Liz was confused as to why she heard the term ‘that person’ from the guards.

If someone is referred to as ‘that person’ by the guards, it means they’re not a criminal.

“Is my real mother actually looking for me?”

But that didn’t seem quite right either.

A young noble lady would be respected in social circles, not by guards.

“So what exactly is going on?”

As Liz returned to her original lodging, she pondered what could be the reason. However, as she rounded the corridor corner, she realized that it didn’t matter at all.

Two other guards were blatantly standing in front of her door!

It seemed like the captain had suspected that she might return.

“Damn it. All my clothes and jewelry are in that room!”

Liz stamped her foot, pondering her options.

But how could she get past those sturdy men and into her room?

There was no way. And she couldn’t keep staying here, not knowing when they might leave.

She had to get out of the hotel for now. Empty-handed…

Well, not completely empty-handed since she was carrying a purse, but it made little difference.

The only valuable thing in the bag was a set of topaz.

“I have to go to a jeweler first.”

Liz moved on with a faltering step.

“How much can I get for this?”

She had ended up in a pawnshop because there was no jeweler. The elderly owner peered at it through his glasses for a while.

Liz felt oddly anxious as he repeatedly shook his head with a ‘tsk’.

“I should at least get two gold coins for this topaz necklace I bought from a renowned jeweler, right?”

The owner took off his glasses and said,

“5 bronze.”

“What?”

Liz’s voice resounded throughout the narrow pawnshop.

“That’s absurd… I bought this from Marek Jewelers in the central water district. M-A-R-E-K!”

“They probably sold it for 1 silver there.”

“That can’t be. It’s topaz!”

“It’s impure topaz. Quality-wise, it’s of the lowest grade. And the craftsmanship is sloppy. Likely not made by an official craftsman, but an underling.”

“Ah… Mother! Are you really going to do this to me till the very end?”

Liz wiped her face like she was doing a dry wash.

The owner looked sternly at Liz for a moment, then took another coin from the drawer.
“I added one more nyang. You won’t get any more than this elsewhere.”

Liz sighed deeply as she spoke.

“Thank you.”

What else could she say?

Liz swept the coins into her purse and left the gray space.

She felt even more miserable than when she had left the hotel carrying just her purse.

Six coins. And one of those she had practically begged for.

What on earth could she do with this?

Liz decided to organize her thoughts as she walked for a bit.

‘Let’s think about the most important thing first. The most important thing is the carriage fare. How much was it again?’

Liz recalled. The answer came to her.

‘Oh my God. 5 bronze. I only have 1 bronze left.’

Yesterday, the carriage fare that had seemed so cheap now appeared endlessly expensive.

Still, it was better than not having enough.

Liz consoled herself.

Grrr.

A sudden pang of hunger swept over her. Because her hangover hadn’t fully subsided, her mouth was terribly dry.

Just then, she passed an alley where there was a restaurant for travelers.

Liz peered into the glass window looking for a price list. She wondered if there was any food she could afford with her remaining money.

“Found it!”

It was even the seafood stew she had intended to eat to relieve her hangover.

Liz darted into the restaurant.

Mealtime had passed, so there was only one customer. A delicate-looking boy who appeared to be about twelve years old.

A large, round earring hanging from one ear and red hair momentarily caught Liz’s attention.

Because it matched her natural hair color.

“What would you like?”

Upon sitting at the table, the proprietress set down a glass of water and asked.

Liz confidently pointed to the menu item priced at 1 bronze.

“I’ll have that.”

1 bronze is equivalent to about 2,000 won in her previous life’s money.

There aren’t many people who expect taste and quality from a 2,000-won meal. Liz was focused on filling her stomach.

However…

“Enjoy your meal.”

As the waiter set down the food, Liz’s amethyst-colored eyes widened.

The serving was enough to fill one person amply. The shrimp were plump, the ring-shaped squid were large, and various clams were open, revealing their flesh.

‘Wow… how do they make a profit like this?’

Liz was momentarily puzzled, but she soon brushed her concerns aside.

Remembering that merchants never sell at a loss.

‘They must get their ingredients cheaply from somewhere.’

And with that cursory understanding, Liz picked up her spoon.

“Good heavens!”
At that moment, Liz turned her head at the sudden profanity that rang out.

The only other customer, a refined young boy, was seen furrowing his brows as he wiped his chest with a napkin.

A few drops of red soup had splashed onto the front of his beige shirt.

‘Ah, I know that feeling all too well.’

Liz grinned as she recalled a similar experience she’d had on the streets of the capital some time ago.

Though it had only been a couple of seasons back, it felt as if several years had passed.

The boy, deeming the napkin insufficient, stood up to go to the sink.

Just then, his sling bag on his lap fell to the floor, spilling its contents.

“Damn it, for fuck’s sake!”

Another round of curses spilled from his refined mouth.

‘His mouth sure is foul for someone who looks so refined.’

Watching the red-haired boy hastily gather his belongings and head toward the restroom, Liz shook her head.

That was brief, she quickly began her meal.

Perhaps because she ate too hurriedly, she felt full even though she had eaten less than half.

Overeating now might lead to a mistake during the carriage ride, especially since she’d heard that the roads were even more treacherous outside the capital.

“Ah… that was satisfying.”

Having finished her meal in moderation, Liz looked around with more relaxed eyes.

It was a quaint country restaurant.

Old tables, stained windows, faded paintings on the walls, and the menu…

“…?”

In an instant, Liz’s expression turned perplexed.

“What, what is that? Why is that there?”

Liz’s eyes had only just discovered the words written next to ‘1 bronze.’

「Gopchang +1 bronze」

Liz hadn’t noticed the ‘+ gopchang’ in front of it.

‘I did think it was unusually cheap. So… what’s the original price?’

Liz’s gaze moved upward.

「Seafood Stew, 7 bronze」