It took a long while before Nora finally finished chewing the last of her candied fruit.
Ron had bought two cups of fruit juice and handed one to her.
"Thanks, Boss."
This time, Nora didn't hesitate—she accepted it obediently and took a sip.
"You seem to know this area pretty well. Got any suggestions for where we can get some food?" Ron glanced around. There were plenty of street vendors selling snacks, but it was hard to tell which ones were actually decent.
Nora hummed and thought for a moment. Then her eyes lit up. "There's a noodle shop up ahead—their ramen is really good!"
"Then let's go."
The two of them continued slowly through the crowd.
Worried they might get separated, Ron reached out and grabbed Nora's wrist.
Startled, she instinctively pulled away.
Ron realized he'd overstepped a bit and explained, "It's a bit crowded. Just hold on to me so you don't get lost."
Blushing, Nora didn't reach for his hand. Instead, she gently pinched the corner of his shirt and followed close behind.
This area was filled with street food and was especially bustling around dinnertime.
Because it was so affordable, many commoners came here to eat.
As she followed behind Ron, Nora stared blankly at his back.
She used to squeeze through these crowds alone.
Back then, it didn't feel like much.
But now, with the boss leading the way—shielding her from bumping shoulders with strangers—it made her feel strangely… safe.
Soon, they arrived at the noodle shop Nora had mentioned.
It was a total hole-in-the-wall—so narrow that only four people could stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the entrance.
Business was booming. The place was packed, but luckily, there were still a couple of empty seats.
Nora led Ron inside and was just about to sit down when she noticed the grease and stains on the chairs and table. She froze.
Earlier, when Ron had teased her with the candied fruit, she'd briefly forgotten who he really was.
But now it came rushing back—her boss was the Seventh Prince of the Human Empire!
How could someone like him be okay with eating in a place like this?
Nora instantly regretted her suggestion. But it was too late to take it back, so she just lowered herself and began wiping Ron's chair with her sleeve.
Ron chuckled and stepped forward, gently grabbing her hand to stop her. Then, like someone totally used to this kind of place, he kicked the chair out with his foot and plopped down casually.
"Sit down. I don't mind this kind of place," he said, gently pressing down on Nora's shoulder to get her to sit. Then he called toward the kitchen, "Two bowls of ramen, please!"
"Coming right up!" the owner shouted back.
Nora stared at her boss with wide eyes, feeling like the whole scene was surreal.
Boss… this doesn't match your vibe at all… What happened to your usual elegant dining style?
Ron glanced at her and grinned. "What? Surprised I'd come to a place like this?"
"Um…" Nora nodded without thinking, then quickly shook her head. "No—I didn't mean it like that…"
"Don't overthink it. I'm not some pampered noble snob."
Ron propped his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his palm, looking relaxed. "Have you ever seen a noble cook their own meals?"
That made Nora pause.
He was right… the boss really did cook for himself…
She'd never thought too hard about it before.
Because she'd assumed, from the beginning, that he was just a young guy with some beastkin blood running a shop on his own.
Even after learning the truth about his identity, his day-to-day attitude didn't match any noble she'd ever imagined. So she had never really felt his status.
Just now, it wasn't until they'd entered the grimy noodle shop that she suddenly remembered: the boss is a prince.
"We're just boss and employee right now. I really like how things are between us. You don't have to keep thinking about my status," Ron said casually.
He didn't expect her to adjust overnight, but at least he'd said what needed to be said. Whether she accepted it was up to her.
Soon, the ramen was served.
The shop owner gave Nora a few curious looks.
"Nora?"
"Eh? You still remember me, Owner?" Nora looked surprised.
"Heh, I figured out long ago you were a girl. Left an impression. Didn't expect you to look this cute with your face cleaned up," the owner confirmed with a smile.
Nora blushed.
The shop owner then glanced at the well-dressed Ron, whose calm demeanor didn't match the shabby little noodle shop at all.
And yet this kind of man was here… eating noodles with Nora.
"Alright, I'll leave you two be. Enjoy," he said tactfully and returned to work.
Nora smiled happily and nodded.
"You know him?" Ron asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I used to come here sometimes to dig through the trash…" she trailed off, then looked down awkwardly. "Sorry, Boss… not the best topic for dinner."
Ron already understood from the first half and didn't ask further. He lowered his head and started eating. "Let's eat. Still have stuff to buy afterward."
Back in the day, Nora didn't come here for noodles. She'd scavenge leftovers from the bin behind the shop—maybe some cold broth or a few strands of noodles.
The owner was kind and, when he had extra, would cook a little and give it to the local stray kids.
Nora had been one of them.
So while Ron found the noodles fairly average, it made sense why Nora had said they were "really good."
They finished their bowls, and Ron stood to pay.
But Nora quickly got up and stopped him.
"Hm? What's up?"
"I'll pay this time." Her voice was soft but firm. "You've been treating me so far. Tonight's meal is on me."
Ron smiled, clearly fine either way. "I'll wait outside."
Nora nodded and walked over to the kitchen window. She pulled six copper coins from her pouch.
"Owner, for two bowls of noodles."
The owner took the coins and looked at her with a warm smile. He seemed hesitant at first, but then decided to speak.
"If you've found a good man, live well. Don't come around places like this too much anymore. He might say he doesn't mind, but who knows how he really feels inside."
"You're a good kid. Since you've got a chance now, hold on tight. Soften up a bit—don't go around fighting as you used to."
Nora opened her mouth to explain, but then simply nodded. "Thank you, sir."
"I've got my hands full here. Off you go."
"Okay. Bye, owner!"
Nora stepped out of the shop and blushed again the moment she saw Ron.
She couldn't stop thinking about what the noodle shop owner had said.
A man like the boss… how could he ever be mine?
Just imagining it feels like a fairy tale...
"Let's go. You still have stuff to buy, right?" Ron waved her over.
Nora finally snapped out of it and jogged to catch up.
The street wasn't as crowded now.
Nora hesitated, then gently reached out and pinched the corner of Ron's shirt again.
He didn't pull away.
So nice…
Nora thought to herself, smiling like a fool.