Ravina sat in a daze, her fingers brushing over her lips as if trying to recapture the warmth of his kiss. She couldn’t shake the sensation, the soft pressure of his lips still lingering.

“You’ve gone even redder,” Rupert teased, gently pulling her hand away from her face before, to her surprise, licking her fingers.

“S-stop!” Ravina stammered, her heart racing. She couldn’t take much more—the intimacy was overwhelming, unfamiliar, but not unwelcome. It was just... too much all at once.

Rupert chuckled softly, finally pulling back. “Alright,” he relented, though his gaze remained playful. “Besides, it looks like we’ve arrived.”

With that, he left the carriage, stopping just at the entrance to turn back toward her. Extending his hand, he called, “My lady?”

His smile—so effortlessly charming—felt almost unfair. Ravina, flustered, found herself unable to meet his eyes as she accepted his hand, her cheeks still flushed.

As they exited the carriage, Ravina and Rupert found themselves standing before the restaurant Rupert had invested in. It was small but exuded a quiet elegance, nestled on an out-of-the-way street where space was clearly coveted. The ivy that climbed the windows gave the building a natural, unique touch, offering a sense of privacy that felt both intimate and inviting.

The door, a blend of wood and glass, was held open by a well-groomed doorman, and as they approached, they were greeted by a stunning woman dressed in satin. Her polished appearance matched the refined ambiance of the place.

“Welcome, Lord Maklerin,” she said with a warm smile. “We’ve been expecting you and Lady Grant.” With a graceful turn, she led them deeper into the restaurant.

The interior was elegantly dark, with low lights casting a warm glow over the space. The deep red walls provided a rich, intimate backdrop, adding to the inviting atmosphere. Scattered throughout were various tables, each spaced just enough to offer a sense of seclusion. Along the walls were private booths, small intimate spaces carved into the architecture, each with black shades that could be drawn for added privacy.

The woman guided them to one of the private booths, and both Ravina and Rupert entered. The cozy space offered them a sense of intimacy.

“I’ll go ahead and get your starters. Would you like the wine now, or with the entrée?” the hostess asked.

“Now’s good,” Rupert replied with a light-hearted chuckle. “I’m in for a long night, so I might as well enjoy it.” His teasing tone brought a laugh from the server, who nodded before turning to leave.

“Of course, Lord Maklerin.”

Once the server had gone, Ravina glanced around and noted the quiet atmosphere. “It’s quite empty. Is everything alright?”

Rupert laughed softly, shaking his head. “Don’t worry. The restaurant doesn’t officially open for another few minutes.” He leaned forward slightly, explaining the concept. “You see, most of the tables are for everyone—commoners, serfs, even a few daring nobles. But these booths,” he tapped the table lightly, “are designed solely for nobles. The idea is to have a restaurant open to all, but with spaces reserved for those in nobility.”

He smiled slyly, leaning in a bit closer. “You see, the booths are where we’ll really make money. It costs 40 silver just to reserve a table, and that’s only if all are available...” His voice was filled with confidence as he laid out his grand plan.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Commoners and the like would cycle in, tasting the food at cost to spread the word of its taste. But the nobility—they would be the true piggy banks. Each reservation, each booth, would rake in the real profit. And the servers? Though commoners themselves, they were loyal agents of the Maklerin house, always with an ear out for valuable information. This place would become more than just a restaurant—it would be a hub for secrets, and soon enough, Rupert would prove his worth to his father.

As he spoke, people began filtering in, filling the restaurant with the quiet hum of conversation. Rupert’s eyes scanned the room, subtly watching those who came and went. “And it’s not the first one,” he continued, his passion building. “I’ve got a bunch of things in the works that no one could—”

He paused, catching himself with a smile. “Ah, but perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself.”

“It sounds... wonderful,” Ravina found herself saying, though the words felt hesitant on her tongue. In truth, she didn’t fully understand it. Who would come to a restaurant to discuss anything important? A bar, maybe. But an eatery? Unless you were after local gossip, it didn’t seem like the kind of place where critical secrets would be exchanged. And using commoners to attract nobles? In her opinion, it wasn’t the best strategy.

Still, perhaps Rupert knew something she didn’t. Choosing to be supportive, Ravina smiled. “I like that your idea has the nobles paying for the experience while giving commoners a bit of luxury.” It was her honest opinion. In fact, the young lord's idea sparked a few thoughts of her own.

She remembered the many nights her family had to scrape by with little more than a few scraps of cabbage. What if there were eateries aimed at being expensive, where, for every meal a noble purchased, a meal was provided to someone in need? You eat, and they eat. Or perhaps food kitchens, run by the government, offering relief to those who couldn’t afford a proper meal. Rupert’s idea was quite good in that regard—it offered more than just profit; it had the potential for real impact and Ravina was actually excited to see about putting those ideas to use. She could even have them hosted by the orphangies, giving the children visibility to be adopted.

Oh, if only I could write that down, Ravina thought, her mind swirling with new ideas.

“Do you really think it’s a good idea?” Rupert’s voice gently pulled her back to the present.

“What? Oh, y-yeah,” she stammered, still half in her thoughts. “In fact, I have a few ideas of my own now.”

“Ideas of your own?” Rupert asked, his interest clearly piqued.

“Yeah, well... you know what happened to me when I was younger, don’t you?” Ravina’s nerves fluttered, wondering if she was about to reveal an ugly side of her past to him.

Rupert placed his hand over hers in reassurance. “Oh yes,” he said softly. “It must have been a very difficult time.”

Ravina blinked, feeling the weight of his sympathy. Difficult. It was difficult, but she had borne the brunt of it. Ravina herself only remembered it for her. “It wasn’t all bad,” she said quietly, though Rupert’s smile pained her—it looked as though he wanted to say more but couldn’t find the words.

She shook her head quickly and continued. “One of the hardest times was during a harsh winter. The crops were ruined when the frost came early, and the price of cabbage rose for the first time in years.” She felt a sting in her eyes at the memory she was sure wasn’t hers. “We couldn’t even get one most days... and the kids kept complaining. That was the worst part—the children just didn't understand. There was nothing I could do.”

Before she could say more, Rupert moved to her side and embraced her, the warmth of his arms both unexpected and comforting. She blinked away a few tears, surprised by how much his presence soothed her.

“It’s alright,” he whispered. “You’re okay now.”

Looking up into his eyes, Ravina felt his words resonate deep inside her. The warmth of his embrace seemed to calm her frayed emotions.

“Yeah... yeah, I just—” Ravina hesitated, the weight of the past still pressing on her. “I would love to start something that ensures no one has to go hungry. We almost lost one of the twins... poor Lily.”

Rupert’s arms tightened slightly around her, his voice soft but steady. “Hey, hey, it’s over now. You’re in a better place.”

She nodded, feeling the truth in his words. “Yeah, yeah, you’re right. I can do something now. I can make sure that never happens to anyone else.”