Shabby interior, gloomy atmosphere, and cheap ingredients.
If a noble from the Imperial Capital were to set foot here, they would be horrified by the impoverished environment and turn away.
And I thought Viviana and Lillian would be no different.
“I wish I could come here every day.”
But my expectations were wrong. They genuinely enjoyed my food, finishing it all with satisfied looks.
Surely, compared to the dishes of chefs with dazzling careers, my cooking must have been lacking, yet they showered me with praise.
I was grateful. Even if it was just lip service, I was deeply thankful for their consideration.
How could I repay this gratitude? That was the only thought swirling in my mind.
“That was delicious.”
“Really delicious, Tina.”
After finishing their meal, they put on their hoods again and got up to pay. I insisted on treating them, but they firmly insisted on paying.
“We can’t eat such delicious food for free, can we?”
Lillian paid with a gentle smile. Meanwhile, Viviana handed me a silver coin.
“This is a tip.”
A silver coin given as a tip. I stared blankly at the coin.
“A tip…?”
“Yeah, thanks to the pretty server, the meal was even more enjoyable.”
A mischievous smile played on Viviana’s lips.
“Thank you.”
I didn’t refuse. It wasn’t the first time I’d received a tip.
No, in fact, I’d never not received a tip. For some reason, customers always left a tip when they paid.
[d*mn it, those bastards never gave me a single penny.]
Sometimes Grandma Miranda would grumble like that.
“Well, we’ll be going now, Tina. I’m really glad you’re doing well.”
“Tina, if you feel even the slightest bit unwell, let us know anytime. We’ll come running without hesitation.”
Leaving me with words that felt too generous, they prepared to leave.
“Are you leaving already?”
“Yeah, we should.”
Can’t you stay a little longer?
For a moment, the words in my heart almost spilled out. Thankfully, I clenched my lips shut, stopping the sound of my heart from escaping.
If they leave now, I might not see them for another two months. That thought made my heart ache for some reason.
Kind and warm words. Affectionate gazes. And even a tip.
Once again, I was receiving gifts that felt too generous from them.
It’s me who should be repaying my sins. It’s me who should be helping them.
I couldn’t just let them go like this.
“Viviana.”
“Yes?”
“Can you… follow me for a moment?”
Confusion flickered in her purple eyes, but Viviana nodded without a word.
Carefully holding her hand, I led her out the back door of the tavern. After making sure no one was around, I looked at her.
“What’s wrong, Tina?”
Her eyes still held confusion.
“I wanted to thank you.”
“Thank me?”
A simple thank you wasn’t enough.
The kindness she had shown me could never be fully expressed with just words.
But I was too incompetent to repay her kindness, so all I could do was express it through words, pathetically.
“Thanks to you, Viviana, I earned money for the first time. My mother once advised me not to take money lightly, and now I finally understand what she meant.”
“Tina…”
“And I can reflect on how I used to take the gifts from the young ladies lightly.”
The jewels and dresses in my closet. Things I once thought of as just assets to sell someday.
Now I realize how much heartfelt care was behind them. And it’s all thanks to Viviana.
I looked into Viviana’s eyes. Deep, beautiful purple eyes, trembling with emotion.
‘Does she… still like me?’
For a moment, hesitation flickered in my mind.
The old Viviana liked my body. So when I flirted, she was happy, and she said just touching my body gave her strength.
Hoping she still liked my appearance, I stood on my tiptoes.
Mwah—
My lips gently touched her cheek. Viviana’s cheek was cold, but the emotion conveyed through my lips was warm.
“Huh?”
Her purple eyes widened, blinking in confusion. Was she surprised? Or did she like it?
I hoped it was the latter.
“Ti, Tina… what’s this?”
Her eyes seemed to demand an explanation. Did she dislike it?
“I, I just wanted to express my gratitude to you, Viviana… I didn’t know how else to… so, I did this…”
“……”
The cheek my lips touched turned red. Her dazed eyes were now trembling.
“D, did you… dislike it?”
“N, no!”
Viviana quickly grabbed my hand.
Her grip was a bit tight, making my wrist ache, but it clearly conveyed her feelings.
Ah, I’m glad. She didn’t dislike it. She still likes me.
My face flushed too. The fact that Viviana still liked me sent countless thoughts racing through my mind.
I’m glad.
I’m happy you still like me.
I’m really glad you haven’t grown tired of me.
Thank you, Viviana. I like you. I really like you.
I want to repay your kindness more. What can I do to make you happier?
Maybe… if I kiss you more, will you like it?
I want you to be happier.
As much as I hurt you, I want you to be happier.
“D, do you express gratitude like this to others too?”
“N, no…!”
I quickly waved my hands in denial. For some reason, I felt embarrassed and averted my gaze, answering in a small voice.
“Except for my mother… you’re the first, Viviana.”
Hearing that, Viviana froze, not moving a muscle.
I wanted to stay with her a little longer, but I sensed someone approaching.
I quickly hugged Viviana tightly and whispered softly in her ear.
“Next time… come again. I’ll definitely treat you to even more delicious food.”
Holding Viviana’s hand tightly, I led her back inside the tavern to avoid the approaching presence.
There, Lillian stood with a pouty face. She glanced at the dazed Viviana, then narrowed her eyes and asked.
“What were you two doing?”
“Ah, well…”
While I hesitated, Viviana stepped in front of me.
Somehow regaining her composure, Viviana’s eyes were calm again, as usual.
“We just had a private conversation.”
“A private conversation?”
For some reason.
Viviana’s eyes looking at Lillian seemed more triumphant than usual.
※
After Viviana and Lillian left, time passed uneventfully.
The tavern was still bustling, and the mercenaries’ tales of adventure filled the place like background music.
“If I knew it would get this busy, I shouldn’t have taken you in.”
Grandma Miranda glared at me and grumbled as usual. Used to her complaints, I just shrugged.
“Sales have gone up because of me. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Now you’re even talking back.”
Of course. I wasn’t scared of Grandma Miranda anymore. I knew that beneath her rough exterior, she was a warm person.
“Go take the customers’ orders.”
“Yes~.”
“And don’t lure them in with any weird tricks.”
“W, when did I ever do that?!”
“……Just get out.”
Avoiding Grandma Miranda’s icy glare, I stepped out of the kitchen.
Grandma Miranda sometimes had strange misunderstandings.
I approached a customer sitting at a table and smiled softly.
“You’re here again today, Azela.”
“Came to see our pretty server.”
“Thank you. What would you like to eat today?”
By now, I had memorized the names of the regular customers. It wasn’t too hard since the place wasn’t crowded.
“Chicken stew and bread, please.”
“Sure, I’ll have it ready soon.”
As I turned away with a brief smile, her voice stopped me.
“By the way, our server girl… you were quite famous, weren’t you?”
“Huh?”
“Who would’ve thought such a delicate face could hide such a sharp edge. The world is full of mysteries.”
“Uh…?”
Azela’s eyes narrowed. The smile on her lips felt ominously unsettling.
And finally, she spoke.
“You poisoned the Saintess, didn’t you?”
It was a short sentence.
A simple statement.
But with that one sentence.
My heart sank to the deepest abyss once more.
