“Alright, you’ve got an exam tomorrow, so take out the review guide I prepared for you. The written test has always been relatively straightforward, with plenty of repeated question types. Go through this, and while I can’t promise anything else, you’ll absolutely ace the written portion,” Orson said, signaling for Litte to grab the guide.
“Got it~” Litte nodded enthusiastically and retrieved the guide from her spatial ring—meticulously crafted by Orson himself.
—
Meanwhile, on the other side of Saint Roland City, the two young ladies of the Essenberg family had just arrived.
The same carriage driver who had earlier ferried Orson was now returning to the main square and spotted his next potential clients—Olivia and Lianca.
“Are you ladies in a hurry?” the carriage driver asked, bowing repeatedly with a fawning expression.
“Mm…” Olivia nodded slightly. “To the Starry Inn. Can you take us there?”
Why is it the Starry Inn again? Do these nobles only know how to stay there? The carriage driver grumbled internally before looking at the two and forcing a wry smile. “Apologies, but the wealthy district doesn’t allow passenger carriages like mine to enter. I can only drop you off at the entrance, but from there, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Starry Inn. Would that be alright…?”
“Fine, lead the way then,” Olivia said, handing the driver a few silver coins.
“Miss, this...”
“What? Not enough?” Olivia raised an eyebrow.
“No, no, it’s just...”
“Spare me the excuses. If you don’t want this fare, hand the money back.”
“Alright, please, follow me…”
The carriage driver, having suffered setbacks twice in a row, pursed his lips and silently cursed his bad luck.
At that moment, Lianca slipped the carriage driver a gold coin.
“Sis, you’re being way too stingy. Don’t embarrass the Essenberg family in front of others,” Lianca said, nudging Olivia as they climbed into the carriage.
Olivia said nothing, merely shaking her head.
Her younger sister was far too naive. Seeing someone’s tattered clothing and pitiful demeanor was enough to make her hand out undeserved rewards.
This wouldn’t inspire gratitude; instead, it would make others think they could make big money this way, leading to more people following suit.
As expected, after dropping off the sisters, the driver twirled the gold coin in his fingers on his way back, silently mocking Lianca.
See? With enough passengers, there’s always bound to be a sucker willing to give me a big tip.
—
When the two sisters arrived at the Starry Inn, the elven receptionist was still holding her face in both hands, lost in the memory of her earlier encounter with Orson.
It was merely Orson signing his name on her ear, but to the elven receptionist, it felt like he had left a permanent mark on her.
She instantly felt as though she had been healed.
“Excuse me, Miss Elf?” Seeing that the receptionist hadn’t noticed them, Olivia cleared her throat softly.
“Ah, good day, ladies! My apologies, but all our rooms are currently booked. Do you already have a reservation?”
“Mm.” Olivia nodded and pointed to the family crest on her chest. “The Essenberg family made a reservation here about a month ago.”
“Ah, yes.” The receptionist flipped through the ledger and nodded. “Mm... it’s a double room for the Essenberg family, correct?”
“That’s right.” Olivia nodded.
The receptionist handed them the room form.
After filling it out, she confirmed the names.
“Miss Olivia Essenberg and Miss Lianca Essenberg, correct?”
“Mm.” The sisters nodded.
“Very well. Here’s your room key. You’ll be staying in Room 302. You’ve also reserved three meals, and lunch will be delivered to your room shortly. Please enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you.” Olivia nodded politely, while Lianca grabbed the key and headed upstairs without a word.
“Is that your younger sister?” The receptionist chuckled. “She seems so full of energy.”
“Yes, though she can be quite a handful at times,” Olivia sighed before heading upstairs as well.
As she turned, Olivia caught a glimpse of black writing on the elf’s ear.
It was only a fleeting moment, so she couldn’t make out what was written.
She didn’t feel it was appropriate to ask and instead walked upstairs, a puzzled look on her face.
What kind of bizarre hobby is that, writing on someone’s ear?
Maybe it’s some kind of elven custom, Olivia thought as she continued up the stairs.
—
Back in Orson’s room, he was helping Litte prepare for the exam when there was a knock at the door.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, Orson noted that it was already noon—it must be the lunch delivery.
Thinking this, he opened the door.
The person delivering the food wasn’t the elf receptionist but a middle-aged man dressed in a white chef’s uniform.
“Here’s your lunch. Please enjoy. Once you’ve finished, just leave the cart by the door, and we’ll come by to collect it.”
“Thank you,” Orson said, nodding as he wheeled the cart into the room.
The same chef then knocked on the door to Room 302...
—
“Litte, let’s eat first,” Orson said as he began setting plates on the table.
For a meal meant for two people, the spread was nothing short of extravagant.
“Alright.” Litte put down the review guide and sat at the table.
As she looked at the lavish feast laid out before her, Litte froze.
“This... is lunch?”
The food on the table was akin to a miniature banquet, rivaling the grand feast from the day she first arrived at the duke’s mansion. It was even more exquisite than what they normally ate at home.
“Mm.” Orson smiled at Litte. “What do you think? Impressive, isn’t it?”
“It is...” Litte hesitated. “This meal must’ve cost a fortune, right? It’s even more luxurious than what we eat at home...”
“Mm.” Orson nodded. “Believe it or not, the cost of this one meal could pay for a week’s worth of dining out at a restaurant in Antica City.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Litte exclaimed, unable to process the sheer expense.
Although her status had risen dramatically since moving from the countryside to the duke’s household, she had never lived independently and had little sense of money’s value.
Who could have imagined that a single meal could cost so much?
“This... this is way too expensive. Shouldn’t we cancel it and eat out instead?”
“It’s fine. Until you graduate, I’ll cover all your expenses,” Orson said, patting Litte’s head.
“But you’d better remember to repay me someday.”
“Mm.” Litte nodded earnestly. “I promise, I’ll definitely repay you, Orson.”