Chapter 102: Stevie
Chapter 102: Stevie
"Yeah, that place was really good," Lake said."Seriously. Total hidden gem. I wanna come back again," Relf added.
"The lunch special means it changes daily, right?"
"Man, I’m looking forward to it. Let’s come again sometime. It’s always bad making Lord Robby treat us every time—next time it’ll be on me."
"Right. We need to come up with some excuse to get out of the palace."
"What would work...? Maybe I could say I’m selecting new trees to plant inside the palace grounds?"
"I’m jealous! Hmm... I can’t think of anything right away. Let’s discuss it later."
"Got it! Looking forward to it!"
On the way back to the palace, the two of them were still buzzing with excitement. Ughhh, seriously, what did these two even come here for?
I returned to the palace still dragging my heavy mood behind me. The pair cheerfully said:
"Today was amazing! Please call us again!"
"I didn’t get to meet former Captain Browning this time, so I’ll keep coming until I do!"
Everyone was so damn happy.
It was still too early for the afternoon break, so I went back to my room and spaced out. Then there was a knock at the door.
"Yes?"
"Excuse me."
The one who entered was Stevie. Her expression was stiff, but she had come back after all.
"Stevie! You came?! I was waiting— I was really worried about you."
Stevie bowed her head politely at the entrance.
"Lord Robby... I’m sorry for making you worry."
"Yeah, I really was worried. How was your brother? Did you manage to see him properly?"
Stevie stayed silent for a while, then:
"Yes... but he was... pretty badly damaged. I couldn’t even tell if it was really him at first. But he was wearing the ring that my sister-in-law—my brother’s wife—had exchanged with him, so that’s how I finally knew... sniff..."
A single tear dropped onto the floor as she stood there. I took a step forward to rush over to her, but—
"Don’t come near me! You mustn’t!"
"Huh? Why?"
"I-I’m... I’ve decided to quit working here. My brother is gone, and my sister-in-law is returning to her parents’ house, so I’m going with her... I came to say goodbye!"
"What?! Why?! Why are you quitting?!"
Stevie thrust her palm out toward me as I tried to step closer, shaking it frantically.
"I’m so sorry! I’ve already made up my mind! My brother is gone, and someone useless like me can’t do any real work anyway! I’ve decided to quit!!"
"Hey, wait! Stevie, don’t rush into this! There’s plenty of work for you! You’re not useless at all! Let’s talk—talk to me!"
I tried to run over to her, but Stevie bowed once more and said,
"Excuse me!!"
Then she ran out through the door.