Chapter 24: 24

-24- Meal and Flower Hair Ornament

She treated his wound in the small square inside the palace and stopped the bleeding on Falk’s forehead for the time being.

After that, they slowly made their way around inside, paying attention to the low ceiling passageways, and headed for the restaurant.

Many of the restaurants on the upper floor of the palace are popular because of their proximity to the shining magic stone ceiling. Among them, she decided to enter a restaurant with rooftop terrace seating, where the magic stone ceiling can be seen beautifully.

It is a middle class restaurant, so it is just right for two people to go in. Alme is not sure of Falk’s status, and she didn’t feel comfortable bringing him to a restaurant that looks too cheap.

When she sat down in the seat she was guided to, the light from the magic stone ceiling glittered down on the white cloth of the table. It seems to be bathed in the light of a natural mirror ball.

Alme looked around at the fantastic scenery of dancing lights and was deeply touched by its beauty.

(This restaurant is such a wonderful place. When I came here before, I didn’t have time to spare, so I didn’t realize it…)

Actually, this is the second time Alme has come to this restaurant. 

The first time she came was exactly half a year ago–when her engagement with Julio became official.

Julio’s uncle, who had facilitated the marriage proposal, gave her the opportunity to eat at this restaurant as a celebration of her engagement.

It was her first dinner alone with her newly decided fiancé. And it was their first dinner together after things got a little awkward when she refused to let him kiss her at their first meeting.

She was so nervous that she barely remembers anything about that time…

So, from her point of view, she feels as excited as if she were visiting this restaurant for the first time.

Falk is more calm than the excited Alme. In her heart, she chided herself, that any self-respecting guide would not be sightseeing.

Instead, she opened the menu and decided to order right away.

This restaurant mainly serves course meals, which are roughly divided into meat and fish courses, meat-only courses, and fish-only courses.

“I’m thinking of going with the fish course. What about Mr. Falk?”

“I’ll have fish too. What about alcohol? I can’t drink because of work, but please don’t worry about it.”

“I’ll have a cup of tea, too, since it’s too early in the day to be drinking.”

He told her in a casual way, but she thought it was unusual that he cannot drink alcohol because of his work.

She had heard that contracts with some gods and spirits impose restrictions in exchange for special magic, though. Maybe Falk is working in this kind of magic-related profession.

While she was mulling over these thoughts, Falk called the waiter and told him their order.

Soon a plate of appetizers is placed on the table. They lifted their glasses lightly and exchanged greetings.

“Then, let’s eat!”

“Thank you, God, for the lovely meal.”

With a light voice, their dinner party began. The dishes were served in the following order: appetizer, soup, two fish dishes, and dessert. Perhaps because of the popularity of the light portions, there were many groups of female customers in the restaurant.

“I think the portions might be a little bit unsatisfactory for some men. There are some additional dishes you can order, so feel free to order more.”

“I’m always this way for lunch, so I’m fine. Sometimes I forget to eat and don’t even notice.”

“Come on! Eat properly. Eat three meals exactly. Well-balanced!”

“Yes… I’ll do my best.”

Alme ended up sounding preachy. She had warned him before about his lack of sleep, but Falk may be living a surprisingly unhealthy lifestyle.

The warning was met with a shushing voice, but despite the sound of his voice, Falk was in somewhat of a good mood. The two of them proceed with their meal, chatting about whatever comes to mind.

It is a different kind of fun than the lively time spent with the chatty and energetic Ena or the jovial Aiden.

The meal is not a lively one, but rather a quiet one. Yet, there is a sense of calm enjoyment in her heart. It is a strange feeling of comfort.

Suddenly, she remembered the last time she visited with Julio. She spent the same quiet meal time, but last time she had to endure the oppressive atmosphere.

She didn’t remember the taste of the food or the scenery inside the restaurant, but she did remember part of the conversation she had with Julio.

“Alme, I think you lack the desire to “entertain others”. Why don’t you try to liven up the conversation at the dinner table? I don’t know what to think of you as a woman.”

“Eh, and… I’m sorry, I’m not used to this kind of place…”

“You should go out in the city and study a little more. You should take a cue from the women at the hostess liquor shop and brush up on your feminine behavior.”

A hostess liquor shop is like a cabaret in her previous life.

At the time, she took Julio seriously because she thought he was a serious person, but now she think back on it, “Take a cue from a cabaret girl” is a very strange thing to say.

Now that she understands that Julio was originally looking for that kind of flower, she felt like this conversation finally made sense.

She somehow remembered it, so she decided to sublimate it as a topic.

“I remember an acquaintance once told me to ‘act like a waitress at a bar while eating,’ and I wondered if you might be hoping for that in your heart? Something like Kyaa~ You’re so cool, Mr. Falk!”

When Alme casually talked while cutting up the fish dish, Falk choked with all his might.

“… and please stop making jokes like that… I don’t want that.”

“Is that so? I’m glad I didn’t. I’m not very good at livening up the place, so I’m sorry if I didn’t live up to your expectations.”

