My daily life is somewhat monotonous.
The day begins in a small cabin.
My room, located right next to Grandma Miranda’s, is a modest space with just a small bed and a wardrobe.
It might look impoverished at first glance, but compared to the days spent in a dark, empty underground prison, this place feels warm and cozy.
“Are you still sleeping?!”
I always wake up to Grandma Miranda’s ear-splitting yell.
“Ugh…”
I’m tired.
They say you sleep less as you get older, and I guess it’s true. Thanks to Grandma Miranda waking up at 7 every morning, I have to start my day early too.
Out of everything, waking up at dawn is still the hardest.
When I step outside, the sunlight streams through the window, and Grandma Miranda’s clothes are neatly hung nearby.
I hand-washed and hung them myself.
At first, I was clumsy, but over time, I got used to hand-washing. At some point, Grandma Miranda started having me wash her clothes too.
Since she provides me with room and board, I had no reason to refuse.
“Ugh…”
After changing into my work clothes, I stretch my body like a cat to prepare for the day.
Maybe it’s just my mood, but lately, my body feels lighter.
It could be because I’ve lost weight or gained muscle from working at the shop, but it feels like something more fundamental has changed.
It’s like something that was inside me has disappeared.
Anyway, I feel refreshed now. Maybe this is the freest my body has ever been.
As I step out of the cabin, I glance at Grandma Miranda.
“Grandma, can I… hold your hand?”
“What the hell.”
Grandma Miranda grabs my hand with a slightly annoyed expression.
Our hands are so different in size that it feels more like my hand is resting on her wide palm than actually holding hands.
After walking hand in hand with Grandma Miranda for about 30 minutes, our shop comes into view.
We pride ourselves on being the most popular restaurant in the area.
Of course, all this reputation was built by Grandma Miranda, but I like to think that my cooking now shares a bit of that credit.
“It’s cold…”
The first thing I do when I arrive at the shop is light the stove.
Until the fire warms up the area, I have to huddle and shiver in front of it for a while.
Once the sun is fully up, we open the shop.
Before starting work, I always make a habit of stopping by the bathroom.
Lillian’s inscription is still uncomfortable, but lately, I can hold it for a whole hour if I try.
It still doesn’t feel completely comfortable unless I press on my lower abdomen, but I guess this counts as progress.
At the shop, I handle dishwashing and assist with cooking, while Grandma Miranda takes care of the main cooking and serving.
Grandma tries to keep me out of the kitchen as much as possible, but sometimes when we’re short-handed, I have no choice but to step in and serve.
“The food here is amazing! Even if it bankrupts me, I’ll keep coming back, definitely.”
A pretty woman smiles brightly at me.
Receiving compliments from customers is the moment my heart beats the fastest during the day.
When that happens, my whole body feels hot, and my breathing gets a little rough.
Every time a customer compliments me, I have to cover my flushed face with one hand. If I don’t, my red face would be fully exposed.
‘Happy. Happy. Happy. Happy. Happy. Happy.’
My mind is filled with nothing but joy.
I want to express my gratitude, but I can’t because of Grandma Miranda’s strict rule not to engage in more than ten words of conversation with customers.
So, I resort to a little trick.
I spread out a cloth napkin and carefully write a letter, pouring my heart into it. I write the words meticulously, making sure not to tear the napkin, pressing my sincerity into each stroke.
Then, I gently place the letter on the customer’s open palm, covering their hand with mine.
After placing the letter filled with gratitude on their palm, I quickly run back to the kitchen, unable to bear the embarrassment.
“Wait, just a moment…!”
I hear the customer calling me from behind, but I ignore it and dash back to the kitchen.
If I stop, Grandma Miranda will surely scold me.
Sure enough, as soon as I enter the kitchen, Grandma Miranda’s voice rings out.
“What did you do this time?”
“Nothing.”
I turn away from Grandma’s sharp gaze and head deeper into the kitchen to do the dishes.
Crash—
“Hey! She’s at it again, grab her!”
“Let go, let go! I just want to talk for a second!”
“Get your focus back first!”
A loud commotion comes from inside the dining area.
It seems like the customers are getting into a physical fight.
At first, I was really flustered, but now I just let it go.
Since we’re near the frontlines, most of the customers are rough mercenaries, so fights breaking out is a common occurrence.
“Why do they fight like that?”
“…You really didn’t do anything, right?”
