The kitchen continued to run at maximum gear preparing ingredients even as the usual time for dinner has arrived. After getting dried by a fellow kitchen staff knowledgeable in wind magic, I thanked her and asked Cheff about the atypical situation today.
"It's an emergency because Ocean Swarm is booked entirely by one person for tonight." (Cheff)
"Excuse me? So we all have to entertain this person for this entire night?" (Me)
"You need to lighten your tone later when you wait her. She's royalty after all, why else can our place be booked entirely by one fucking person?" (Cheff)
Cheff's tone still carried an obvious tone of irritation. His feet couldn't stay still as he shuffled around while his arms are crossed.
But royalty huh, that is something new to me. Of course, I knew the existence of royalties from the books I've read, so I was not surprised at the authority wielded to book Ocean Swarm for tonight all to herself. What I am puzzled about is the reason that she chose this place reeking of adventurers and drunks when she could have picked a restaurant somewhere else in Terdia.
Maybe…
"Cheff, do you have any sort of connection with that person?" (Me)
"Huh? Why would I?" (Cheff)
"Then why would she choose to visit the Ocean Swarm when there are other classier alternatives in town?" (Me)
"Oi, my place has plenty of class." (Cheff)
"It's weird enough for a royalty to pick a place reeking of drunks and scars left from brawls." (Me)
"You can't read the minds of those high up there in society. Who knows, she might just want to experience some rough life for one night using our place. They're fickle, so a simple and troublesome reason can just pop out of anywhere for any action. I just hope this one isn't fickle enough to dislike my place and send a high order to trash here." (Cheff)
I see. No wonder Cheff is so jumpy.
"…That being said, is that going to stick with you the whole time?" (Cheff)
Huh? Oh, you mean that.
"…Can you lure it away from me then?" (Me)
"Any ideas?" (Cheff)
"I gave it a toma… Ow!" (Me)
Don't scratch your benefactor! It's not as if I'm giving away your private information and betraying you… wait, I think I was going to.
"It doesn't want to leave huh… But Ray you're one of our best waiters here. Especially your serving skills, they are very admirable. I can't exactly have you wait a member of the royalty while having a fox on your head…" (Cheff)
Yes.
A fox.
A fox with handsome, flowing auburn fur rests upon my head.
"Sorry Cheff, you'll have to make do without me unless you get it off my head. I'll probably prepare the ingredients and assist the cooks best as I can." (Me)
Cheff silently grabs a tomato and waves it before me. In response, I got scratched on my head again.
"Ow! Stop! Go scratch him, not me!" (Me)
"By the way Ray, is it male or female?" (Cheff)
"Hmm? Now that you ask, I never noticed." (Me)
I reached up and plucked the yawning fox down from its perch. As I am about to spread its hind legs and check, I see its jaws open and the shine of canines.
***
For quite a while now, I have been feeling an strange atmosphere floating around me that makes me feel out of place.
It is most probably because of how I am doing things that aren't the usual on a night at the Ocean Swarm. Normally, I would be out in the dining area taking orders, serving dishes and keeping a strict order in case of drunken outbreaks. Yet, I currently sit at the corner of the kitchen without being able to do anything.
At first, I was prepared to assist the cooks in their culinary since we were expected to perform better than our best for a member of the royalty. We were instead caught off guard by their notice; it turns out that the many escorts and followers of our royal visitor had declined our offer to serve them food. As a result, Ocean Swarm ended up having only a single customer for the night, forcing us to store the excessive quantity of prepared ingredients into the storage room.
After helping out with the carrying and packing, many of us retired into the kitchen. We did not return home in fear of angering the customers, but more than that many of us were interested in the royalty. The kitchen ended in a situation of having three groups in three places: one group cooking at the counter and passing the dishes to the waiters outside to serve, one group crowding silently at the kitchen door leading to the dining area, and the final group huddling at the corner of the kitchen as though passing through the dead of winter. Cheff himself was out in the dining area as both leader and representative of Ocean Swarm.
Best of luck Cheff.
My palms have been twitching quite a while now from the inactivity that I can't quite get used to. Shaking my arms slightly in an attempt to calm the spasms, I listened to the quiet conversation held before me.
"So how is the royal member? Anyone saw?"
"I did I did. I took a peek just now, she's a teenage girl!"
"It's a princess? God help us…"
"Why? Won't it be better than the King himself?"
"The King can't just walk out of his palace anytime he wants. Besides, a princess is more of a pain in some regards…"
"I know what you mean…"
"I thought she didn't look native when I saw her."
"No way, a foreign princess!?"
Such a heated discussion is being carried out before me. In no time, I start to lose interest and carelessly let out a yawn of boredom. When I open my eyes tiredly, everyone is looking straight at me.
"…What is it?" (Me)
"No… I think everyone here thinks that you resemble someone a lot."
Something on top of my head moved. It already goes without saying who they are referring to.
"Like owner, like pet huh."
"No no no, I said nothing about wanting it to be my pet." (Me)
"I heard it's stuck with you wherever you go though?"
"That… I can't deny that… But!" (Me)
"Ray Ray! Please let me pat it!"
"I don't mind… But I don't know if it allows you to?" (Me)
The girl wearing a waitress uniform in front of me, Selena, reached out and timidly took the fox from the top of my head. Surprisingly, it showed no resistance as it lies calmly on her lap and let itself be stroked by Selena. Gasps of awe were released around her.
"Ray! Can I?"
"Like I said, if it allows you to." (Me)
I heaved a tired sigh. Finally, it isn't on top of my head. I'm sure Cheff would have jumped for joy when he finds out, but for now I'll let the sleeping dogs lie. It isn't usual for a night to be relaxed for me, so I shall take advantage of this to rest.
"I want to pet it too, can I be next?"
"Sorry Amy." (Me)
"Eh? Why am I the only one not allowed?" (Amy)
"It's not that… You're the cook for the next dish right? Cheff yelled something about hygiene this afternoon didn't he? It'd be disastrous if the dish has fox fur inside…" (Me)
"Hold on. I heard those executions and beheadings are all ordered from the royalty, this is kind of serious."
"Waaaah! Don't scare me Mark! I get it I get it… ugh…" (Amy)
A dejected Amy retreated and gazed at the fox longingly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it hiss at Mark.
It is a warm and comfortable atmosphere that makes one almost forget about the important and apprehensive air that is floating about Ocean Swarm due to the Royal visitor. The giggles of the girls and the nervousness of the guys surrounding the tiny fox makes me reflect on my life. Truly, the feeling of living out of the orphanage is much more carefree.
It is at this moment, a fellow waiter came back to the counter with a difficult expression. Returning a plate with leftovers, he gave out a sigh. Amy went up and asked him in a low voice. Their short conversation tickled my ears, and I couldn't help but stand up. I took my waiting coat and immediately put it on. Everyone looked at me in surprise.
"What's the matter Raycent?" (Mark)
"I'm going out to help." (Me)
"Huh? Why?" (Mark)
"She can't speak commoner language." (Me)
"Huh!?"
The little fox pricked up its ears as though it understood, and tried to break free of Selena's embrace. I squatted down and looked at it, patting it on the head.
"Sorry, could you stay here with Selena for a while? I'll be fine, so wait for me okay? I'll bring back something for you." (Me)
"Eh? It's such a good kid, it listened to you…" (Selena)
Actually, I don't really know if it will. The previous behaviours it showed was quite random and I had a hard time guessing. Since it's being nice, I'll hurry up.
"Andy, let me take over. I'll see what I can do." (Me)
Andy and Amy gave me expressions that said 'you heard?' but I ignored it and walked out immediately with a sense of renewed composure.