Chapter 40: Bloated
With Lyra walking gracefully at his right and the coachman at his left, Asher descended the stairs at a measured pace.
His eyes flicked briefly toward the coachman, noting with faint amusement the man’s surprisingly improved hygiene and the unmissable smoothness of his skin, an overnight transformation that did not go unnoticed.
Upon reaching the front counter, the attendant straightened with practiced poise and greeted them at once, "Good morning, Young Master, Madam, Sirs. How may I be of service?"
The attendant’s tone was exceptionally courteous, as expected. After all, anyone capable of affording a hundred gold coins per night was either nobility, closely tied to one, or simply wealthy enough to stand among them.
"Let us see the food menu," Asher said calmly.
With a respectful nod, the attendant lowered his hand beneath the counter, retrieved a neatly folded menu, and presented it to Asher with both hands.
Asher studied it for a moment, his gaze skimming over the elegantly listed options. Then, with a tone of quiet decisiveness, he began to order.
"For the main course, I’ll have the Lamb Cutlets with Minted Pea Puree. As for the sides, bring the Rosemary and Sea Salt Flatbread. And for the wine... Aged Blackberry Mead should suffice."
Truth be told, he hadn’t heard of any of these dishes before. But the countless memories embedded within him, filled with knowledge of exotic cuisines and refined palates, made the act of ordering appear effortless.
Asher passed the menu to the coachman at his side, who accepted it with a smile that bordered on familiarity. Normally, someone of his station would never stand so close, let alone behave so casually, around a Sun or a Moon.
But after three days in Asher’s company, he had drawn his own quiet conclusion: this young master was unlike the others. Even the guards had come to recognize the subtle but undeniable difference in him.