CHAPTER 10
“The conversation from the plaza…?”
Everett tilted her head in confusion.
“You know, when I said I never forget someone I owe.”
Kyle’s words brought back memories of the moment in front of the fortune teller’s tent.
She quickly raised her hand and rubbed the center of her forehead—where Kyle had gently pressed.
‘Forget it. I’m erasing that memory.’
Kyle, watching her with amusement, let out a chuckle and returned to the procession.
Once Kyle and Alfred had disappeared, Daisy asked,
“Miss, was that rag—no, I mean the black cloth—really a gift from the Grand Duke?”
“Yes. He happened to be nearby.”
Everett let out a long sigh and hung her head.
“Miss, we’re here. Aunt Marsha’s tavern.”
Marsha’s shop was tucked away in a corner of the plaza, not far from the fountain. The building’s worn exterior showed clear signs of age.
“Even though my aunt maintains it diligently, it just keeps looking more and more rundown.”
“A building needs people coming in and out to stay lively.”
As they opened the creaky door, the musty smell of the old building drifted out first.
“Go ahead, miss.”
Though it was a tavern, during the day it also served light meals like a small eatery.
While the central plaza shops were packed with customers, Marsha’s tavern was nearly deserted.
“Aunt Marsha!”
“Just a moment, Daisy.”
Daisy called into the empty tavern, and a response came from the kitchen.
Before long, Marsha emerged, parting a small curtain that separated the kitchen.
Everett gasped at the sight of her.
Taller and more robust than most men, she looked like a shot-put athlete.
‘A strong-willed type, I see.’
Marsha set the plate she was carrying on the bar and walked over with open arms.
“My dear Daisy!”
Marsha hugged Daisy tightly, practically squeezing the life out of her.
“Ack! Auntie, I can’t breathe!”
As she playfully greeted Daisy, Marsha noticed Everett standing quietly nearby.
“Daisy, you didn’t come alone? Who is…?”
“This is Lady Everett Gronzie, daughter of Baron Gronzie. She’s the one I serve.”
“Ah, the pretty little goblin…”
“A-Auntie! No! That was a long time ago…!”
Daisy quickly covered Marsha’s mouth in panic.
Everett approached with a polite smile.
“Owner Marsha, I’m Everett Gronzie. Pleased to meet you.”
A noble lady—one that Daisy served—had come to this rundown tavern and even greeted her first using formal speech.
Marsha rubbed her nose bridge with her fingers, slightly flustered.
“I’ve never been in a situation like this, so I don’t know how to react.”
Everett replied with a cheerful smile.
“I didn’t come today as a noble. I’m here to talk business with you, so please speak comfortably.”
Marsha had worked at the tavern with her father since childhood.
Having grown up interacting with many people, she was quick-witted and had a sharp eye for people.
Usually, just a few words were enough to size someone up.
But Everett Gronzie, standing before her, was unreadable.
‘She’s the same age as Daisy, right? But that expression and gaze… definitely not someone who’s just twenty.’
Her captivating black eyes held an unfathomable depth behind her beauty, and her pure, unreadable face gave away nothing.
“So you’re saying, Miss, you want to discuss business with me?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hmph. What business could a baron’s daughter have with the owner of a failing tavern?”
Despite Marsha’s bluntness, Everett remained calm, her smile unfading.
Only Daisy looked nervously between them.
Everett pulled out a chair.
“Let’s sit. This isn’t a conversation for standing.”
Everett acted as if she owned the place, moving around Marsha’s tavern without hesitation.
Marsha began to feel intrigued by the bold young woman.
“Fine, let’s hear what you’ve got.”
“Owner, what’s your shop’s signature dish?”
Marsha’s brow twitched with irritation.
“Signature… dish?”
“Yes. Your main menu item. I know business is slow now, but this tavern has been around since your father’s time. Doesn’t that mean there’s something special about it?”
Though Everett’s questioning bordered on cheeky, Marsha oddly found herself liking it.
“There’s Kuna.”
“Kuna?”
“Yes. A liquor developed by my father, Martin Kuna. It’s something only we can make in the entire empire—no, the whole continent.”
“I see. Then may I try a glass?”
