled to open smoothly, and the shattered window panes were replaced with fresh glass. Now, to anyone passing by, it looked less like a haunted ruin and more like a proper establishment.
Of course, that didn't mean customers were just going to start flocking in.
I hadn't even finalized a menu yet, nor had I officially opened for business. I had several dishes in mind, but I couldn't help but worry. Would they actually work in this strange world?
Just then, Ding~, the bell chimed.
It was a small bell the fruit merchant had hung up for me.
“…A customer?”
I instinctively pulled myself up, only to see Gilbert strolling in, waving a hand lazily.
“I’m here.”
I purposefully snapped back with a grumpy tone.
“Are you here to act like the owner of this place too? I’m busy.”
“Even though you don't have any customers?”
“Conceptualizing a menu is work. By the way, aren't you busy, Boss?”
“I hired a new employee.”
“Hah…!”
He’d kicked me out only to find a replacement that fast? I thought he said everyone usually ran away!
As I glared at him, Gilbert scratched his chin nonchalantly, as if it were no big deal. But looking closer, I noticed he was holding a hammer in his other hand.
“What’s that for? Don't tell me... you’re planning to do something to me because you think there should only be one inn in this village?”
“What are you talking about?”
I knew that wasn't the case, obviously. Still, hearing the sheer disappointment in Gilbert’s voice made me smile sheepishly and shut my mouth.
Gilbert marched straight into the kitchen.
“So, what did you decide on? The butcher said you bought a whole armful of hog head meat.”
“There’s something I want to try making.”
“Is that so? You’re opening tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah. But I’m worried because I don't have any side dishes that go with it.”
“What are you making?”
Gukbap (soup with rice). I couldn't exactly call it Korean-style pork soup, so I subtly changed the subject.
“Just something similar to what I made last time. Anyway, why did you storm into someone else's kitchen at the crack of dawn, and with a hammer, no less?”
Gilbert didn't say a word. His silence was even more suspicious, so I ended up following him. He gave a shrug and suddenly dropped a question.
“Do you remember that quiet swordsman from the adventurer party that came by the other day?”
“I know him. He’s the Imperial Knight Commander.”
The moment the words left my lips, Gilbert stopped in his tracks.
He slowly turned his head. His beard and hair obscured his expression, but the glint in his eyes beneath them was razor-sharp.
“…How do you know that?”
Oops. I had been getting by with Gilbert under the guise of having "lost my memory."
I racked my brain for an excuse, but my mind was a blank slate. Or perhaps, deep down, I was more afraid of piling another lie onto the person who had shown me such kindness. I ended up just parting my lips without a single word coming out.
Gilbert stared at me in silence for a moment before shaking his head. Then, he knelt down and tapped on the floor.
Bang, bang. It was the spot I’d grumbled about before because of a protruding nail. He hammered away at the floor with his massive hands.
“You really are a peculiar kid…. Anyway, that man has been loitering around this area lately. He’s stopped by my place a few times too.”
“Why?”
Gilbert’s hand, which had been swinging the hammer, went still. After a brief pause, he spoke in a low voice.
“Well. It seemed like he was looking for you.”
“…For me?”
Why would he be looking for me, someone who was just a part-timer at a tavern and is now planning to boil soup? Plagued by anxiety, I crouched down next to Gilbert and asked.
“What did he do at your place?”
“He didn't say much. Just ate and left.”
Right, if he was the character I knew from the novel, that made sense. A man of few words who eats and leaves in silence.
But why would a character like that bother looking for me?
Just as my thoughts were becoming a tangled mess...
Ding~.
The bell rang. I reflexively stepped out of the kitchen and called out toward the entrance.
“Oh, we’re not open yet, ”
The words froze in my throat.
Standing at the door was a man with silver hair and blue eyes. That distinct, chiseled face was an impression one could never forget.
Yes, it was Theord Valen Hart, whom I had seen just a few days ago.
Frightened, I looked back at Gilbert, who was still in the kitchen. Gilbert looked just as pale, he’d dropped his hammer and was staring at me.