“No, I didn’t even say ten words, just like Grandma Miranda told me.”
“Hmm, then it must just be the mercenaries’ daily routine.”
Honestly, I wish they’d stop fighting. What’s the point of wasting time and energy on meaningless fights when they should be focusing on their own lives?
But, well. Everyone has their own reasons, I guess.
And so, the somewhat tumultuous day ends as the deep darkness of night settles in.
Unlike before, when I’d be exhausted after just an hour of work, now I can last for hours.
The joy of cooking dishes I’ve only seen on TV, and the happiness of seeing customers enjoy my food—no matter how many times I experience it, it never gets old.
After finishing the cleanup, I step outside the shop.
The faint moonlight falls through the thick darkness. The cold night air brushes against my skin, and I naturally take a deep breath.
Just as I finish locking up and am about to head back to Grandma Miranda’s house, I see a familiar color in the distance.
“…Huh?”
Maybe it’s my imagination. I thought I saw a flash of purple that looked just like Viviana’s eyes. The pink that fluttered by reminded me of Lillian.
But when I open my eyes wide and look again, all I see is the deep darkness of the night sky.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
It must be my imagination.
There’s no way Viviana, the sole heir of the Merdelia Ducal Family, would be here at this hour. The same goes for Lillian, the saintess.
Maybe it’s just a projection of my longing to see them. It’s been almost two months since I last saw them.
‘…I wonder how Artasha is doing.’
Actually, the one I miss the most is Artasha.
She promised to give me a new name when we meet again. I’m still waiting for the name she’ll give me.
Any name would be fine. If she gives it to me, I know I’ll treasure it deeply and be happy.
“…Happiness.”
The moment I think of that word, a heavy weight settles in my chest.
Over the past two months, I’ve been so caught up in the joy of cooking that I almost forgot the most important thing.
I am a sinner.
I manipulated the hearts of many young ladies, and for my own satisfaction, I sent some of them across the river of despair.
I ruined Mardian, who only liked me, and drove Viviana to the battlefield. I spread ugly rumors about Lillian, banishing her from the social circle, and drove a nail into Artasha’s heart that can never be healed.
All that remains for me is unforgivable sin. So, I must constantly remind myself.
I am not worthy of being with such wonderful people.
Even if I were to atone for all these sins, the only thing waiting for me at the end is death.
To go to the person waiting for me in hell. For the person I need to seek forgiveness from the most.
‘…Don’t forget.’
I am not someone who deserves happiness.
※
“That was close…”
Viviana lets out a sigh of relief as she watches Tina walk away. The leaf on her head clearly shows how flustered she was just moments ago.
“Strange.”
Lillian, peeking out from the bushes, keeps her eyes on the retreating figure of Tina.
“What? Did something happen to Tina?”
A subtle anxiety seeps into Viviana’s voice. She always overreacts when it comes to Tina.
Even though she’s placed the most reliable warrior by Tina’s side, her unease drives her to visit this place almost daily.
“It seems like good news, but…”
“Don’t beat around the bush, just say it.”
“I can’t sense any demonic energy from Tina.”
The evil presence that drove Viviana and Lillian to this point. One of the reasons they keep such a close watch on Tina is because of that demon.
But now, they say they can’t sense its presence.
“Must be a mistake.”
“No. The holy stone around Tina’s neck isn’t glowing. If the demon were still inside her, the stone would be emitting a faint holy light to suppress it.”
“…Is there something wrong with the stone?”
“No. I can clearly feel the holy power within it.”
The result of Lillian pouring her holy power into it day and night for weeks. The holy stone around Tina’s neck now holds such powerful divine energy that it could be called a holy relic.
“Then, has the demon completely disappeared?”
“I can’t be sure. It’s best to keep watching for a while longer.”
“…Alright.”
Both of them feel the urge to go to Tina directly, but they suppress that desire.
Unlike the past Tina, who was always tearful and worn out, the current Tina is full of life. Seeing her like this, they can’t bring themselves to disrupt her life.
For now, they know they wouldn’t be good memories for her.
“Do you really think we can trust her?”
Lillian’s gaze shifts to the elderly woman with a massive build. Her muscular body looks solid enough to deter even the most reckless mercenaries.
“We can trust her. She’s a bit rough around the edges, but she’s a good person. And…”
A faint smile spreads across Viviana’s lips.
“Grandma Miranda is even stronger than me.”
