Chapter 14
Three Breads. Small Business Owners Have Two Jobs as Standard (4)
Eli was moderate.
Moderately timid, moderately conscientious, living moderately hard, and accomplishing things moderately.
In her previous life, she had nothing particularly lacking, but also nothing particularly remarkable—a plain person who didn’t stand out. She had never caused trouble in her life and usually just watched the commotion around her from one step aside.
Honestly, Eli never wanted to be the center of attention.
Having someone focus on her was extremely uncomfortable, and she was largely content with a normal life.
She comforted herself in the thought that special lives were meant for special people, and that most people were like her.
Admiration and desire were different things.
Thrown into circumstances she never wished for, all Eli could do was evade as best she could.
In the Duke’s mansion, that meant hiding in the kitchen to avoid meeting her father or the heroine, and preparing to escape as soon as she was ready to live on her own.
Let’s not mention that all she could do from the start was run. Pride is precious, after all.
Yes, Eli had never wished for anything extraordinary.
“Eli, this is the Badger Headquarters. Officially, there are 24 members, but with our subordinates and workers, the place is a bit large. There’s a kitchen too—would you like me to show you?”
“No, that’s fine.”
Having finished her work early, Eli visited the Badger Knights’ headquarters.
Since she would assist with office work twice a week, she wanted to check her workplace in advance and accurately calculate the number of baguettes she would deliver starting next week.
Thanks to Morris arranging a carriage, she had a comfortable ride, but contrary to her wish for a quiet visit, as soon as she stepped out, Ban personally escorted her halfway in—ruining any chance of discretion.
It felt like her skull might crack.
“There’s no need to decline. I’ll show you my office first, then guide you around.”
“You don’t have to, you must be busy.”
“Today, I didn’t schedule anything else because Eli is coming. Don’t worry.”
Eli’s face registered utter shock.
It was because Ban, who treated her with utmost courtesy as if he would give her his heart and soul, was acting so grandly.
Eli accurately read the shock that passed through their eyes.
“Did this little pig manage to charm our captain?”
It said exactly that.
‘Damn it. I don’t care, you grinning lunatic!’
She wanted to be angry at the impudent gaze that swept over her round face and plump figure, but since he hadn’t openly behaved badly, she couldn’t pick a fight.
Better to curse outright than to get upset at subtle condescension; it was hard to find the right moment to get mad.
If she cursed, he’d probably just call her oversensitive.
This was why being chubby made life hard. Even if you ate the same amount, you’d get scolded for being fat. The same actions made her seem lazy.
“Eli?”
“Oh, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
“…Do you bite people?”
“Never mind. If I reacted, it would only get worse. Anyway, I’ll get used to it since I’ll be coming twice a week…”
Since her work involved assisting Ban with office tasks, avoiding attention was impossible.
The knight headquarters was heavily guarded, so sneaking in was out of the question.
“It may be uncomfortable with all eyes on you, but please bear with it. Someone might be rude to you while I’m away, so it’s best to show that you are my guest.”
“I’m just a worker,” Eli said firmly, drawing a clear line.
“In name, yes. But Eli, I called you because I wanted to see you.”
Ban was not easily swayed.
Eli snorted.
Ban was clearly toying with her. Just like Morris, he enjoyed watching her reactions.
‘From the start, he was already intimidating me.’
Eli had a long memory.
Morris had advised her to be careful with Ban. The plan was to take advantage of large-scale deliveries, but since Eli had accepted the part-time work like a money slave, it was better to maintain a cordial distance.
‘The most frightening people are the ones whose hearts you can’t read.’
Listening to Morris, Eli thought he was lecturing like a parent-in-law.
Like Ban, Morris was also the type who concealed his true feelings.
People like that were skilled at hiding their true intentions and rarely showed emotion. Eli wondered how many knew that the seemingly good-natured and smiling head of the knights was actually sharp and hard-tempered.
Eli had no idea what Ban was thinking, or what he expected from her.
It was understandable that he would come at dawn, obsessed with baguettes, but that alone didn’t require him to act kindly toward her.
Knowing his true nature, there was no reason for her to act overly careful or try to win his favor as if they were friends.
“Most soldiers are stationed outside the outer wall. Badger’s main task is guarding the capital, but five orders rotate to watch the outer walls. So for about a week each month, they stay on the walls. There are almost no threatening monsters near Rayad, but some appear occasionally on roads connecting to the central road.”
“Do I really have to go there?!”
Eli, who had only ever faced monsters as cleaned meat chunks, was terrified.
If asked, she would throw her resignation in his face.
“Of course not. I wouldn’t take you somewhere dangerous.”
“I will never go outside the outer wall.”
Eli’s physical shield reduced damage to her bones but didn’t alleviate pain at all.
She hated pain and feared danger even more.
“Besides, this looks like the kitchen…”
Eli glared at Ban. He smiled sheepishly.
“Hahaha, caught me?”
“You should’ve had lunch already.”
It was already past 2 p.m.
“Well, a little. But I can still eat baguettes.”
“…Where do you usually have your meals?”
“I usually eat in the dining hall, but lately I’ve been eating baguettes at lunch in my office.”
“You brought baguettes… but I’m not sure we have the ingredients.”
“You’re going to make them?”
“You will be paid.”
“Of course.”
Ban smiled brightly like a child. His handsome face softened, green eyes sparkling, cheeks flushed.
Eli felt a subtle emotion watching him.
He seemed genuinely happy—was it an act? If so, Ban was truly scary, giving a flawless performance even for someone like her, who wasn’t worth manipulating.
When she opened the kitchen door, those who saw Ban inside gasped. Eli spoke to the cooks.
“May I use the kitchen?”
The man who seemed to be the head chef was surprised to see Ban behind Eli.
Ban was about to speak to the chef when someone called him from behind, as if perfectly timed.
“Captain, someone is looking for you.”
“…I don’t believe this was scheduled.”
Ban answered a beat late, his slow tone showing his reluctance. Eli took the opportunity.
“Go ahead. I’ll have it ready soon. Should I ask them to guide you back to your office?”
“Sorry, Eli. I cleared my schedule, but…”
“I prefer it when you’re not here.”
Ban’s face fell briefly at her cold words.
But Eli left no room for argument, simply gesturing him out.
Ban reluctantly dragged his feet and finally left the kitchen.
“There shouldn’t have been an appointment. Parents? Or your older brother?”
Ban’s tone was off—he was disappointed at being interrupted at the moment he had anticipated.
Deputy Captain Nadal looked at him, surprised.
It was the first time he’d seen Ban openly annoyed.
He said, “Not the Cronin family, but someone I cannot refuse…”
“Who?”
Ban, anxious about leaving Eli alone in the kitchen, grew impatient. He regretted not giving stricter instructions to the chefs, but he knew Eli would dislike that.
Just as he thought about taking care of his guest and leaving, he received an unexpected answer.
“She is the daughter of Duke McClure.”
