Chapter 510: The Duty Outside

A few tables away from Cherion and Derrick, Reiner sat with his back resting lightly against a pillar. Across from him, Ezek was awkwardly shifting in his high-backed chair, his eyes staring down at the silver-trimmed porcelain plate that a sharp-dressed waiter had set upon their crisp white tablecloth.

On the plate sat two neatly sliced portions of roasted venison drizzled with a rich berry reduction, flanked by steamed asparagus spears and two warm, crusty buttered rolls.

"So far, so good," Reiner remarked softly, resting his chin on his palm as his gaze drifted up toward the wooden staircase leading to the private dining rooms.

"Yes, it’s good if everything goes smoothly," Ezek agreed, his low, gravelly voice kept at a hush so as not to carry across the quiet mezzanine. He picked up his silver fork, holding it with deliberate care as if he were afraid his heavy, sword-calloused fingers might snap the delicate stem. "Lord Cherion seems to be enjoying his time there."

Reiner watched the light bounce off his apple cider. "He really does. He hasn’t looked this relaxed in a while. It’s nice to see him sitting down with a friend without having to worry about court politics for a couple of hours."

Ezek cut off a small piece of the venison, chewing slowly before swallowing. He looked around the hall, taking in the crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, the soft melody played by the string duet downstairs, and the silk-clad nobles quietly laughing over their wine goblets.

"I have to admit," Ezek muttered, leaning in slightly across the narrow table, "I’ve never been to a good, fancy restaurant like this before."

Reiner blinked, his dark blue eyes turning toward Ezek with genuine surprise. "Oh, really?"

"Really," Ezek said, shaking his head with a faint, wry smile. "Where I grew up in the provincial outposts, a good meal meant the meat wasn’t tough as boot leather and the stew was hot. Here, even the butter looks like an art piece. A single plate in a venue like this probably costs more than a mercenary’s monthly wage."

Reiner let out a low, smooth chuckle, reaching for a slice of roast pork and cutting off a neat piece. "Well, good. Now you’ve already gone to one. That saves you the trouble of wondering about it any longer."

"I suppose I can," Ezek said, his eyes softening as he watched Reiner carefully cut a slice of roast pork. "It’s nice. We finally got to go out together, even though..." He paused, his lips curving into a quiet, fond smirk. "...technically, we’re still working right now."

Reiner paused mid-bite, a faint, sudden warmth rushing to his cheeks. He cleared his throat hurriedly, averting his gaze toward the far wall as he tried to adjust his posture into something more stern.

"Good... good that you know we’re working now," Reiner murmured softly, though the lingering blush on his ears betrayed his quiet embarrassment completely. He took a hasty sip of his cider to compose himself. "Don’t let the nice tablecloth make you lazy, Ezek. We still have an escort duty to finish."

Ezek’s chest rumbled with a silent laugh, his eyes locked onto Reiner’s flustered expression. "Understood, Reiner. I wouldn’t dream of slacking off under your supervision."

"See that you don’t," Reiner said softly, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward despite his best efforts to stay serious.

They quieted down, eating at a measured pace while keeping their ears tuned to the ambient sounds of the restaurant. Down below, well-dressed merchants, visiting dignitaries, and young aristocrats chatted over their midday meals. Derrick Avery’s four personal guards were positioned near the main entryway downstairs, standing stiffly in their formal house coats while Ezek kept a steady track of their movements through the reflection of a decorative wall mirror.

"Derrick’s men are positioned decently," Ezek noted, dabbing his mouth with a linen napkin. "Although they’re standing too close to the main thoroughfare. If someone hurled a pot of thick, choking smoke near the door, they’d be blinded in an instant."

"They’re house guards, Ezek. They’re used to escorting young masters through peaceful market streets, not surviving ambushes in border towns," Reiner reminded him gently, setting his napkin down as his plate was cleared. "That’s why you’re here. To handle the things house guards don’t see."

"And to keep an eye on you," Ezek added quietly, his tone laced with a deep, subtle affection that made Reiner’s throat go dry for a second.

