The Merchant and Tavern Master

Side Story: Lunch at Uncle Liu's Tavern

[This event took place in the middle of the chapter 'Preparation Before Leaving' as the continuation of 'To the Lord's Manor']

After concluding my transactions with the lord's family, I bring my goods to the village market to sell the rest of the goods, with Sofia's help. Sofia herself appeared enthusiastic after observing how Lady Helen and I interacted, evident from how she emulated Lady Helen's manner of speech, though it's a bit awkward. She inquired about the goods' details briefly from me and then shared that knowledge with every customer who approached our carriage for purchasing. While she wasn't perfect, she always referred to me when unsure about something. It seemed that dealing with customers wasn't entirely new to her, given her background as a tavern owner's daughter who often assisted with their family business. Is it just my feeling? She insisted on telling the customer that she's my betrothed, when they asked about her, established her position as my companion. She seemed proud about that, so I let her.

I made a conscious effort not to dwell too much on the matter of Kunihiko and the Lord's daughter. After all, it's not my business, and I believe that my brother knows himself better. As the day progressed, most of my goods were sold, especially near lunchtime. The remaining goods were not significant in quantity, so I could either use them for my own household or restock them to sell in other places.

During a break, I asked Sofia if there's anything she'd like to eat. She replied that she wanted to try something new, something she had never tasted in Goldkorb or any of the rest areas. I pondered over her request and eventually decided to take her to the old man Liu's tavern—the same tavern my brothers and I usually visited. The tavern was a wooden structure with dimly lit lanterns hanging by the entrance, exuding a cozy and inviting atmosphere. As we entered, the aroma of various dishes filled the air, making our stomachs rumble with anticipation. The interior was adorned with traditional paintings and decor, giving it an authentic and rustic charm. Old man Liu's has been the neighbour to our family since the age of my grandparents according to my mother. Apparently our ancestors have journeyed together from far away lands to this place. I ordered dishes which I'm sure never found in Goldkorb.

Sofia eagerly awaited as I approached the old man, and once again, I warmly introduced her to him. In her usual enthusiastic manner, Sofia proudly declared herself as my betrothed, eliciting a hearty laugh from Uncle Liu. We sat on the barstool then engaged in friendly chatter for a while until the helpers brought two steaming bowls to our table. Sofia's eyes widened with curiosity, akin to a child discovering a new toy.

"What is this food? And what are these two little sticks?" she asked, pointing at the bowls and chopsticks.

"It's called ramen. See these swirls in the soup? Those are ingredients made from wheat called noodles. And these two sticks are called chopsticks. We use them to eat the ramen," I explained. With a gentle touch, I demonstrated how to use the sleek wooden chopsticks to gracefully take hold of the delicate noodle. The long, slender strands danced and shimmered in the soft light, evoking Sofia's wonder.

She watched intently, seemingly at a loss for words. Eventually, she said, "It's fascinating!" Sofia attempted to follow my lead, but handling the chopsticks proved challenging for her.

"If you find it difficult, we can switch to using a spoon and fork," I offered.

"No way! The way you hold the food with these chopsticks looks fun!" Sofia insisted, determined to master the art. I smiled at her enthusiasm and gently guided her hand, showing her the proper technique. With a bit of practice, she quickly got the hang of it, and we both enjoyed our ramen.

As she savored the flavors, Sofia was rendered speechless, seemingly overwhelmed by the delightful taste sensation. The ramen had clearly made a lasting impression on her.

"It... it was absolutely delightful!" Sofia exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "What is this dish? It deserves to be renowned throughout the entire region! The noodles are unlike anything I've ever tasted, the various vegetables and meat put above are beautiful and delicious! And the broth is simply divine! Its delicacy is apparent, and I can feel the tremendous effort put into crafting such a sharp, rich flavor."

Old man Liu chuckled with full satisfaction, thoroughly enjoying Sofia's genuine reaction.

"You understand that, young girl?" he asked with amusement.

"Sofia is actually the daughter of a tavern owner," I interjected, "and she's practically a skilled cook herself. She's responsible for preparing the food at her family's tavern."

"Oh, I see. You're so fortunate to have her as your future wife, Takahiko. A man who has a wife capable of preparing such fantastic meals is truly blessed," the old man praised.

"I... I'm honored," Sofia blushed, unable to hide her radiant smile in response to the old man's compliments.

"Are you interested in mastering the art of making this ramen, young lady?" the old man suddenly offered.

"I would love to, but unfortunately, we have to return to Goldkorb tomorrow," Sofia replied with a hint of dejection.

"Oh, if you're interested in making something similar, my mother can teach you," I interjected.

"Really?!" Sofia's eyes widened with genuine surprise at the unexpected opportunity.

"Yes, the base preparation is quite similar, such as the noodles and vegetables, which are easy to find and can be substituted with similar kinds. However, the broth that you loved so much is the most challenging part. As you know, it's a delicate process to prepare, and it usually involves a family secret technique," the old man explained.

"I understand. I was thinking of using it as a reference for the stew I usually make for you," Sofia replied, her excitement still evident.

"Don't worry about it. I trust you've already made great progress from before," I reassured her while unconsciously giving her head another gentle pat.

"Ehehe." This time, she didn't seem displeased by the gesture. Perhaps the delicious ramen had lifted her spirits.

After settling the payment for the food, we returned to our carriage and made our way home. Sofia was brimming with excitement as she approached my mother and earnestly requested her guidance in preparing the ramen, leaving my mother quite puzzled by the sudden request. With most of the goods sold and the carriage nearly empty, I decided to take the opportunity to clean it. As I did so, I also tended to the horse, ensuring it would be ready to take my mother on her journey tomorrow.