Chapitre 314: [312] Dinner
The tavern, Ale and Eats, was always at its busiest during the evening. The crowd didn't start thinning out until late at night. Meidri, being the sole worker for the night shift, had to handle the entire load on her own—a demanding task, to say the least.
August, meanwhile, sat quietly nearby, patiently waiting for Meidri to finish her work.
Fortunately, all Meidri had to do was tidy up the place. She didn't need to worry about washing dishes or cleaning cups; that was someone else's job. All she had to do was make sure the tavern was cleaned up for the next day.
"Finally done," Meidri sighed in relief.
"Hey, looks like you're finally finished. Got some time now?" August called out.
"You're still here?"
"Why, can't you see I'm still sitting here?"
"You…"
Meidri glared at August, clearly annoyed. This guy always found a way to get under her skin.
However, thinking about the delicious food August had promised, she chose to hold back her temper—for now. She was starting to get used to his antics, anyway.
Without wasting any time, August pulled out several beautifully arranged dishes, along with a stunning cake and a bottle of red wine.
Meidri's eyes widened at the sight of the food, especially when she saw the perfectly crafted Black Forest cake. Her eyes sparkled with delight.
"Come, sit down and have a taste. You've been working all night."
"Hmph, like I need you to tell me," she scoffed, though her actions betrayed her words as she quickly sat down.
Meidri was unsure where to start with the Black Forest cake. No matter what she did, she felt like she'd ruin the masterpiece in front of her.
Noticing her hesitation, August picked up a knife and carefully divided the cake into four portions, placing one slice in front of her.
Meidri shot him a glance but said nothing. She picked up a small fork, took a bite, and immediately felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.
August, for his part, couldn't quite understand why women adored sweets so much. But as long as Meidri was happy, that was all that mattered. Everything else was irrelevant.
Meidri ate with obvious delight, and August felt pleased with himself. These dishes were something only he could offer. If Meidri wanted more in the future, she'd have no choice but to come to him—this was his opportunity.
"This is really delicious. What is it called?" she asked between bites.
"Black Forest cake. If you like it, I can bring you one every day."
"Really?" Meidri began to speak, but quickly swallowed the rest of her words.
As a tavern worker, she had never had a boyfriend, but she wasn't naïve about men's behavior. She'd seen countless men try to woo women with food and gifts in this very tavern. Although it was often a mutual arrangement, Meidri couldn't help but think that some women were overly materialistic.
"No need. Just this one time is fine," she replied, keeping her tone casual.
"I've got plenty, really. If you enjoy it, I can make something different every day, no repeats."
Gulp.
She wanted to scold him, to brush him off. But her pride wouldn't let her reject him so easily.
More importantly, she knew exactly what August was up to. He was trying to win her over, just like every other man who'd ever been nice to her. No man was generous without reason; they always had an agenda. And most of the time, that agenda involved winning a woman's heart.
"I know exactly what you're thinking, and I suggest you drop the idea. I won't agree to it."
"I haven't even said anything yet, Meidri, and you're already turning me down?"
"I know exactly what you want to say, and let me make it clear—there's no chance."
"Come on, don't be like that. Just give me a chance. Tell me what you don't like about me, and I'll change."
"I don't like men who are unfaithful, especially ones who frequent succubus shops."
August slapped his forehead. He should have known Meidri's resistance came from his visits to the succubus shop.
But the thing was, there was no way he could give up visiting those shops. Coming to this world and not exploring the succubus shops would be a wasted opportunity. Yet, for Meidri, this beautiful winged woman, August didn't want to give up either.
"Meidri, I really want to promise you, but I can't lie to you. I just can't stay away from those shops."
"Liar. You didn't even blush when you said that. All men are the same—no good at all."
"I'm being serious! My needs in that area are... considerable. Even if you slept with me every night, Meidri, it still wouldn't be enough."
"Who said I'd sleep with you, you pervert!"
Meidri's face flushed red immediately, but she couldn't help but think of Lucine, the succubus who had come by recently.
During the day, she had asked around about Lucine and learned a few things. Lucine was a well-known figure at the "Milky Ranch" succubus shop, an exceptional woman that no man had ever truly conquered—until August came along. It was said that the last man who picked her barely made it out alive.
Yet August, as rumor had it, was the first and only man to not only walk away but also completely win her over.
So, in a strange way, Meidri found herself believing a little of what August said.
This world was an odd one, with its many mixed races and even more complicated bloodlines. The abundance of succubus shops was a testament to this chaos. Anyone with succubus blood could open one, and the fact that these shops were everywhere showed just how messy things were.
Children born from different races often inherited traces of both their parents' bloodlines. Over the centuries, these mixed bloodlines had led to all sorts of strange phenomena.
Still, believing August didn't mean she could accept it.
Having a boyfriend—or any man in her life—who frequented succubus shops was simply humiliating. What would people think? That she wasn't enough for him? The thought alone was unbearable.
While Meidri wrestled with this inner conflict, August was left confused. Why was she suddenly lost in thought? Where had their conversation even gone?
"Hey, Meidri, what are you thinking about?"
"Don't even think about it!" Meidri suddenly blurted, leaving August bewildered. What was she talking about?
Realizing she had gone off track, Meidri quickly collected herself.
"I mean, whatever you're thinking—it's not going to happen. There's no chance between us," she said, doubling down now that she had already spoken her mind.
"Well, that was a decisive rejection," August said, unfazed. "But Meidri, I'm not giving up. After all, I've already seen your body—you're mine now. It's only a matter of time before I win you over."
"Bastard! Who says I'm yours? And don't you dare bring up that incident again! You need to forget it ever happened."
"I can't. That image is burned into my memory forever. Besides, I still have the gift you gave me."
As he spoke, August pulled out three eggs—Meidri's eggs.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone