IWTGHFW CHAPTER 8

Episode 8

The restaurant district was located next to the main palace, a place where the imperial palace’s lower-ranking chefs ran eateries.

The head chefs cooked in the main palace kitchen for the royal family, while the ones lower in the hierarchy targeted palace staff by running shops inside the palace grounds.

Even if they were considered “low-ranking” chefs, they were still royal chefs — their cooking skills could put Michelin stars to shame.

In the densely packed restaurant district, the place I usually frequented was a shop where you could grab something simple like bread and salad.
Because it was cheap.
A broke salary worker can’t just go around eating expensive meals all the time.

But today, for the first time, I came to a steakhouse right in the center of the district. From its extravagant exterior alone, you could tell it catered to the wealthy nobles who worked in the palace.

Ron had strode right into the obviously expensive place and ordered one pricey menu item after another, so I wondered what exactly he wanted to say — and this is what he came out with:

“Can’t you just not transfer to the audit team?”

“Why not?”

“‘Why not’… Has someone else tried to stop you, too?”

“It’s just a saying. Why shouldn’t I go?”

Just then, the soup arrived, delaying Ron’s reply. I stared at the steaming bowl for a moment before looking up at him expectantly.

“Let’s eat first.”

“Answer first.”

“Hm.”

Ron stroked his chin with a thoughtful expression.
If he’d had a beard, it would have looked convincing — but unfortunately, his jaw was smooth as could be.

Apparently, knights kept their faces clean-shaven because facial hair interfered with training. Whatever the reason, knights’ jaws were always baby-smooth — not like in the movies.

“Preparing for this audit made me realize just how good you are at your job. Honestly, the admin support team has always sent us staff who were… well… let’s just say, not great.”

True to form, Ron wasn’t one to sugarcoat, but he still cut himself short before outright insulting them.

I still got his meaning.

Getting assigned to the knights’ administrative support team was basically the end of the line in personnel assignments. There were no promotions to be had, no big pay raises. You’d just scrape by in obscurity until retirement.

It was where they sent commoners like me or employees who’d gotten on the higher-ups’ bad side — like a form of exile.

Looking at Mien alone, I could tell what kind of work ethic the previous staff had here. I mean, didn’t she go on a two-month no-call-no-show just because she didn’t like the captain?

“You once yelled at me for processing receipts too slowly.”

“That’s because I thought you weren’t working at all. And skipping work for over two months is still a problem, you know?”

“Fair enough.”

When I admitted that without fuss, Ron fell silent, then finally muttered a quiet, “Sorry.”

Born the eldest son of the Marquis of Metaylor, he had inherited the title without any trouble. At just twenty-eight, he’d also become the youngest captain of the knights — proof of his exceptional ability.

Apparently, the marquisate more or less ran itself (there were plenty of capable people in the family), leaving him free to focus entirely on the knights.

Whether or not he fulfilled his marquis duties, the fact remained: he held the title and had reached the pinnacle as a knight.
In a society where status was everything, Ron was the very definition of untouchable.

Yet instead of throwing his weight around, he could apologize easily, even to someone as low on the ladder as me.

As a boss, he’s actually great… maybe even the best I could ask for.

He could be a little sulky sometimes, but he was chill enough that I could talk back without worrying about grudges. He also knew nothing about budgeting, so he never meddled in my work — which was a dream come true. The best boss is the one who doesn’t interfere.

David from the audit team, on the other hand, cared way too much about the details — so if I went there, I’d be twice as stressed.

Not that that’s my main reason for hesitating…

Misi was a big factor, sure, but Ron was also a boss I’d hate to give up.

For now, I decided to focus on the steak that had just arrived. This was my first taste of expensive beef in ages.

“Take your time. If it’s not enough, I’ll order you another.”

“Really? Excuse me! Another one of these, please!”

Ron gave me a baffled look, then let out a chuckle.

Since it was a pricey place, the taste was impeccable. Back in Korea, I’d had all sorts of gourmet meals for business purposes, but even I was impressed. The meat practically melted in my mouth.

After a while, my hair started to bother me, falling in front of my face. I should get it cut soon.

I glanced around for a hair tie. Ron noticed and asked if I needed something.

“Do you have a rubber band or something?”

“A rubber band? Well… oh, would this work?”

He untied the cord wrapped around his sword and handed it to me. For a temporary fix, it would do.

