Chapter 47: Starving to death
Ailiya’s stomach let out a faint, untimely growl.
Trailing behind Sylvie, her right hand instinctively clutched the worn cloth wallet at her waist. Through the thin fabric, she felt the cold, hard outlines of a few copper coins.
Just this much money wouldn’t buy the cheapest black bread in the capital for three days…
A bitter pang rose from her stomach, prompting a sigh. This capitalist hellhole! City living costs are insane…
Sylvie’s offer to treat her to lunch felt like a godsend. Sure, freeloading felt a bit shameless, but her stomach was brutally honest.
Their steps carried them from one world to another.
Behind them lay St. Freya’s pristine district of white marble and gold accents, the air laced with aloofness. Ahead was the civilian quarter, built of brick and timber, brimming with the lively scents of food and coal smoke, easing Ailiya’s taut nerves.
“Where are we going?” Ailiya asked curiously.
“Nothing fancy,” Sylvie replied, turning with a shy smile. “A little stall I visit often. The owner’s a single mom who sets up outside her house. The food’s really good.”
Soon, a rich aroma of grilled meat and spices hit Ailiya’s nose.
She looked up to see a cozy stall in the alley, glowing under warm yellow lanterns. A large grill sizzled, and every table was packed, alive with chatter and clinking dishes.
“Wow, looks nice! Pretty crowded too,” Ailiya said, genuinely impressed.
“I’m glad you think so,” Sylvie said, relieved.
A carriage sped by, and Sylvie instinctively pulled Ailiya behind her, waiting until it passed before leading her forward.
As they approached, the stall owner—a brisk, headscarf-wearing woman—spotted Sylvie and greeted her with a booming voice that cut through the noise. “Little Vivi! Back for food?”
“Little Vivi?” Ailiya’s eyes lit up, barely stifling a laugh, giving Sylvie an “oh~” look.
Sylvie’s face flushed red to her ears. She stomped, protesting softly, “Aunt Lina! Please, it’s Sylvie! It’s embarrassing in front of my classmate…”
“You’re too cute not to call that!” Lina laughed heartily, hands on hips, shouting to the regulars. “Am I right, folks?”
“Totally! Little Vivi’s the star of this street!” a burly man with a mug of ale cheered.
“Smart and sweet—she’s going places!” a woman at the next table chimed in.
Sylvie, red as a tomato, looked ready to melt into the ground, whimpering “Ugh…” and casting a pleading glance at Ailiya.
“Didn’t know you were such a celebrity,” Ailiya teased, nudging her shoulder.
“Stop it, Ailiya!” Sylvie pushed her lightly, more playful than upset, like a pouty kitten.
“Little Vivi finally brought a friend!” Lina said warmly, eyeing Ailiya. “She’s always alone—we were worried.”
She cleared a table, pulling out chairs. “Sit, sit!” Turning, she yelled, “Maya! Menu, now! Greet the guests!”
A curtain parted, and a spry girl of about thirteen or fourteen in an apron bounded out. Seeing Sylvie, her eyes sparkled. “Sylvie-nee! Long time no see!”
“This is Maya, Lina’s daughter,” Sylvie introduced. “She studies at the city academy and helps her mom when free.”
Maya’s curious gaze landed on Ailiya’s St. Freya uniform. Leaning to Sylvie, she whispered loudly, “Sylvie-nee, you brought a noble lady today?”
Ailiya heard every word, smiling wryly. “Not a noble. Like Sylvie, I’m a commoner, working as a maid for a certain pain-in-the-neck.”
“Huh?” Maya blinked, squatting to study Ailiya, hands propping her cheeks. “But St. Freya’s that super elite noble school, right? Sylvie-nee’s the top student, so it makes sense, but you? Are you second place?”
“N-No…” Ailiya’s smile stiffened.
“Third? Top five at least?”
“Nope…” Ailiya’s toes curled, mentally carving out a palace of embarrassment. “I… barely passed.”
Maya’s hopeful face collapsed, disappointment plain. “Ehh… Isn’t that a super noble school?”
She said it twice… Ailiya forced a “haha” laugh, dying socially.
“Here’s the menu,” Maya said, sliding over a handwritten list.
“You pick first, Ailiya. My treat,” Sylvie offered.
Ailiya scanned the menu—prices were a steal for the capital. [Grillfire Sausage] at 25 coppers, [Mama’s Stew] at 30, even the priciest [Red-Braised Lamb Shank] only 65.
“The Ember Roast Chicken and Lamb Shank are great!” Maya pointed to the most expensive dishes.
This kid’s pushing the costly stuff, Ailiya thought, seeing through her.
“Quality matches price!” Maya grinned, exuding a savvy kid’s charm.
Before Ailiya could respond, Lina appeared behind Maya, pinching her cheek. “Pushing pricy stuff on Sylvie’s friend? Go serve the others!”
“Ow! Okay, Mom!” Maya rubbed her red cheek, sticking out her tongue as she scampered off.
Lina suggested affordable specials, and Ailiya agreed, “Those sound good.”
“Vivi, the usual?” Lina asked.
Sylvie nodded gratefully.
Watching Maya bustle with dishes, Sylvie whispered to Ailiya, “Don’t mind her. Lina’s been running this stall alone since her divorce, scraping together Maya’s tuition. Maya’s always scheming to help earn money… a bit of a bad habit.”
Ailiya gazed at the young girl, hustling early for her family, and felt a pang. Her own million-gold debt and empty wallet loomed in her mind.
She nodded, murmuring, “Just like me.”