Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Fairy's Courtyard
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"Welcome to the Fairy's Courtyard."
A woman greeted them with a neat bow. The name tag on her brown jacket read 'Neila'.
"Excuse me, do you have a reservation?"
"No. I came to ask if it's possible to make one."
"I see. Would you mind waiting a moment?"
The woman reached behind her back. She pulled out a thin wooden board that seemed to list the reservations.
"I'm sorry, but same-day reservations aren't possible. The earliest we can schedule is after January 5th of next year. Would you like to book one?"
January of next year. He paused for a moment, wondering what day it was today. Jenny spoke up as if reading his mind.
"It's September 1st today."
Lander looked down at Jenny and smiled.
"Thanks for letting me know."
He turned his gaze back to the server.
"We'll come back another time."
It was a place Mary had recommended so highly that he wanted to check it out, but it seemed fate had other plans. Even if he made a reservation, it was questionable whether he'd return to Dun four months later.
"Why not make a reservation before you go? It will be just as hard to get a same-day spot next time."
The server stared at him steadily, her eyes questioning his intentions. Then she slightly tilted her head. People were approaching from behind.
He stepped aside, gently pulling Jenny's shoulder with him. Guchi astutely cleared the way as well. A family wrapped in fine fabrics passed by.
"Welcome to the Fairy's Courtyard."
The server's attention shifted to them. Lander gave Guchi a look. We've done what we came for; let's go.
"Why not make the reservation anyway?"
"Waiting until next year feels a bit much."
"Who said anything about waiting? Just book it and continue your journey. Your destination is your wife's hometown anyway, right? Visit there first, then come back to Dun."
"I'm not sure if I'll return here."
"There's that look again. You haven't forgotten already, have you? Louis's request to come back for sure next time."
Guchi added with a faint smile. Don't forget there's at least one person who'll welcome you back.
Jenny, watching quietly, caught his eye. Her face was innocently blank, clearly having no idea what the two adults' conversation meant.
Lander smiled at her to show it was nothing.
Guchi must be worried about him. Suggesting a reservation and bringing up Louis were ways to keep him tethered, since he might vanish anytime.
Before departing for Dun, Guchi had said something. You look like someone who doesn't need a place to return to.
It was exactly right. If he'd arrived at his wife's hometown alone, he probably would have ended his life quietly there.
Whether as Imperial Knight Huss or free citizen Lander, it would all end the same. A quiet death suited a monster who couldn't vomit out its sorrow.
"I know it's presumptuous, but the living have to keep living, don't they?"
That was what Guchi had said, patting his back. He stroked his nape a few times, then finally spoke.
"Shall we make the reservation?"
"No need to ask twice. If I had one personal wish, it'd be that next time we meet here, you're not a travel companion but a hunting partner."
"That seems unlikely."
"It's entirely up to you."
It was time to wait for the reservation.
"It's just one day late. Does that really mean you can't serve us?"
"I'm sorry. It's our shop policy."
"Policy? You're telling me—a business selling food—that you're citing policy to me? How amusing."
Clearly furious, the man arguing with the server removed his gloves. Despite the warm weather, he wore white gloves, suggesting noble status.
The woman who seemed to be his wife and the three children—two boys and a girl—also glared at the server with displeased faces.
"Say it again. Policy?"
"I'm sorry."
The man slapped the server's cheek with his glove. The server didn't flinch, as if it were routine. She simply endured the incoming glove in silence.
"That poor girl has it rough."
Guchi remarked. Jenny, uncomfortable with the scene, hid behind Guchi with a pout.
"Go tell the head chef that a Recorder from the Imperial Administration 2nd Bureau is here for a meal."
"I'm sorry, but if you've missed your reservation time, you need to book again per shop policy. Same-day reservations aren't allowed."
"Is it because we're free citizens? But you're clueless. Do you even know what the Administration Bureau does? It happens sometimes—people who deal with nobles start acting like nobles themselves. Quite unpleasant."
A woman in her early twenties, watching from behind the man, spoke up.
"Hey, miss. I get that you're working hard. But isn't this rigid policy tiring for everyone? My father's not asking for anything unreasonable; he just wants you to pass a message to the head chef."
The woman stepped forward gracefully, lifting her dress hem. The man, who had been venting while removing his gloves, now smiled leisurely and put them back on after his daughter spoke.
"We've compromised this much, so shouldn't you show some sincerity? Even free citizens can't ignore a noble's request like this forever, or we'll have to take it to court. I hope it doesn't come to that."
Her soft voice was clear enough for everyone around to hear.
The people waiting in front of the Fairy's Courtyard began glancing back and forth between the noble family and the server.
That was when the steadfast server finally stepped back.
"Understood. I'll go speak to the chef."
"Thank you. See, she understands reason."
The woman gently caressed the server's cheek. Her mouth said she was sorry on her father's behalf, but to onlookers, it looked like mockery.
