Chapter 27
“Food he likes, huh… Well.”
At the head chef’s question, Aide Dell’s expression stiffened.
He had served Kainel for many years, yet it suddenly hit him that he didn’t actually know what his master liked or disliked.
‘He’s never the type to express those things.’
A deep sigh escaped both Dell and the chef at the same time.
“Um…”
Then, a maid who had been standing quietly at one side spoke up hesitantly.
“There’s this restaurant my younger sister goes to a lot.”
“A restaurant?”
Dell’s expression turned curious, while the chef frowned slightly.
Was she suggesting they bring outside food for the Archduke?
Sensing the misunderstanding, the maid quickly explained.
“M-My sister once ate their stew when she was feeling weak, and she said it helped her recover her energy right away. I’m sorry if that’s inappropriate…”
“No matter what, how could we serve street food to the Archduke—”
“You said stew?”
“Lord Dell?”
The chef, who had been scolding the maid, widened his eyes in surprise.
But Dell simply smiled gently and stepped closer to the maid.
“You said it helps with recovery?”
“Yes. My sister once got trapped in the Black Forest and barely made it out alive. She wasn’t injured, but her body was terribly weakened after that.”
“I see.”
“…Surely you don’t mean to actually bring street food to His Grace?”
“Yes.”
“…Pardon?”
“If he’ll eat it, then why not?”
What did it matter if it was street food or something cheap? If there was even a chance His Grace would find it appetizing, Dell was willing to get anything.
“Where is this restaurant?”
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, ma’am.”
The insurance company clerk, smiling brightly, handed a bracelet across the desk to Seres.
“Your medical claim of 879 gold and 95 silver has been deposited.”
What the woman returned was Seres’s bracelet — or more precisely, one tied to the bank account of House Drowe, the Baron’s family. All bank transactions were conducted through this bracelet.
‘Eight hundred seventy-nine gold, huh.’
Not a bad amount.
Although the fact that this money came from Agne’s scheming did bother her — a little.
‘She even took out insurance, huh.’
Insurance under Yulia’s name.
Neither Seres nor any of the family members had known about it.
Apparently, Agne had taken out the policy secretly, before Yulia’s health began to decline — in other words, before she started drugging the child.
‘She must’ve planned to cash this in later.’
There was even a death insurance policy under Yulia’s name.
When Seres confirmed this, she genuinely considered sneaking into the prison just to beat that woman senseless.
‘It’s not money earned in a good way…’
But it wasn’t like she was taking it directly from a criminal aunt — it was coming from an insurance company. Refusing it would’ve been ridiculous.
She’d only found out about this thanks to the butler, Collin.
Knowing Agne’s nature, he’d suspected she wouldn’t stop at what she’d already taken and began investigating her past expenses.
“There was a time Lady Agne took Lady Yulia’s seal. May I look into it, just in case?”
Seres had agreed, and thanks to that, Collin discovered the hidden insurance policies.
“Please, make sure to collect it!”
He’d pressed the insurance documents into her hand with an almost burning intensity, insisting she claim the medical compensation immediately. Seres could only nod vigorously in response.
“Is there anything else you need, ma’am?”
“No, that’ll be all.”
“Then thank you for visiting! We hope to see you again.”
Leaving behind the ever-polite insurance employee, Seres slowly stood up.
‘Hm?’
Just as she was about to leave the office, her gaze froze on a familiar face.
‘That man…’
Dave’s father?
She’d seen him once before — the day she visited the bookstore with Yulia.
His wife had run off, taking their son with her, hadn’t she?
“Here are the insurance documents for your wife and son.”
“Ah, thank you. But, um…”
“Yes, sir?”
“I was just wondering… how long after a disappearance can a person be officially declared dead?”
“If they went missing in the Black Forest area, it’s one year. Otherwise, typically five. Either way, our investigators will conduct an inquiry before any payout.”
“I see… thank you.”
…Insurance?
Catching fragments of the conversation, Seres frowned slightly.
Why was he suddenly checking the insurance policies for his runaway wife and son?
She watched Dave’s father talking with the clerk for a bit longer, then dismissed it from her mind and left the office.
“Yaaawn… how long’s it been?”
“Thirty minutes.”
“Damn it, those bastards should’ve eaten and gotten out by now.”
“Wanna go in and drag them out?”
“Forget it. If the owner catches us, we’re dead.”
It was another lively day on Delassy Street No. 1.
And among all the shops there, one tiny, shabby-looking building had an especially long line in front.
<Where Your Steps Rest>
People passing by shot curious glances at the loudmouthed customers in line, but soon moved on — it was nothing new.
It was always like this.
Step, step.
“Hm?”
Then someone strode straight past the line toward the shop entrance.
“What the hell?”
“Who’s that idiot?”
The people waiting turned sharply, glaring.
Some crazy guy was brazenly cutting the line in broad daylight — and doing it with confidence!
“Hey, you there.”
“…Me?”
The man walking toward the door — none other than Archmage Cheian, the Tower Master — turned at the sharp voice.
“Can’t you see the line?”
“Where do you think you’re going, cutting in?”
“Get back before you get your ass kicked.”
Cheian shook his head slightly, as if there was a misunderstanding.
“I actually know the owner here.”
“So?”
“…Sorry?”
“What about it?”
“We all know the owner too.”
The crowd snorted in amusement.
“You’re looking at five-year regulars here, pal. You look like you just wandered in yesterday — don’t act like you’re special.”
“I’m not here as a customer…”
“Oh? Then I guess you won’t be eating the stew?”
“…”
…That wasn’t true.
He could already smell the delicious aroma wafting from inside, hear the rhythmic sound of chopping.
He was very curious about what kind of food they served here.
When Cheian hesitated, unable to explain properly, the customers all pointed behind him in unison.
Get in line!
“…Fine.”
In the end, Cheian trudged to the very back of the endless queue.
‘Maybe I should’ve just used magic to sneak in.’
He pouted as he stared at the long line.
“These people eat way too slow, don’t you think?”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Ah! Did you see that? He just ordered another one! Eating two bowls at once is cheating!”
“Damn, that guy again.”
“Where’s his conscience? Doesn’t he see the line outside?”
“He always does that. Sometimes he orders three bowls!”
“Wanna sneak in and smack him?”
Soon enough, Cheian found himself joining in the idle banter with the people around him, passing the time by complaining about the customers inside.
“Do I stand here for the line?”
At that moment, someone quietly approached from behind and spoke to him.
“Yes.”
Without even turning around, Cheian answered casually.
Behind him, Aide Dell smiled faintly.
The restaurant the maid had recommended — Where Your Steps Rest — was right here.
‘Quite the crowd.’
From the outside, it looked pitifully shabby — especially surrounded by the fancier shops nearby.
But when Dell saw the people inside, their faces glowing with happiness as they ate, he couldn’t help but smile warmly.
‘Everyone looks so content.’
He could actually see their joy.
Just a single bowl of stew was enough to make them smile like that.
If even a little of that could reach Lord Kainel…
‘…Lord Kainel smiling?’
Just imagining it gave him chills.
Best not to think about it.
Thud thud thud thud—
Then, a small figure came darting past the crowd, sprinting straight toward the front of the shop.
