King was the last to walk in, his gaze sweeping across the luxurious hall.
He remembered that a few months ago, this was just a small street-side shop.
A single counter, a few tables and chairs, and a busy Damselette proprietress.
Things remain the same, but people have changed.
King sighed emotionally to himself.
Fate is truly unpredictable.
Just then—
"Su... Su... Su...?!"
A trembling female voice came from the direction of the counter.
King looked toward the source of the sound.
He saw a Damselette in a simple dress staring at him blankly.
King recognized her at a glance.
It was Lilith!
Compared to a few months ago, she hadn't changed much.
The only difference was that her small face looked quite a bit rounder than before.
She exuded a chubby, prosperous air.
The two stared at each other for a full three seconds.
"Lord King!!!"
Lilith finally let out a scream of pleasant surprise and rushed over like a gust of wind.
She ran up to King, her face flushed with excitement.
Her hands fumbled, not knowing where to go, until she finally resorted to bowing frantically.
"Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!!!"
She shouted while bowing, her voice loud enough for the entire hall to hear.
The surrounding customers looked over one after another, glancing curiously in their direction.
Venti snickered on the side.
Neuvillette silently looked away, pretending to examine a decorative painting on the wall.
Wriothesley picked up a cup of coffee from a passing waiter's tray and took a sip as if nothing were happening.
Waiter: "..."
Did you pay for that? You're just drinking it!
"Alright, stop bowing."
King spoke, his voice tinged with helplessness.
Lilith finally stopped, straightened up, and looked at him with sparkling eyes.
"Lord King! What brings you here?!"
"Are you here for breakfast?! Just say the word and I'll cook for you personally!"
King raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Aren't you the manager? You still cook personally?"
"Of course!"
Lilith patted her chest with a proud look. "If it were anyone else, I certainly wouldn't cook myself. But since it's you, Lord King, I must do it personally!"
"Lord King, you are my great benefactor!"
"I heard from the adults in Fontaine that the Fatui Harbinger back then was there to kill indiscriminately. You saved my life and gave me so much money; I'll be grateful to you for the rest of my life!"
As she spoke, her eyes actually began to redden.
"I didn't know how to repay you, so I could only follow in your footsteps. I've devoted myself to Fontaine's charitable causes, contributing my humble efforts to building a better society for Fontaine."
King looked into her sincere eyes and was silent for two seconds.
Then, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
"Give me some signature dishes then."
"Coming right up!!"
Lilith cheered and turned to run toward the kitchen.
After a few steps, she stopped and turned back to shout at King:
"Lord King! Please take a seat! I'll be ready in a jiffy! Just a moment!"
With that, she vanished into the kitchen, leaving behind a trail of hurried footsteps.
Venti floated to King's side and said with a smile, "Oh my, Mr. King's popularity is truly high~"
King glanced at him but didn't speak.
Neuvillette: "This shop is indeed very popular now. Manager Lilith is also very grateful; she donates 10% of the profits to Fontaine's charities every month, and even gives 50% of her own salary..."
Wriothesley added from the side, "I've checked; the Mora they've donated so far has reached a staggering several billion."
King nodded, showing a gratified smile.
The group found a table by the window and sat down.
Sunlight streamed in from outside, shining on the white tablecloth, warm and bright.
King leaned back in his chair, relaxing for once.
These past few days had been too exhausting.
Sitting here now, smelling the aroma of food in the air and listening to the soft chatter of nearby customers.
Such a leisurely morning was truly wonderful.
A few minutes later, Lilith rushed out of the kitchen carrying a massive tray.
"It's here, it's here!!"
She placed the tray on the table, where the food was piled as high as a small mountain.
Golden croissants, exuding a rich milky fragrance;
Freshly baked Baguettes with a crispy crust and beautiful air pockets visible on the sliced surface;
Delicate madeleine cakes, shell-shaped and dusted with powdered sugar;
Also, steaming hot Mushroom soup, overflowing with creamy aroma and topped with fine foam;
Beside them lay a plate of fresh fruit—strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, a mix of red and purple that instantly whetted the appetite.
"Lord King! Please try them! I made all of these myself!"
Lilith stood by, clutching her apron with both hands, looking at King with nervousness and anticipation.
She looked like an elementary student waiting for a teacher to grade their homework.
King glanced at the mountain of food before him, then at Lilith's expectant face.
Then, he picked up a croissant and took a bite.
The crispy crust shattered between his teeth, and the rich aroma of butter instantly filled his mouth. The inside was as soft as a cloud, with a hint of sweetness that was just right.
King's eyes lit up slightly.
"Delicious."
Just two simple words.
Yet to Lilith, it sounded like the most beautiful praise in the world.
Her whole being lit up, her smile as bright as a blooming sunflower.
"Wonderful! I'm so glad you like it, Lord King!"
She hopped twice in excitement and clapped her hands.
"Wait here! There's more! There's more!"
With that, she rushed back to the kitchen like a gust of wind.
Venti couldn't wait and picked up a croissant, taking a large bite.
"Mmm! Good! So delicious!"
He praised indistinctly while chewing.
Neuvillette elegantly picked up a madeleine cake and took a small bite.
Wriothesley held his coffee, his gaze lingering on King for a moment.
The Duke of Meropide Hold had been silently observing from the start.
King.
The Guardian of Fontaine, the man who blew up a God with a single punch.
Yet here he was, sitting in this small bakery, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
Wriothesley withdrew his gaze and took a sip of coffee.
The Great Guardian was a bit more human than the rumors suggested.
This was an extremely good thing for Fontaine.
King picked up a Macaron and put it in his mouth.
The shell was soft, with a fresh lemon scent, sweet but not cloying.
He remembered the first time he had come to this shop a few months ago.
Back then, he was still a newly arrived "Transmigrator," full of curiosity about this world.
At that time, he didn't know he would reach this point today.
King looked at the sunlight outside, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.
Life was getting better and better.
From the kitchen came Lilith's cheerful humming, mixed with the crisp sounds of pots and pans clinking.
In the hall, Venti was arguing with Wriothesley about whether Mondstadt wine or Fontaine wine tasted better.
Neuvillette held a glass of plain water, looking disgusted.
He really couldn't understand it.
How could anyone think wine tastes better than water?
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
King leaned back in his chair and suddenly remembered something.
When he left the house, he seemed to...
Have forgotten his money?
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