CHAPTER 69 Perrrfect Timing

Henrietta

The noodle broth was a blend of warmth and spice, rich undertones of hearty vegetables simmered in herbs and topped with sliced roasted boar, sprouts, mushrooms, and a boiled floofpoof egg. I couldn't resist making an appreciative sound as I sipped a spoonful of the broth.

Keith choked on his tea, but he did that sometimes. On the topic of tea, this blend was light and seeped in jasmine. I'd never had green niku bark tea before today, but I was determined to find the supplier and stock up before we left.

There had been an awkward moment after our discussion in Keith's room, but then I'd decided it was time to eat.

I'd waited long enough!

Logan's Noodle House was near the Damp Gizzard and full of happy beastfolk enjoying giant wide-brimmed bowls designed for eating ramen.

I'd never eaten ramen, as it was a popular new dish that had only started popping up a few years ago. My father didn't like new things "destroying the time-honored traditional foods of Drendil," which were various forms of roasted and boiled meat and vegetables and tubers. He'd put up a ban on selling ramen, sushi, tacos, lasagna, kimchi, poutine, and any other strange dishes that made the rounds. Seriously, there was some wildly creative chef living in North Sumbria who was changing food culture for the better. Ramen was delicious.

Keith and I enjoyed our meal while the room filled with locals and a few adventuring parties, two of which I recognized!

"Priscilla, how many times do I have to tell you that crabs hunt in pairs?" Sara said to the catkin beside her. "You almost got us killed. Again."

"You know this wouldn't be such a problem if we stuck to the first floorrr?" Priscilla smiled a feral grin. "I like hunting floofpoofs."

"Sorry," Healer Bowen mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You have nothing to apologize for," Sara told him matter-of-fact, reassuring him with a kind smile. "It's our job to level you up. It's just faster on the second floor."

"But don't cha think it would be easier to clear the whole first floor for EXP instead of rushing to the second floor?" The barbarian-type fighter was the last to take a seat, having grabbed everyone's menus. I may have forgotten his name already.

"No." Sara shook her head, then noticed us and paused. As with many of the folk in Gren's Keep, as soon as they saw Keith, they got a look and then nodded or bowed or curtsied in his direction before going back to doing whatever it was they were doing. It was better than the expected groveling back in Drendil, and I appreciated the fact that it was a show of respect from a distance—never interrupting or drawing attention to itself.

In this case, Sara bobbed her head before going back to defending her choice to tackle the second floor for higher EXP. I knew how hard it was to clear dungeons from my childhood and thought both ways had their merit … the second floor just cost more in Resurrect potions.

Keith leaned over and whispered into my ear, "Are you wanting to go say hello?"

I got the impression he was being polite and didn't actually want to. As much as I enjoyed listening in on other people's conversations, it was our last day together before we headed back home.

"No." I placed a hand on his arm. "I'm happy just sitting here with you—"

At this point, the doors swung open, and the second group of adventurers I knew walked into the eatery.

"Logan, a rrround of bowls for my companions here, as we've just come back from patrolling!" A calico catkin led the large group of beastfolk inside. He placed one boot on a chair dramatically, keeping an eye on everyone as his group took over most of the establishment. I would recognize that hat anywhere.

"It's Alistair McKraken and the Pounce Protectorate!" I heard Priscilla sigh dramatically into a swoon. "He's so dreamy."

I had to admit, the feathers in his hat were very fashionable. I smiled up at Keith and finished, "Though if it's this busy, we might want to go for a walk?"

"Princess!" One of the protectorate, a lion beastwoman with golden hair and golden eyes whom I didn't know the name of, noticed us and bowed awkwardly from her seat. "Yourrr Viciousness!"

The entire group paused and turned to look our way. A sudden deafening silence replaced the chair shuffling, rough housing, and banter.

Alistair put his foot down and swept into an elegant bow, taking off his hat with extra flourish. "Please, forgive this crowd of rrruffians, Yourrr Viciousness! And Prrrincess, I'm so glad to see you could stop here on your travels. How is the soup?"

"Delicious, thank you, Alistair." I nodded back. "We were just finishing and heading out for a walk."

"Perrrfect timing." He flashed us a stunning smile. "The Pixie Prim are doing their rrrounds in about … fifteen minutes? You won't want to miss it."

I looked up at Keith, who pushed up his glasses scholarly. "Do you want me to explain what that means, or would you like it to be a surprise?"

There was no need to consider; I loved surprises. We bid farewell to everyone at Logan's Noodle House and took to the streets.

Gren's Keep really was a beautiful cottage village, with cobblestone streets, herb gardens, and all over painted with delicate murals of shapes, flowers, or animals. It was midspring and everywhere was full of blossoming trees.

As we walked, I could hear cheering nearby. Keith pulled me into a small community garden filled with lavender and milkweed and bees. We stood alone in the shade of a cherry tree; new buds covered the canopy like snowdrops. All up the street, beastfolk threw open windows and stuck out their heads while children paused from their play to watch expectantly. I followed everyone's gaze and saw a swarm of colorful pixies letting off golden pixie dust as they swept through the streets.

Flowers turned their faces upward, blooming brighter. Trellises lifted delicate vines out, and leaves unfurled as if drinking in sunshine. Trees swayed, and the carrottops in the garden next to me shook gently.

The pixie dust was sparkling glitter that fell over the city, and more magical still was the fact that it disappeared after it touched down, leaving no mess.

Keith asked, "So, is this a nice surprise?"

"It's perfect." Something came over me, and I leaned my head against his arm and sighed. "It's beautiful."

Keith replied, speaking softly, "Yes. Yes, it is."

There was a gentle breeze. I glanced up, and Keith was staring at me. His blue eyes were searching mine as he whispered, "Can I kiss you?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck. He leaned down to assist me, and I pressed my lips to his. We were awkward at first, and his stubble scratched my cheek, but I didn't care. He tasted like warm honey and tea.

We stayed in the garden long after the Pixie Prim had flown on and everyone had gone back about their day. Eventually, he broke away and pressed his forehead to mine.

"Ria, let's go home."