207. Restaurant At The City Plaza

User: Ravenna Solarius / Joy Cha Kim

Reputation Level: 76 — (120,001 / 320,400 EXP)↑

Current Reputation Points: 800,050 RP↑

Titles Unlocked: Raven of the Sun Palace, Unruly Princess, Beast Slayer

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“I am raking up points faster” Ravenna thought with a faint smirk as the carriage rumbled down the paved streets. “Word of our victory must be spreading further by the day.”

Across from her, Marie sat with her knees tucked primly together, a well-worn theology book balanced in her lap. She glanced up from its pages, her chestnut eyes bright. “It’s been nearly a week since the battle ended, Master, and you’ve been buried in work every single day!”

The girl’s lips curved into a smile as sunlight streamed in through the window, gilding her hair in warm light. “It’s nice to go around the city with you like this! So… where are we going today?” The excitement in her voice was impossible to contain; it practically bubbled out of her.

“A restaurant at the city plaza,” Ravenna answered, her tone smooth, though her gaze remained fixed on the changed cityscape outside the carriage window. “The newspapers have been fawning over it every day for weeks now.”

Marie’s head shot up. “Miss Fillian’s Dine?! That restaurant, Master?!” Her voice was so shrill with excitement that even the coachman might have heard.

“Yes, that one,” Ravenna replied casually, as though she hadn’t just handed the girl the best news of her week.

Marie nearly squealed, hugging her book to her chest. “I didn’t get to go before because of all the training and studies! I really wanted to try it! This is amazing, Master!”

“Hm,” Ravenna murmured with a knowing smile.

By the time the carriage reached the city plaza, the girl was practically bouncing in her seat. The plaza itself was more alive than Ravenna remembered: families gathered around musicians, the smell of roasted chestnuts and spiced fish mingling with the crisp dry winter air.

And there it stood: Miss Fillian’s Dine. Not just a restaurant, but an establishment that had claimed nearly an entire floor of the plaza’s corner building, its tall windows draped in rich crimson cloth and its wide arched doors painted with a golden crest of intertwined forks and roses. A place that radiated both extravagance and novelty.

When Ravenna and Marie stepped down from the carriage, knights moved swiftly to form a perimeter, their polished armor catching the sun. The crowd hushed, then bowed in unison, no voice daring to speak out of turn. None would show disrespect to the woman who had saved their lives and led their city to what it was now.

Inside, the air was warm with the scent of butter, wine, and spiced stews. The main hall was spacious and bright, its walls lined with lamps that flickered against polished wood and velvet curtains. Though the restaurant was technically “open,” the seating was reserved. Only a select few occupied the tables. renowned figures of the city whose names carried weight.

Jessica Taylor, head of the clothing manufactories, sat elegantly near the side with her apprentices. Brandon, the fiery reporter of the city’s newspaper, scribbled notes even while sipping his wine. Audrey Winterforth, a rising author whose tales had already begun to circulate the dukedom and even beyond, lounged at a corner table with a pen tucked behind her ear, and many others.

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John approached with his usual composure. “Your Highness, we allowed reservations only for trusted names to ensure security.”

Ravenna inclined her head as a uniformed waitress, clearly nervous to be in her presence, guided her and Marie to a seat at the very heart of the hall. a place of prominence. From here, Ravenna had an unobstructed view of the stage at the far end, framed by heavy red curtains and gilded in brass trim.

Marie leaned forward, her voice hushed but brimming with excitement. “That must be the stage! This is why the place is so popular, they perform live plays while we dine!”

“That,” Ravenna said, lips curving faintly as she leaned back in her chair, “is precisely what I wanted to see.”

She let her eyes roam the hall again, not with idle curiosity, but with the keen eye of a ruler. For nearly a week, she had been drowning in reports, meetings, and politics. Yet here, in this hall, a different kind of victory was unfolding: her city innovating without her direct hand. A fusion of theatre and fine dining… this they created on their own.

For once, Ravenna allowed herself the rare luxury of observing not as a commander or strategist, but simply as a sovereign watching her people flourish.

It was in that moment two figures approached, dressed in their finest attire, their steps betraying a nervous energy. The man bowed stiffly, his voice measured but strained with reverence.

“We greet Your Highness, and Lady Marie,” he said, placing a hand to his chest. “I am Keith Richards, and this is my wife.”

“Lucy Richards, Your Highness,” the woman curtsied gracefully, lifting the side slit of her silk gown to perform the motion with practiced elegance.

Together, their voices overlapped in unison. “We are the founders of this establishment.”

Marie, straightening instinctively, placed her book aside and returned the courtesy with the poised grace of a noble lady. “The pleasure is ours. Thank you for welcoming us.” Her tone carried a quiet pride, as if she wanted Ravenna to notice just how far her etiquette training had come.

Ravenna, however, only inclined her head slightly, her reply simple and sharp. “I see. It is well put together.”

Relief flashed in the couple’s eyes, as though even that curt acknowledgment was praise enough. “Please enjoy your time,” they said hastily before retreating, leaving Ravenna and Marie to their menus.

The pair flipped through the gilded parchment, their eyes scanning over lavish dishes described with poetic flair. Ravenna was halfway through selecting when the air shifted. At one of the reserved tables near the stage, High Priest James made his entrance, robes trimmed with silver thread glinting under the lamps. He settled into his seat, whispering to his attendant priests, his presence commanding immediate attention.

Ravenna did not greet him. She acknowledged him only with the barest flicker of her eyes before returning her focus to the menu. When the waitress returned, fidgeting nervously with her notepad, Ravenna gave her order with calm precision before asking in a level tone, “So, tell me. Is the theatre the only unique attraction here?”

The young waitress froze like a deer in torchlight, swallowing hard before managing a reply. “N-no, Your Highness. We… we also provide exchanges for Indulgence Artisans.”

“I see.” Ravenna’s voice was cool, flat as steel. “Then go on. Do your job.”

The waitress bowed quickly and scurried off, leaving behind an air of tension that Marie immediately seized upon.

Her disciple turned wide, mischievous eyes toward her master, lips parting to deliver the question Ravenna already knew was coming. Before a single syllable could escape, Ravenna raised one hand firmly, palm outward, her gaze sharp.

“Stop it. I know you know what Indulgence Artisans are.”

Marie’s head dropped forward with a defeated little flop, of course, she knew that Indulgence Artisans is a more respectful way of saying prostitutes in the Herptian faith. her cheeks puffing in mock indignation. She had hoped to fluster her master in public, it was always fun to poke at Ravenna’s composure, but her attempt had been neatly cut short.

Still, Marie muttered under her breath, her cheeks dusted crimson, “It’s one of the fastest-growing professions on the island… for both men and women, too.” Her eyes slid deliberately toward the heavy curtains of the stage, clearly attempting to distract herself with their imminent rise.

“Of course it is,” Ravenna said with a soft sigh, her tone tinged with resignation. “This island’s faith is Lust and Indulgence. What did you expect?”

At that moment, the lamps dimmed, the curtains quivered, and the stage creaked as though preparing to unveil its secrets. A hush rippled through the hall.

The play was about to begin.