Chapter 12
Elysand does not offer me another potion to heal my wounds, and I don’t blame him for that. I should have learned my lesson already. That means that my injuries now have to heal naturally—however long that will take.
The mood at the Department changes. If before there were some people who exchanged a few words with me, now no one even looks my way. I’m invisible to them.
And as the day comes to an uneventful end, I find myself once again in the Mortal District. Jiggling the coins in my pocket, I stare at the restaurant’s sign: Fated Encounter.
The price of a complete meal is more expensive than I would pay if I just bought some bread and meat, but I go in anyway.
I step inside and my eyes immediately rove over the surroundings, looking for her.
Unfortunately, she’s nowhere to be seen, and another server takes me to a table. As I sit down, I wonder if I should just leave and return another time.
Focused on my indecision, I barely realize when someone comes next to me, sliding a menu in front of me.
With a sigh, I look up, but immediately, my lips part in wonder as I stare at her face. She’s smiling at me, again. It’s such a simple, genuine smile that I don’t even care that I’m not the only recipient of it. I’m just happy she decided to share it with me too.
“It’s you,” she says in a soft voice. “You’re back.”
She…remembers me? Heat envelops my cheeks as my heart thuds mercilessly against my ribcage.
“I… like the food,” I answer simply…idiotically.
She smiles again, seemingly not caring about my lousy excuse.
“What would you like today?”
My thoughts are in disarray as I continue to stare at her, wishing I had the power to stop time just so I could watch her for an eternity. She’s beautiful, yes, but there’s something more than that. It’s the warmth she emanates that can sneak even in the most obscure corners of my heart.
I gulp down, unable to reply.
I’ve not interacted much with females…well, not at all. But I’ve also never seen someone on her level, with such a magnetic presence that all train of thought leaves me.
In between some uhms and errs, I turn my attention to the menu, regretting the fact that she’s not in my field of view anymore.
But I can’t seem like a mumbling idiot, no matter how much of one I am.
“How about…this?” I point to a dish with stroe meat and grilled vegetables. Since the stroe fish is found in all areas of Tartareia, it’s one of the cheapest meats available. But because I am a little embarrassed by my limited funds, I choose not the cheapest dish, but the second-cheapest.
She nods. “That is a good choice. Would you like something to drink as well?”
Now that she asks… I once more look at the menu, but it’s like the letters are all jumbled together and I fail to grasp the corresponding words.
“What about Belam ale? It’s not too strong and it goes perfectly with the fish?”
“I will have that, please.” I quickly turn to look at her, not wanting to waste a second of her presence near me.
She’s slowly jotting down the items. She has the same serene smile on her face, and when she’s done, she beams at me and tells me she’ll be right back.
I watch her departing figure as all types of thoughts go through my mind. Is she mated? Does she have a husband? A child? Does she have someone she fancies? I doubt someone like that would be unattached. Though I can’t be certain of the customs around here, she appears to be of marriage age.
Disappointment crashes into me as soon as those thoughts form.
Not only is she mortal, and therefore incompatible.
But my own situation is far too complicated for me to even think of that.
What would I have to offer someone like her?
I have no wealth. I may have a job, but due to my abysmal level, I’m one step away from a terrible situation that might cost me my life.
Not to mention my family and their grudge against me.
Or my physical condition that is neither mortal nor immortal…
On that note, even I don’t know what’s going to happen to me: if I’ll start aging like a mortal now without my father’s shield, or if something worse will happen to me.
There’s nothing I could offer to anyone.
But at least I can… imagine it, in my head where no one would see the extent of how pathetic I am. I can still watch her and bask in her warmth.
Another sigh slips past my lips in resignation. And once she completely disappears from my field of view, going somewhere in the back of the restaurant, I turn my gaze downward, to my table.
Getting out the copy of Adventures of Hippo that I bought the day before, I start reading.
For the last ten years, this book series has been my salvation. I’ve read and re-read all the previous volumes as I was waiting for this one, and now I find myself reluctant to even start it for fear it will end too soon.
I flip to the first chapter and I only read the first half of the page when I feel someone next to me. Raising my head, I look to the side. It’s her. But she doesn’t have any food with her.
I frown.
“What are you reading?” She asks as she leans in carefully.
Since my words seem to abandon me when in her presence, I merely close the book and show her the cover.
Her eyes widen and she beams at me. “You like The Adventures of Hippo?” She asks with unbridled excitement.
My eyes grow wide before it sinks in that she knows about the book series.
“You…too?”
She nods fervently. Without a word, she pulls the chair opposite me and sits down.
“You’re the first person I’ve met who has read the books. And that’s the latest volume, so you must have read all the others, no?”
“Yes. I just bought this yesterday.”
“I have it too!” She exclaims, clasping her hands to her chest. “Don’t worry, I haven’t started it yet either so I won’t spoil it for you. But what did you think of volume eight? Was the ending too brutal?”
I look at her in wonder, both because her excitement is so palpable and infectious and because…she knows about the book series?
“Yes.” I nod. “I couldn’t believe it ended like that, especially since I knew I had to wait so long for the next book.”
“It was hard, wasn’t it?” She adds with a tinge of uncertainty.
“Not necessarily. I was curious how it would proceed, but I trusted the author. I knew the hero couldn’t just die like that. He had so many things still left to do.”
“Right? That was my thought process too. Sure, the ending was heartbreaking, but it’s also necessary for the development of the character. Only through adversity does one grow and move on.”
I nod excitedly. “I can’t wait to see where the story takes him next.”
“Ah, I’m so happy to come across a fellow fan of the books,” she says with a sigh. Leaning forward, she places her arms on the table, her chin propped in her hands as she looks at me.