“I’m not much for flashy people, so I think I would have trouble with all the sweet talking.”

After coughing for a while, Falk added.

“Miss Alme, it is calm and comfortable to be with you. Please stay that way.”

The words accompanied by a smile gave her a little confidence.

Recently, there have been many opportunities to be told that she is plain or unattractive, but it makes her feel better if she is told that it’s fine as it is.

She felt like another dark miasma in her chest had been purified.

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Although the restaurant was filled with bitter memories, she was able to enjoy her meal with a sense of contentment from start to finish.

It’s a secret that the word “air purifier” came to mind during the conversation with Falk.

It was a pleasant dinner party, but after dessert, when it came time to pay the bill, there was a brief dispute.

Falk, who said he would pay for both of them and Alme, who said they should split the bill, disagreed with each other.

“As a thank you for the guide and as an apology for soiling the handkerchief earlier, I will pay here.”

“If you are in a relationship of equal friends, you should be paid equally.”

“Uh… okay, let’s split the bill.”

Falk balked and agreed to a separate bill. It was a bit unfair, but it was okay.

–She thought the problem was resolved.

However, Falk had a sulky look on his face when he left the restaurant.

“… When I think about it, I feel like I’ve been persuaded. Even friends who are equals can pay for each other.”

“Well, well, look at that, don’t worry too much about it.”

When she tried to brush it away, Falk turned his eyes towards her. Combined with his well-groomed appearance, his scary face is quite powerful. Since it would be complicated to return home while being stared at, Alme decided to make a suggestion.

“I’d like to make a request of you, Mr. Falk and then we can call it even, okay?”

“”Please? What is it?”

“I was thinking of wanting a new hair ornament, but could you choose one for me? I’m ashamed to say that I’m not confident in choosing accessories. With your help, I’m going to call it even. What about that?”

“If it’s on the condition that I pay for it, then I’ll accept it.”

“Hmm… I understand. Please.”

She was going to pay for it herself, but she didn’t want to get into any more trouble, so she decided to compromise.

When she nodded hesitantly, Falk was back in a good mood and took her hand.

“What would you like for your hair ornament? Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?”

“I’m fine with just some leatherwork or something.”

Alme responded immediately and pulled with all her might to a nearby souvenir shop.

She looked into the shops along the streets lined with souvenir shops in the palace.

It is a street where one will never get tired of looking at shops with colorful glasswork, shops with carved wood figurines, and shops with gold accessories.

She walked into a moderately priced leather goods shop and glanced at the shelves full of accessories.

“Oh, how cute! A flower, a bird—what is this? Is it a fish?”

The shelves are lined with leatherwork in the shape of animals and plants. The colors are bright and lovely.

“There are many things. What do you like, Miss Alme?”

“I’m hesitant, but hmm, I think I’ll go with the flowers.”

She wanted something to wear when she tucked her hair in at work, so she decide to go with a hair clip with a flower ornament to be safe.

The motif has been decided, but it seems to be difficult to choose the color. Since it is covered like a gradation, she is worried because there are many choices.

“What color do you think is best? I also have black eyes, so it’s hard to choose at times like this…”

“It is easy to match with the accessories you are wearing. You can match it with sandals in white, for example. White would go well with Miss Alme’s black hair.”

“I see. Then I’ll go with white, just like the sandals.”

She picked up a white flower hair ornament with a leather cord ribbon.

Then an elderly woman, the owner of the shop, who was watching them from a nearby counter, approached them with a friendly smile.

“Is it okay for you, young lady? You chose the Shirotaka color in front of your partner. He’ll get jealous, won’t he?”

“Don’t worry, we don’t have that kind of relationship, but that being said, it is a Shirotaka color. It looks like it could be some kind of good luck charm. Health-prayer-ish.”

“Haha, everyone says that and buys it. White is the most popular.”

Alme laughed at the old woman’s smile. Shirotaka seems to be popular even at souvenir shops.

When she looked to the side to talk to Falk, he covered his face with his hands and turned away. Is it the light from the lamp that makes his ears look red?

“Mr. Falk, what happened?”

“No, um, I never meant to suggest white…! I just genuinely thought white would look good on you, regardless of whether it’s related to Shirotaka or not. Well, you could choose another color…well, how about blue? I think blue would look good on you too! Shall we go that way……!”

“Since I took the trouble to pick it up, I have already decided on white. “

“Well… yes… if that’s okay with Miss Alme.”

With a look of wanting to say something, Falk paid the bill.

Under the lamp in the shop, she received a leatherwork flower hair ornament. The white-painted leather is soft and light.

She put her hair down and loosely gathered it to the side and decorated it as soon as possible.

“What do you think? Is it strange?”

“…It suits you very well. I bet Shirotaka would be thrilled if he saw you wear it.”

“Hmmm, of course not. Mr. Falk has a funny way of saying that.”

She laughed heartily at the funny joke and wondered if Shirotaka’s character would even waver over such a thing.

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