Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Twenty-Fourth Fragment, Carpe Diem
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She had just stepped through the front door and glanced down at the neatly arranged shoes. Something had felt off, and it seemed this was the reason.
Had they taken off their shoes to come inside? It looked that way.
She scanned the surroundings, but there were no slippers in sight that one might wear indoors.
'Barefoot?'
The floor gleamed with polish and appeared spotless, yet it still felt a bit unsettling.
"Ah, please take off your shoes and come in barefoot. It's clean, so don't worry."
Judah stuck his head out from what she assumed was the kitchen. It was exactly the confirmation she'd suspected.
"......"
The custom of removing shoes and going barefoot inside was practiced in only two nations combined across the First and Second Continents. Everywhere else, people wore slippers or kept their shoes on indoors. Even so, this practice had gained widespread recognition because those two nations were empires. On the Second Continent was Gauri, which had unified the three kingdoms. And the remaining empire was on the First Continent.
Baekje. It rubbed her the wrong way to adopt the customs of the nation hostile to her own Byron Empire. Still, as the saying went, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' She needed to follow the house's ways in this house.
Following Judah's words, she slipped off her shoes and placed her bare feet on the floor. Worried her feet might smell, she sniffed cautiously, but detected nothing. Instead, the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen only stirred her appetite.
Moving slowly to the kitchen while vigilantly eyeing her surroundings, she saw dishes being set on the four-person table—one, then two. Steam rose invitingly from the heartfelt, warm meal.
"Did you make this yourself?"
"Yeah, I can handle the basics, except for anything too tricky."
"Impressive. So young, yet skilled in combat, talent, and now cooking too."
Jeanne gazed at the dishes on the table with evident admiration. Judah gestured for her to sit, but then seemed to remember something and stopped her just as she pulled out a chair.
"Ah, hold on. You need to wash your hands first. Get up. Over there—that's the bathroom. Just quickly wash your hands and come back."
Jeanne looked down at her hands and obediently headed to the bathroom. Once he'd sent her off, Judah stood before Tia's door and knocked lightly.
"Tia, you asleep?"
...No.
A faint voice leaked from inside the room, barely audible without straining to listen. He turned the knob; it wasn't locked. Without waiting for a full reply after saying he'd come in, Judah opened the door gently. There she sat on the bed, slumped in a way that was utterly uncharacteristic. He chuckled softly at the sight and approached her. Her limp tail and ears betrayed her foul mood. He lowered his head to meet her eyes, but she deliberately averted her gaze.
"What's wrong, Tia?"
"...Just sorry."
Ha—seriously. Judah let out a hollow laugh. He'd hoped she wouldn't think that way, but as expected, she was blaming herself. He sat beside her.
"I've told you countless times—there's nothing to apologize for."
"But I feel like I did something awful. I'm really sorry."
She glanced at him nervously as she spoke.
"Awful? No. I can't even understand what you'd be sorry about, but one thing's clear: this isn't like you."
Tia's eyes widened at his words.
"...Really?"
"Yeah."
"Right? It's not like me at all?"
"Not like you at all. Where's the reason for the confident Tia—who acts like she can do anything and actually can—to show this timid side? Is it yesterday that's bothering you? I liked it, but if you didn't, that's fine. I'll forget it."
Tia fell silent, her eyes hardening with resolve. Then she nodded vigorously.
"No, don't forget. No need to. I'd rather my disciple remember it. Come on! Let's eat. That's why you came, right?"
Tia hoisted Judah up effortlessly. Unfortunately, their height difference meant his toes dangled far from the ground. As he flailed in surprise, she leaned in and pressed a light kiss to his lips. A soft smack, and the gentle touch vanished.
"Hmph, yeah. Just raise you up and eat you later. What was I even worrying about!"
She muttered to herself, but Judah heard. Knowing what "raise and eat" meant, his heart raced at her bold masculinity(?). He hadn't checked, but at that moment, her info window's affection level updated—from stuck at 69 to 70, lover stage.
"Tia, could you put me down now?"
"Why?"