Heat travels up my neck until my entire face is red. Embarrassed, I want to look away, but something keeps me captive.
Slowly, the tips of my lips curl up and I give her a smile.
“Since we’re both reading the book at the same time, you must come back here to discuss it,” she says. Realizing her words are too forceful, she quickly amends, “If you want to that is.”
“Y—yes, of course,” I mumble. “I don’t have anyone else to talk to about the book.”
Another smile. And this one I know is just for me. It’s not something she casually does with the other patrons. I earned it. And the realization makes me want to do it again; do something else to earn her smiles.
“Moe, the food!” Someone shouts from the back.
“I have to go now, but I’ll chat with you more later.” She stands up, but before she leaves, she turns to me once more. “My name is Moe.”
“N-Nykander,” I answer in turn.
“I’ll be right back with your food, Nykander.”
As she walks away, I continue watching her, my chest tight with an indescribable feeling. It’s a mix of excitement, warmth and…something else.
I can’t even continue reading since I can’t focus on the words on the page. All I can do is replay our conversation in my mind, the way her eyes lit up when she spoke, the way she smiled at me…
True to her word, Miss Moe soon returns with the food. On the tray, however, there’s an additional item.
A cookie.
I look at it puzzled before raising my eyes to her. She leans in conspiratorially and whispers.
“It’s on me; that is to say, I made it. I hope you like it. I’m still learning.”
“F-for me? Are you sure?”
“Of course it’s for you. We’re friends now, aren’t we?” Her question is so innocent, so frank, that my eyes suddenly feel a little too wet.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “Friend.”
She smiles and winks at me before going back to her work.
I eat slowly, enjoying the fare. My mind is still stuck on her words. Friends. She said we’re friends.
I’ve never had a friend before.
Never mind one as sweet, kind and beautiful as Miss Moe.
As I’m eating, every once in a while, Miss Moe comes by my table. At first, I’m a little taken aback by it as every single time she comes she blurts out some bookish thought.
“What did you think of the villain, Sares? He’s quite awful but sometimes there’s hints of humanity in him.”
“He’s a layered character,” I agree. “You hate him because he is the villain and you’re already invested in the hero, but I think his backstory makes him relatable.”
She doesn’t answer. This time. She goes around the tables, fulfilling or taking orders before she comes again.
“Right? I know we’re supposed to hate him, but every now and then there’s a scene where you can’t help but feel for him.”
“Yes, you wonder what would have become of him if he had chosen a different road.”
“I always wonder that, too. In an alternate world, if he hadn’t gone down the revenge path, what would have become of him?”
She once more dashes off, signaling me to wait for her.
With these little treats of her presence, how can I hurry to finish my meal? I might be hungry but I’ll drag this on for as long as possible if it means talking more with Miss Moe.
When she swings by my table again, I respond to her previous comment.
“I think he could have led an alright life, but I wonder if it would have been fulfilling… Knowing what was taken from him, knowing he couldn’t avenge his loved ones, could he have truly lived?”
She stops for a moment, deep in thought. “You’re right. I don’t think anything would have mattered for him as much anyway. He could have always chosen to forgive those who wronged him, though.”
I ponder her words. “I don’t see him necessarily unable to forgive. I think, more than anything, it’s not truly about whether he can, or if he wants to forgive, as much as it is him doing everything for the memory of his loved ones.”
“Hmm…” She mutters, stroking her chin. For a moment, I think I spoke too much, or said something wrong, and I mentally berate myself for it. What if she doesn’t agree with it? What if she thinks my ideas are awful and she decides not to talk to me again?
All those thoughts flash through my mind and my entire body tenses.
“I’ve never thought about it like this, but you’re right. Everything stems from his wish to honor the memory of his beloved.”
“Perhaps it’s a little bit selfish, but I think it’s also quite magnanimous of him. After all, he devotes his entire life to his revenge, regardless of whether everyone hates him for it.”
“No, you’re right.” Suddenly she smiles. “Great insight, Nykander. I’ll have to think on it and maybe re-read some of the previous books.”
She leaves, and I remain stunned at her small praise. I didn’t offend her… She actually listened to what I said and considered it. That…
I don’t even notice when my meal is done. I wash it down with the las top the ale before I turn to the cookie.
It aims to be round but it’s not quite uniform around the corners. The top side is a light brown color while the bottom side is a little burned. The scent is sweet but subtle.
From the other end of the restaurant, Miss Moe’s gaze meets mine and she watches on expectantly.
I take a bite out of it and I do my best to control my facial expression. The scent might be sweet, but the taste is anything but. It’s bitter and slightly pungent.
With her eyes on me, I continue eating it, forcing myself to finish it. How can I refuse it when she gave it to me specifically?
Her smile grows until she beams at me as I finish the last of the cookie. After I pay for everything, she comes by the table before I leave.
“What did you think? Was it good?” Her eyes are big and full of hope.
“The best cookie I’ve ever had,” I tell her gulping down repeatedly to wash away the foul taste.
She clasps her hands together and sighs in happiness.
“I’ll have more waiting for you the next time you come by.”
I force a smile, though as I look upon her, it swiftly becomes natural and genuine. “I can’t wait, Miss Moe.”
“Get home safe, Nykander. And bring the book next time too! We can talk about the first chapters.”
I’m reluctant to leave but know I cannot linger. With one last glance at her, I depart the restaurant, heading for the nearest shop to buy a bottle of flavored water.
Once the foul taste is out of my mouth, I can’t help but crack a smile that ultimately turns into a full-on laughter.
I have a friend… A beautiful, sweet and kind friend. So what if her baking is not exactly on par? I’ll eat all her foul cookies as long as she keeps regaling me with her presence.