Midnight Cuckoo (4)
Della rubbed her tears away with the backs of her hands and palms, bawling like a child.
"What? What happened?"
"Master... well... in town..."
Della had gone into town to buy some personal necessities. A few citizens who recognized her greeted her, and she responded with a sweet smile. The men gawked at her smile, grinning like idiots.
The streets were bustling far beyond their old trash-strewn days. Shops lined the roadsides, and people and carriages bustled about chaotically. Wagons loaded with goods unloaded in front of stores or headed to the warehouse beside City Hall. Workers dangled from ropes and ladders on old buildings, repairing roofs and painting walls. Pairs of guards patrolled the area, and delicious aromas wafted from street vendors cooking something savory. The outskirts were still mostly empty buildings, but downtown brimmed with energy. It couldn't rival Bue or Montroe yet, but Rosens was regaining its urban vibe.
Della walked the streets, drawing every man's gaze, until she stopped at a street stall. Sweet scents emanated from a crepe vendor. They spread thin batter on a greased hot griddle, cooked it crisp, piled on toppings, drenched it in syrup, and sliced it into pieces.
"Looks delicious."
Working at the inn had exposed her to all sorts of treats, but things changed after Pelle arrived. Preserved ingredients couldn't be cooked freely, and rigid meal plans meant fewer snacks. Bertrand used to whip up quick bites whenever he felt like it... Della hated it, but Idi, hooked on buying cute clothes lately, actually preferred the new regime. Something about needing a slimmer bust for pretty outfits.
Hehe... I starved all the time before coming here, but now I'm eating like a pig and gaining weight...
Idi often grabbed her belly fat and showed it to Della with a big grin. So when Pelle tightened food management, Idi rejoiced at the chance to slim down. But not Della. She loved sweets. Nibbling greasy, sugary treats and sucking the sticky crumbs off her fingers made her feel like she owned the world. I'll ask Pelle if we can add staff snacks to the meal plan. I can make molasses tarts or something.
With that in mind, Della decided to buy crepes. Five pieces—two for Master, and one each for her, Idi, and Pelle.
"Mister, five crepes please."
The vendor packed five into a large paper bag and added an extra one.
"One on the house for a pretty girl."
"Heehee, thanks!"
The unexpected bonus thrilled Della. Now I can have two too? I could sneak one on the way back, and no one would know.
As she clutched the bag and blended into the crowd, someone slammed into her shoulder hard.
"Ow!"
Della lost her balance, fell, and the crepes spilled everywhere. The culprit vanished without a word, leaving her staring in dismay. Nearby men rushed over, clamoring to help her up.
"Thank you..."
Della brushed off her clothes while thanking them. The crepes were dirtied from rolling on the ground. With a pout, she gathered them up.
"My snacks..."
The men scrambled to pick up the soiled crepes, saying,
"Can I buy you new ones?"
"Let me buy them for you!"
"N-no, it's fine..."
Ignoring the uproar, Della trudged back to the stall dejectedly.
"Mister... five crepes..."
"Didn't you just buy some? Wait, your arm's bleeding!"
Looking down, she saw scrapes on her forearm from the fall, with beads of blood.
"I fell..."
"Aw, take them—no charge."
"No! Please take the money."
As she reached into her pocket for coins, Della's face froze.
"Huh...?"
She fumbled deeper, but no coins. I definitely put them in here...
Della jammed both hands into her pockets, frantically searching. Nothing. She checked for holes—nope.
"Wh-what...? What do I do? Where'd they go?"
She twisted her body, patting from chest to legs, even twisting to check her back. No dice.
"What the...? Where's my money...!"
When she fell, she'd scanned the ground for crepes—no coins there. Then it hit her: the shoulder-bumper.
No way... Did I get pickpocketed?!
"So, what happened next?"
Della sat at the bar, clutching crepes in both hands and munching through sniffles.
"I asked around if anyone saw the guy who shoved me and ran... but no one did."
"Figures. A pro who can lift coins without ripping the pocket does it in a flash."
"So we can't catch them?"
"I'll tell the guards. But it'll be tough."
Della's shoulders shook as fresh tears fell. Idi, sitting beside her and eating crepes, patted her head.
"Don't cry... Della..."
"What do I do... my money..."
Della wailed pitifully, snot and tears streaming.
"How much did they take?"
"Three silver coins..."
What? Just three silvers? Anyone overhearing would think she'd lost a fortune in gold. I opened the register and placed three silver coins in her hand.
"Stop crying."
"Thank you, Master..."
Della bowed her head and took another bite.
"At least it's not much..."
Idi finished hers, consoled Della, and licked powder off her fingers. She eyed the bag, counting: five crepes total, one each for Della and her gone, three left. Minus one each for Pelle and me left one extra—which she was coveting. Della would've reserved two for me, so that one's mine. Idi glanced at me slyly.
"Bertrand... um..."
"You eat them all."
"Hehe... thanks..."
Idi grinned darkly and snatched one. Della turned her puffy eyes on her.
"Idi..."
"Y-yeah...? What, Della...?"
Idi asked sweetly, but Della replied,
"Didn't you say you were dieting...?"
"Oh... I skipped breakfast, so it's fine..."
Idi stammered but devoured all three anyway. No wonder her chest seemed bigger since arriving—she'd just been eating too much.
After lunch, I took Della to City Hall to report the pickpocketing to the guards. Reports go through the guard station there, since the main barracks restrict civilian access and it's inconveniently far on the outskirts for minor complaints. So they set up at City Hall for public services.
As if it wasn't cramped enough already... Inside was chaotic. Once just officials, now civilians flooded in as the city grew.
They should move to the old city hall building soon.
No sign of Hildeva, so we headed upstairs. We filed the report at the guard office. Apparently, small thefts like this were common lately—ten yesterday alone. With influxes from outside, bad apples slipped in. New boomtowns always attract opportunists. But don't expect much; without a clear description, tracking petty crooks is hard without catching them on-site. Della pouted again.
"Hiiing... Bad people should get punished..."
As we left, she muttered, and I chuckled.
"Why're you laughing, Master?"
"Just funny. Hey, wanna grab one each?"
Across from City Hall, a vendor sold fried dough dusted with sugar. Della's face lit up, and she clung to my arm.
"Yes!"
The next morning, while tidying the hall, Kali barked outside. He rarely did, so Idi checked and slammed the door shut upon returning.
"Bertrand... you should go see."
"What? Who's here?"
Della asked, but Idi scratched her head, baffled. Pelle, by the window, peeked out.
"Hey, Pelle. What is it?"
"People."
"Jeez, give details."
I crossed the hall, opened the inn door, and stepped into the courtyard.