“It’s… severe malnutrition, coupled with overexertion. That’s probably why the wounds are not healing well.”

“Malnutrition? Overexertion?”

Calon mumbled in disbelief for a while.

“What about the wounds?”

“Most of the bruises seem to be from beatings. The wounds themselves seem to have been caused by sharp objects. Normally, they would fade over time, but given her current physical condition, the scars might last for a long time. Eating well should be a priority for now.”

“……”

“I would also advise against probing too much about the wounds. She’d likely feel very sorry for causing others to worry about her. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to prepare some medicine.”

The doctor hurriedly left, and Calon looked at Ino.

“Ino.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll go get something easy to eat right away. I’ll request a special meal from the restaurant.”

Once again, Ino quickly grasped what Calon wanted to say and left the room.

Annoyed, Calon paced the hallway before knocking on the office door.

Shortly after, he heard Nisha’s voice inviting him in.

Upon entering, he saw that Aelfrie was still fiddling with the collar of her shirt, her hat still on.

It seemed Nisha had been examining a wound near her neck.

“Um….”

Aelfrie hesitated, unsure what to say, when Calon spoke up.

“I won’t ask any more about the wounds.”

Relieved, Aelfrie let out a small sigh. Calon didn’t miss it.

“I was informed at the reception desk that you mentioned a course in ancient languages.”

“Yes. It’s been a while, but if you’re still looking for someone…”

“We are definitely still looking!”

Nisha interjected before Calon could even gesture for her to do so. Because they really were still looking.

“Then… could I possibly take on that role?”

“Absolutely! We’d be more than happy to have you.”

The desperation in Nisha’s voice was palpable.

Ash Trading Company was in desperate need of someone proficient in ancient languages.

They had found a few people capable of it, but they too had struggled enormously with deciphering old documents.

It would take them several days to decode just one page brought in by the nobles.

Moreover, knowing the Company’s desperation, they started to demand increasingly unreasonable fees and schedules.

So, Ash Trading Company had let all of them go. Associating with such people would only spread knowledge of their plight.

“Then, how should I go about teaching the ancient language…”
At that moment, Ino entered with a knock.

Breathing heavily from his run, he placed the tray I was holding onto the table.

On the tray were several slices of bread, generously spread with butter and stuffed with ham, cheese, and vegetables.

Calon subtly pushed the tray toward Aelfrie and said,

“First, how about we have a simple meal before discussing anything else?”

“But hasn’t everyone already eaten?”

It was already well past lunchtime.

Feeling guilty that so much had been prepared specifically for her, Aelfrie looked at Calon, who glanced at Nisha and Ino and said,

“No, we haven’t eaten yet either due to the meeting. Isn’t that right, Chief, Deputy Chief?”

Faced with Calon’s remark, Nisha and Ino had no choice but to muster a forced smile.

Are we going to eat lunch twice today?

“I’ve had enough now. Thank you.”

Aelfrie graciously declined the tray that kept being pushed toward her. Normally it would have been a polite refusal, but today it was sincere.

She had hesitated before starting to eat.

It had been a very long time since she had dined with someone other than Jena, making her feel extremely awkward.

Would the dining etiquette of the Empire and Denertum be the same? What if I make a mistake?

Such worries soon dissipated. The food she hesitantly took a bite of was incredibly delicious.

The elongated, oval-shaped bread was crispy on the outside, yet the inside was soft and fluffy. Additionally, high-quality butter was generously spread inside.

Well-toasted bread with butter.

It was already a good meal, yet the bread was stuffed so full that she wondered if other ingredients might spill out.

Aelfrie had been cutting back on her meals because of financial constraints. After all, if she ate less, then Jena and the other servants could eat more.

Continually living such days, Aelfrie had thought of herself as a person who didn’t eat much…

‘I guess not.’

Realizing her misconception as she stared at the almost empty tray in front of her, Aelfrie understood.

It wasn’t that she lacked appetite. There simply hadn’t been anything to eat.

Despite finishing a whole sandwich, her hunger still wasn’t completely sated.

Just as she was delighting over having had such a delicious meal, thinking she could endure until tomorrow, the head chef of the conference entered, pushing a cart.

He opened the lid of the tray next to Aelfrie.
The delicious aroma filled the air. The dish that the chef had brought was a cream stew with finely chopped meat.

Food was laid in front of Aelfrie without her having to say anything. Of course, in front of everyone else as well.