Still beaming happily, she strode forward, but Judah sighed.
"There's a guest. In the kitchen."
Too late. Tia entered the kitchen still carrying him, where Jeanne sat alone at the table, waiting awkwardly and staring. The awkward glance lasted only a moment before she ignored it entirely and headed to the table laden with breakfast.
"What's it matter? It's fine."
Mortified at being handled like a baby, Judah wanted to hide. Tia pulled out a chair with one hand, set him down, and took the seat beside him. She slid the bowl of rice and utensils across from her to her own spot.
"...Sorry you had to see that. My apologies."
"No, it's fine."
Jeanne offered a faint smile at Judah's words.
"But who's this, sitting here?"
Tia asked Judah, spoon in hand. Before he could respond, Jeanne pushed back her chair, stood, and extended her hand. Tia reluctantly rose and shook it.
"Pleased to meet you, though I was caught off guard earlier... Anyway, greetings. I'm Jeanne d'Artuar, apprentice Blue Spear Knight of the Byron Empire."
"Ah, hi. Nice to meet you. I'm Gentia."
Jeanne sat back down and continued.
"I came with a request and ended up being treated to a meal. Please excuse me."
Judah shrugged at Tia, who eyed him questioningly—as if asking why he'd done something so unnecessary. It had just come naturally. She'd come all this way; sending her off to return later felt rude. And since she hadn't eaten breakfast either, sharing a meal made sense.
Judah nudged Tia's side with his elbow to stop her glaring and said, "Dig in!" before starting to eat. But only he and Tia ate heartily.
Tia scooped a spoonful of bean sprout soup, let out a satisfied "Ahh—" and gulped it down. Jeanne, meanwhile, fumbled awkwardly with her chopsticks. Realizing his mistake, Judah quickly fetched her a fork.
"Try this too."
"Ah, thank you."
Seeing her stick to just the vegetables, he picked up an octopus sausage with chopsticks and placed it on her rice. She bowed her head in thanks, glanced at it, then ate it with her rice. As she chewed, her eyes widened.
"First time having rice with... sausage, but it's delicious. I rarely eat rice."
Judah felt satisfied at her words. Tia, watching from the side and whining jealously, got fed directly by him. Thus ended the modest meal. As plates emptied, Judah murmured in quiet admiration. The dishes were spotless—no scraps left. He could just stack them in the sink for later washing.
"That was delicious."
"Good stuff."
Judah nodded.
"Hope it suited your taste."
"No, it was wonderful. Hard to describe... Yes, healthy-tasting."
An amusing way to put it. Well, there had been plenty of vegetables. Jeanne helped stack the empty bowls neatly. With breakfast done and the table cleared, Judah pulled out some apples he'd bought yesterday and kept chilled, washing them thoroughly. No sooner had he sliced and plated them than Tia speared one with her fork. He offered some to Jeanne too.
"So, what was the favor?"
Tia asked between bites of apple. Jeanne swallowed her mouthful. Having leisurely finished the meal and even enjoyed dessert, she'd nearly forgotten her purpose here. She licked her lips briefly, gathered her thoughts, and spoke.
"Let me correct that—it's a commission."
"Go ahead. I'll hear you out at least."
"I've heard you're hunting Black Wolves in the eastern forest. I'd like to join that hunt. But on a broader scale than a typical commission."
Tia's eyes narrowed as she ate her apple.
"Why?"
"Pardon?"
"Why bother hunting Black Wolves in the eastern forest with us? Even as an apprentice, a Blue Spear Knight could head to any adventurers' guild and find plenty eager to team up. If it's money you're short on, you wouldn't take a paying job like this... If it's to help the castle folk scared of Black Wolves, the guild could gather volunteers. It's no stroll, obviously. So. You're looking for something."
Looking for something. Jeanne's eyes sharpened at Tia's analytical words. Meeting her gaze, Tia flashed a smile that said, Right? Nailed it?
"For instance... a fragment? But fragments are known to have fallen in the western forest. So what are you seeking in the eastern one? Just be honest. What's your goal? We need to know what you're after before deciding to accept the commission."