I Supported My Fiancé for 10 Years After He Said, 'Let's Get Married When I Succeed,' but When He Finally Did, He Dumped Me. By the Way, I'm a Witch and Turning 30 Next Year!! - Episode 21
Today, I decided to serve lunch again, so I started preparing from the morning.
I made a pork stew using orange peel syrup and prepared a cauliflower and white fish gratin, leaving it ready to be baked with cheese. I also added sautéed spinach.
Since I made more than last time, I set a limit of five servings.
As always, I wrote down the details of today’s “Witch’s Whimsical Lunch” and posted it on the pharmacy door.
Today, the innkeeper from across the street was supposed to come and buy the herbal soap he ordered.
He usually orders about twenty pieces per month.
Since he always arrives right after opening, I decided to have the soap ready on the counter before he arrived. So, I took the herbal soap from the pantry.
Right on time, as the shop opened, the innkeeper arrived.
“Oh, hello, hello!”
“Welcome.”
“It’s cold today, huh?”
“Yes, it feels especially chilly.”
We exchanged the usual small talk.
“By the way, how’s your back doing?”
“Oh, right! Thanks to your magic potion, it’s completely healed!”
“But if you overdo it, you might hurt it again. You should be careful.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
After some casual conversation, we got to the main topic.
“I’ve got the herbal soap you ordered.”
“Oh, ah… about that…”
The innkeeper scratched the back of his head and looked away awkwardly.
“Is something wrong?”
“Well, last night, a stunningly beautiful lady arrived at the inn.”
“A beautiful lady, you say!?”
The dryad, who had been sound asleep, instantly woke up at the word “beautiful.”
“What kind of beauty are we talking about?”
“She had light pink hair, like I’ve never seen before, and green eyes that looked like gemstones.”
“…”
I knew only one person who matched that description, but there was no way she had business at the inn across the street.
I told myself it was impossible, yet I kept listening.
“She introduced herself as ‘Sui.’”
“OUT!!!!”
I suddenly shouted, making the innkeeper jump in surprise.
“W-What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing.”
I simply told him my chronic irritation had flared up.
“So, what about this beautiful Sui?”
“Well, umm… that is…”
I wanted to yell, “Spit it out already!!” but since he was a regular, I held back and waited for him to continue.
“I’m sorry! That beautiful lady sold me twenty bars of soap for the inn!!!”
“Huh!?”
For a moment, I was so shocked that my vision went blank. Then, I quickly came back to my senses and demanded an explanation.
“Well, she said she wanted people to know how great her soap was, and that her dream was to supply it to the Holy Ministry someday. She even cried, begging me to use it…”
That was definitely fake crying.
I couldn’t believe she showed up the day before I was set to deliver my herbal soap, just to sell her own instead. That was just plain dirty.
“Normally, her soap costs at least a gold coin per bar, but she was selling it cheaper than the herbal soap this time.”
“And?”
“So, um… I’m really sorry, but I need to cancel my order for the herbal soap!!”
I swear I heard something snap in my head, but I held myself back.
Still, I couldn’t stop myself from giving him a firm smile and a little lecture.
“Innkeeper, do you realize how much trouble it would cause if someone did the same thing to your business?”
“A-Ah, I’m really sorry!! Can you save them for next month?”
“I prefer my herbal soap to be used fresh, so I don’t keep stock. I’m refusing that request.”
“I… I see.”
I made him sign a strict contract: If he orders next month, he must buy them without fail. If he cancels again, we will never do business again.
Everyone makes mistakes, but I’ve learned my lesson from dealing with Rymer.
People who betray trust once will do it again and again.
Even though the innkeeper looked apologetic, I had a strong feeling that if Saint Sui visited his inn again next month, he would buy her soap again.
We might end up having the same conversation next month.
I could already see it happening, so I decided to take extra precautions.
“Just in case, I’ll report this to your wife. You made this purchase on your own, didn’t you?”
The innkeeper flinched so obviously that I could almost hear the sound.
“No, no! Please don’t tell my wife!”
“I will.”
“Please! She said if I mess up again, she’ll kick me out!”
“Oh, how convenient. She’s kind and hardworking. Maybe I should hire her to work at my pharmacy?”
“Don’t steal my wife!!!”
With teary eyes, the innkeeper repeatedly apologized, so I decided to let it slide this time.
“But there won’t be a second chance.”
“Y-Yes…”
Looking utterly defeated, the innkeeper trudged back home.
I let out a long sigh.
I couldn’t believe Saint Sui had resorted to stealing my regular customers.
I hoped this would be the last of my troubles, but unfortunately, things only got worse from there.