Chapter 52: Antonini Cesare

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sweltering heat finally gave way to a touch of coolness.

A gentle evening breeze rustled through the fig trees in the backyard.

Mottled shadows of the branches swayed softly across the table.

The pork and fish soup had been simmering in the pot for a long time.

Fragrance gradually drifted through the gaps of the wooden lid, reaching the noses of the two elven girls.

Liv inhaled greedily, looking as though she might dive into the pot at any moment.

Tess sat beside her, firmly gripping Liv’s wrist to prevent the flighty Queen from doing anything unbecoming of her station.

At that moment, Elena returned from outside, carrying a large basket of bread.

“Hehe, this bread was baked just before sunset. It’s fragrant and chewy — perfect for dipping into the fish soup.”

This basket of bread had cost two Grosso.

Bread prices had indeed been rising lately; just last month, this same basket had been only a bit more than one Grosso.

‘At this rate, even eating bread will be a luxury,’ Elena thought.

Placing the basket on the table, she hurried to check on the bubbling, fragrant pot.

“It’s just about done. I’ll add some salt and anchovy paste, and then we can eat, hehe.”

She carefully picked up a small wooden bucket, scooped out a spoonful of dark brown paste, and stirred it into the pot for a while.

Then, she took a wooden jar and added a spoonful of salt.

Once the salt and flavors had thoroughly melded with the ingredients, she brought out two large ceramic basins.

She ladled the stewed ingredients and broth into the basins, gripped the handles with a cloth, and carried them steadily to the table in two trips.

The dish of savory brown salted pork stewed with beans carried a heavy scent of spices and pork fat — it was the pure, mouthwatering scent of a hearty feast.

The pale Lantingette fish soup offered the briny freshness of seafood and the piping hot steam of the pot, carrying a faint, smoky, slightly charred aroma.

It was garnished with chopped parsley, with bits of light green floating atop the white broth.

Elena brought out six bowls and placed them on the table along with spoons and forks.

She also thoughtfully placed the salt jar on the table.

“Miss Liv, Miss Tess, let’s eat!”

As she spoke, she moved to ladle some fish soup for Miss Liv first.

However, Liv stood up abruptly and grabbed the ladle herself.

Her face was practically hovering over the basin as she hurriedly served herself some soup.

Then, she grabbed a piece of bread, tore it into chunks, and tossed them into her bowl.

Her eyes, however, were already fixed on the other basin of pork and beans.

Tess watched Liv’s every move with wide eyes.

She felt that there was no fundamental difference between Liv’s behavior now and how she used to act as a child — pestering her busy mother to feed her in front of the elders, refusing to eat otherwise.

Elena was very happy, the corners of her mouth curling up as she helped Miss Liv by ladling a spoonful of beans and diced pork.

She then added a spoonful of the thick gravy into the bowl and set it beside Miss Liv.

Elena then tried to take Miss Tess’s bowl to serve her some fish soup as well.

“There is no need to be so formal, Miss Elena. I can do it myself.”

Tess served herself a bowl of fish soup and took a small sip from her spoon.

It was truly delicious.

Though she had eaten Lantingette fish soup many times, this homemade style was quite good.

Elena went back to the iron pan to fry a few eggs, stacked them together, and brought them over.

“Fried eggs soaked in fish soup are exceptionally delicious!”

Hearing this, Liv immediately used her fork to spear a fried egg and soaked it in her bowl.

She cut it into several pieces, and the broken yolk slowly dissolved into the fish soup.

Chewing on the softened bread, Liv watched Elena as she bustled about, and a wave of warmth welled up in her heart.

Elena had always been so enthusiastic and hardworking.

Swallowing her bread, Liv hurriedly urged Elena to eat before it got cold.

Elena obediently ladled a bowl of fish soup and began to eat.

Seeing Elena drink a bowl of soup, Liv, now half-full, began to make conversation.

“Elena, why were you assigned to field duty today?”

Elena spread her hands in a helpless gesture.

“Normally, this work is done by the High Court’s own guards. But the guards were all diverted to watch over the captured ‘Northern Faction’ members. People from the Council of Ten are busy raiding houses one by one. So, those of us from other departments have to fill the gaps.”

Liv nodded and ladled a bowl of pork and beans, slurping it down and making Tess frown.

After a large mouthful, Liv looked up to ask another question.

“So, it seems this is actually a big deal. I thought it was a secret interrogation. With such a massive commotion, haven’t the residents said anything?”

“Oh, the neighbors I know wouldn’t dare say a word. The way they’re acting now — what’s the difference between this and the ‘Muted Night’ from over 100 years ago? Back then, they killed so many nobles who opposed the ‘Algao Pact’ with the Kingdom. It was all just to facilitate the establishment of the Grand Duchy of Tyro. This time, I reckon the Governor and the others have some deeper motive for doing this.”

Liv chewed on the beans and gestured for Elena to continue.

“But, Miss Liv, isn’t that Public Prosecutor, Lady Julia, your superior? It looks like she’s about to enter the Council of Ten. And she’s so young. Are you well-acquainted with her?”

Liv swallowed her beans, ignoring the look Tess was giving her, and nodded directly.

“Yes, I am very familiar with her. If you need me to recommend or introduce you, it won’t be a problem.”

Elena looked delighted and said hurriedly, “Then I am truly grateful to Miss Liv! I haven’t been able to help you with anything, it’s really…”

Suddenly, Elena seemed to think of something and stood up excitedly, facing Liv.

“Miss Liv, my teacher is very learned! He has written many books and proposed many viewpoints. Much of what he says is very, very logical. He often hosts reading salons; not just commoners, but even some nobles are willing to go and listen. Miss Liv, if you were willing to attend, it would make the salon truly shine!”

‘There it is.’

Liv, of course, knew who this teacher was.

It was Androni, Androni Cesare.

Back when she was still Loren, he was the headmaster of the suburban academy who had taught both her and Elena.

His pamphlet, On the Dangers of Criminal Delay, was a widely circulated work.

Its core argument was that the harshest punishment for the people was actually legal delay.

Suspects were often imprisoned in horrific conditions for years without a trial or verdict, only to die in obscurity.

This harm was far greater than even the death penalty.

He was the headmaster Elena respected most; therefore, he was more than just that.

Liv finally showed a genuinely happy smile.

She also stood up and said to Elena, “Elena, I am glad. I am truly glad to have the chance to meet this Master Androni.”

Then, she ladled another bowl of fish soup.

This time, she added several extra pieces of fish, piling the bowl high.

Tess no longer wanted to complain.

She chose to close her eyes and simply feel the breath of the wind.