Everett placed a few coins on the table. Marsha snorted and stood up.
“You’re not here as a paying customer, so it’s on the house. Keep your coins.”
Marsha went to the kitchen and returned with a large wooden cup.
“Um, miss… Kuna is alcohol.”
“I know. You just said so.”
“But you’ve never drunk alcohol before.”
Everett chuckled.
“I should try at least one glass. If I want to do business here, I should know what tastes best.”
“Here you go, miss. Give it a try.”
Everett took the wooden cup in both hands and peered inside.
‘That color looks familiar.’
She took a sip and her eyes widened.
‘This is… warm, flat… beer!’
The aftertaste was slightly different, but in color and flavor, it was unmistakably beer.
‘Wow, I never thought I’d be drinking flat beer here.’
Even if it was lukewarm, it had been a long time since she tasted beer.
Marsha watched Everett drink with quiet satisfaction.
“How is it, miss? Tastes okay, right?”
“It does. But, owner, is Kuna usually served this warm?”
“Of course. It’s made from fermented grains. Naturally, it’s warm.”
Magical methods existed to chill drinks or make ice, but they were too expensive for common use.
‘If it were chilled, it’d taste almost exactly like beer.’
And another issue:
The wooden cup itself.
‘This cup makes the Kuna taste worse.’
The thick wooden cup made drinking awkward and dulled the flavor.
Everett put the cup down and said,
“I’d like to open a small shop here. And of course, I want us both to profit—a win-win situation.”
“Huh? Win… what?”
Marsha tilted her head, not understanding the unfamiliar term.
Just then, the tavern door creaked open.
“Hey, Marsha. Long time no see.”
A dozen burly men streamed into the tavern.
“What brings you here?”
“We were working nearby and thought we’d stop by for some of your food. Got room for us?”
“Of course. Take a seat, everyone.”
The men scattered and sat at tables in groups.
“Miss, can we continue this conversation a bit later?”
“Of course.”
The once-empty tavern was now buzzing with life.
Seeing Daisy hurriedly put on her apron, Everett stood up as well.
“Daisy, I’m going to step out for a bit. I won’t be much help here anyway.”
“Where are you going?”
“Just nearby. I’ll just look around.”
“Please be careful. Stick to the main streets, okay?”
Everett waved her hand in acknowledgment and stepped outside.
She already had a destination in mind.
‘It was left from here, wasn’t it?’
As she rounded the corner—
“Oh! I’m so sor—”
She nearly collided with a man walking quickly from the other direction.
Everett quickly pressed herself against the wall, but the man tripped trying to avoid her.
“Uhh… uh….”
He flailed his arms, teetering as if about to fall.
‘That’s not good.’
Everett grabbed the man’s sleeve and pulled him forward.
‘Oh? It’s Jan!’
Yankeller caught himself by slamming both hands against the wall—effectively trapping Everett between his arms.
Jan was the one who looked shocked.
Realizing it was Everett, he quickly stepped back.
“Milady! Um, thank you for catching me. I apologize—no, not for almost falling on you—that wasn’t intentional…”
As Jan fumbled with his words, Everett smiled with crescent-shaped eyes.
Jan, briefly dazed, shook his head.
“Have you… been well?”
Everett nodded.
“Are you just here for sightseeing? I stepped out to run a quick errand.”
He continued shyly,
“Um, if you’re not busy right now… maybe we could…”
But then the bell from the clock tower rang loudly.
“Already? It’s that late?”
Glancing between Everett and the plaza, Jan sighed.
“I just stepped out for a moment. I need to get back quickly.”
‘Yes, please go. I’ve got work to do.’
Everett waved him off.
With a disappointed look, Jan bowed slightly and quickly walked toward the plaza.
Suddenly, he stopped and turned around.
But Everett was already gone.
“Sigh… I should’ve asked for her name at least.”
“Welcome, miss.”
Her next stop was Pan’s Magical Tool Shop.
Pan, recognizing her immediately, greeted her with a bright smile.
‘I remember last time… There were lots of cups in that display case.’
As Everett headed to the right, Pan quickly caught on.
“Looking for cups, miss?”
“Yes. I need a cup that stays very cold.”
