Though Yunho's mind was still racing, he laid on his bed and finally fell asleep.
---
The next day came swiftly, and the Grand Duke, with a selectively chosen group of soldiers, including one of his commanders and a temple worker, set out. Everyone at the base gathered to say goodbye and wish the team good luck as they left.
Yunho didn't get too close to the farewell party, letting himself stand on the outskirts of the crowd, able to catch just glimpses of the departing group. He still felt a little awkward from last night, even though nothing had actually happened, and his awkwardness just made him feel more awkward. But that wasn't the only reason for the distance; Yunho also had a rising anxiety fluttering throughout his body. Like moths were slamming themselves against his ribs and stomach lining.
The temple worker was being brought along for healing purposes in the case of injury, so having only one of them was a little precarious. Yunho was quite confident in his strategy and glad that the traitor wouldn't be able to strike just yet due to many skilled members still being at the base, but he still felt a bit worried for the Duke.
It felt a little silly to worry about the acclaimed General's safety, especially since Dorian didn't die in the original novel, but Yunho couldn't control his feelings lately.
Who knew that he'd feel a little remiss about the Grand Duke trusting his word so much?
But if even one person died or got gravely injured in that group, that would be an entire life forever changed or ended due to advice he had given. That possibility petrified him.
"Surely, Dorian wouldn't just blindly do as I say. He must've been confident in the strategy himself if he's following through. He knows what he's doing." Yunho assured himself, sighing.
The thought put him more at ease. Being anxious the whole day wouldn't benefit anyone. Yunho had things to do today anyway.
Today, he decided he wanted to help out at the canteen. It would be a good way to get more acquainted with everyone on the base, which would help with his goal of sussing out the spy, and Yunho already had experience with public food service. Plus, currently, his only outlets for social interaction were the Duke and his own mind. Some more people to talk to wouldn't hurt.
There was just one thing....
"How do I become a canteen worker?"
Yunho wasn't sure who to even ask, so he was just left wandering near the canteen, looking for someone who looked like they'd know. Though Yunho wasn't even sure what that would look like.
"I don't mean to impose. But Lord de Evastine, are you lost? I've been watching you pace around here for a while. If your lordship was wanting to get a meal or something, I don't think the next meal time is until a few hours or so." Said a voice behind Yunho, catching him off guard.
Yunho turned around and met a pair of dark eyes looking at him. The eyes belonged to a tall young man with slightly roughed-up brown hair. Somehow, since so many people in this world were so bright, the man's more subdued color palette reminded him of his original life.
"Oh, I'm not hungry. I'm just... Do you know who I can talk to if I want to help out at the canteen?"
The other young man looked a little surprised.
"Your lordship wants to help out? Then, you can just walk in and ask the chef. I also help out sometimes since I know one of the staff. I can take you there." He replied.
Yunho's eyes sparkled. There's nothing better than when the solution finds you, rather than you having to find it.
"I would really appreciate that, but... you seem to know who I am. Have we met before?" Yunho questioned.
"Well, I would be surprised if there was someone on this base that hadn't heard of you. But I know you from when you showed up at the training grounds."
Yunho felt a little embarrassed about that but didn't dwell on it. He followed the man to a door at the back of the canteen.
"This is the entrance to the kitchen. The Chef should be in, so we can just ask him." The man said, knocking at the door.
Yunho felt grateful for his help.
"Ah, thank you..." Yunho paused. "I don't think I got your name?"
"My name's Drelle. I'm a new knight-in-training." The man answered.
The door swung open, revealing a portly, short man with some scruff on his chin.
Drelle smiled at him.
"Mr. Jon, this man wants to help out at the canteen," Drelle said, placing his hand on Yunho's shoulder.
It was closer proximity than he expected, but it wasn't uncomfortable enough to warrant complaint.
Yunho gazed at the hand lightly gripping his shoulder. Drelle's fingers had fresh scratches, and his hand was rough overall. But Yunho didn't expect much else from someone who held a sword all day.
"How did the Duke's hands feel like again?"
The thought slithered in his mind, startling Yunho. Unfortunately, he jumped in real life too, surprising Drelle and the canteen chef.
Yunho could feel two pairs of confused eyes on him.
"Ah, it's nothing. I think I got bitten by a bug." Yunho brushed it off, trying to choke down any embarrassment he had.
What was he thinking about right in front of people?
Maybe his brain really was sick... And any interactions with Dorian further infected him.
"Really? I've been trying my best to scare away any insects. I even bought this new spray at the market that's said to get rid of bugs..." Mr. Jon said, disappointedly.
Yunho suddenly felt bad.
"It may not have been a bug. Maybe I was feeling my pant leg brushing against my ankle. It's nothing to worry about." He replied.
"I'll just do another round of spray later today... But, back to what we were talking about, you want to help out here? That's quite convenient. One of the regular workers came down with a cough, so there's been a lack of manpower." The portly man said.
He continued with a smile, "If you can work the line, then I'll be grateful for your help. It's a simple job. Just scoop food into the plates and give it to the person in line."
Yunho nodded. "I can do that."
Mr. Jon stuck his hand for a handshake.
"So, let's get introduced to each other. I'm Mr. Jon, and my assistant and I are in charge of the preparation of most of the meals."
Yunho took the man's hand and shook it.
"My name's Iris de Evastine. And I'm ready to work under you."
One of Mr. Jon's eyebrows shot up.
"'De Evastine'? Are you a noble?"
Yunho rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yes, but you don't have to treat me any differently. Don't even bother with honorifics." Yunho answered.
Mr. Jon nodded.
"Well, I'm looking forward to your help today, Iris!"
Yunho felt weirdly proud of himself. He never got to have his first job in the original world, but he assumed this is a bit like what it would've felt like.
---
A few hours later-
It finally was time for the next meal, and Yunho had been given the task of distributing the pieces of bread.
Drelle had also decided to help out this mealtime, so he was stationed not too far away from Yunho, tasked with dishing out soup.
The line never grew too long, so the job wasn't stressful at all.
"Am I self-absorbed, or are people looking at me a lot?" Yunho thought.
He looked over the expanse of the canteen, and he swore he could count at least 10 pairs of eyes looking at him.
"I guess it is a bit strange to see a noble voluntarily serving others..."
But then, Yunho remembered Drelle's words. Was he actually that well-known around here? Mr. Jon didn't seem to recognize him, but to be fair, the kitchen staff probably don't get around the base as much.
"Maybe I should ask Drelle how I'm viewed by the soldiers..." Yunho mulled on it for a second and made a mental reminder.
At least, there were no temple workers in the canteen. Yunho didn't feel like getting death stares. They gave him headaches.
"It's probably the bad spiritual energy..."
They did use mana items...
No way the temple workers were actually cursing him or anything, right?
Yunho shivered at the thought. He decided to focus on the task at hand and reached to grab another piece of bread, but nothing was there.
"Oh, the batch ran out. There should be some more in the kitchen. Let me go get some," Yunho said to the man waiting at his station before hurrying into the kitchen.
Mr. Jon was standing there, checking on another pot of stew. The large man spotted Yunho as he came in and waved him over.
"Did the bread run out? There's another batch sitting on the back table."
Yunho thanked him and retrieved the bread. He was about to walk out when he turned back to Mr. Jon.
"Do you have anything to cover up a cut?"
Mr. Jon cocked his head.
"Are you injured? Well, there should be some healing paste in that cabinet. If you put it on and wait for it to dry, it'll make a nice protective layer on the wound." The man said while pointing at a cabinet behind him.
Yunho was about to explain that it wasn't for him, but it didn't feel necessary. He grabbed the container of paste from the cabinet and left the kitchen.
Yunho quickly returned to his station and replenished the bread supply. The man who had been waiting when he left was still there. Yunho felt a little bad, so he picked out the fluffiest piece of bread in the batch and gave it to him. The man seemed to notice and smiled.
There wasn't anyone behind that man, so Yunho had a little bit of free time. He walked over to the stew station where Drelle had also hit a slow point and took out the tin of healing paste that he had put into his pocket.
"Hey, Drelle. I noticed that your fingers were a little cut up earlier, so I asked Mr. Jon for this. Thank you again for all your help today." Yunho said. His hands were outstretched, cupping the tin in his palms.
"Oh, thank you... You're very observant!" Drelle replied. His eyes curled up, but his mouth was pulled into a line. Drelle took the container with a nod, and Yunho went back to his station.
The interaction seemed normal, but Yunho felt a little strange as he went back to his task. Just then, Drelle seemed almost... irritated?
"Did I do something wrong? I mean, Drelle seems like a nice guy, so maybe I'm misinterpreting things. Some people just don't know how to accept gifts."
Yunho was deep in thought. He just wanted to make a few friends on the base, but maybe he was going about it wrong.
He sighed.
"Is something wrong? I just wanted to talk to you for a bit. Does the idea upset you?" A voice coming from right in front of Yunho said.
Was he so deep in thought that he failed to realize someone was talking to him?
Moreover, the voice sounded familiar. Yunho inwardly gulped with anxiety and slowly raised his head.
It was the Crown Prince.
Yunho was about to reply when another canteen worker came over and spoke first.
"It's okay. I can cover your task for the rest of today. Feel free to go." She said, facing Yunho.
"..."
And, there went his only excuse to say no.
Yunho inwardly sighed.
"Well, who says it's anything bad? Maybe he really just wants to talk, and it has nothing to do with his fiancée that hates me."
The thought gave Yunho a speck of confidence. A very small speck...
He turned to the Crown Prince and replied, "As your royal highness wishes."
The prince nodded. "So, let's go. Follow me."
Yunho quickly washed his hands and followed the Prince out of the canteen.
"Please don't let this be my last day alive..."
---
Drelle watched the two departing figures exit the canteen.
He gazed at the tin of healing paste, now sitting on a counter beside him.
"Hmm..."
Drelle picked up the tin and opened it, slowly applying the green salve onto his fingers.
"I'll just appreciate the goodwill."
----
End of Chapter 36