When Your Secret Crush Wizard Took a Love Potion - Chapter 22
“Hey, everyone, time to get up. We don’t have the money to keep drinking in such a fancy place.”
“I was just about to leave anyway. The drinks taste fine but the servings are so small it barely wets your throat, which isn’t much fun…”
Despite their grumbling, the mercenaries got up, looking regretfully at their empty plates as they followed Marca.
“Let’s go for a second round! There’s a nearby place famous for its crispy roast chicken and hearty potato stew. How about that?”
“Sounds good. Let’s go eat our fill!”
Marca cheerfully led the mercenaries out of the restaurant. With their large frames exiting, the place quickly felt emptier.
I watched their backs for a moment before returning to my seat, just in time for the server to bring out my order with a sigh of relief.
“Here’s your seafood gratin with spicy sauce and a tomato salad with blue cheese. Enjoy your meal.”
Just then, Edgar came down the stairs.
“Sorry, did you wait long?”
“What were you up to that took so long? ….. Never mind, don’t tell me.”
Edgar’s eyes sparkled as if he was ready to confess everything, but he slumped at my quick dismissal.
I doubted he had spent the time quietly meditating alone in the room, and I could roughly guess what antics he might have gotten up to, but I chose not to pry.
“Edgar… about earlier.”
I hesitated. Joining a band of mercenaries to cross Lake Martin and venture into the Mistwood Forest was a solid plan, but I couldn’t be sure how Edgar, who had been singing tunes of a
‘honeymoon,’ would take this news.
“Why?”
Strictly speaking, or rather, clearly, this journey was not a honeymoon, so there was no reason for me to be overly concerned about his reaction.
“What’s the matter, Chloe?”
I looked back and forth between Edgar’s gentle face and the steaming hot dishes just served.
My concerns were quickly resolved. Let’s just eat and talk. There’s no point in mentioning it now, as Edgar might act up and ruin this much-needed good meal.
“No… just enjoy your meal.”
“Are you also taking care of my well-being now? Our Chloe is really considerate.”
I started eating, leaving him alone. The seafood gratin sizzling in the cast iron pan was irresistible. Just scooping a spoonful was enough to stretch the cheese on top tantalizingly.
With every spicy bite, it felt fulfilling. Knowing that the problems I had been worrying about since arriving in Meroni were resolved and that I’d be able to board the ship tomorrow made the gratin taste even better.
“It’s delicious.”
And the tomato salad? Chunks of freshly washed tomatoes, mixed with blue cheese and nuts, baked to an almost unbelievable flavor. It was rich with spices and care, making me devour it more eagerly than usual.
“Oops, the seasoning is a bit spicy.”
The gratin, which I hadn’t realized at first, turned out to be subtly hot at the end. My lips tingle, and even drinking water didn’t ease the spice, prompting me to stick out my innocent tongue to catch some cool air.
Just as I was about to take another sip of water…
“…”
The gaze on my cheek felt sharp.
“Why have you been staring at me?”
I was trying to ignore it at first, but I couldn’t help but snap back. Edgar, resting his chin on his hand, watched me without blinking, clearly enjoying the scene.
“Chloe, your expressions are just so happy, I can’t help but watch. You munch away so contentedly with your little mouth.”
“Is that so?”
Perhaps it was because it had been such a long time since I’d eaten food prepared by humans.
Back at the cottage, the golem used to prepare our meals, but since we started traveling, I’d only had dried meat and travel bread for days, so my appetite had definitely surged.
“Chloe likes sweet things too.”
Caught off guard, I met his amethyst eyes twinkling mischievously.
“Maybe I should research a spell that makes my d–k tastes sweet?”
“Cough, ack…”
This guy, his reasons for researching magic are far too obvious.
