Chapter 131: Epilogue Side Story – Euston’s Chapter

Chapter 131: Epilogue Side Story – Euston’s Chapter

“You’ve come again.”

“Haaahm… I had nothing else to do, so I brought this guy.”

“Hello, Head Chef!”

Euston yawned and looked at Henry, who was smiling broadly.

John greeted Henry loudly.

Henry nodded and brought them water.

“You’re the only customer who comes this early in the morning, Knight Commander. What can I get for you?”

“The stir-fried noodles I had last time, and a large portion of spicy cold noodles. And two large glasses of dark beer, please.”

“Yes. Please wait a moment.”

Henry, who quickly took their order, swiftly moved to the kitchen.

This place is called Blue Sunshine.

It’s a noodle specialty shop where Henry recently got a job, and it’s also a place Euston visits frequently these days.

He eats breakfast here every morning lately.

It’s also a shop that John’s girlfriend frequents, and besides, he was unemployed.

To be precise, he’s a wealthy unemployed person.

Scarlett had prepared for everything that would happen when she left.

Not just for herself, but also for the knights she would leave behind.

“But… Knight Commander. Why cold noodles when the weather is cold?”

“This is considered warm. It’s still autumn.”

“Ugh… I still don’t understand. I’m already cold and wearing thick outerwear.”

“You punk… How can a knight be so weak?”

“Who was it that said the knight order was disbanded…”

“If it were the old knight order, you couldn’t even imagine whining like this. Do you know what happened when I was a rookie?”

“Ah~ I don’t know, I don’t know. This is the thirty-seventh time you’ve told that story.”

“Is it?”

Seeing that the story was going to be long, John shook his head vigorously and changed the subject.

Euston’s talking wasn’t bad, but whenever this topic came up, John suffered from severe headaches and fatigue.

It’s amazing how he could give people headaches with just three keywords: ‘Back in my day,’ ‘Nowadays,’ and ‘Comfortable.’

I haven’t seen dark magic, but I feel like I’ve experienced it indirectly.

Euston wore a slightly disappointed expression,

And then continued.

“By the way… are things going well with that Young Lady?”

In response to the question, John rummaged through something without a word.

He took out a locket necklace from his pocket and unlocked the photo device.

Then, a photo of him and Rain appeared.

His face, showing the photo, contained all the joys and sorrows of life.

“…Your expression looks a bit annoyed?”

“You lack sensitivity. Knight Commander must have had such a youthful period too, right?”

“When was that… Now I’m busy playing with the kids, and at night I have to deal with my wife… It’s hell. It’s no different from a haunted house.”

Euston, describing marriage, looked completely drained.

However, John, still energetic, didn’t understand him.

“That’s unfortunate. Rain Noona treats me very well.”

“Noona..?”

“Yes. Noona.”

“You, weren’t you the same age?”

“No? Rain Noona is five years older.”

“..So that’s why you cried so much back then.”

Euston recalled his memory of visiting this place with Scarlett in the past.

At that time, Rain was crying as if the world was ending, saying something about a ‘handsome and cute man.’

Thinking back now, he understood why.

John turned 25 this past March.

“Here you are… Your noodles and cold noodles have arrived.”

While they were chatting for a moment.

Henry, carrying the steaming dishes on a tray, approached their table.

Since it was early morning, there were no other customers around.

“…Is one of these complimentary?”

However, there was one more dish on the tray.

Henry shook his head at Euston’s question.

“It’s mine. Since there are no customers, I thought I’d take a break for once.”

“Puhahaha… It seems like work has been very demanding lately.”

“Don’t even mention it. I developed a new menu, and since then, I haven’t had a moment’s rest. I’m dying.”

Euston burst into laughter, and Henry also sat down jovially.

John, who wasn’t particularly close to him, became a bit quiet and took out his chopsticks.

“You’ve hit it big so soon after starting your job. Didn’t I tell you? Head Chef, your skills are unparalleled wherever you go.”

“Oh my… I only worked in the mansion my whole life, so I thought my skills were average.”

“You’ve found your talent.”

John’s interjection made Henry and Euston burst into laughter.

Euston drank about half of his dark beer, which was refreshingly cold, and began to eat in earnest.

“But… how is the Knight Commander doing these days?”

Henry, who had refilled his dark beer three times, asked.

Euston, twirling his cold noodles and taking a large bite,

He spoke with a wry smile.

“Well… I’m just getting by. Honestly, I don’t need to earn money anymore. Isn’t it the same for you, Head Chef?”

“It’s similar for me… but I’m the type who can’t stay idle. I’ll save that money for later.”

Henry’s expression was a bit somber as he said that.

Whenever Scarlett was mentioned, he always wore a sad expression.

It wasn’t strange. Henry had lived with Scarlett since she was young.

Although he didn’t see her often due to the Lord’s twisted affection.

Even after the Lord died, he took care of her wholeheartedly.

“Haha… I should live with the same mindset as Head Chef..”

Euston felt a bitter taste spreading in his mouth.

It wasn’t the taste of dark beer.

He discovered later that Scarlett’s basement contained a vast amount of gold along with letters.

– To Euston, the knights, and Henry.

This is all the money I’ve saved.

It’s more than enough to split among us all, so don’t worry.

You’ve worked hard.

Thank you.

“..Well, Knight Commander has a family, doesn’t he? I’m single, so I live as I please. If I had children, I’d invest my time in them.”

