Chapter 124: Thank you so much

A shabby interior, a gloomy atmosphere, and even cheap ingredients.

If a noble from the imperial capital were to step foot here, they would recoil in horror at the poverty-stricken environment and turn away immediately.

And I thought Viviana and Lillian would be no different.

“I feel like coming here every day.”

But my prediction was completely off. They ate all my food with genuinely satisfied expressions.

Compared to the cuisine prepared by chefs with dazzling careers, my cooking was surely lacking, yet they showered me with praise without hesitation.

I was grateful. Even if it was just empty words, I was deeply thankful for their kindness toward me.

How could I possibly return this gratitude? That was the only thought circling in my mind.

“That was delicious.”

“It really was, Tina.”

After finishing their meal, they pulled their hoods back on and stood up to pay. I insisted on treating them, but they firmly refused, saying they had to pay for their food.

“We can’t just eat such a delicious meal for free.”

Lillian smiled kindly as she paid. Meanwhile, Viviana handed me a silver coin.

“This is a tip.”

I stared blankly at the silver coin she had just given me.

“A tip…?”

“Yeah. The food tasted even better thanks to the pretty waitress.”

A playful smile danced on Viviana’s lips.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t bother refusing. It wasn’t the first time I had received a tip.

In fact, I had never not received a tip. I wasn’t sure why, but customers always left one when they paid.

[Damn it, those scoundrels never gave me a single coin.]

Miranda, the old lady, had grumbled like that on occasion.

“Well then, we’ll be going now, Tina. I’m really glad to see you doing well.”

“Tina, if you ever feel even the slightest bit unwell, please let us know. We’ll come running without hesitation.”

They left me with words far too generous for me to deserve, then prepared to leave.

“Are you heading back?”

“We have to.”

Can’t you stay a little longer?

For a moment, the words almost escaped my lips. But I pressed them back, sealing them behind closed lips.

Once they left this time, I wouldn’t see them again for another two months. That thought alone made my heart ache for some reason.

Their kind and warm words. Their affectionate gazes. And even the tip.

Once again, I had only received undeserved gifts from them.

I was the one who should be atoning. I was the one who should be of help to them.

I couldn’t just let them leave like this.

“Lady Viviana.”

“Hmm?”

“Would you… follow me for a moment?”

A flicker of curiosity crossed her violet eyes, but Viviana nodded without question.

I carefully took her fingertips and led her through the back door of the shop. After checking multiple times to ensure no one was around, I looked at Viviana.

“What’s wrong, Tina?”

Her eyes still held a trace of curiosity.

“I wanted to thank you.”

“Thank me?”

Just saying thank you wasn’t enough.

The kindness she had shown me couldn’t possibly be repaid with mere words.

But I was too powerless to properly repay her kindness, so in the end, all I could do was express it through words.

“Thanks to you, I earned money for the first time. My mother once told me not to take money lightly, and now… I finally understand what she meant.”

“Tina…”

“I was also able to reflect on how lightly I had treated the gifts you ladies gave me in the past.”

Jewels and dresses, tucked away in the corner of my wardrobe. I had always thought of them as nothing more than assets to be sold off someday.

Only now did I realize how precious and heartfelt those things were. And it was all thanks to Viviana.

I gazed into Viviana’s eyes—deep, beautiful violet irises that trembled with intense emotion.

‘Will she still… like me?’

For a moment, hesitation flickered through my mind.

Viviana used to like my body. She enjoyed it when I acted coy, and just touching me had once been a source of great strength for her.

Hoping that she still liked my appearance, I stood on my tiptoes.

Smooch—

My lips gently touched her cheek. Her skin was cool, but the emotion that passed through my lips was warm.

“Huh?”

Her violet eyes widened in shock, blinking blankly. Was she flustered? Or… did she like it?

I desperately hoped it was the latter.

“T-Tina… What was that?”

Her gaze demanded an immediate explanation. So she didn’t like it after all.

“I-I just wanted to show my gratitude to you, Viviana… But I didn’t know how… So, I thought… this might be okay…”

“……”

The spot where my lips had touched her cheek was now tinged red. Her dazed eyes wavered even more intensely.

“…”

“D-Did you… not like it?”

“N-No!”

Viviana hastily grabbed my hand.

She held it so tightly that my wrist ached slightly, but because of that, I could clearly feel her emotions.

Ah, what a relief. She didn’t dislike it. She still liked me.

My face grew hot as well. The realization that Viviana still had feelings for me sent countless thoughts racing through my mind.

I’m so relieved.

I’m happy that you still like me.

I’m so glad you haven’t grown tired of me.

Thank you, Viviana. I like you. I really, really like you.

I want to repay your kindness.

How can I make you happier?

Would you like it if I kissed you again?

I just want you to be happy.

For all the pain you’ve suffered because of me, I want to bring you even greater joy.

“Do… Do you show your gratitude to others like this too?”

“N-No…!”

I frantically shook my head and quickly turned my gaze away, embarrassed.

“Including my mother… you’re the first, Viviana.”

At those words, Viviana froze completely, not even the slightest movement.

I wanted to stay with her a little longer, but I sensed someone approaching nearby.

Hurriedly, I pulled Viviana into a tight embrace and whispered softly into her ear.

“Come again next time… I’ll make sure to serve you something even more delicious.”

Holding Viviana’s hand firmly, I quickly led her inside the shop, avoiding the approaching presence.

There, standing with a sulky expression, was Lilian. She glanced at Viviana, who was still dazed, then narrowed her eyes and asked:

“What were you two doing?”

“Oh, that…”

While I hesitated, unsure of how to respond, Viviana stepped in front of me.

At some point, she had regained her composure—her eyes were once again as calm as usual.

“We were just having a personal conversation.”

“A personal conversation?”

Why was it?

Viviana’s gaze toward Lillian seemed more triumphant than usual.

After Viviana and Lillian left, time passed uneventfully.

The shop remained lively, bustling with customers, and the mercenaries’ tales of adventure filled the air like background music.

“If I’d known we’d be this busy, I wouldn’t have hired you.”

Grandma Miranda grumbled at me again today, shooting me a glare. I had grown used to her complaints, so I simply shrugged in response.

“But thanks to me, sales have gone up. Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Now you’re even talking back.”

Of course, I was. I wasn’t scared of Grandma Miranda anymore. Because I had come to realize that, despite her gruff exterior, she was warm at heart.

“Go take the customers’ orders.”

“Yes, ma’am~.”

“And don’t go using any strange tricks to lure in customers again.”

“W-When have I ever done that?!”

“…Just get out there already.”

Avoiding Grandma Miranda’s sharp gaze, I stepped out of the kitchen.

Honestly, sometimes she seemed to get the strangest ideas about me.

I approached a customer seated at a table and offered a gentle smile.

“You’re here again today, Miss Azela.”

“Came to see my favorite pretty shop assistant.”

“Thank you. What would you like to eat today?”

By now, I had memorized many of our customers’ names. In a place this small, it wasn’t too difficult.

“I’ll have the chicken stew and some bread.”

“Alright, I’ll have it ready in no time.”

Just as I turned away with a brief smile, her voice stopped me in my tracks.

“By the way, our dear shop girl… turns out you’re quite famous, huh?”

“…Sorry?”

“Who would’ve thought such a delicate face hid such a ruthless side? The world really is full of surprises.”

“…What?”

Azela’s eyes narrowed slightly. The smile that spread across her lips felt strangely ominous.

And then, at last, she spoke.

“They say you fed the saintess deadly poison.”

A short sentence.

A simple statement.

Yet with those few words—

My heart sank, plummeting into an endless abyss once more.