Before Reiner could answer, the heavy oak door of the private suite upstairs creaked open.

Derrick Avery stepped out first, stretching his arms lightly with a satisfied smile, followed closely by Cherion.

In an instant, the relaxed air at the small table vanished. Reiner and Ezek smoothly got up from their chairs in unison, abandoning their table without a single wasted movement. They straightened their tunics, wiped away any trace of casual conversation, and stepped toward the landing of the stairs to meet their master.

As they reached the base of the private balcony steps, Derrick turned toward his own head guard, who was stepping up from the lower floor to report.

"Make sure the carriage is brought around to the front entrance," Derrick instructed his guard warmly, stepping aside to let his men handle the arrangements. "And check the harness on the horses, we’re taking the..."

While Derrick was distracted talking to his guards, Cherion subtly veered off to the side, walking directly toward Ezek and Reiner.

He didn’t speak immediately. Instead, Cherion held up his index finger, curling it in a gentle, secretive come here gesture. He gestured with his chin for them both to lean in, his expression turning serious yet conspiratorial.

Ezek and Reiner immediately leaned forward, bringing their heads close to Cherion’s so their private conversation would be lost under the murmur of the crowd.

"Not that I want to make a big fuss about this," Cherion whispered, "but earlier, right before we walked inside the restaurant... I noticed a very unpleasant, hateful gaze directed right at me from across the street."

Ezek’s brow instantly furrowed, his body instinctively tensing as his hand hovered closer to the hilt of his concealed blade. "A hateful gaze? Lord Cherion, if someone is following you or showing open hostility, we need to locate this person immediately and clear the perimeter before we step outside."

"No, stop," Cherion said quickly, raising a hand to check Ezek’s rising guard instincts. He offered a small, calm smile to reassure them both. "There’s no need to cause a scene or launch a hunt over a look."

Reiner looked at Cherion with concern. "My Lord, if someone in the crowd is targeting you..."

"Well, it might just be a person who doesn’t like me," Cherion interrupted gently, his eyes shifting between Reiner and Ezek with grounded honesty. "We all know my bad past, right?"

Both Reiner and Ezek stiffened slightly, then gave slow, synchronized nods. They were well aware of the atrocious reputation the young noble had accumulated in the capital prior to recent months,the arrogance, the petty cruelty, and the endless line of offended nobles and commoners alike.

"Exactly," Cherion murmured, chuckling softly under his breath. "I’m sure half the city still holds a grudge against my face. So, let’s not make a grand scene out of a bitter look. Just keep an eye out there when we step onto the street, alright? Make sure no one tries to throw rotten eggs, bad veggies, or anything like that at my clothes. It’s all well and good if they can aim well and hit me, but what happens if they strike Derrick instead?"

Reiner couldn’t help a small, breathless smile from breaking through his professional mask. "Understood, Lord Cherion. We will ensure no produce reaches you or Lord Avery."

"Good," Cherion said softly, stepping back just as Derrick turned around from his guards.

"Cherion!" Derrick called out brightly, waving his hand toward the grand entrance doors where his crest-emblazoned carriage was pulling up. "What is the matter? Is there something wrong?"

Cherion immediately turned his head toward Reiner and Ezek, his eyes glinting with playful mischief as he leaned in one last inch. "Keep a smile," he instructed them in a quiet whisper before turning back around to face Derrick.

Cherion flashed Derrick a radiant, wide grin, throwing his arm out and giving Derrick a huge, energetic thumbs-up.

Beside him, catching on instantly to their master’s lighthearted cue, Reiner and Ezek both mirrored his posture without hesitation. Reiner broke into a warm, bright smile, while Ezek let out a low, rare grin that transformed his usually intimidating, stern features.

Together, standing side by side behind Cherion, both the attendant and the tall guard proudly gave Derrick a synchronized, wide thumbs-up of their own.

Derrick blinked at the absurdly cheerful trio, startled for a split second, before breaking into a hearty, delighted laugh that echoed clear across the grand foyer.