I took it and pulled all my hair up, including my bangs, tying it high out of my face. Ah, that felt so much better.

I’d been too busy adapting to this world, then preparing for the audit, but now that I had some breathing room, I should really get rid of this heavy mop. It had grown into a shaggy mess.

Just as I was about to return my attention to my steak, I noticed Ron making a strange face — like he’d bitten into a rock.

“What’s with that look?”

“Your… that hair… that… uh… never mind.”

What the heck? Why start talking and then stop like that?

He just looked down, his cheeks faintly red. Was he saying my hair looked weird? Honestly, nothing’s more comfortable than pulling it all back when you eat.

I ignored his flushed face and went back to my meal.

After eating and even stuffing myself with dessert, we left the restaurant. Ron’s face darkened briefly when he saw the bill, but since he was the one who dragged me there, paying was only fair.

After such a feast, my stomach was bulging. If my work pants weren’t so loose, I probably would’ve had to undo the zipper already.

A full stomach makes for a slow walk. We strolled lazily out of the district toward the office, the warm afternoon making me drowsy.

“By the way, do you know anything about Sir Reinolf’s younger sibling?”

“Rei?”

I rubbed my sleepy eyes and asked Ron. He muttered something about needing to put a bed in my office, then for some reason blushed to the tips of his ears.

Reinolf’s younger sibling… Ron shook his head.

“I don’t think Rei has one. I’ve never heard him mention it. I’d have to check his records to be sure, though. Want me to?”

“No, that’s fine. What you’ve said is already plenty.”

That scammer.

Now I felt foolish for ever crying over it. Who would’ve thought that angelic face could tell such a devilish lie?

The fact that someone I’d underestimated managed to trick me only made it more infuriating.

Ugh. Forget Misi — maybe I should just join the audit team.

…Or so I thought — but right now my steps were light as a feather.

Why?

Because I was on my way to the West Annex, where the Second Prince resided, to deliver the audit results!

After a full meal and a luxurious nap (with Ron’s permission), I was given the order to personally deliver the report.

I was so excited I even called for a carriage. Ron looked at me oddly, but whatever.

“Misi!”

As soon as I stepped down, Misi, who had been waiting in front of the palace, waved at me.

Ah, sorry. Please never forgive me for even thinking about leaving you for the audit team.

Her black hair, as beautiful as the night, fluttered in the breeze. With hair that sleek and soft, it was hard not to be mesmerized.

She ran toward me, hair streaming behind her, looking impossibly graceful.

“Ail, it’s been a while.”

“Yeah, three days.”

Three days counts as “a while.” Definitely.

Long enough for me to go insane and think, Misi who?

“I’ve prepared tea. The weather’s nice — shall we have it in the garden?”

“Sure. By the way, where’s His Highness? I’m here on work, so I need to handle that first.”

“Oh, you can just tell me. I’ll pass it along. He’s not in the palace right now.”

“Really? Well, that makes my job easier.”

Yes! More time to spend with Misi. Heh heh.

Grinning, I followed her to the back garden. “Garden” was a generous word — it was more like a small courtyard.

Still, it was nicely kept, with flowers blooming here and there, and a white table with two chairs placed in the middle.

Misi poured me a fragrant cup of tea.

“What kind is this?”

“Sage tea. Do you like it?”

“This is my first time trying it, but I do.”

“I’m glad.”

She smiled so radiantly she outshone every flower around us. It was amazing that someone could be so healing just to look at.

By the way… how long should I keep speaking formally? I wanted to get closer to her.

“How old are you, Misi? I’m twenty.”

“Oh, I’m twenty too.”

“Then can we drop the honorifics? We’re friends now.”

“Friends…”

She trailed off, eyes lowering.

Did she not like the idea?

I was about to apologize when she looked up first.

“Sure. Friends.”

And she smiled — the kind of smile so beautiful it felt almost obscene to describe.

After tea with Misi, I headed back to the dormitory late in the evening.

Humming and skipping along, I was in the best mood — until two suspicious figures appeared in front of me.

“Who are you?”

It was obvious they were here for me, so I stopped walking and waited. They were both tall enough that I had to look up — and since I’m on the short side for a woman, that meant a 99% chance they were men.

One of them spoke.

“Count Poison requests your presence.”

Ah, crap.