Street Walk – 1

The next day, Inho, bored with walking around the house and garden, called Emma.

“I want to go out to the street.”

At Inho’s words, Emma seemed to hesitate for a moment, then nodded as if she had made up her mind.

“I will prepare for going out.”

Emma sat Inho down and began to prepare him for going outside.

First, tidying up the beard that had grown back since the last shave.

Arranging his somewhat disheveled hair.

Putting on a more formal outfit than he wore at home.

Spraying perfume she had taken out from somewhere.

Inho regretted bringing it up after the full-fledged grooming began.

After an hour of patience, Inho and Emma, ready to go out, stepped out of the gate.

-Clang

Emma closed the iron gate and checked the lock twice.

“Did you lock it?”

“Yes.”

Emma, shaking the firmly closed gate back and forth, said.

The cold winter wind passed through the mansion once.

The chilly air brushed against the back of Inho’s coat, and Inho shivered for a moment at the cold.

“Master, aren’t you cold?”

“I’m fine. Aren’t you cold, Emma?”

Inho’s eyes scanned Emma from bottom to top.

She was still wearing her maid uniform, which she wore at home, without anything extra on top.

“I’m fine.”

Emma smiled and reassured Inho.

“Um… I see.”

Inho saw her slightly reddened hands and was about to say something, but stopped.

The old gentleman and the young maid walked down the street.

The street was bustling with the atmosphere of the upcoming festival. Inho was reminded of the shopping streets preparing for Christmas.

In the center of the village, firewood was piled up, and according to Emma, they would light a fire on the night of the festival and dance around it.

“So that’s what Hans was recommending.”

As Inho muttered to himself, Emma, who was walking beside him, stopped abruptly.

Ahem, Inho cleared his throat and looked away, and Emma turned her head to look at her master.

“Master, let me say again… I will not dance at the festival with such a vermin… man.”

He thought Emma must really hate Hans.

In sunny spots, the well-maintained stone pavement was exposed as people came and went, but in shady spots, snow that had not yet been cleared was piled up.

Inho glanced at the snow, which he hadn’t seen in a while, and then hurried on, looking around the street.

He had no time to rest if he wanted to see the whole street with his slow legs.

While taking a walk down the street, Emma also brought her wallet to buy necessary items.

Following her guidance, they visited the stores she regularly frequented, and the store owners greeted Inho warmly.

“Oh my, Divine Doctor! How is your health?”

Was it because his condition was known through the weekly magazine? The merchants’ attitude felt like a mix of pity and goodwill.

The butcher specially added an extra piece of meat for him, and the vegetable store owner gave him a few extra potatoes.

A middle-aged woman selling snacks on the street gave him a bag of snacks for free to eat when he was bored.

When they stopped by the clothing store to buy some clothes, he strongly dissuaded them from giving him a hat for free.

“Should I not have accepted it? It’s just adding to the burden.”

Inho said apologetically, as Emma had to carry more luggage than expected due to the unexpected gifts.

But Emma couldn’t wipe the smile off her face, as if she was happy about something.

“No, it’s alright. These are gifts that Master received. I am rather grateful.”

Emma was in a very good mood because people didn’t mistreat her master.

On the other hand, Emma was relieved. If anyone had made a mistake to Inho, she wouldn’t have let it go.

‘I’m glad Master wasn’t treated badly.’

It was a safe village, but as there is never 100%, the danger of thugs or pickpockets was always present.

Emma, who had been on edge, was able to relax a little when Inho suggested going into a cafe for a coffee.

“Ah, Divine Doctor.”

The barista greeted Inho. It was the place where Inho wrote the most novels, excluding his house.

The barista, happy to see a long-time regular customer, put his heart into it, and two cups of coffee with a rich aroma were placed in front of Inho and Emma.

“Master, I’m fine with just one.”

Emma, who was sitting across from Inho again, twisted her body as if embarrassed.

It was refreshing to see her, who always had a calm face, looking embarrassed.

“Let’s take a break. You’ve worked hard carrying the luggage.”

Inho picked up his coffee and took a sip.

The warm temperature of the coffee traveled down his throat and spread through his body.

His body, which had cooled down from walking around outside, was warmed up again.

“Good.”

“It’s warm and sweet.”

“Ah, did you put sugar in it?”

“Yes. I’m not good at drinking bitter things.”

Emma stirred her coffee with a spoon, saying she didn’t know when she had added it.

Inho and Emma didn’t talk much. They just watched the street scene visible through the cafe window together, as if watching TV.

Young people pulling decorations for the festival, merchants selling goods, children running around, and parents stopping them.

Inho felt comfortable in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

“This is a first.”

“What is?”

“Spending time with Master like this.”

“Oh, really? I guess I was more rigid than I thought.”

“I meant that we have had tea time together, but this is the first time we’ve had coffee facing each other like this.”

Emma explained in detail, worried that Inho might misunderstand.

“So.”

“Yes?”

“So, what are your impressions?”

Inho asked as if it was nothing, and Emma averted her gaze slightly.

Her cheeks flushed slightly.

“What do you mean? It’s good.”

“Then let’s drink together often.”

Inho smiled, showing his teeth, and Emma nodded with a smile in her eyes.

Just as their street viewing continued, someone passing by the cafe stopped abruptly and pressed their face close to the window.

“What the… Ah, I’m sorry, Master.”

Unpleasant words came out of Emma’s mouth as she recognized who the face on the window belonged to.

For exactly 3 seconds. The cafe door burst open.

“Emma!”

Hans was the one who came in with the cold wind, opening the door.

“Tch… unlucky.”

Inho pretended not to hear Emma’s low mutter.

“Master, may I be excused for a moment?”

Emma, seeing Hans approaching, slowly stood up.

Inho took another sip of his coffee and nodded.

“Emma… uh, uh… why? Suddenly? Ouch, ouch, ouch!!”

Emma grabbed Hans by the ear and dragged him straight out of the store.

“Haha, what a mess.”