How Delightful

When I got back to the shop, Mina was on break.

It seemed I'd interrupted her in the middle of eating a rice ball.

"Manager Yohane… oh wait, it's Owner now, isn't it? What's the rush?"

"Sorry to bother you on your break. I was hoping to ask you something."

She gulped down her food with some tea and gave me a curious look.

I explained that I'd come because she'd worked at a restaurant for a while and might have some insight.

After quickly finishing her meal, she got into the details.

"Oh right, you did mention the inn would serve food. I've even delivered supplies there before. Should I go help out?"

"No, I can't take staff away from the shop right now. Kaimol would scream."

"Ha, yeah, probably. Hmm, extra hands, huh…"

"Even just going to check it out once and telling me what you notice would help. If we can improve efficiency, that alone would make a big difference."

"Understood. Business slows down around this time anyway, so let's go now."

I let the other clerk know and headed back to Cat's Paw Inn with Mina.

But when we arrived, something was off.

"Um, is that a maid standing in front of the inn…?"

"She wasn't there when I left."

Just as Mina said, a maid stood in front of Cat's Paw Inn.

Hands clasped before her, perfectly still.

"It's been a while, Yohane-sama."

"You're…"

She'd called me by name.

I studied the maid's face closely. She looked familiar.

If I remembered right, she was the maid who'd shielded Anatia and gotten injured during the assassination attempt.

"Anatia-ojousama is waiting inside."

"Why this place… No, maybe 'why at all' is the better question."

The maid didn't answer.

Go ask her yourself, apparently.

Compared to Princess Tianis, Anatia was far more friendly and approachable, but her position was still that of a duke's daughter, someone from another world entirely.

An appointment… No, of course she wouldn't make one. If anything, I was the one who should be attending to her.

I entered the inn with the maid and found Kazusa looking at me with teary eyes.

Azu and the others wore complicated expressions too.

At the center of it all sat Anatia, dressed not in a gown but in commoner-style clothing.

"This is delicious."

"Th-thank you…"

She seemed to be eating the staff meal.

Azu, having been praised, managed a strained smile in reply.

It looked like rice porridge made from leftovers.

She appeared genuinely pleased with it, eating with perfect manners.

"It's been a while, Anatia-sama."

"It has. Have you been well?"

"Yes, thanks to you… So, what brings you here today?"

"May I finish eating first?"

"Of course."

The staff meal was almost gone anyway. Can't be helped. I'd just grab some bread later.

"Kazusa. This is Mina, one of my shop's employees. She used to work at a restaurant, so have her take a look at the kitchen and give you some advice."

"Yes — yes! Let's go. Right now!"

Kazusa grabbed Mina's hand and practically fled into the kitchen.

Anatia watched them go with an amused smile.

"There's nothing quite like a warm meal. At the manor, everything's cold and bland by the time I eat it."

"Even with magic for precautions, unknown poisons remain a concern. The tasting process means cold food is unavoidable. I would prefer you refrain from meals like this one, if possible."

"You worry too much. Don't you agree?"

"I couldn't say."

Elza looked troubled when the question was turned to her.

"So, you were asking why I'm here. Father has begun serious preparations for war, so he told me to go to the Royal Capital. You know about the assassination attempt."

"That was quite a shock. I heard security has been greatly strengthened since then."

"He'd rather send me somewhere safe than keep up vigilance indefinitely. He always sends me away when he wants to focus."

She pouted cutely, as if she had some thoughts about that.

"Anyway, I was traveling with this girl here, and I remembered hearing your shop was in Kassad, so I thought I'd stop by. The Merchant Guild directed me here."

"I'm honored."

The most recent filing I'd submitted to the Merchant Guild was for this inn.

I see, so that sort of thing happened too… did it?

"Oh, and the sake you've been sending is getting great reviews. It was worth granting the tax exemption."

"I wanted it to be worthwhile. I'm glad it's been well-received in Alsarm."

"The iron ore too. You really do business in everything. I was surprised."

"If I don't buy and sell whatever I can, I won't survive."

So she was tracking that too.

The duke's daughter had quite the intelligence network.

At this rate, the duke had probably bought up all the iron ore I'd sent.

"But Anatia-sama, it's already getting late. What are your plans from here? The portal is closed by now."

"I was hoping you'd let me stay. Would that be a problem?"

I looked to the maid for help, but she shook her head.

Apparently once Anatia made up her mind, there was no changing it.

"There are security concerns, though…"

"I'll be fine with all of you here, won't I? We have precedent."

"All I can offer is blankets in the reception room. This isn't fitting for a young lady of your standing."

I tried indirectly to dissuade her, but it was no use.

At some point Mina had left, and Kazusa had retreated to the back.

I escorted Anatia, who seemed to be enjoying herself, back to the shop along with the maid.

I offered her a bed as well as a bath.