I Won't Just Watch My Employee Suffer
“What’s this?”
Sylvia pointed at Elena in her maid outfit and me, asking the question. Was it because of the frills that especially emphasized her chest? Or maybe the cleavage that was particularly exposed?
I’d prefer if Elena’s maid outfit wasn’t so revealing, if possible.
I couldn’t stop her because of Elena’s firm resolve that this was the outfit she had to wear. It was nice to look at, sure. But it wasn’t something I wanted to show off to other people.
“Elena’s outfit is a bit unusual, yeah.”
“No, it’s not just that... The chandelier too, and Manager, you’re suddenly wearing a suit that doesn’t suit you at all. Everyone’s acting so strange-shmada.”
Her saying it didn’t suit me stung a little. I’d chosen this suit to create an atmosphere like Evergarden for her sake.
“I told you. Today, I’m making meat stew just for you, Sylvia.”
“Oh, that’s why?”
Her eyes widened. The way she looked up at me with those round, sparkling pupils was adorable.
“So that’s why you told me to wear this dress-shmuka?”
“Yes, Lady Sylvia.”
At this moment, she was the top VVIP of our DG Garden.
“Ah...”
Sylvia’s eyes reddened with emotion.
“Please come this way. We have a reserved seat prepared just for you, Lady Sylvia.”
“Here’s a handkerchief.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Sylvia dabbed at her tears with the silk handkerchief Elena handed her and followed me.
“Please have a seat here.”
Sylvia followed Do-jin. The living room, simply remodeled from the house where he usually lived, was dusted with sparkling light from the chandelier hanging from the ceiling. What had once been an ordinary home now featured framed artworks, sculptures, and even a magical device playing soft music. It felt like a miniature Evergarden. No—in terms of splendor, it was even better. The living room window, twinkling so brightly it seemed like stars were falling, held a large table set with luxurious fabrics, fine dishware, and silver candelabras. And on the table, just one chair. A table—and a restaurant—for exactly one guest.
Sylvia bit her lip tightly. If she opened her mouth now, she felt like the tears would burst out. She knew why Do-jin had gone to such lengths. Gratitude swelled for the sincerity he’d poured into remodeling his house in a single day just for her.
She stood there dazed for a moment as Do-jin pulled out the chair from the table, then belatedly sat down with graceful poise that never lost its elegance. As expected of a daughter from a prestigious noble house.
As she settled in, Do-jin poured pre-meal wine into her glass, bowed his head, and said,
“Today, I’ve prepared dishes as close as possible to the meat stew you love, Lady Sylvia.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Aren’t you going to ask the menu name?”
“What is it?”
“Boeuf Bourguignon.”
“Bourguignon...”
“I’ll bring it out shortly. Please wait just a moment.”
“Yes.”
While waiting for the dish, she looked down at herself. She hadn’t realized it until now, but this dress...
It’s so worn out.
It had been two whole years. Ever since she’d been chased out of her family and started living independently. With no money to buy a new dress, she’d had no choice but to wear the same red one every time she visited Evergarden. She’d taken care of it as best she could, but she couldn’t stop the flow of time. Threads were fraying here and there. To ordinary eyes, it might not show, but she knew. Not just her—all the noble daughters in high society knew. How many times a dress had been worn, and how much.
They all saw it.
The other nobles would have noticed. That she wore the same dress every time, that it was fraying more by noble standards, and that she never replaced it. That’s why she’d been chased out.
She’d known it for a while. The unkind gazes directed at her. She’d pretended not to notice since she couldn’t hear them outright. It was something she should have faced long ago, so why did her heart ache so much now?
Yesterday, she’d cried all day. Too miserable about her situation to even go outside.
I still can’t forget. How stupid.
She was ashamed. Of herself for still clinging to nostalgia from the past. Of herself for not being able to throw away this worn dress and keep wearing it.
While Sylvia berated herself, Do-jin brought out the meat stew in an elegant dish. The aroma stimulated her nose—sweet, salty, nutty. Just the scent alone told her how delicious it would be.
“Is this it?”
“Yes, a special menu for our guest: Boeuf Bourguignon.”
“Ah...”
“I guarantee the taste. It’s the best dish in our restaurant.”
After setting the dish, Do-jin smiled at Sylvia as she opened her mouth.
“You look beautiful as you are, so don’t worry too much.”
“Pardon?”
“I saw you keep looking down at your dress the whole time you were waiting. You’re dazzling in that dress, and there’s not a single flaw on it, so no need to fret.”
“Ah...”
“So hold your head high. Right now, Lady Sylvia, you’re at your most beautiful.”
Elena chimed in at Do-jin’s words.
