A soft carpet covered the floor, and a large fireplace blazed warmly, filling the room with cozy heat. In the center stood a round dining table, and before a grand window draped with snow-laden branches sat a long sofa that looked invitingly comfortable. It was neither too large nor too small—just the perfect size for what must originally have been a parlor, now serving as a snug dining room.

Mr. Vantes and the other host, Ms. Charlotte Gray, kindly invited us to begin our meal first. They promised to answer our questions afterward. Though we had many curiosities, both were so polite yet resolute that we had no choice but to obediently take seats at the table for breakfast.

If young ones had tried to threaten us, we might have drawn weapons and dueled, but when elders greet you with gentle smiles, what can you do? And after all, one must comply when being offered a meal.

“Here is some warm tea. If you feel any signs of a cold, please let me know. I can prepare a medicine that resists any post-meal poison.”

Mr. Vantes said as he expertly poured tea into our cups. Shortly after, Ms. Gray returned, followed by a line of serving carts. The aroma of food wafted to my nose… wait, is that—

“Miso soup?”

Yerim exclaimed, eyes wide. In front of each of us lay a bowl of steaming white rice, gleaming as if freshly polished. Korean cuisine.

“Rather than individual side dishes, we prepared them all for sharing.”

Ms. Gray set down a long caddy holding tongs, ladle, and scissors. First to appear at the table’s center was a platter of braised short ribs. Beside it lay a roasted smoked duck stuffed into sweet pumpkin, with bowls of doenjang-jjigae and kimchi-jjigae flanking either side. There were various seasoned greens, stir-fried anchovies, spicy dried squid, and three kinds of kimchi. Jellyfish salad, japchae, bulgogi, salted seafood, marinated crab, grilled fish—an endless array. Even Peace received a bowl of monster meat sprinkled with mana stone powder, and finally a serving cart holding the rice pot and rice paddle stood ready, as if to say, “Help yourselves.”

“Goodness… how did they prepare all this already? Master Seong Hyunjae left here only a few hours ago….”

It looked as if every ingredient had been air-freighted from Korea. There were Korean restaurants in France, but this was too authentic. The flight alone would have taken ages. Mr. Vantes answered my unspoken question.

“Upon hearing that the Guildmaster was going to search for you, we departed early with preparations complete. The Guildmaster surely wished to care for both Han Yujin-nim and Song Taewon-nim.”

…Indeed, serving as Seong Hyunjae’s aide was no trivial role. Yet even so.

“Please enjoy your meal.”

Mr. Vantes and Ms. Gray, along with their staff, withdrew en masse, firmly closing the door behind them. Though I felt flustered, the food lay before us.

“I’ll serve you, just in case. They gave us plenty of side plates for a reason.”

Since touching the food would neutralize any poison. I rose and used the tongs and ladle to first place short ribs on a side plate. According to age order, I offered one to Director Song, but he shook his head.

“No, it’s fine. I will serve myself directly.”

“Oh, please don’t do that.”

“Even if there were poison, as an S-Rank, the chance of instant death is minimal. And if you become poisoned, you could receive antidotal assistance.”

“I’d be hurt anyway. There’s no need to tempt fate. Here, the largest rib for you!”

He was the eldest and had suffered much—he should eat well. I set a neatly cross-cut shiitake mushroom next to it.

“I don’t mind sharing a plate with you.”

“Me neither,” Gyeol chimed. “I only eat a little.”

Gyeol used a fork sized for fairy dragons. Yuhyun, having grown up eating from a communal pot, had no qualms. I heaped a mountain of short ribs and bulgogi onto Yerim’s plate.

“Director Song, would you prefer kimchi, doenjang, or both?”

“…I’ll have the kimchi-jjigae with potatoes and ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ tofu, please.”

Director Song hesitated, then spoke frankly. He liked potatoes and tofu. Potatoes and tofu simmered in rich seasoning are delicious.

“I’ll take the doenjang-jjigae! Add lots of tofu and potatoes for me too!”

“Of course. Eat heartily.”

I cradled each rice bowl and small side-dish bowl before returning them. Then I sat and lifted my spoon and chopsticks. Upon biting into the short rib, the meat melted softly in my mouth—tender, not a bit tough. Delicious.

“Uncle, it tastes great with meat and jellyfish salad together.”

Yerim polished off her bowl of rice in an instant. I wondered if we should have invited Mr. Noah along—this was almost too Korean. To ensure they indeed cared for both me and Director Song separately, I noted my egg fry was sunny-side up, while his plate held fresh greens for wraps. His plate, too, emptied swiftly.

“Yuhyun, you must eat plenty. Here you go.”

“Thanks, hyung.”

“Gyeol, should I cut yours into smaller pieces?”

“No, I can eat on my own.”

Gyeol sliced some duck meat with a small knife. As we ate, I couldn’t help but think of Seong Hyunjae. I hoped he was eating well.

“…I still feel sorry toward Seong Hyunjae.”

He must have sensed something and been driven away without knowing the full story. Meanwhile, here I was, happily enjoying this feast. As my hands slowed, Yerim reassured me.

“Master Seong Hyunjae probably doesn’t even care. He knows little of the circumstances. And he likes seeing you eat well.”

“That may be, but….”

“Why not call him later? By now he’d have a new cellphone, and if it’s you, he’ll answer immediately.”

“No, I shouldn’t call. No way.”

It had not even been a full day since we left. If I called, he’d surely say, “Come back, I forgive you.” Then upon seeing me, he’d worry again. Even if I’m warm and well-fed now, next time I face hardship, I’d hesitate.

I still must resolve things with the Crescent Moon, yet I had no answer. Might as well roast a sweet potato by the fireplace.

“Let’s visit the nearby dungeon and survey the situation. By now there may have been changes there.”

We might gather more intelligence on the Crescent Moon. Did the Newcomer notice this so-called wedding? Are we allowed such meddling? That surely warrants protest.

“And I wish we’d sent the children back to Korea first.”

“No way I’m going!”

“Me neither!”

“Not you, Yerim. Though it’d be nice if you went.”

“Not me? Then Peace?”

“When we said ‘children,’ we meant them,” Yerim said, tilting her head as she scooped a third bowl of rice. Eating well is best.

“All right, enough talk.”

I cleared the empty bowls before me and held up a hand. On my palm—

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep