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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Golden Fork Panic
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The next day.
I was out in the heart of the capital.
Why?
To eat.
The imperial villa dorm served meals, sure.
But when you're in the capital, skipping the street food would be a crime.
I walked the streets.
Crowds of people everywhere.
Shops lined the way.
Delicious smells wafted from all directions.
...Nice.
The capital really is the best.
A sight unimaginable back north.
Hmm~
Hmm~
I started humming without thinking.
Restaurants back north?
Meat.
Meat.
Meat.
And more meat.
Bread once in a while.
That was it.
But here?
Pasta.
Seafood.
Dessert specialists.
Cafes.
Civilization.
This is civilization.
"Let's go here."
I stepped into a restaurant.
The sign read 'Golden Fork'.
Looked pretty decent.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Ready to order?"
"Yeah... the chef's recommendation for today, please."
"Got it."
The server stepped away.
I sat by the window, gazing out at the street.
The sunlight was warm.
The breeze was cool.
People came and went.
Everyone looked so peaceful.
...Nice.
This is the life I wanted.
A little later.
"Your order's up."
The plate was set down.
Steak.
But not like northern steak.
Northern steak was just a hunk of meat.
Salt, grill, done.
This one?
Had sauce.
Garnish.
Beautiful plating.
Mashed potatoes beside the meat.
Herb oil drizzled on top.
"..."
Beautiful.
I picked up my knife.
Sliced into the meat.
...
Tender.
Cuts like butter.
One bite.
"......"
My eyes closed.
Juices exploded.
Sauce was perfect.
Ohhhhhh.
The harmony of meat flavor and sauce.
This is civilization.
This is capital cuisine.
I was happy.
Truly happy.
All the meals from eight years north couldn't touch this one.
Second slice.
Third slice.
Mashed potatoes.
Perfect.
Herb oil and potato combo.
Definitely a genius chef.
I ate quietly.
No need for words.
Just eat.
I've realized something today.
Happiness isn't expressed in words.
You just feel it.
...
I was having this blissful meal when.
An unwelcome guest arrived, it seemed.
"Huh? What's that?"
Voices from the next table.
"Preview's coming on!"
"It's the 'Fate's Red Thread' preview!"
Murmurs spread.
The restaurant buzzed.
I looked up.
A large crystal screen on one wall.
Something appeared on it.
📰 Breaking News[Imperial Special Production] ['Fate's Red Thread' - Preview]
...
I set down my fork.
Preview?
Already?
We filmed yesterday?
The screen lit up.
Grand music swelled.
Full view of the imperial villa.
[In search of the connection that will change your fate...]
Narration overlaid.
Then.
Screen shifted.
The First Imperial Princess appeared.
Red hair fluttering in the wind.
Golden eyes staring at the camera.
📰 Breaking News[Empire's Flower, First Imperial Princess Irene la Imperia]
Ooh...
Admiration erupted in the restaurant.
"The princess is stunning..."
"She's really beautiful..."
Next.
The Tower Lord's daughter.
Silver hair shining like moonlight.
📰 Breaking News[Tower's Star, Elysia von Arcana]
Next.
The Saintess.
Blonde hair, white robes.
Gentle smile.
📰 Breaking News[God's Blessing, Saintess Serena el Lumina]
Next.
Goldwin Merchant Guild lady.
Sharp eyes, confident expression.
📰 Breaking News[Golden Heiress, Lirian de Goldwin]
The female contestants appeared one by one.
Glamorous.
Dazzling.
...But.
The men?
The screen kept rolling.
Count's third son flashed by briefly.
Viscount's second son got half a second.
The rest of the guys too.
All background level.
...Phew.
Relief.
I sighed in relief.
Of course I wouldn't be the main focus.
Made sense.
My intro yesterday was super short.
No footage to use.
Good.
This is fine.
Just fade into the background quietly.
I picked up my fork again.
Bit into the steak.
Mmm.
Still delicious.
Happy.
Peaceful.
This is life.
Then.
The music changed.
Grand orchestra halted.
Something... epic started playing.
📰 Breaking News[And...]
The narrator's tone shifted.
📰 Breaking News[Beyond the ice of the north, one man arrives]
...?
What?
Screen darkened.
Blizzard howled.
Northern snowfields unfolded.
And.
A silver-haired man filled the screen.
Slow motion.
Silver hair whipping in the wind.
Gray eyes piercing the camera.