“……”
“……”
As the silence stretched on, Theord took a brief look around before speaking cautiously.
“Are you... not open for business?”
Well…… I guess we have to be, right?
With my lips bone-dry, I forced a smile and opened my mouth.
“Please, come in.”
The moment the words were out, there was no turning back. I led him to a seat and slowly made my way to the kitchen. I could feel Theord’s gaze lingering on the back of my neck, sending a chill down my spine.
Gilbert stood there with his face buried behind his beard, looking like a bear trying to hide despite his mountain-like size.
“What are you doing? Do you really think you can hide that bulk?”
When I couldn't help but snap at him, Gilbert muttered grumpily.
“I hate standing out.”
“How did you handle him when he came to your inn?”
“That’s why I hired employees. If you hadn't been out on an errand the first day he came, I would’ve been shoved in a corner somewhere.”
He really is eccentric. But then again, I understood. If someone made enough money and had some leisure, they wouldn't want the hassle of dealing with troublesome guests, especially in this kind of class-based society where involving oneself with nobles is exhausting, and even dangerous.
I let out a deep sigh and brushed Gilbert aside like a fly. Then, I pulled out some garlic and hog head meat I’d stored in the cool storage section of the kitchen.
The meat was already well-boiled and held just the right amount of fat, and the bone broth was milky and rich. As the hot steam rose, Gilbert hovered behind me curiously. His shaggy beard tickled me like a breeze, so I quickly pushed him away.
“Ugh, please stay back. You’re going to get hair in the food.”
“Good grief, you're sensitive…”
While Gilbert grumbled and retreated, I stirred the broth with a ladle. Small droplets of oil danced on the surface of the milky soup as the subtle aroma of minced garlic began to spread.
I shredded the head meat along the grain to give it a nice chew and sprinkled a generous amount of chopped green onions on top. As the broth came to a rolling boil, a savory aroma filled the kitchen.
“Perfect.”
I added a dash of my secret MSG powder, completing the milky gukbap. The steam billowed, spreading a savory umami through the air.
I carefully placed the steaming soup in an earthenware bowl and set it before Theord. His blue eyes lingered on the dish for a moment.
After a short silence, Theord’s long fingers slowly picked up the spoon. The moment he took a sip of the broth, his eyelids fluttered shut. It was hard to read his expression, but a ripple of emotion crossed his blue eyes when he opened them.
Tension caught in my throat, making it hard to breathe.
Is it good? Is it bad? The silence from such a quiet character made my heart pound against my ribs.
Then, finally, Theord’s lips slowly parted.
“…You, right now.”
Right now, what? I instinctively clenched my hands and stared at his lips.
“You love me.”
…What?
Thinking I’d misheard, I looked back at Gilbert with a terrified face. But judging by the equally dumbfounded look on Gilbert’s face, I had heard him correctly. Gilbert slowly circled his finger near his temple.
The gesture meant. Kid, congratulations. Your first customer is a nutcase.
“I can taste the love.”
“…….”
I didn't know if he was a lunatic, a new breed of pervert, or if he just had a slip of the tongue. One thing was for sure. The man in front of me was not sane.
Theord sat there with the steaming bowl before him, looking as serious as a priest performing a holy sacrament, his blue eyes shining with intensity.
…Yes, he was spouting utter nonsense with an incredibly devout face.
Should I kick him out? Or just leave him be?
I weighed the options in my head dozens of times. I was afraid of what might happen if I messed with a genuine crazy person.
Just then, Theord, who had somehow already emptied the bowl, set his spoon down neatly. He lifted his blue eyes to meet mine.
“Thank you for the meal.”
“…Ah, yes.”
My voice naturally came out as a whisper. I wanted nothing to do with this madman.
He slowly turned his gaze. He scanned the cluttered tables, the unfinished furniture, and the empty kitchen before looking at the cowering Gilbert.
Gilbert flinched, pulling his beard to cover his face and curling into himself. Seeing that hulking man acting so small almost made me let out a laugh despite the situation.
Comments Box