The Madwoman's Invitation (2)
"Hehe... surprised you...?"
It was Idi peeking out with just her head. With her black hair, black eyes, and pale skin, she looked less like a person and more like some vampire. Bertrand had been lost in thoughts of Francois's cooking and hadn't paid attention, so he hadn't heard her footsteps at all. He'd seriously mistaken her for a real vampire appearing out of nowhere.
"What are you doing, lurking there?"
"Just... curious what you were up to..."
"Reading a book. Thinking about what lunch might be today too."
"I see... hehe... I'll be going then..."
Idi's head vanished with a pop.
What the hell is with her...
A little later, a delicious aroma wafted up from the first floor, and Francois called out that dinner was ready.
"Everyone, come down!"
That refined voice. Francois was always so kind and caring. Having a big sister like her would make anyone happy.
Stepping into the hallway, he spotted Idi— who loved eating more than anyone— her ample chest bouncing as she hurried down the stairs. She was always so slow otherwise, but quick as hell when food was involved.
Della was still studying, so focused she hadn't heard a thing. When he tapped her shoulder, she whipped around in shock.
"Oh! Master!"
She suddenly slammed both hands over her desk drawer.
What's she hiding in there to freak out like that?
"Time to eat."
"Ah... yes..."
But Della didn't get up right away, clutching the drawer the whole time, so he left the room first.
Next, he headed to Marim, who was still fast asleep. She was in just her panties below and a sleeveless top so short it barely covered under her chest, drooling and snoring away.
"Hey, you. Wake up. Time to eat."
He lightly tapped her cheek, and Marim's green eyes slowly opened. They met his gaze, then slowly closed again.
"I said wake up. Eat first, then sleep."
"Don't wanna..."
Marim mumbled sleepily, scratching her side. Her shirt rode up, exposing her petite breasts. They were so small they could fit in one hand— practically like a kid's compared to the other employees. And why were her nipples such a pale color?
"Don't whine about being hungry later."
"Fine..."
This cheeky half-elf bitch... Was she sleep-talking, or actually responding?
He left Marim be and headed to Ukun's room on the floor.
"Hey, dwarf. What're you doing?"
Opening the door, Ukun was sprawled on the bed, snoring thunderously— nothing like Marim's quiet ones.
"Dwarf. Food's ready. Get up."
He shook the dwarf's muscle-packed body, but Ukun showed no sign of waking. Were short folks just heavy sleepers in general?
After a few tries, his ears hurt too much from the snoring, so he shut the door and left. Ukun would eat later on his own.
Down on the first floor, a large pot steaming on the table, with Pelle and Idi setting out utensils.
"Whoa! What's this?!"
Bertrand jumped in excitement at the pot's contents. It was hearty boeuf bourguignon, chunks of beef and vegetables simmered in wine. He'd tried to eat it once near the Demon King's castle in Sozar City, but the ingredients had spoiled. Now he finally got to try it.
Francois served heaping plates of mashed potatoes on the side, as tradition demanded, plus the big batch of tangy pickled cabbage they'd made before. The rain and being cooped up inside had soured his mood, but it lifted in an instant.
They lit candles softly and ate to the patter of rain on the windows. Francois's boeuf bourguignon was heavenly; the beef and veggies melted in the mouth like snow. He could've eaten it toothless. And the mashed potatoes— who knew potatoes could taste this good? First time in his life.
Della and Idi kept exclaiming how delicious it was. Pelle said nothing, but not pulling out a carrot meant she loved it.
Francois watched them with a fond smile, like proud big sister or aunt.
"Ah, what the hell! Why didn't you wake me!"
Marim blinked in downstairs, fuming as she plopped into a chair and glared at him.
"I did wake you. You said no thanks."
"When! You gotta fully open your eyes for it to count."
"Your eyes opened. You even answered."
"Whoa, looks tasty."
Unable to argue, Marim changed the subject, smacking her lips. Francois ladled food straight into her bowl.
"Eat up, Marim."