“If Head Chef says so…”

Euston smiled faintly, despite his uneasy feelings.

However, he couldn’t even imagine what kind of feelings Scarlett had when she left that money.

Until then, Scarlett had been something cold and unapproachable.

He thought she didn’t possess normal emotional range, at least.

After reading the letter, Euston collapsed on the spot and wept uncontrollably.

Euston drank the dark beer gulp by gulp and wore a blank expression.

He stared at Henry as if possessed by something.

“Head Chef… are you alright?”

“..I’m much better now. I’m naturally optimistic, you see. I’m just living my life thinking that Young Lady received her just deserts.”

Euston’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

He felt the same way,

But he didn’t expect such a willing answer.

Frankly, he thought Henry hadn’t recovered from his sadness yet.

Or perhaps hatred.

Henry, observing Euston’s reaction, chuckled as if he understood his thoughts.

“Young Lady… was like a daughter to me.”

His voice held many emotions.

It seemed like he was reminiscing about the past, but without any lingering regrets.

He remained silent after saying that.

Euston didn’t press further either.

Everyone knew how much Henry cared for Scarlett.

He too must have found his own way to let her go.

Whenever I visit Scarlett’s grave, I meet Henry.

Each time, he quietly prays for her and then leaves.

“..Oh dear, the atmosphere has become too gloomy. We’re gathered here, so let’s at least have a toast.”

Sensing the shop’s atmosphere becoming too somber, Henry,

With a look of realization, forced a smile and raised his glass high.

Euston and John followed suit, raising their glasses in rhythm.

Euston smiled along and exclaimed loudly.

“Let’s have a toast for our future.”

“Cheers.”

“Cheers!”

Tong!

The wooden glasses clinked, and some of the alcohol spilled onto the table.

But without minding, they downed the drinks coolly.

“Kha… Good…”

Thus, they enjoyed a delicious meal and talked about countless stories.

Stories about the past, stories about the future.

And trivial gossip that would make anyone laugh if they heard it.

After eating and talking for a long time, when a customer entered,

Henry, as if the alcohol he had just consumed was a lie, snapped back to attention and moved to the kitchen.

Henry’s face, flushed with alcohol,

Looked quite relieved.

****

“Haaah… Good. Drinking since morning… And eating delicious food…”

It was afternoon.

Euston refilled his drinks and food and left the shop thoroughly drunk.

He stretched his stiff body and yawned.

There was nothing more satisfying than that.

“Uhehe… Sometimes this is nice too.”

“You said you hated drinking in the morning… Do you like it, you bastard?”

“Of course. Who am I drinking with?”

“Hehehe… You’ve gotten better at flattering, kid.”

Euston, laughing strangely while drunk, patted John’s back.

He looked puzzled as John suddenly stopped walking.

“Agh… What is it? Did you trip on a rock? Why are you stopping while walking so well…”

“Uh, uh… Nu-Noona..?”

And with the sudden appearance of a person, the question on Euston’s face disappeared.

Instead, a smile of amusement appeared.

In front of the trembling John stood Rain, dressed neatly, with her eyes narrowed.

“Found you…”

A chilling aura emanated from her low voice.

John, as if remembering something, and Rain, exuding killing intent.

Euston could immediately deduce the situation.

‘She had an appointment…’

“Ah… Nu, Noona. You see…”

“You weren’t at home, so I stopped by Euston-ssi’s place… and you weren’t there either, so I thought I’d check here…”

Tok, tok.

The sound of high heels could not have been colder.

Rain brought her face close to John’s neck, sniffed,

And stared at him with even more chilling eyes.

“You’re drinking here instead of with your lover..?”

“That’s not it… Nu-Noona. Listen. I absolutely didn’t forget our appointment, but…”

Tuk-

Euston pushed John’s back as he babbled his explanation.

“Ugh, Uaaak!”

John stumbled but regained his balance.

Euston smiled as he watched John.

“You’re pathetic, John. If you’re late, you have to pay the price fair and square.”

At those words, John was speechless.

Then Rain smiled brightly and grabbed John by the neck.

He was dragged away by Rain like a sack of goods.

“You’re going to have a hard time…”

I did mention having memory loss today, but I never thought it was an appointment with Rain.

What a shameless bastard.

Euston chuckled and turned away.

Since his drinking buddy was gone, he decided to go home and play with the kids.

‘By the way, it’s good that they seem to be doing well.’

As he walked unsteadily towards home, he thought.

They weren’t that close when they worked at the mansion.

It was only recently that they started talking and spending time together.

Talking with him today, he realized something.

Next time, he wanted to bring some whiskey and have a serious conversation.

Thinking so, Euston ran his hand through his hair and exhaled an alcohol-infused breath.

The cold wind blowing in indicated that winter was approaching.

If it snows, he won’t be able to place flowers on the grave.

He would have to be satisfied with clearing the snow.

For John, who would be scolded later, he briefly stopped at a nearby shop.

After buying snacks for the kids and snacks for his wife, he moved to the checkout counter.

Then, a piece of stationery decorated with flower petals caught his eye.

‘..Forget-me-nots?’

A familiar flower.

Euston, who came out of the shop, held snacks and stationery in his hands.

He should take it with him when he visits the grave later.

His handwriting isn’t great, so maybe he should practice a little.

Thinking so, Euston smiled faintly and headed home.

The fallen leaves piled up on the street were quite beautiful.