The Courtesan

Chapter 108

ELAYNE

“Welcome back to the Golden Carp Hotel, Lord Heart. How can we serve you?”

“We just want lunch. Give us your finest menu and the best place to dine.”

“Come this way please.”

The hostess leads us to the top floor of the west wing of the hotel where the dining area was located. It was quite the view, even extending to the arena. The private room sat ten men easily and the decorations were just what one would expect from a luxurious hotel. However-

“Lion, your family name is Heart?”

“My lady, I’d like if you didn’t comment.”

“Yes, his full name is Lion Heart.”

“Tyler!”

“I speak no lies, Mr Lion Heart.”

“Oh for the love of Zerus, Tyler, shut up.”

I giggled as they bickered on. They brought a nice spread of local food which I had constantly been fed for the past few months. I liked it very much since it wasn’t much different from Casella’s and it had more spices.

“Ahh... this is heaven.”

“You said it my lady.”

I chuckled as Lion devoured the food with so much gusto. It was such a peaceful, beautiful time till someone decided to ruin it.

“Tyler!I heard you were in town!”

Now as it was rude to call a lady’s excited voice a screech, I kept those thoughts while trying to forget her unpleasant voice. It was hard.

“Lady Anna, it has been a while,” Tyler said, standing. He embraced her with a genuine smile on his face. The woman’s exuberance shined through, with how tightly she hugged him. She was on the plumper side and her smooth skin was just a testament of her noble status, aside from the obvious garments and pendant she wore. She was pretty, just a little too loud.

“You promised to write frequently!”

“And I do. In my free time, I send letters to the lord’s mansion.”

“Nooo! Write me letters!”

“My lady, that would be scandalous. You’re still young and unmarried.”

“And you’re still no fun!”

Tyler laughed gently, even more gentler than I have ever seen him. How peculiar it was.

“You’re out for lunch and you didn’t invite me? I love dining here! I would’ve showed you my picks.”

“I had to accompany someone here so I cannot invite you. When I do get the time, I’ll invite the family out to dine.”

She clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes. I could tell he was missing her hints intentionally and decided to watch the show. Lion was enjoying himself, taking small bites as he watched the conversation proceed.

“Who are you with?”

“Well, Lady Anna, this is Lion and this is… El.”

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, little lady,” Lion said, nodding slightly.

“I’m not little!”

Our not so short lady dwarved everyone there so it was clear who was lying.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lady Anna.”

“You’re a bit strange. You are also strange, with your strange name. Are these the kinds of people you associate with, Tyler?”

“They are close companions, Lady Anna. I suggest you be gentler with your tongue.”

“What do you mean by that? They are clearly muscleheads, well, that one is aspiring to be.”

Rude! And I’m not aspiring to be a musclehead!

The way we were seated, I was the closest to Tyler. Lady Anna’s eyes lingered on me way more than it should’ve.

“I want to sit next to Tyler. Move, El.”

“Not to be RUDE but I am clearly eating here.”

“You’re a lowlife that is lucky enough to eat with Tyler so I can tell you don’t know his worth. While I would remind you, I have to first state that a place beside him is always mine.”

“Anna!”

“What? It has to be said. Don’t coddle your friends up to the point they cannot tell status apart.”

I know I looked frazzled after my fight but lowlife? I wasn’t expecting that.

“Come on, up you go.”

I glanced at Tyler, annoyance slowly forming in my heart. Lion full on glared, dropping the piece of beef he held previously.

“Anna, stop this right now! You’re being rude.”

“Well, someone has to say it. You know what? You’re taking too long.”

That little lady marched over to where I was seated and dumped the soup I was eating on my head. Tyler and Lion had their eyes and mouth wide as saucers. A triumphant expression reigned on her face as she stared down.

Well, I never thought I would have the urge to kill a child but here we are.

Standing up, I reached for something to clean my face before it got into my eyes. I walked to the hostess, asking for a towel to clean my face and head. I was thankful for my lack of hair because it would’ve been a paint to get all the soup out of my hair.

“Anna! Do you know what you’ve done?!”

“What? I only showed him his place,” she shrugged.

“That ‘lowlife’ over there is Prince Kalvin’s personal guard. The man you just dumped soup all over is Prince Kalvin’s personal favorite. Can you guess the consequences of your actions now?”

“... You’re lying…”

“Oh my Zerus… I just hope she’s not offended by this.”

I left the hotel, Lion following right after. Tyler takes some time inside but I could see him sprinting towards us.

“I am so sorry my lady. I had no idea she had become so unruly.”

“I never knew you lied straight to people’s faces, Tyler.”

“... I’m sorry my lady. I should’ve never let this happen. I am willing to accept any punishment you’d give me.”

I stopped and turned to him. His head was hung and he exuded guilt. Lion wasn’t having it, glaring at the back of his head.

“Who is she anyway that you’re protecting her so much?”

“... She’s the daughter of the Earl of the town.”

“I see…”

“So? Is she someone you’re engaged to?!” Lion yelled.

“She’s something like a troublesome little sister. I would make sure to warn her severely, provided the punishment for my crimes is not death.”

“Raise your head, Tyler. I’m not Kalvin.” I sighed. He raised his head, still looking guilty.

“I mean, she’s not wrong, calling me a lowlife. Pouring the soup was a bit much but if she was jealous, I can understand. I just would like to eat a meal in peace. Can I get that, Tyler?” I said and he nodded. We soon returned.