Episode 10
“Yes!”
The guild leader, despite his large body, ran out quickly.
After that, I returned to the Demon King’s castle.
I was unloading the ingredients and dishes from the carriage when—
“You’re back?”
For a moment, I thought I was seeing things.
Recht was walking out of the castle.
But the sunlight shining on his golden hair and that polished face—it was definitely him.
Why was he coming out of the castle instead of the tower?
Peter, who followed behind him, explained.
“Miss Illy. This is the person who will be working as a bartender at the castle starting today.”
…
Prince Recht met my eyes and smiled.
One day, the prince who had been kidnapped by the Demon King got a job as a bartender in the Demon King’s castle.
***
3. Bartender Recht
I stared at him in disbelief.
How did a kidnapped prince naturally get hired here?
How?
“Your job… is bartender?”
Recht nodded.
That bright golden hair and blue eyes clearly belonged to the royal family of Akordo. The heroes who came to rescue him should recognize him immediately.
But—
“Hello, Mr. Bartender. Please take care of us.”
No one seemed suspicious.
It felt like I had entered a stage play where everyone was tricking me.
This world is full of lies!
I needed to talk to him.
But for some reason, Peter never left his side. Wherever Recht went, Peter followed nervously.
Maybe because he was a prince.
After about two days, I finally got a chance.
Before Peter could come, I grabbed Recht and dragged him into an empty room. I locked the door carefully and turned to him.
“Illy. If you come at me this boldly…”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
His teasing was getting worse.
“How are you working here?”
“I told Peter. He said they needed help.”
“Oh, Peter…”
Why would you hire the prince the Demon King kidnapped?
“You look exactly like a prince! What were you thinking?”
“For that, I have a disguise magic tool.”
He took out a pocket watch engraved with strange patterns.
So he wasn’t completely reckless.
But then—
“Why do you look the same to me?”
His hair and eye color hadn’t changed at all.
“It doesn’t work on people who already know my identity.”
“I see.”
I didn’t know much about magic tools, so I let it go.
“But why bartender? There are other jobs.”
“It’s easy and relaxed.”
That was surprisingly straightforward.
“…Your confidence is charming.”
“Have you fallen for me?”
“Absolutely not.”
When I leave this place, I won’t even look toward the palace.
He laughed at my quick answer.
“By the way, is it really okay for a kidnapped prince to walk around like this?”
“Maybe the Demon King doesn’t care.”
“That seems true…”
If he’s leaving him alone like this, why kidnap him in the first place?
“At least tell me. How were you kidnapped?”
Recht frowned.
“Kidnapped… what a misunderstanding.”
Misunderstanding?
“So it wasn’t kidnapping?”
Then why was he here?
After a moment, he admitted reluctantly,
“…No. It was kidnapping.”
He clearly didn’t want to explain.
It didn’t matter to me, as long as he didn’t die and cause another war.
“Anyway, I’m relieved about the magic tool.”
At least the heroes wouldn’t recognize him.
“Illy. Are you close to Peter?”
“We talk normally. Why?”
“Don’t get close.”
…
Why did I even ask?
***
After that, I left him and focused on cleaning.
By the time I noticed, the sun was setting.
I wondered if the noble prince was cleaning properly.
The wine storage room I saw earlier had been dusty.
“Maybe I’ll help before dinner.”
I took cleaning tools and walked over.
But when I arrived, it was spotless.
Very spotless.
“Who helped you? How did you do this in such a short time?”
“It was easy.”
Recht casually inspected a wine glass he had polished.
He looked natural, like someone who had always done this.
“By yourself? Impossible…”
The floor, tables, chairs, windows—everything was perfect.
“If you were born a commoner, you’d be the best maid.”
What a waste of talent.
“Can’t you do this alone?”
Was that a challenge?
“You’re a maid. Can’t clean?”
…
“It was very easy for me.”
…
He burst into laughter.
“Just kidding. Sit.”
I didn’t want to.
“This is your chance to evaluate my skill.”
Fine.
“I have a sharp tongue. Be prepared.”
“As you like.”
He was very confident.
If it tasted bad, I would criticize him harshly.
***
Leo once asked if I was too buried in work.
The merchant group and the Lighthouse guild were both successful. He said maybe I could rest.
“Why?”
I didn’t understand.
Even if they were stable, I still had work.
And honestly, running both was fun.
When I refused, Leo said something… I don’t remember.
It was long ago.
“Ah… so that’s why he followed me without complaint.”
When I ran across continents to escape the Demon King, Leo followed without hesitation.
“Leo…”
“Illy?”
I opened my eyes.
Recht’s face was in front of me.
“Oh…”
I saw the cloth in his hand, the shelf of bottles.
We were in the Demon King’s castle.
I looked at the empty wine glass with dark red stains.
Had I nodded when he asked if I liked alcohol?
“Are you okay?”
“Yes…”
“I didn’t expect you to be such a lightweight.”
“I’m not.”
I glared at him, but my eyes quickly lost strength.
He smirked.
“Who’s Leo?”
My mind instantly cleared.
How does he know Leo?
“You just said ‘Leo’ out loud.”
“Oh.”
I must have.
“My family. Not by blood.”
“Not by blood? Married?”
“What?”
I laughed.
“We grew up together. Neither of us has parents.”
Leo.
My only friend and family.
For a moment, I remembered him dying in demonic energy.
I knew I would reset, so I wasn’t exactly sad.
Still not something I wanted to see again.
“How touching.”
“Touching… maybe.”
The sound of him polishing glasses filled the room.
“Want more?”
His voice sounded displeased.
“No. This is enough.”
The room was spinning.
“Can you get to your room? Should I carry you?”
“I’m not a child.”
Ignoring his quiet laugh, I stood up.
“Good night, Recht.”
“Good night, Illy.”
After saying goodbye, I went to my room and fell into a deep sleep.