The server entered the shop. The noble family now lifted their chins, acting as if things were finally proceeding properly.
He eyed the man who had declared himself a Recorder from the 2nd Bureau. Was there someone like that under the 2nd Bureau Chief?
Excluding military personnel, the 2nd Bureau Chief was the closest acquaintance he had. The man had prepared his retirement ceremony more enthusiastically than anyone.
They weren't close enough to share deep secrets, but he knew the Chief's values and how he selected people.
The 2nd Bureau Chief was a nouveau noble. Unlike native nobles, he prioritized citizens and believed in advancing alongside them.
Thus, the Administration 2nd Bureau was dominated by those sharing that philosophy, unlike the 1st Bureau, a bastion of native nobles.
"Even as times change, nobles still look down on citizens."
Guchi said, wrinkling his nose.
"How unusual."
He murmured unconsciously, thinking of 2nd Bureau Chief Aleng Barbe.
"What's unusual?"
Guchi asked back.
"Oh, nothing—just lost in thought. Anyway, quite a crowd's gathered behind us."
Well-dressed citizens had lined up behind them. As a restaurant favored by nobles, it must cost a fortune. Not a place for those without spare coin.
"Do you know how much a meal here usually costs?"
He asked Jenny.
"It's super expensive. No a la carte—everything's course meals, and the basic one starts at one gold coin."
Guchi clicked his tongue at the price.
"I figured it'd be pricey, but a gold coin just for food and drink? A few meals here and my bank balance would be wiped out."
"That's why my dad's dream is to order the most expensive course here someday. He says he'll sell the inn to do it, but I'll stop him. We have to keep the inn going."
Jenny said, crossing her arms. It was bold yet endearing.
"Here she comes."
Guchi looked toward the shop door. The server emerged, hands clasped.
"I'm sorry, but the chef says no changes are possible."
"What?"
"Truly, my apologies."
The man who called himself Recorder chuckled hollowly, hands behind his back. His daughter stepped forward again.
"Did you really tell the head chef properly?"
"Yes. That a Recorder from the Administration Bureau wants to dine today."
"What did the head chef say? Exactly."
The server, who had spoken smoothly until now, showed a troubled expression for the first time.
"Tell us. Word for word."
"Well..."
"Want to stand trial for deception? It'd be nice if you could afford a good lawyer. Or do you plan to defend yourself?"
She fired off politely but relentlessly. The server hesitated with her head bowed, then spoke cautiously.
"He said not to lie."
"Lie? What does that mean? Who's lying?"
"A Recorder who can't even keep an appointment time has no place in the Imperial Administration Bureau..."
As soon as the server finished, the noble family's expressions shifted subtly—anger, incredulity, and a touch of fluster.
"Get the head chef out here. I can't just leave after treatment like this. Right, Father?"
Prodded by his daughter, the man just twitched his eyes without responding.
"Treating a 3rd Class Aristocrat like this won't be good for the shop's reputation. Bring out the head chef now."
"The chef is in the middle of preparations and can't leave."
"Listen. Don't make this complicated. That remark from the head chef is as good as insulting my father. Bring him out now. Got it?"
Her voice rose a notch. That was when the people waiting for reservations began to slip away one by one.
"Looks like we should come back after those people leave. Lander, let's go. Anthony's food is decent enough."
It had been a while since he'd seen such noble pettiness. Their arrogant demeanor soured his mood, but he had no way to intervene. He was just a free citizen, not the Imperial Commander.
'Wrong is wrong.' He could almost feel his wife frowning and glaring at him.
If she were here, she'd tie back her flowing hair with a string, stride forward boldly, and stand before them.
Then she'd explain what a noble's duty truly was, without taking a breath.
She hadn't been born noble, yet she'd been more noble than any.
"Yes. Let's do that. We'll come back another time."
He could rest and return tomorrow. As he turned to leave, a sharp slap stopped him cold. He looked back. The woman had finally struck the server.
Reprimands hadn't worked, so frustration had led to her hand. She was the one who'd spoken for her father.
Likely proud and quick to step up. She probably took great pride in her noble status.
When the free citizen server didn't yield, her ego bruised. In a way, she was refreshingly honest—all she showed was what she was.
"Sorry for hitting you. I'll pay you instead."
Silver coins fell at the server's feet. He saw it—the server clenching her fist tightly. She must feel wronged.
But she couldn't fight back. A noble and free citizen in court meant guilt for the citizen.
No matter how well argued, she couldn't beat a noble's hired lawyer.
That was when the shop door opened again. A burly arm appeared first, followed by a face with its head hair shaved clean above the neck.
Next in view... a mangled left eye socket and a prosthetic leg replacing the left one.
"This is troubling."
He stared silently at the man speaking in that unchanged voice. You seem like the type who'd live like this, he thought.