IDEFYEM - Chapter 59
Black Man, I'll Do Everything For You Except Marriage!
When I return to the Count's residence, I will have to discuss this matter with Kael.
I thought about it and suddenly shook my head.
No, but I can't just go up to him and say this.
'Kael, I think people hate you because of me. What if he comes to our wedding and curses us?'
Then it's clear that he, who has a softer heart than he looks, will be hurt.
I was groaning with worry and eventually decided to put this matter on the back burner. By the time I left the Count's residence, a dark red sunset was already setting in the sunny sky.
'Oh no, if I don't hurry, Tristan will be waiting. Let's go."
I got on the saddle and passed a few alleys, and soon the destination marked on the map appeared.
As I stood with both feet on the ground again, what I saw in front of me was an ordinary restaurant. It looked like he had just finished working as a mercenary and was sitting around a wooden table having a quick chat.
The atmosphere is like clinking glasses while ordering a fatty chicken dish and talking about a difficult request.
What stands out is that the kitchen door is open, so guests can watch the food and cooking.
Perhaps, knowingly or not, the fact that this meal promise was the price of a request made my heart feel a little heavy.
But that feeling disappeared like snow when I arrived at a friendly village restaurant with little concern for etiquette or decency.
Hmm, the smell that wafts from it as soon as you step on the creaky wooden floor and step inside. I could hear the sizzling sound of juicy meat being grilled and smelled the scent of spices.
'But why is it so quiet?"
There was not a single customer in the restaurant, which had a pretty nice exterior and spacious interior.
Tristan, who I thought would be there first, was nowhere to be seen so I thought something was strange.
"No way...."
I narrowed my eyes and muttered.
I took off the hat of my robe that partially obscured my vision and approached the kitchen. The back of the chef felt somehow familiar.
When I looked closely, I saw golden hair sticking out from under the pressed hat.
"Tristan?"
When I shouted in surprise, Tristan, who was frying something in the pot, turned around.
"Oh, are you here? I guess the sound of your footsteps was drowned out by the sound of vegetables frying."
He showed his unique and charming smile, showing off his pure white teeth.
"Why are you cooking? Where is the chef going? What about the guests? You sure you didn't kick everyone out?"
"Haha, calm down and ask questions one by one."
Soon, he skillfully placed the cooked vegetables on a plate.
"This is the last time. Can you help me carry the dishes to the table?"
"Yes."
Although embarrassed, I was carried away by the atmosphere and carried the dishes from the kitchen. Each one had a good smell and made my mouth water.
After placing five or six plates of delicious-looking dishes on a table prepared with utensils, a decent dinner was prepared.
Tristan, who pulled my chair out, walked across and explained.
"This is the restaurant I run."
"What article said about the restaurant...?"
"It's part of information gathering. It looks like a small restaurant, but there's a lot of talk about this place."
"Since when?"
"It's been about a year since I lived as a wandering knight and ran an information guild. I felt like I wanted to expand my business."
Tristan pursed his lips and gestured as if to eat the food before it got cold.
Actually, my eyes kept wandering over the hot food. A thick lamb rib steak that had been baked for a long time in a low-temperature oven was brought to the plate in front of me and I took a big bite. The hot meat juice burst out with a soft yet chewy texture.
As the salty and pungent taste spread in my mouth, I picked up a piece of white bread that was conveniently placed next to me. The bread, freshly baked with great care, is balanced so that it tears gently along the grain and does not feel too salty.
At that time, Tristan scooped a ladleful of soup from a large, steaming pot and poured it into a bowl. It was an onion soup that looked ordinary at first glance, but it had a thick consistency and a rich flavor due to the abundance of vegetables and cream. It was also nice to dip the bread, which had cooled slightly and had a crispy exterior, into the soup.
I stuffed my cheeks with food, trying to maintain at least some dignity.
"This is a damn delicious."
"There is plenty, so eat slowly."
"You're cooking!"
"What?"
He looked at me with happy eyes and asked back while bursting into laughter.
I covered my mouth and tried to pronounce it as accurately as possible, but eventually gave up and chewed my food thoroughly before speaking.
