Her voice softens further. “Please, let’s go back to the table, and you can tell me what you’d like to order.”
One moment she was fierce; now she’s kind. Kind to me.
Biting my lip, I finally raise my eyes.
She’s shorter than I am, her slim frame dressed in a long brown dress with a yellow apron tied around her waist. When she catches me looking, she smiles.
“Come on,” she urges again.
I remain frozen, but this time it isn’t shock holding me still. It’s the warmth in her eyes, the gentle curve of her smile—one she seems to be giving just to me.
Her black hair is tied at her nape in a low bun. Her eyes are large and expressive, her features soft, just like her demeanor. Eventually, I manage to nod and let her lead me back to the table. People still stare, but I don’t care anymore.
All I can do is look at her.
“So, what would you like to order?” she asks.
“I… I’m not sure,” I say quietly. “Do you have anything you’d recommend?”
She smiles and leans in, pointing out the dishes she thinks are best. As she draws closer, I catch the faint, sweet scent of her. A shiver runs through me, heat rushing to my cheeks, and I instinctively shift back. She looks puzzled but says nothing.
“I think the stew would be very good for you,” she says. “It’s warm and hearty—perfect for the weather.”
Mesmerized by her voice, I can only nod. “Alright. I’ll have that.”
She smiles again. I don’t think anyone has ever smiled at me this much in my entire life.
And as if that weren’t enough, what she does next leaves me stunned.
“If you don’t have enough coins,” she whispers near my ear, “don’t worry about it. It’s on the house.”
She gives me one last smile and walks away.
I watch her go, embarrassed that she might think I’m broke, yet deeply shaken by her kindness. Even if I had no money, she would have served me. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like that.
My hunger fades into the background as my eyes follow her through the restaurant. She moves from table to table, smiling at everyone. There’s a strange disappointment in realizing she smiles at all the patrons—not just me.
I’m not special at all.
I rein in the thought and let out a dry laugh. At least she’s fair.
12
Elysand does not offer me another potion to heal my wounds, and I don’t blame him for that. I should have learned my lesson already. That means that my injuries now have to heal naturally—however long that will take.
The mood at the Department changes. If before there were some people who exchanged a few words with me, now no one even looks my way. I’m invisible to them.
And as the day comes to an uneventful end, I find myself once again in the Mortal District. Jiggling the coins in my pocket, I stare at the restaurant’s sign:Fated Encounter.
The price of a complete meal is more expensive than I would pay if I just bought some bread and meat, but I go in anyway.
I step inside and my eyes immediately rove over the surroundings, looking forher.
Unfortunately, she’s nowhere to be seen, and another server takes me to a table. As I sit down, I wonder if I should just leave and return another time.
Focused on my indecision, I barely realize when someone comes next to me, sliding a menu in front of me.
With a sigh, I look up, but immediately, my lips part in wonder as I stare atherface. She’s smiling at me, again. It’s sucha simple, genuine smile that I don’t even care that I’m not the only recipient of it. I’m just happy she decided to share it with me too.
