Another world, Celeste

Thirty Seven

Along the street where the Commercial Guild operates, there is a restaurant regularly visited by guild employees and merchants alike due to their delicious food and reasonable pricing. The time is a little past mid-afternoon when a neatly combed dark-haired man with a sturdy body and obvious grey hair on the sides that signifies his age enters the establishment, looking out of place in a gatekeeper's uniform. The restaurant manager who happens to be standing near the entrance immediately recognises the man's face and greets him with respect.

"Welcome, Sir Ronald. Your companion has already arrived, please follow me."

Sir Ronald nods with a solemn expression and follows the restaurant manager from behind. Out of the corner of his eye, he observes the tables are full of customers noisily murmuring with each other in their respective seats. Considering the time, it is way past lunch break and still too early to be off work to gather for dinner. Hence, it is not difficult for him to deduce that they are most likely people who came to this town for the auction which would explain their unsubtle way of gathering information to the point that it sounds like bees buzzing in Sir Ronald's ears nonstop. Fortunately, the restaurant manager brings Sir Ronald to a table by the window on the second floor where it is quieter with fewer people.

"Your companion is here, madam."

The person Sir Ronald is meeting puts down her cup before turning away from the window and greets him familiarly. "Sir Ronald, I'm glad you came."

"I wouldn't dare to decline your invitation for a meal, Lady Polina," Sir Ronald respond courteously.

Once Sir Ronald takes a seat opposite Polina at the table, the restaurant manager takes the role of taking their order instead of having the waiter do it.

"I'd like another cup of this lovely tea and this time, a dessert to go along with it," Polina orders while Sir Ronald looks over the menu.

"Certainly, madam. What kind of dessert would you like?"

"I'll let you choose."

Polina conveys her order with a dazzling smile.

"Y-yes...madam."

Polina's harmless smile causes the restaurant manager's voice to waver. Because it is a smile from a beautiful elf.

As for Sir Ronald, he refrains from having a glass of fruit wine since he has to return to work after this, and instead orders, "I'll have the blended fruit drink with mint syrup."

"Would you like it with ice, sir?"

"Yes."

Adding a few cubes of ice will cost more since ice is considered expensive goods as they are transported from the colder region, yet Sir Ronald orders it without a second thought. The restaurant manager leaves after taking their orders with slightly reddened cheeks; an odd expression for a man looking over fifty.