"Thanks, Francois sis."
Marim shoveled beef and broth, shuddering in delight.
"Hnnngh... so good..."
They chatted idly as they ate. Flickering candles, rain sounds, pretty employees, delicious food. Happiness wasn't far away. He'd take responsibility for these kind, hardworking girls to the end. Once the inn grew huge, he'd put them all in key positions to run it. He'd sit in a fancy office like Marquis Kekers, counting gold coins and acting important.
"Oh, right. Della sis. Lend me that thing."
Marim piped up like she'd just remembered.
"Y'know, the wooden beads."
Della's face drained of color instantly, turning ghostly pale— like food was stuck in her throat.
Clatterclatterclatter...
It was her trembling hand knocking her fork against the table.
"W... why...? Why do you want that...?"
"Shoulders hurt, back hurts. Felt good last time, wanna use it to relax."
"Th... that..."
Della glanced at him with shaking blue eyes, hesitating before speaking.
"It's... broken... so I can't lend it..."
"Eek? Already broken? Sis, did you do something weird with it?"
"I didn't do anything weird!"
Everyone stared at Della's uncharacteristic shout. She shrank immediately, apologizing.
"Sorry... forgive me, Marim..."
"It's fine... if it's broken, nothing we can do..."
Overwhelmed by Della's rare anger, Marim backed down meekly.
"Shall we keep eating?"
Francois smiled gracefully, lightening the awkward air.
Della poked at her food, stealing glances at him. He pretended not to notice. A dwarf toy breaking was less likely than a dragon knitting— there had to be another reason she wouldn't lend it. That sweet, pretty girl had some seriously lewd insides... Probably corrupted from rooming with Idi.
There was a minor hiccup, but they finished the meal in good spirits. As they cleared the table, heavy footsteps thundered down, and Ukun stumbled into the first floor.
"No way it's over! I'm starving! Feed me too!"
"Hey! I tried waking you earlier. What, you crawl down after we're done?!"
"You fucking bastard?! When did you try! It's really all gone? Nooo!"
Ukun wailed in despair at missing out. Francois laughed.
"No worries, Kazahur. I saved some aside since you didn't come down."
"Ooh! For real! You really saved mine!?"
Francois brought out his pot from the kitchen, and Ukun bellowed a laugh, digging a silver coin from his pocket.
"As expected, this inn's head chef is top-class!"
Francois accepted the tip with a elegant smile of thanks.
This crazy dwarf... spends like a baller. Was he secretly loaded? Bertrand thought one dwarf gold coin was his life savings, but maybe he had a vault in his workshop?
"Hey, Ukun. Be honest. You're loaded, right."
"What bullshit outta nowhere?"
"From how you act, seems like you've got a sack of dwarf gold stashed in your workshop."
"What're you yapping about, you lunatic. Rain fried your brain? Go stick flowers in your hair outside, asshole."
Marim giggled at Ukun's sharp roast, but turned away when their eyes met.
"Hehe... Ukun uncle's the first to talk to Bertrand like that and live..."
Ukun snorted at Idi's words, then slurped boeuf bourguignon straight from the ladle, chomping noisily. Aside from his freakish cleanliness, he was a dwarf through and through, that guy.
Ukun polished off his pot in a blink and headed upstairs with a beer keg, finishing the cleanup. The employees patted full bellies and went to the third floor for free time.
Bertrand went out to feed Kali and stroke his head. Returning to the empty hall, he saw the bar's candelabra lit and went to snuff it.
As he reached for the candle, Pelle appeared from the kitchen, arms crossed, bored expression.
"What're you doing alone there?"
"Waiting."
"For what?"
"You, Master."
Why wait for me? For what?
He stared blankly, and Pelle nodded at a bar stool.
"Sit."
"Why? What for? Got something to say? Don't tell me you're asking for a raise, that bullshit."
"Not that."
Intrigued— Pelle wasn't one for pranks— he sat as told. Pelle approached and suddenly dropped to her knees.