TRVBC 10

Chapter : 10
Country Life Is Fun! (4)

I curled my back like a cat basking in the warm sunlight. Lying face-down on the table, sleepiness crept in naturally.

Ah… how peaceful.

The days when I used to be busy every single day felt like something from a distant past.

If it were just a while ago, I never would’ve imagined this.

Not long ago—on the day I was publicly slandered and insulted by my fiancé, had my engagement unilaterally broken off, and fled the capital as if I were escaping.

Who would have thought that what looked like me being cast out… was actually a carefully calculated exit strategy from this story?

Only a few people know. My younger brother Ben, and Nanari from the Dryan family…

And one more.

I narrowed my eyes. I saw a broad back sitting upright like some ancient totem.

I never thought I’d see that back here either.

The kingdom’s greatest knight—closer to a dragon than any descendant of one—the older brother of my pen pal Nanari.

Karl Dryan.

As I stared blankly at his back, Karl seemed to sense my gaze and slowly turned around. His well-developed muscles shifted and rippled with the movement.

Wow… that body is insane.

At first, I was too intimidated to even properly look at Karl Dryan, but the more I saw him, the more perfect his physique seemed. He sat in the café for half the day, yet somehow maintained that body—it was almost suspicious.

I thought even my brother Ben was muscular, but Karl is on another level. He’s probably even stronger.

Thinking of my younger brother Benjamin somewhere far away made my head ache.

That idiot was probably causing trouble again.

But my thoughts about Benjamin didn’t last long. Karl Dryan had fully turned around—and now a flashy pink apron was wrapped around his front.

Ugh.

That cursed apron.

He’s started wearing it like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Not long ago, when I saw Karl making rice balls, I had thought:

Is he going to end up acting like he belongs in this café?

I had dismissed the thought with a laugh, thinking it was ridiculous.

But as if mocking me, he had now completely blended into the café without any sense of awkwardness.

All I had said was for him to stay inside if he wanted to help—but why was he wearing an apron like it was his job?

Anyone would think the café had changed owners.

Worse, because of that harmless-looking pink apron, the customers had started to stop fearing Karl altogether.

Ding.

The bell rang and the door opened. I lifted my head.

A quiet countryside café. The customers were always the same. Today’s first visitor was Mrs. Madeline.

“Welcome?” I said.

“Yes, I’m here,” she replied casually and sat right in front of me.

Then she winked.

“So, when’s the wedding?”

This woman had been obsessively trying to link me and Karl together lately. I frowned.

“If you’ve come to the café, you should order first, customer.”

“If Vivi answers me, I’ll order right away. So? When’s the wedding? Any progress yesterday?”

What progress could there possibly be?

I scoffed.

“We’re not like that.”

“If you’re not like that, then you should become like that. What are you doing, not knocking him down already?”

“How am I supposed to knock that down?”

Even if a wild boar charged him, it would probably bounce off.

Mrs. Madeline twirled her hair as if amused.

“He seemed a bit rough at first, but he’s strong and even cooks well. He’d make a great husband. You’ll regret it if you let him go.”

A good husband?

Well… maybe in prehistoric times.

Back then, Karl Dryan would’ve been a top-tier husband candidate. When humans were at the bottom of the food chain, being good at hunting was probably the most important qualification.

But not now.

He barely talks. Not my type.

I preferred someone like a witty, dog-like man who could lighten the mood with a few words.

But wait.

“Cooking? How do you know Karl cooks well?”

I had been half-listening, assuming it was just her usual nonsense, but that detail caught my attention.

Thinking I was joking, Mrs. Madeline snapped her fingers.

“Last time when Vivi wasn’t at the shop, that young man served toast and coffee instead. It was much better than what you make. Why don’t you just marry him, make him the cook, and you handle serving? Honestly, your cooking is pretty average.”

“Excuse me? Wait, more importantly—”

He could cook?

And he had been hanging around my café for a month knowing how to cook?

And he came in just because I mentioned food?

Was this all an act just to get into this café?!

I thought he was just eating my food without complaint because he had nowhere else to go and I simply wasn’t a good cook. I even felt a little sorry for him, assuming he was struggling in this rural area under Prince Adolf’s orders!

What on earth is this guy?!

I glared at him sharply, but Karl only wore a shameless expression, as if he couldn’t hear our conversation.

Mrs. Madeline, unaware of the situation between Karl and me, continued pushing her matchmaking agenda.

“It’s not easy for a woman to live alone in this world. Having a reliable man to lean on is a good thing. Hurry up and make something happen and get married.”

This wasn’t the Stone Age where women couldn’t survive without men.

I waved my hand lazily.

“I’m not getting married in my life. I’m sick of men.”

Mrs. Madeline snorted.

“Sick of men? Have you even ever dated one?”

“That’s… no, why are you attacking me all of a sudden?”

“Exactly. You’ve never even dated, have you? Stop acting tough and try dating first. I’ll listen to your complaints after that.”

This woman!

I shot up from my seat.

“I’ll make your coffee, so just take it and leave!”

“Hohoho.”

Honestly, this quiet countryside was unbearable. With nothing to do, people meddled in others’ lives.

After glaring at Mrs. Madeline’s fox-like smile, I went into the kitchen and started grinding coffee beans.

Just then—

Ding.

The bell rang again, and another regular customer appeared.

It was Hans, the village milk delivery man.

The milk he supplied was of excellent quality—practically no different from what had been supplied to the ducal estate. It was also cheap and delivered faithfully, so I was always grateful to him.

“One blended coffee…”

“Huh?! Y-You! You’re always inside the shop now?!”

Hans, who had just walked in with fresh milk, jumped in shock upon seeing Karl and almost dropped the bottle.

He trembled like a newborn fawn.

“I-I thought you were some kind of wolf or something for a second!”

“Nice joke,” I replied dryly.

I didn’t mention that I had reacted the same way the first time I saw Karl.

People adapt over time. Everything starts to look normal eventually.

But when did he even sit there again?

Karl was sitting in the exact spot where I had been lying down earlier. Moving such a large body without making a sound was impressive in its own way.

Does he like sunlight? Why that seat of all places?

As I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, I suddenly felt a gaze beside me and flinched.

Mrs. Madeline was watching with her chin propped on her hand, smiling warmly.

“Alright then. Let’s hold the wedding when the weather gets warmer.”

Seriously!

“If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll spit in your coffee and serve it to you.”

“I’m only saying it for your own good. How cruel.”

“Even my mother doesn’t nag me like this. Just drink your coffee.”

Hans, who had arrived late and didn’t understand the situation, tilted his head.

“What are you talking about? Wedding? Mrs. Madeline, did you find someone to remarry?”

Mrs. Madeline’s expression turned cold.

“You’d be better off sharpening your instincts instead of drinking coffee if you have time for it.”

“Hey, why are you suddenly treating me like I’ve got no sense? What’s going on? Is someone getting married in this village?”

Sigh.

Mrs. Madeline turned away as if she couldn’t be bothered to respond anymore.