Wolf-like gaze.
📰 Breaking News[Scion of Ice, Kasian de Valentine]
...
...What?
The fork slipped from my hand.
Clang.
It hit the plate.
But I didn't hear it.
Didn't register.
Only the screen.
My face.
Filling the screen.
Huge.
📰 Breaking News[Wild young noble born of the harsh north]
Narration continued.
📰 Breaking News[Where his gaze leads...]
Screen cut.
Eye contact with the First Imperial Princess.
That 3 seconds.
Yesterday's 3 seconds.
In slow motion.
With music.
Dramatized.
📰 Breaking News[Just who will the red thread connect to?]
"Whoa..."
"Who's that guy?"
"Northern Grand Duke's family..."
"He's so handsome..."
The restaurant buzzed.
Women's voices.
"I want a guy like that..."
"Look at those eyes... total wolf..."
"I'm gonna look him up. What's his name?"
"Kasian. Kasian de Valentine."
"Northern Grand Duke's? Real prestigious house..."
"No way a guy like that exists in real life?"
I turned my head.
Next table.
Three women staring at the screen in awe.
And.
Eye contact with one.
"...Huh?"
Her eyes widened.
Looked at screen.
Looked at me.
Back to screen.
Back to me.
"Wait... that guy..."
"What? Why?"
"Over there... that guy's..."
She pointed at me.
The other two turned.
Three pairs of eyes on me.
...
Gasp.
Gonna hurl.
Stomach flipping.
Steak rising.
Mashed potatoes too.
Herb oil.
All of it.
"Excuse me...! Are you...!"
The woman stood.
No.
No no no no.
I bolted up.
Pulled silver coins from wallet.
Didn't count.
Just dumped a handful on the table.
"Keep the change."
"Pardon? Sir, this is too much..."
Before the server finished.
I bolted from the restaurant.
Voices behind.
"Hey! Wait!"
"It's him! Totally him!"
Didn't hear.
Nothing.
I ducked into an alley.
Heart pounding like mad.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Back at the dorm.
Door shut.
Collapsed on bed.
"Haa..."
A deep sigh.
"This is really bad."
Stared at ceiling.
"Totally screwed..."
Preview.
I was the main star.
'Scion of Ice'.
'Wild young noble'.
'Wolf of the north'.
All those stupid titles.
Even the eye-lock with the princess.
Slow-mo.
Music.
Dramatic.
"...Who edited this."
Wanna kill them.
No.
Can't.
Ruins my peaceful life.
"..."
First.
Check public reaction.
I grabbed the crystal orb on the table.
Red Thread Gallery.
Log in.
Preview chaos already past.
And below.
New hot topic spreading.
'Golden Fork' sighting of me.
💬 Comments— Anon | Views: 3,201[Breaking] Golden Fork sighting real? Saw the post earlier, but it's legit? Galju-nim was eating steak at Golden Fork and bolted?— AnonCheck the top post. Eyewitness wrote it themselves.— AnonDumped a handful of silver coins and ran lololol— AnonLol so cute ㅠㅠ
...Already spreading.
Scrolled more.
💬 Comments— Provincial Blues | Views: 5,102[Chat] But Galju-nim's in the capital right now, yeah? Damn... Capital folks have it good. Could bump into him on the street? Breathing the same air. Why am I stuck in the south... ㅠㅠ Takes two weeks by carriage to get there... Provincials are suffering ㅠㅠ— AnonCapital dwellers pay more taxes. Possession tax on Galju-nim!— AnonLive in capital, window open, deep breath (*´∪`) Savoring the 'holy' air mixed with Galju-nim's CO2 lol— AnonUgh... so jealous living in the same city, same air ㅠㅠㅠ— Eastern Marquis 3rd Daughter (Stage Name)Starting patrols of capital streets today. Ready to faint if I see him.
...Patrols?
Eastern Marquis lady?
Patrolling to find me?
