TCRDG 21

Chapter 21

I folded my arms and looked around the now tidy shop, finally cleaned and organized.

“How do I open the store?”

I was wondering how I could let people know this was a store.

My parents used to run it just fine without a sign, but since it had been closed for a long time, I figured putting up a sign would be necessary.

I placed a wooden board on the ground and, after some deliberation, went with something simple.

[OPEN]

If someone needed something, they’d probably come in after seeing this.

I propped up the sign in a spot where it would be clearly visible, then turned around with satisfaction.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo!”

“…Do you ever stop?”

The only thing disturbing the otherwise quiet place—where birds and insects were the only natural sounds—was the rooster I brought with me.

Over the past few days living together, every time the rooster crowed without warning, I felt a strong urge to just eat it.

“No. Eggs are precious.”

I sighed and started walking over to feed the chicken when I suddenly sensed two unfamiliar presences near the boundary stone.

Wondering if they might be customers, I quickly returned to the shop.

A moment later, one of the two approached the shop and knocked on the door.

“I saw the sign out front saying you’re open. Is this really a shop? Do you have anything to eat? I’m starving.”

His sunken cheeks looked like he hadn’t eaten in days.

‘So the sign worked.’

I was glad to welcome my first customer, but honestly, I had no idea what I was supposed to do, so I just stared at the man.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, right, food.”

I rummaged through the kitchen trying to remember what I had. Luckily, there were some steamed corn and sweet potatoes Kaden had given me yesterday.

“How about this?”

“Thank you so much!”

The man sat at the table and started scarfing down the sweet potatoes right away.

When I turned my head, I saw him sneak a few into his sleeve. I thought about saying something but decided to let it go for now.

“Phew, thanks to you I’m alive. I thought I was going to die out here after getting lost.”

“The mountain paths are rough.”

“Do you live here alone?”

“Yes.”

“Must be scary. Especially for such a pretty lady.”

I ignored the comment, which I couldn’t relate to at all. But now that he was full, he leaned back in his chair and began hitting on me.

“Want me to stay for a few days and help out? I’m strong and useful for all kinds of things. Even at night.”

For a brief moment, I seriously considered kicking him.

But I held back, reminding myself he was a customer, and just stared at him.

“If you’re done eating, please leave.”

“Ooh, a feisty one. Makes you even more attractive. Heh. I’ll come back.”

Even as he walked to the door, he kept giving me sticky, lingering looks.

I managed to endure that, but when he tried to walk out without paying, I rushed over and blocked his path.

“Hold on.”

When I suddenly appeared holding a kitchen knife, he flinched and stepped back nervously.

I could tell he was prepared to attack me if necessary, but I remained calm and held out my hand.

“40,000 Jery. That includes what you stuffed in your sleeve.”

“Ah, I forgot.”

I thought I might get to use some of my skills for the first time in a while if he tried to bolt without paying, but disappointingly, he handed over the money without resistance and left.

“They say the hardest part of running a shop is dealing with customers. They weren’t wrong.”

I shook my head and tossed the money into a jar.

“But what’s that guy doing out there?”

His companion was hiding behind a large tree not far from the shop. Judging by how he pressed his body flat against it, he probably thought he was well hidden.

Creepy duo or not, they paid for their food, so I closed the window thinking of them as customers.

Meanwhile

Smith, who had just handed over money to Rosia and left the shop, ran straight to his companion hiding behind the tree and whispered.

“It’s a real shop! She actually sold me food.”

“Didn’t she notice you? I think she looked this way.”

“Nah, she seemed a bit sharp, but no way. She’s even prettier up close.”

Smith and his companion exchanged looks and snickered.

“She’s living out here alone? Brave, huh. Perfect. Let’s move our hideout here.”

“Nice. Good location, and let’s treat the lady kindly, huh? Feisty ones are more fun to break in.”

The two made no effort to hide their lewd thoughts as they schemed.

They could have attacked the shop right away, but they needed to go back and gather their stuff from the old hideout first, so they left for now.

Later That Evening

“Rosia!”

Kaden arrived around dinnertime. Since he’d been visiting daily lately, I opened the door naturally.

“I caught a chicken out front! It must be our daily blessing from the gods.”

“That’s my chicken.”

I didn’t know how it escaped the coop, but it looked absolutely terrified.

“Ah… that’s unfortunate. I was hoping to roast some chicken today.”

Kaden’s face, just moments ago full of excitement, turned mournful.

“Wipe your mouth.”

I grabbed the chicken’s wings and put it back into the coop, muttering a warning.

“If you try escaping one more time, you really will end up as dinner. Got it?”

“C-cock-a-doodle-doo!”

Hmm. Did… that chicken actually understand me?

Leaving the now docile chicken behind, I returned to the cabin, where Kaden had already laid out a full spread of food on the table.

For days now, he’s been bringing homemade meals like this, and each time, I welcomed them happily.

There was no reason to refuse good food, after all.

The only issue was that I’d started looking forward to Kaden’s visits a bit too much.

I felt like I was becoming somewhat addicted to his cooking.

“How was it today?”

“Delicious. Especially this sauce and the stir-fried veggies. I want more.”

“Really? I’ll bring more tomorrow, then.”

Honestly, the way he talks, he might as well be my personal chef.

I didn’t put my spoon down until the dishes were clean.

Lately, I’d come to realize how strong my appetite was.

“Meals are always better with company. Eating alone just isn’t the same.”

“I’ve been mooching off you too much. Is there anything you need? I want to repay you.”

Maybe touched by my offer, Kaden clasped his hands together in prayer-like gratitude.

“Honestly, just seeing Rosia enjoy my food makes me happy—but if I had to ask…”

“What is it?”

“Can I sleep over tonight?”

I almost spat out the water I was drinking and stared at Kaden.

Just like last time, how can he say things like that with such innocent eyes?

Even though I know there’s no hidden intent, his voice, words, and expression are just… misleading.

“Didn’t get any sleep again?”

“No. Can’t you see the dark circles?”

Sure enough, there were shadows under his eyes.

It’s not like he asks every night. And compared to the food he brings, letting him crash here occasionally isn’t a big deal.

He even has a blanket stored under my couch now. Once you let someone sleep over once, it’s hard to stop them from coming back.

Without much hesitation, I nodded.

“Alright.”

“Thanks, Rosia. I’ll be quiet and go to sleep early.”

Apparently overjoyed, Kaden began humming a little tune.

We spent time in the same space, each doing our own thing, until bedtime came.

Kaden knelt by the window, saying it was time for his evening prayer.

From his calm expression and the pure, solid divine power radiating from him, I could feel the sincerity of his faith.

‘He’s neat, capable, and cooks well. Honestly, I’m starting to want to keep him around.’

Instead of letting him rot alone in a shrine with no companions, maybe I should try to recruit him to work under me?

I was seriously considering it when I sensed a presence near the barrier stone.

‘Of all times, now?’

From the familiar aura, it seemed to be Seniel.

He’d definitely freak out if he saw me with a man this late.

I couldn’t exactly hide Kaden while he was praying, so I was in a bind.

“Sis!!”

As expected, Seniel burst through the door and ran into the shop.

Naturally, his eyes landed on Kaden, still praying by the window.

“…Sis, what’s going on here?”

Seniel asked in a tone so cold it could dig a grave.

I knew it was impossible, but I could’ve sworn I saw flames flicker in his eyes.

“There’s a shrine nearby. He’s a priest.”

“There’s a shrine? Where?”

“Not far. I checked myself.”

Just like I had doubted Kaden at first, Seniel clearly didn’t believe a word of it.

“Fine. Let’s say that’s true. Why is a priest with you this late at night?”

“We had dinner. He was praying and it got late. He’ll leave soon.”

I glanced nervously at Kaden, hoping he wouldn’t stop praying and chime in.

But of course, he’d just finished and, smiling brightly, joined the conversation.

“I’m not leaving, though?”

Sometimes Kaden is so utterly clueless that it’s dangerous.

I tried frantically sending him signals with my eyes.

“What’s wrong, Rosia? Do you need something?”

Unfortunately, it looked like he didn’t understand any of it.