TERMS 24

Chapter 24

“Twice a week. As long as it’s prepared in a way that maintains dignity.”

I was surprised.

Oh my, once would have been enough out of courtesy. And what does he even mean by “maintaining dignity”? That sounds expensive.

Was Baron asking for too much?

But Raven didn’t seem to mind at all. He replied happily:

“I’m glad you allow it. I’ll prepare the best course.”

“Not this week. Start next week.”

“Understood.”

He left quickly.

“I appreciate it, but… a full course is too much. Just a slice of bread is enough.”

“Don’t worry. It was such a pleasant and memorable time that I want to give something back,” Raven said politely, trying to persuade me.

“I hope you’ll accept my favor.”

“But a full course costs a lot. I can’t trouble you that much…”

“Then how about a trade?”

“A trade?”

“If I bring lunch, you share some of your harvest and write down one recipe using it.”

“…”

“Would it be a problem if the recipe became known?”

“Oh, no. Not at all. You can even open a restaurant using it if you want.”

“You’re generous.”

“Not really. I just sometimes want to eat home-cooked food made by someone else.”

“So, you give me the ingredients and your unique recipe, and I’ll show you the culinary culture of the Ilpain Empire. How about that?”

‘Culinary culture of the empire?’

I was intrigued.

Food culture in a fantasy empire story? As a reader, that was irresistible.

Since I was stuck in a poor character, I might never experience high-class cuisine.

My curiosity won over my hesitation.

“Wouldn’t imperial cuisine be very expensive?”

“Not more expensive than the rarity of your recipes, Haley.”

“Uh…”

Hearing that made it even more tempting.

After all, no one else knew my Korean recipes, right? And I’d already told Raven he could open a restaurant with them.

I decided I could shamelessly accept the offer.

“Then… I’ll gratefully accept your proposal, even if it’s a bit bold of me.”

“I’m glad. I’ll do my best to make it an enjoyable experience,” Raven said with a bright smile and left the cabin after bowing politely to Baron and me.

Soon, a light tapping sound started outside, then a steady rain began to pour.

“I’m off, Baron.”

“Okay. Take care.”

“Let’s go, Search. Today we’ll catch everything! Ah, my excitement is unbearable,” I said.

I chattered about how the rain had stopped, the conditions were good, the stars were beautiful, and headed toward the night sea as the tide receded.

Baron—or Blodden—watched my cheerful back until I was far away, his eyes turning red.

“Black Livia.”

A ghostly raven appeared instantly, spreading smoky wings and bowing to its master.

“Tell Raven to come here immediately, within five minutes.”

-Black Livia. Raven. Message. Your Majesty’s command. Battleship.

The shadowy raven disappeared into the darkness.

Blodden, staring into the air, remembered the past few days.

It had started raining when Raven returned from the lunch invitation.

The rain grew heavier, coming and going over several days.

Every time I tried to go tide-pooling, it rained or fog rolled in, so I stayed home tidying up or took care of the garden whenever the rain stopped.

Then water started leaking from the ceiling. At first, I caught drops in a tide-pool bucket.

But soon the leaks increased.

I used a basin, ladle, pot, water container, salad bowl—even soup bowls to catch the rain.

Drip, drip… splash, splash… clink, clank.

The sounds varied depending on the container’s size and material.

Watching this, Baron was speechless.

Even the barracks at the Northern Gate, full of rampaging monsters, weren’t this bad.

How messy was this house, and how had I lived here?

He realized: poverty was extremely inconvenient.

Should he use his power or not?

With Carmen, he could tear down the cabin and build a stone house in a day, but that would draw attention from the royal family.

Baron didn’t want the regent Anna to notice me.

That was why he opposed my idea of supplying scorched rice and soup to the royal court, even though he could have sold it for several times the cost.

‘So I was actually preventing a money-making opportunity… yet he’s not upset?’

It amazed him. Even in poverty, with money being tight, Baron didn’t mind a lost chance to earn because of a child’s whims.

And I didn’t feel poor. Despite being poor, I was relaxed and confident.

Was it because of my natural beauty?

Then he wondered: had no one tried to buy my favor with money? If I had accepted everyone’s offers, would I even be living like this?

Looking around the house again, he understood:

‘I see. Haley sets boundaries. That’s why the house is like this.’

He decided showing off wealth openly wasn’t the way.

‘Better to subtly and naturally make the home comfortable.’

At that moment, I started humming while watching the rain fall into the bowls.

‘Huh? She’s singing in this situation?’

Seeing my confused look, I smiled.

“Baron, can you hear it too?”

“Huh? Hear what?”

“The sound of rain in the bowls—each one is different, like music.”

I looked up at the ceiling, eyes closed.

“Listen, there’s a subtle rhythm. Nature is giving us music.”

I smiled softly. Baron could see my happiness in that moment.

“Are you happy, Haley?”

Even with the rain pouring in?

I nodded immediately.

“Yes.”

“Even with the rain?”

“At first I was surprised, but now… it feels charming and nice.”

“Finding charm in this situation… you’re really positive.”

“Maybe? Haha.”

“Unbelievable. How can you be happy?”

“Nothing unbelievable about it.”

I gently brushed Baron’s hair.

“See? No one here is trying to drag me into trouble.”

“…Trouble?”

“Yes. No one is drunk, breaking things, or forcing debts on me.”

I looked around the leaky cabin.

“The house is in bad shape, but I can fix it over time. And most importantly…”

I took a deep breath and smiled brightly.

“You’re here.”

Remembering that, Blodden smiled without realizing it.

“She’s right. No one here wants to drag me into trouble. And being with someone I care about makes me happy.”

Even if the house was leaky, being with Haley made it okay.

Though he didn’t plan to keep watching the rain damage.

“Carmen.”

At his command, a stone rose from the ground.

“The house is leaking. If there’s a hole, you should fix it yourself.”

Blodden’s red eyes flashed.

“Won’t you repair it properly?”

Carmen fidgeted and bent down into the ground.

The roof shook. Now, while it still rained, I might notice it, but indoor leaks would be gone.

Then someone approached.

“Raven Honor, I ran here after hearing Black Livia’s message.”

“Ah. But don’t you have tasks to do first?”