Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Side Story 24
Side Story 24
Translator: Yonnee
—
“Still, no matter how safe the capital is, you shouldn’t let your guard down.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Ina answered earnestly, saluting as she did so.
“……”
Liam knew she was teasing him but said nothing.
‘Always so stoic.’
Despite his stern demeanor, he had quite the affinity for Korean food.
Their relationship started when he occasionally visited to learn cooking from her and had continued ever since.
‘I thought it would be a few times at most.’
She never imagined they would become this close. Clearly, he was as passionate about food as she was.
However, no matter how much Liam learned, he could never quite replicate Ina’s cooking.
Particularly fond of her seafood sujebi, he visited her restaurant whenever he came to the capital.
Since it was far from his usual residence in the North, Ina had suggested meal kits so he could enjoy her food more often.
Liam was an important regular customer of her restaurant.
“Here it is. Just boil the broth and add the ingredients.”
“…Got it.”
The meal kit exchange had become a routine.
Ina handed the meal kit box to Liam. Their fingers briefly touched before she pulled her hand away.
‘…’
Ina found herself staring at Liam, then quickly withdrew her hand.
Liam placed the box down momentarily and handed her a pouch.
“Here’s the payment.”
“Yes.”
Ina carefully accepted the pouch, avoiding contact with his hand.
“Thank you for coming in person each time.”
Regaining her composure, Ina spoke respectfully and bowed her head.
Indeed, Liam always visited her personally.
It wasn’t a bad thing.
‘It’s a pleasant sight.’
Most importantly, she knew Liam was a good person.
Meeting good people was always a pleasure.
Just like the enjoyable dinner she had with Jung-in, Mercy, Adela, and Wight earlier that evening.
“Then, I’ll take my leave now.”
It was late, so it was time to head home.
Ina checked the time and bid Liam farewell. Liam, staring intently at her, muttered.
“It’s dangerous at this hour.”
“Oh, it’s fine, Duke. My house is only five minutes away.”
“I’ll walk you.”
Huh?
The unexpected offer made Ina pause.
Forgetting the usual distance she kept, she stared directly into Liam’s eyes.
“Even if it’s a short distance, isn’t it better to be safe?”
Liam’s blunt tone was consistent every time they met.
This made it clear he had no interest in Ina.
He had always maintained a proper distance, treating her like any other person, just as another human being, not as a romantic interest.
So, that’s the reason.
“…Or am I making you uncomfortable?”
His hesitant tone and wavering eyes, however, seemed to suggest otherwise, as if he might be interested in her.
‘No. Don’t misunderstand.’
Ina knew that Liam was always a courteous customer.
She didn’t want to lose a customer over a fleeting mistake.
…But that didn’t mean she wanted to reject his kindness either.
Seeing couples like Jung-in and Albert, or Mercy and Schubert, made her feel lonely.
She knew how good a person Liam was.
And she also knew it wasn’t easy to meet someone who was consistently kind.
“…Then I’d be grateful, Duke.”
Ina replied, deciding to be brave. She didn’t know where accepting his kindness might lead, but she wanted to find out.
“Let’s go.”
Liam effortlessly picked up the box with one hand and started walking beside her.
Soon, the restaurant lights went out, and the two figures faded into the night.
It was the start of an unlikely relationship.
* * *
The dish I learned from Ina was a milky broth samgyetang.
Although I’d eaten it out during the hot summer days, I had never made it at home.
But Albert preferred such dishes over spicy ones, so I learned it especially for him.
‘It’s been a while since I cooked.’
Looking at the box of ingredients I had prepared, I felt nostalgic.
Living in the palace significantly reduced the times I cooked myself.
Even when I did cook, it was usually spicy dishes.
The only times I went to the kitchen were when I suddenly craved something spicy.
Albert always told me not to cook unless I wanted to, and I trusted Ina’s cooking skills more than mine, so I refrained.
‘Special occasions call for doing things you don’t normally do.’
It was time to dust off my long-shelved cooking skills!
…Of course, we wouldn’t just eat samgyetang, so I also prepared side dishes.
I brought along napa cabbage kimchi that Ina had made herself and prepared ingredients for geotjeori (fresh kimchi).
I had written down the recipes well.
I held the already crumpled paper close to my heart.
“Tomorrow’s the day.”
Want to read more? Advanced chapters are available on Patreon! (for selected novels only)
≪ Discord ≫
≪ Novel Updates ≫
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
