Chapter 41: How a Mercenary Deals with Suspicion (3)
Was it because he was so hungry that he’d gone mad?
Valentin suddenly felt like he wanted to take a bite out of Regina’s pale neck. Of course, that would end badly—with her beating him up for sure, not just scolding him.
“Regina?”
Still leaning over and resting his head on her shoulder, Valentin called to her. She was staring blankly out the window.
“…Ah.”
She seemed to have missed what he mumbled.
“Valentin, can you be patient long enough for me to change clothes?” she asked.
“I’ll ask the head butler for something simple and worn.”
“Why?”
Valentin finally lifted his head and tilted it slightly. Regina looked him right in the eye and grinned.
“Let’s go out. Just the two of us.”
Regina had smuggled Valentin out of the castle in a supply cart. To move quickly, she took back alley shortcuts.
The narrow, rough streets were filled with shady-looking people and homeless wanderers with nowhere to go.
‘I thought he’d be surprised by these alleys, but maybe he’s too hungry to care?’
Regina glanced at Valentin trailing behind her.
He didn’t look out of place at all—even though this was surely his first time in this part of Balmen.
‘Almost like someone who’s walked these streets before…’
But that couldn’t be.
He’d lived locked away in the imperial palace his whole life.
No way a sickly prince had ever strolled through dirty alleys like a sneaky cat.
Shaking off the odd thought, Regina focused on remembering the way.
Finally, they arrived at a modest inn along one of the bigger roads.
“…How did you know about this place?”
Unlike the rough path outside, the inside of the inn felt warm and cozy. The lobby, which doubled as a dining hall, smelled delicious.
“I’ve been to Balmen before. The food here is good. They serve meals even at odd hours—there are always early visitors.”
Regina picked a seat and raised her hand. The innkeeper approached quietly, ready to take their order.
“Hmm. I’ll just have some warm soup and bread.”
“All the dishes on the menu. Two of each,” said Valentin.
Even the large, dark robe couldn’t hide how broad Valentin was. There were six items on the menu, so that made twelve dishes.
The innkeeper blinked in surprise.
“Wow… You eat a lot. My wife has a heavy hand in the kitchen too, but you might not finish it all.”
“Just bring it. I have the money.”
At Valentin’s firm voice, Regina signaled the innkeeper to do as he asked. The innkeeper, seeing they were serious (and paying), rushed off to the kitchen.
“…You really do eat well.”
“If it’s not enough, I’ll order more.”
Valentin reached to take off his robe, but Regina gently grabbed his arm.
His striking looks would definitely attract attention.
Even in the simple clothes and robe they’d borrowed from Konfe, nothing could hide his noble features—smooth skin and dazzling beauty that made maids stop in awe.
“Just be patient for a little longer.”
“…Fine.”
Valentin gave up on removing the robe and began tapping the table with his finger, occasionally glancing toward the kitchen.
‘He really can’t stand being hungry, huh?’
It was strange to see this version of him—always calm and arrogant—so visibly antsy.
Regina studied him quietly until the food came out sooner than expected.
He immediately grabbed a fork.
Though he was quick, he wasn’t messy.
It was fascinating how fast and neatly he ate.
The innkeeper, watching from afar, was visibly shocked by how fast the plates emptied.
“Chew slowly, or you’ll upset your stomach.”
Regina handed him a glass of water. Valentin paused and looked at her.
“…Does it taste good?”
He never really cared about flavor. He just wanted to soothe this endless hunger inside. But since Regina had brought him here, he gave a small nod.
“When I eat like this, people usually find it odd.”
“Plenty of mercenaries are big eaters. Some of them eat like cows.”
Especially Maut and Shanro—when those two ate out, the restaurant basically had to close early. Thinking of them made Regina wonder if Gyle and Shanro had arrived safely yet.
“Let me clear these plates and bring out the next round.”
The innkeeper swiftly replaced the empty dishes with new, full ones.
Then Regina remembered—this inn made delicious fruit jam.
It had such a comforting sweetness that she craved it for a while afterward.
‘I’d love to eat some again.’
And there it was: a fruit jam pie in front of her.
Valentin was busy eating, not paying attention.
After a moment of thought, Regina picked up her fork. Valentin noticed but didn’t stop her. He didn’t mind sharing.
“Try some.”
“…?”
But the fork didn’t go to her mouth—it stopped in front of his.
Valentin stared, surprised.
“Oh, you don’t like it?”
When he didn’t open his mouth, Regina began to pull the fork away. Just before she did, he quickly leaned in and took the bite.
“That was my favorite. I always thought I’d buy a jar of this jam if I ever came back to Balmen.”
Smiling at him, Regina pushed the entire plate of jam pie toward him.
Valentin set aside his other food and slowly finished everything she gave him.
The round table was still full of dishes.
After finishing the pie, Valentin said quietly,
“…I’m full.”
“…Wow, I guess the innkeeper really does serve big portions.”
Regina glanced at the uneaten food, looking slightly guilty. Valentin, on the other hand, stared at the one empty plate in front of him.
‘Full? That’s weird.’
He’d eaten more than this before and never felt full. But now, he felt stuffed. Even water sounded difficult. His stomach was warm. It felt… good.
Was this what true fullness felt like?
“Valentin, can I give the rest of the food to those kids?”
Regina pointed to a nearby table where a few dusty-faced children were peeking over at them. Their situation was obvious.
“The innkeeper is kind. He lets street kids come in to warm up and gives them odd jobs.”
“I don’t mind.”
Now that he was full, Valentin had no more interest in food.
As soon as he gave permission, Regina carried the plates to the next table and waved the kids over. They rushed over excitedly, not even stopping to say thank you as they stuffed food into their mouths.
“Eat slowly. If you want more, just tell me.”
Regina smiled fondly at them.
Valentin quietly watched her from the side. Her rounded forehead, long lashes casting soft shadows, and straight nose—all of it, he took in slowly.
Was he getting indigestion from feeling full for the first time?
Valentin put a hand on his chest as a strange tightness rose there.
“…You must like kids.”
“I’m just soft-hearted. Some of the kids in my mercenary group used to come in starving.”
She was thinking of Rosie.
When she first found her, Rosie had been nothing but skin and bones.
Regina had fattened her up and taken good care of her.
“That’s why you were so upset with that young assassin, isn’t it?”
Regina gave a faint, sad smile.
She remembered the poisoned needle she’d taken from that child.
‘I should probably go to Persona myself… That’d be best.’
“Valentin, I’m sorry for the sudden notice, but I think I need to go to the capital for a while.”
It was an abrupt announcement.
But Regina felt this quiet moment was the perfect time.
Valentin lifted his robe slightly and looked at her, silently asking for an explanation.
“I’m worried about Persona. I also want to investigate that poisoned needle.
I can’t just ignore a guild that kidnaps children and forces them into training.”
And it wasn’t just about the needle—there was still that suspicious night mission she needed to look into.
By now, Gyle and Shanro would’ve returned from their assignment, too.
“…Why not call your guild members here to Balmen instead?”
Valentin adjusted his robe again and asked.
“It might take a while. And bringing them here won’t help.”
Removing contracts from the guild was against the rules. Especially for dangerous night missions like this one.
And besides, going there herself would be the fastest way to get answers.
‘And things are moving faster than expected. At this rate, I’ll finish everything within a year.’
Interviews were still happening, and the estate was slowly filling with loyal Julius House staff.
