Last Minute Translations

Bertram Hertz Wachter. Age 25.

 

His uncle’s ascent to the throne had complicated the line of succession a bit, but regardless, he was a prince his entire life.

 

For the first time in his life today, in a rural village, he had been called “a filthy beggar.”

 

“Hahaha, isn’t it delicious? My daughter’s cooking is a bit lacking, so I figured I would show off my skills for once.”

 

Bertram thought Anna’s mother, Karla, is a kind person.

 

Although he could not taste it, he understood the meaning of the carefully shredded chicken, the broth-soaked potatoes that melted in his mouth, and the pinch of salt offered on the side. It was the common people’s way of expressing heartfelt hospitality.

 

Bertram nodded.

 

“Thank you for your kindness.”

 

Across the table, Anna, who was peeling potatoes, frowned.

 

Ignoring her daughter's grumbling, Karla sat across from Bertram, trying to read this strange guest.

 

Even after hearing himself being called a “beggar,” he did not get angry. Instead, he called himself one. That meant he was not easily provoked. He probably had a lot hidden beneath the surface.

 

Karla forced a polite smile and got to the point.

 

“I’m Karla, Anna’s mother. You said you came to repay a debt to my late husband?”

 

“Yes. During the war, I received three bulbs that looked like this. However, I did not catch the name of the item at the time. Since I cannot find the same items anywhere, I came to ask how I could repay the debt.”

 

His demeanor remained serious and respectful.

 

But Karla nearly burst out laughing when she saw the drawing he handed over. A round thing with two horn-like sprigs sticking out. What on earth was that? A baby troll?

 

“…Is that an onion?”

 

“It’s not an onion. He said he was going to use it for farming.”

 

“I have no idea. Either way, we don’t need anything like that.”

 

“Then how would you like me to repay the debt? If you tell me, I will do my best to accommodate.”

 

It sounded like a blank check, but depending on who was offering it, it could be worth gold or absolutely nothing.

 

Karla subtly scanned Bertram.

 

Tall, heavily built, scarred in many places; clearly someone who had fought on the front lines. So he wasn’t one of those aristocrats who stayed behind playing commander. Likely a deserter who could not return home.

 

And coming back all this way over some onion-like thing…?

 

‘He must have just wanted a meal under the pretense of a debt.’

 

In other words, a freeloader to be fed and kicked out.

 

Karla smiled sweetly.

 

“Mr. Bertram, I’m not sure what Anna told you, but we don’t need extra hands. The village boys work on the farm, and Anna is enough to handle the restaurant.”

 

“But the restaurant is as large as the third hall in the royal palace. Can she manage it alone?” 

 

“Oh my, what a funny comparison. Have you ever worked in a restaurant, Mr. Bertram?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then you wouldn’t be much help. Just eat and be on your way.”

 

“…You are asking me to leave?”

 

“Yes. Since my husband passed, I inherited all his assets and debts. So I will tell you clearly. You don’t need to repay anything. Please go home.”

 

Karla’s tone left no room for misunderstanding.

 

But Bertram didn’t back down easily.

 

“I appreciate your kindness, but I hope you will reconsider. The debt… is larger than you think.”

 

“Larger? We got plenty of onions!”

 

“There won’t be many left. I have chopped up quite a few already.”

 

“…I have no idea what you're saying. In any case, there’s no need to repay the debt.”

 

“Please reconsider. Your late husband cherished those bulbs deeply.”

 

“He’s dead! And we’re just fine without them!”

 

Karla’s voice suddenly rose.

 

Everyone in the restaurant turned to look. Karla signaled to the guests with her eyes.

 

Help me throw this man out.

 

The guests picked up on the cue and began rising from their seats, surrounding Bertram.

 

“Hey, pal. You’re done eating, right? Get going.”

 

“Yes, I have stood up.”

 

“…That’s not what I meant.”

 

One of the customers looked up at Bertram. He was a full head taller. Lanky, but clearly strong. Not someone you want to fight.

 

An older man stepped in, patting Bertram’s back.

 

“I get it. A meal from a civilian home during the war, it’s unforgettable. But hanging around here, in a place with no men? Think how scared the women must be, eh?”

 

“They did not seem afraid of me. I can tell.”

 

“You really don’t get it! Hey, Anna, pay the man and send him off.”

 

“What? I came to repay a debt—”

 

“Just stop. Honestly, if you stick around, no one else will come in out of fear. Anna’s going to lose a whole day of business!”