“That’s right! You’re beautiful!”
For some reason, her shout in that maid outfit looked utterly cute. Encouraged by the two of them, Sylvia couldn’t help but smile.
“Heehee, thank you. You were watching me even while preparing.”
“Understanding the guest is the basics of service.”
Do-jin replied with a smile and gestured to the meat stew.
“Please try a bite. The food will get cold.”
“Ah, yes.”
Sylvia carefully scooped a spoonful of the stew broth with the silver spoon. It was already so fragrant just from the smell—what would the taste be like?
*Slurp.*
“Ah.”
A gasp escaped her. It was delicious. The moment it touched her tongue, it was like entering a whole new world—a special flavor that made her head tingle and her tongue dance. She smacked her lips without realizing it.
“It’s delicious.”
It was just the broth. Not even the meat or vegetables yet. For broth alone to be this good...
It shattered every definition of “fine dining” she’d known until now.
“If you poke the meat lightly with a fork, it’ll tear along the grain.”
As he said, the meat was tender. Firm on the outside, but with a light touch from fork and spoon, it separated perfectly. In her mouth, it melted away like butter. Evergarden’s stew couldn’t even compare.
“How is the taste?”
“It’s really delicious.”
“Thank you.”
One bite made her crave two, two made her want four more. As Sylvia lifted her spoon again, tears flowed once more.
Why? She knew. The girl chased from her family, losing everything, had clung to visits to Evergarden to overcome her trauma. There, even if just briefly, she could feel like a noble again. Once a month, that moment savoring the meat stew she’d loved in the past let her forget all her worries.
To Sylvia, Evergarden’s meat stew meant that—past happiness. But the moment she was banned, she’d plunged into fathomless despair. No place left to remember her past. No proof left that Sylvia Polion, the noble, had ever existed.
At least, that’s what she’d thought.
“Hic...”
But this was even better. Far better than the taste that had proven her nobility.
And not just the taste—someone had looked at her changed self, her worn dress, and still called her beautiful.
“Thank you...”
Sylvia swallowed the melting beef and expressed her gratitude to the two. Tears flowed, smudging her makeup.
“It’s only natural. Sorry. As manager, I should’ve noticed my employee’s worries sooner.”
“No. Just giving me a place to work is more than enough to be grateful for.”
“Don’t overthink it. Whether you’re a noble or not, Elena and I don’t care. You’re our precious employee, and that won’t change.”
“...”
So sly. Preparing all this and hitting her with lines like that—it was hard to deny.
“So you don’t need to obsess over Evergarden. But.”
Do-jin sighed and continued.
“If you really feel like you have to go, you can anytime. I personally stocked them up with plenty of ingredients, so they’ll welcome you with open arms.”
“You went there yourself?”
“For my employee, a manager can do anything.”
Originally, he hadn’t planned to send her back. Once someone’s been rude once, they might do it again and again. But if going to Evergarden was what Sylvia needed to endure the present, he had no choice. He’d taken measures so no one would dare disrespect her again. If they did, he’d pay a house call.
But her response was unexpected.
“It’s okay. I won’t go anymore.”
“You won’t?”
“Yeah. No need to go there.”
Sylvia smiled, gazing at the meat stew I’d made, silverware in hand. Not a trace of worry clouded her smile.
“Because I found a meat stew way better than theirs.”
Her voice, free of any distress, finally put my mind at ease. Thank goodness. She seemed relieved.
“Glad you enjoyed it.”
I’d been worried sick. It was all based on memories from YouTube videos. I’d tried multiple methods, hoping at least one would succeed. Elena had helped. She’d been thrilled to hear we’d cook together at home. Her love for food hadn’t changed. Among them, Elena’s favorite—Boeuf Bourguignon—was the one I served Sylvia, hoping to heal the wounds from Evergarden. Seeing her say that, it was clear some healing had happened.
“Manager.”
Sylvia, quietly eating her stew, called to me.
“Could you maybe make food like this every now and then? Even if it’s not this fancy. Stuff like that oji fry you made before is fine. I can pay sometimes.”
“Didn’t you say you couldn’t afford it because you needed to save?”
I recalled Sylvia saying skipping meals earned her an extra 5 gold.
“It’s fine. I don’t have places to spend much money anymore.”
“...”
“Is it okay to ask?”
“Of course. Anytime.”
“Thank you, Manager.”
Sylvia looked at Do-jin in his suit. What had seemed awkward and ill-fitting just moments ago now felt much sharper and better.
Now that I look, Manager’s kinda cool.
A person who’d humble himself for a part-timer. Where else could you find someone like that? To her, Do-jin looked incredibly dashing.