"You're really good at cooking."
"Having something delicious to eat is always the best compliment. Thank you for liking me."
"You don't usually cook, right? Even ten bodies wouldn't be enough."
"I only worked on the menu, recipe research, and interior decoration and then took my hands off it. In fact, the restaurant operation was only for the guild, so it didn't matter what happened."
Tristan shrugged and said.
"It's a lot better than I thought. Even though it was like this, it was quite a hassle at first."
"If you taste this, it's worth it. But there are no customers today?"
"I closed the door because I thought we would talk about something little secret."
a"Aren't you overdoing it? I'm not even a paying customer."
"I am fully satisfied with this time."
He seemed genuinely happy, and I was so heart-warmed by the friendship we were sharing.
"But the secret...."
"Oh, shall we talk after we finish eating? O thought you might feel uncomfortable."
Although I had some doubts, I nodded because it was my wish to fully enjoy the food in front of me. There was the sound of dishes clattering a few times, and then Tristan asked.
"Are the wedding preparations going well?"
"Actually, I don't have much to do."
"Everyone is fighting with their fiancés about various issues around this time."
"Fuha, it's definitely not a story from experience, is it?"
Tristan looked at me with an expression as if he had been punched and answered.
"Yes, as you said, I have a lot of experience, so consultation is always welcome."
When I heard the word "counseling," I thought about Kael's and my problems for a moment.
Hmm, first of all, if the biggest problem is contract marriage, then that would be a problem.
The problem of Kael's reputation, which I had confronted him with in person earlier, and the fact that I could not confess my feelings because I had not yet clearly defined them.
There are definitely a lot of problems...
Regardless of that, when I think of Kael, I burst into laughter. It felt like a haven where I could return at any time after a hard day.
Suddenly, Tristan gave a strange smile from the table across from me.
"What's the matter?"
"No, that's... Do you love him?"
I froze for a moment at the sudden question, the intent of which I could not understand. Tristan continued, waving his hand as if to make sure there was no misunderstanding.
"I thought your eyes were sparkling even before you had the food in front of you, but as soon as you mentioned your fiancé, they looked even brighter."
Was I not able to control my facial expressions to that extent?
Feeling like my true intentions were revealed, I felt embarrassed and changed the topic of conversation.
"You? Have you met anyone these days?"
"Well, I'm taking a break for now."
Well, I guess that's why he asked me to eat with him.
"I never thought there was anything wrong with experiencing free Iove, but now I feel like I'm getting my karma back."
"There are times when you need to rest."
"Three more times..."
The last sentence he muttered was too quiet to be heard. But for some reason, I offered some consolation to him because he looked so gloomy.
"I'm sure the Marchioness will like it. That's right, I ran into her earlier, but I couldn't say hello."
"Really? Where?"
"Bakery de Larve near here."
Tristan opened his eyes in surprise and pursed his lips as if it was unexpected.
"Maybe he left because of you. Even though she is busy with her ex-husband's problems these days, you are very interested in your work."
"Wow, really?"
"Yes, if it's a tea party attended by a Lady who is hostile to you, go and keep them in check."
I heard that the situation earlier went according to the Marchioness intention.
I muttered to myself, extremely surprised and moved.
"I didn't know she would do that."
"Everyone in the Dyke family likes you, Enrica."
He said in a light joking tone.
"I have to come to visit you some time to say thank you."
"You're always welcome. Would you like some dessert?"
Tristan asked as he pushed the empty plates aside.
"Thanks, but later. I feel like my stomach is going to explode... Wow, I'm sure the size of the dress won't change."
I said it would be okay to gain a little weight, so it will be okay.
I tried to rationalize and think.
After roughly organizing, Tristan took out a piece of paper with something written on it and said.
"It was a good meal. Then, let's bring up the request before it's too late."
"Is there any progress?"
"Yeah, it wasn't easy for us to figure it out."
After finishing speaking, Tristan handed over a piece of paper about the size of a span.
"It's your ticket to the black market, Enrica."
It was only after hearing the next sentence that I realized what it had to do with me.
"The Duke of Wintersoar holds a slave auction here every week."
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