💬 Comments— Imperial Real Estate 101 | Views: 5,421 (HOT)[Analysis] 'Golden Fork' Area Geography & Investment Value (Long Post) Real estate pro here. Lemme break it down proper. 1. Transport (Carriage Access) 'Golden Fork' properties? 5 min by carriage from imperial villa, 15 min walk. Was undervalued due to noble carriage jams (hell during rush hour). Post-Galju-nim? That 'jam' is now a boon. Traffic = more time spotting Galju-nim from carriage. Insane upside. 2. View Rights Key point. 'Fork-view' spots seeing inside Golden Fork are prime. Especially opposite building 2F terrace—straight line to his dining angle. Priceless. (I'd sell my estate for it lol) 3. Education & Environment Academy branch nearby. Perfect excuse to dad: "Going for studies!" (Pro tip) Conclusion: Buy now. Stays 'holy site' even after Galju-nim heads north. Prices hold.— Anon'Fork-view' lmao 'Palace-view' who? Fork-view lol— AnonAnalysis quality top-tier. Grabbing estate docs.
...Straight line to dining angle?
From opposite building 2F?
I glanced at the window.
Villa here, should be fine.
...Right?
💬 Comments— Wanna Be Good Daughter | Views: 4,521[Tip] How to Convince Parents to Move Next to Golden Fork [Fail Lines] "Dad! Wanna see hot bro! Let's move!" → Instant smack, grounded, nunnery exile end. [Success Lines] "Father, the 'mana flow' in that area lately is unusual." (Serious) "Converging energies in capital center, perfect for my magic training." "Especially around 'Golden Fork'—overflowing with yang energy, ideal for meditation." (Galju-nim's yang vibes lol) Dad goes "Oho... good girl!" and signs villa lease. Packing tomorrow lol skipping academy to hunt Galju-nim bb— AnonGenius? Lmao— Anon'Yang energy' joke killed me lol technically true lol— Tower Lord's DiscipleFr, mana density high around Galju-nim (glows). No cap.— AnonDad's knight commander... "Good terrain for sword training" work?— AnonGo with "Want to learn northern vibes." Dad'll cry.
"..."
Turned off the orb, pulled up the blanket.
Over my head.
Capital night was warm.
But why.
Chills down my spine.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Same time.
Production office.
"Chief, rights status compiled."
Assistant PD handed over papers.
Belrix took them.
"Let's see..."
Regional sales listed.
Capital - Sold out.
East - Sold out.
West - 90% done.
Central - 85% done.
South - 78% done.
"Oho. Doing great."
Belrix grinned.
"Princess effect, huh."
"Yup. This is record-breaking."
"Yeah. Pre-air rights sales record."
"Good, good."
Belrix flipped pages.
Paused.
"...North?"
"Ah."
Assistant PD looked awkward.
"Well, it's always..."
"I know. Barren land."
Belrix sighed.
North.
Empire's harshest turf.
Half the year winter.
Monsters everywhere.
And.
Zero interest in dating shows.
"Know what northerners like?"
"...Hunting?"
"Right. Hunting. Combat. Monster hunts."
Belrix counted on fingers.
"Rough guys swinging swords. That's north taste."
"No romance sells."
"Duh. Tried selling 'Love Under Moonlight' north last year?"
"...3%."
"3%."
Belrix smirked.
"Three spots total. Half off, barely."
"No expectations this time..."
Then.
Door burst open.
"Chief!"
Secretary rushed in.
"What? Trouble?"
"Call from north!"
"...North?"
Belrix blinked.
"From north? What?"
"They want to buy rights!"
"......"
Belrix and assistant froze.
"...What?"
"Direct from Northern Grand Duke's house. Exclusive north rights for 'Fate's Red Thread'."
"...Grand Duke's?"
"Yes!"
Belrix blanked.
Northern Grand Duke's.
One of four great duchies.
Ruled all north.
Them directly?
"Wait. Why would they want dating show rights?"
"Dunno. Just said buy."
"Price talk?"
"Uh..."
Secretary swallowed.
"Full payment upfront."
"......"
"Full price. No discount."
".........?"
Belrix's jaw dropped.
North?
That north?
Dating rights?
Upfront?
Full price?
"...Why?"
Belrix muttered.
"Why...?"
Assistant baffled too.
"No way north cares about this."
"Exactly."
Belrix scratched head.
Weird.
Definitely weird.
Northern tastes don't change overnight.
No reason for Grand Duke's to step in.
Some other agenda?
Politics?
Or...
"......"
Belrix pondered.
Then.
Shrugged.
"Whatever."
"Huh?"
"Sell it."
"...Huh?"
"Upfront full price. Why not?"
"W-Well, true but..."
"Their reasons are their business."
Belrix grinned.
"We get paid, done."
"...Right."
"Prep contract. Close today."
"Yes sir!"
Secretary dashed out.
Belrix leaned back, pleased.
"Heh... North sold out too..."