 

That line finally seemed to strike a chord with Bertram. His mouth hung open for a second, lost for words.

 

Impressed by the elder’s persuasive powers, Anna watched as Karla swiftly fetched a pouch of coins.

 

“Here, I’ve packed it generously.”

 

“But—”

 

“Enough with the debt talk! If it weighs on you that much, I’ll ask my husband about it in the afterlife. Until then, forget about it, okay?”

 

Karla didn’t wait for a response and turned on her heel. The other guests stood awkwardly at their seats, ready to hold the line until Bertram left.

 

Bertram took it all in. Now was not the time to argue about debts.

 

The emotions in the room resembled the anxiety of facing an enemy on the battlefield.

 

Finally, he accepted the coin pouch Karla had thrust upon him.

 

“Thank you. I hope we meet again sometime.”

 

Karla didn’t reply.

 

Anna wanted to say something, but her mother shoved her into the kitchen before she could.

 

When the restaurant finally returned to its noisy normal, Karla shouted at Anna.

 

“Are you out of your mind? How could you bring that home?!”

 

“What do you mean ‘that’? What’s the problem?!”

 

“He’s huge! Covered in scars! He hasn’t even returned to his hometown! He’s probably a deserter who committed some crime. Maybe even killed his commanding officer.”

 

“You’re just guessing! And there was clearly a loan document from the war, with Dad’s name on it—”

 

War.

 

At that word, Karla threw a wooden bowl across the room. Anna flinched.

 

Karla screamed, “War, war! Why the hell are we still talking about that? It’s been over for years!”

 

“M-Mom…”

 

“The war took everything from me. Even my husband! Who’s going to repay that? Huh? The day I inherited this massive, empty restaurant after the war, I had to act grateful while my insides were rotting! War is a damned, rabid dog. We have to forget. Even if we ‘won,’ we didn’t even get a sack of flour!”

 

Anna couldn’t say another word. Her eyes welled with tears. Her mother had just cursed for the first time in her life.

 

Seeing that, Karla forced herself to calm down.

 

“…Anna. I’m sorry I yelled. Just… don’t bring up the war again.”

 

“S-Sorry… I won’t talk about it anymore…”

 

“Good. I won’t say anything about feeding starving strays, but don’t try to keep them. Got it?”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Oh, and…”

 

Karla hesitated, then added, “Don’t fall in love with that kind of guy.”

 

Anna was speechless.

 

The word ‘love’, soft and pink, didn’t exactly pair well with that “gaunt bear” of a man.

 

The combination made her burst into laughter.

 

“Hahaha! Love? L-O-V-E?! Hahahaha, oh that’s rich, Mom! What do you take me for?”

 

“A girl who brings home dangerous men and tries to care for them.”

 

“Don’t twist it like that! He’s not even my type! He’s way too tall. And all I felt was pity!”

 

“Pity is the most dangerous emotion. Start with ‘just one meal,’ and next thing you know, you’re eating breakfast at the same table every day.”

 

“Don’t worry. He didn’t even seem to like my food.”

 

“You’re not listening to a thing I say! Ugh, whatever. Do what you want, but don’t come crying to me later.”

 

Karla picked up the wooden bowl and returned to the kitchen. From inside, she muttered, “Who the heck peeled onions into a mountain like this?”

 

Anna stared in the direction Bertram had left.

 

He had already disappeared completely. His long legs must have taken him far.

 

That wild, scruffy black hair that had draped down to his neck like a wolf’s. Those piercing blue eyes.

 

She hadn’t noticed at first because of the sunken cheeks, but now she realized…

 

He was actually pretty handsome.

 

She shook her head quickly.

 

“What’s the point of remembering his face now? Like Mom said, what, am I going to fall in love or something? With a man who can’t even say my food is good after freeloading?”

 

And his height. He was so tall she could not even see his face without craning her neck. Unless he was sitting, even talking to him was hard. Every time he spoke standing, his voice tickled the top of her head.

 

Sure, she was on the short side, but even an average woman would feel the same.

 

But then her mind jumped in a strange direction.

 

“…Wait. Just wondering, how do couples with a big height difference even kiss? There’s a limit to how high you can stand on tiptoes. Does the guy squat? That’s so unromantic!”

 

Meanwhile, Karla peeked out from the kitchen to ask about the onion pile, but Anna’s expression was so serious that she could not interrupt.

 

‘Was I too harsh? Maybe I should’ve let him stay for dinner.’

 

So, Karla decided to quietly deal with the onions herself, still completely unaware of what her daughter was actually thinking about.