The restaurant was breathtaking, built from dark polished wood and lined with glowing paper lanterns that cast a warm, golden light across the room. Wealthy merchants and court officials filled the tables, dressed in fine silk robes and embroidered coats.
The moment Kei caught sight of the wooden board displaying the day's menu by the entrance, his boots stopped dead on the floor.
A young attendant in a neat uniform bowed low before them. "Greetings, my lady, my lord. Please, allow me to escort you both to your table."
"No," Kei said immediately.
Yejin blinked, turning to him in surprise. "What?"
"Princess Yejin, this place is ridiculously expensive," Kei said in a low, flat voice. He pointed toward the board. "Phoenix Bloom Skewers for two hundred and sixty kyeols. Nuri Han Sang for two hundred and eighty. Haesul Geumseon for three hundred. Are you actually serious about eating here?"
Yejin pressed a hand against her mouth, a soft laugh escaping her lips. Her eyes crinkled with amusement. "I honestly didn't think you'd be so cheap." She reached up, casually brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, leaning in just a fraction closer. "That's cute," she whispered.
Kei's gaze slid sideways toward the wall, pretending he hadn't noticed the faint flush touching her cheeks. He gave a quiet, awkward cough into his fist to clear his throat. "All right. Lead the way, then."
"Right this way, sir," the attendant replied with a polite smile.
He guided them up a flight of wide wooden stairs to an open-air terrace overlooking the district. A cool, gentle breeze swept across the balcony, carrying the lively hum of the market below. Out on the horizon, Mount Iona stood tall and proud, its snow-capped peak rising high enough to pierce the drifting white clouds.
"I will return to take your orders shortly. Please, enjoy the menu," the attendant said, setting down two thick, bound booklets before stepping away.
The menu was six pages long, each page made of heavy, cream-colored paper. Every dish was illustrated with remarkable detail. As Kei leaned in, he realized the painted drawings were actually moving. Thin curls of faint white steam rose right off the paper, indicating the dishes were piping hot. When he leaned closer, the scent of roasted garlic, sweet honey glaze, and simmering rich broth drifted off the surface, so vivid his stomach let out a quiet rumble.
"I've only ever heard of menus like this in the most exclusive restaurants in Elion," Kei admitted, turning a page. "I didn't think I'd see one here."
"Fascinating, isn't it?" Yejin smiled, watching his reaction.
"It is. I've seen moving paintings and smiling portraits before, but this is the first time I've ever smelled an illustration." Kei traced his finger near the edge of the paper, feeling the gentle hum of magic woven into the fibers. "You can never underestimate what people do with their craft. Even high-tier chefs use practition to enchant their dining rooms. It's clever."
Yejin chuckled softly, resting her chin on her palm. "So, what are you having? Go ahead and pick whatever you want. I'm paying for the meal, so don't hold back."
Kei looked up from the page instantly. "No. You're not paying."
"What?" Yejin tilted her head, leaning forward across the table. "You were just complaining about the prices two minutes ago. Let me cover the bill."
"I complained, yes, but I still agreed to sit down," Kei said, holding her gaze with steady stubbornness.
"Kei, you saved my life," Yejin said, her voice dropping into something softer and more earnest. "The least I can do to show my gratitude is treat you to dinner."
"You can repay me another way," Kei replied evenly. "Not with this."
Yejin looked at him for a long moment, realizing there was no moving the stone wall in front of her. She let out a helpless sigh and shook her head, though her eyes were smiling. "Fine. You win."
A woman in elegant patterned robes approached their table alongside the attendant, bowing deeply with genuine delight. "Princess Yejin! What an honor to see you dining with us again."
"Manager Heo," Yejin greeted warmly, nodding in return. "It's wonderful to see you."
"Have you decided on your dishes?" Manager Heo asked. "I can have the kitchen prioritize your orders right away."
"Oh, please, there's no need for that," Yejin said, waving her hands with a light laugh. "We're just hungry guests today. Treat us like everyone else."
"You are as humble as ever, my lady," Manager Heo said with an affectionate smile.
"Thank you. I'll take the Myeongyu Jin-guk, please," Yejin said. She then glanced over at Kei. "And what about you, Kei? Find anything you like?"
Kei was still flipping between two pages, genuinely stumped by the variety of smells wafting from the paper. "I can't decide. Everything smells good."
"Let me help," Yejin suggested with a knowing grin. "I think you'll really like the Phoenix Bloom Skewers."
Kei raised an eyebrow. "How can you tell?"
"My brother loves them," Yejin explained, her expression fond. "Whenever Eunjoo takes me out, he always orders that exact dish. And from what I've seen of you, you two share the exact same simple tastes."
Kei closed the booklet with a soft snap. "All right. I'll trust your judgment. The Phoenix Bloom Skewers, please."
"An excellent choice," Manager Heo said, bowing low once more. "We will have both dishes prepared immediately. Thank you for gracing us with your presence."
"Thank you, Manager Heo," Yejin said.
As the manager walked away, Yejin's gaze drifted toward a quiet corner of the terrace. A man in deep green ceremonial robes sat near the railing, dining in calm silence. "Oh," she murmured, lowering her voice. "That's Abe Kizuki, one of the three High Priests of Hwadosen. I suppose the council meeting at the palace has finally concluded."
Kei followed her eyes, studying the man's composed posture and the emerald sheen of his vestments. "A High Priest?"
"The three High Priests are the most powerful figures in Hwadosen right beneath Archpriest Yoshida Hiroshi," Yejin explained quietly.
"You mentioned a council meeting earlier," Kei said, resting his forearms on the table. "Do religious leaders actually hold political power in the empire?"
"Not directly," Yejin answered, shaking her head. "They have no official authority to command troops or pass laws. But they carry immense influence across the Three-Fold Council. After all, they represent hundreds of thousands of faithful citizens across our provinces. The Emperor is wise enough to know you don't turn your back on your people's faith, so he grants them an advisory seat in the Council Hall to ensure their voices are heard."
Kei listened closely, nodding to himself. "That's remarkably thoughtful of him. It's rare to see a ruler with that kind of genuine care for common people. Back in the West, many royal houses look down from high towers and barely see the ground below. They forget their duty is to protect everyone, not just nobility. When the Gates of Abaddon tear open and fiends crawl out, the poor are usually the first ones left behind to die."
Yejin went quiet. A subtle sorrow touched her eyes, feeling the weight of his words and knowing how harsh the world could be.
Before the silence could linger too long, the attendant returned carrying two steaming lacquer trays.
The Phoenix Bloom Skewers were arranged on a clean ceramic platter, glazed in a glossy, amber sauce that gave off a sweet, mouthwatering warmth. Kei took a skewer and took his first bite.
The flavor started with a delicate, fruity sweetness from pressed mountain pear and wildflower honey that melted smoothly across his tongue. The meat itself was incredibly tender, giving way with barely any effort, packed with deep savory seasoning and a faint, woody smoke from oak embers. A warm, nutty aftertaste lingered on his palate, rich and comforting without feeling greasy or heavy.
Kei chewed slowly, his eyes widening slightly. "I've never tasted anything quite like this. I see why your brother likes it so much."
Yejin's face lit up, a bright, triumphant smile spreading across her lips. "I told you so."
They ate together in comfortable warmth as the afternoon sun dipped lower, casting long golden rays over the terrace. When the meal was done, Kei laid his kyeols down on the wooden tray beside Yejin's coins.
Side by side, they stepped back out onto the stone streets and wandered.