The last and the first time

A short summary of what happened a year ago.

The gate opened. Shortly after a whole day worth of paperwork from my office in the royal palace, I stepped foot over the grassy floor and arrived in the forestーthe sounds of the birds chirping as I removed the dust from my robe. 

Flickering, the gate closed behind me as I walked out of the forest leading to the cobblestone path which was the road to the village, heading towards the market place.

Scoffing, I exhaled. It was perfect!! I knew the location was here… I’m really starving.

Squeezing my way to the crowds and passing through multiple shops, I turned to every stall I seeーperhaps to find something that may fit my criteria.

Man… They were all tempting~~, that gem shop over there selling bracelets. Maybe I should buy that magical gemstone with a gem inside it! ーOh wait, sorry I’m going off track.

Yawning, I looked to my right and my eyes opened… Finally, after passing through multiple buildings I’d just spotted a restaurant…!

WAIT, WAIT… Oh my goodness! Is it what I think it is…!? Sweet warlock! 

Without wasting time, I sprinted through the entrance and made my way inside, sitting down on a vacant seat and straightening my posture, awkwardly moving around my chair.

Finally… First comes first serve…

I waited for someone to approach me, fidgeting my fingers as I waited. Minutes later a waiter came to my table.

She saw my appearance and took a few steps back… That was a surprising reaction?

“E… excuse me, what would you like? M… miss?” She awkwardly clasped the list that was in her hands.

“Hmm… Let's see… Could I have your best menu here? Please give me your recommendations.”

“O… of course, here we haveー”

The waiter listed the dishes one by one and I nodded along… Yes yes! Yes, that looks great! Yes, that also looks great! It all looks delicious, so I’ll leave it to the waiter to pick for me.

I’m indecisive…. I apologize.

After she finished assessing the list, she awkwardly bowed and turned sharply to the other way, running away like she just encountered some bandits.

I raised a brow.

Why was she so stiff…? I didn’t threaten her at all…

Anyways, just like usual, I waited for my orderーMuttering to myself trying my best to stay awake…

I'm so sleepy, and I’m hungry… I wanna nap, this is too much for me.

As I tried to relax my body, my ears suddenly perked up. Catching a few words from my surroundings.

“Hey, is thatー?” The people whispered one after another. “”It actually is…??!””

….Yes it’s me. Yeah…

Of course, I already noticed that they’ve been staring at me ever since I sat here… Why am I even the center of attraction?

My eyes narrowed.

Hmph!! Well, of course…? Who wouldn’t be looking at a person wearing a fancy robe that resembles the lookalike of Pointed Hat; Eilise Frederieke, ーWait… Now that I think about it, I really should’ve worn my guise....

I laid my head on the table and closed my eyes, getting some form of rest. I waited, and waited until I began to fall asleep… Finally twenty minutes later my order arrived.

“H… here is your order miss!” The waiter said awkwardly.

I opened my eyes and straightened my posture, removing my head from the table. And at last, the waiter began plating the dishes in front of meーthe sound of the wooden platter hitting the tables, smoke coming off the freshly cooked meal, its aroma entering my nostrils as we speak.

And all I have to say. WWWOOOWWW!!! IT LOOKS DELICIOUS! Eleven hours of non-stop paperwork… It was worth it!

I cleared my throat, trying to calm down.

But before I eat… I have to pay.

“Would you mind holding your hand?” I asked the waiter.

She nodded, raised her arm and opened her palm, then I raised my fingerーA light flashed for a split second and a coin pouch appeared in her hands.

The waiter jolted, smiling brightly, her expression was priceless.

…It’s her first time seeing this magic I reckon? Well, if she ever asks, it’s that I don’t have a pocket. So I always use pocket magic since it’s convenient.

“ーA… are you… Miss Eilise??” Her voice was shaking.

“Oh, huh? N… no… I’m just a normal mage… Haha~~” I laughed.

“R… really? Then I’m sorry to bother you Miss Eilise! Please enjoy your food.” She bowed and skedaddled away.

Didn’t work… She probably misunderstood what I meant… But either way, It works for me!!!

I took the spoon and locked eyes with my food, ready to fulfill my stomach’s dreams and goals. And just then, another waiter walked up in front of me holding a small note using both of her hands.

“Miss. Eilise!!! C… could I please have your signature!!!” She bowed, handing the notebook.

My brows twitched…

Come on… Please, not at a time like this… I yearn for my cleansing of food… But, it's rude to refuse. And considering my position…

“S… sure,” I stuttered, trying to hide my irritation.

I raised a finger and wrote my signature in the air, then I waved my hand and the signature was drawn in the notebook. The waiter’s expression shot up, she was speechless, mouth wide open… She held the notebook to her chest like it was a national treasure, and the smile on her face got bigger before bowing multiple times and walking off…

It took a while for me to process that.

Quite a disturbance… But, a funny reaction that’s what I’ll say… Haha… And that's that… Finally, I can eat in peace.

I took my spoon and went for a scoop.

As the tip of the spoon grazed the roasted fowl piece, my ears picked up a few voices around meーGossips, words that I heard on the regular two years ago, that I’ve grown to dislike.

Complaints there and there, nothing has changed. But even so….

My hand holding the spoon limp, narrowed my eyes. Doing what I can to hide from my frustration…

Don’t do anything irrational… I know I’m already used to it, and I know I could ignore it. But I just…

Suddenly, a voice had snapped me back to reality.

“Please excuse us, Lady Eilise! We’re sorry to bother you butー”

ーAAAH!!! That scared me. I was zoned out…

I looked up and saw two mages standing right in front of my table. I awkwardly tilted my head.

Seriously…!? What are they doing here? What do these people want this time?

They bowed in sync and started asking for my autograph similar to the waiter from earlier…

“Lady Eilise… Would you be so glad to bestow the honor of your autograph…”

Brother… I just want to eat. Is that not much to ask for?

I waved my hand and summoned two note papers that had my signature written, and it levitated into their hands. And just like the waiter, they held the paper like national treasures…

Wow, they must really like my signature. Why, though? It’s just a plain looking signature, what kind of sentimental value does it even hold….?

Then they kneeled on one knee, placing a hand on their chest. “We are honored, to have this is one of our greatest achievements… We will treasure this the same, if not higher value than a dragon’s horn… Thank you oh greatー”

ーWOULD YOU TWO PLEASE STOP, IT’S EMBARRASSING!! ARE THESE GUYS HITTING ON ME??! Goodness me… Please…

It took a while for them to finish what they were saying… I waited and waited, my brows furrowing to the point where I could cast Vuelies Araglia at any momentーuntil they were finally done.

They bowed in sync, smiling, walking away from my table and leaving the restaurant.

I exhaled in relief, slouching while clasping my chest.

Thank goodness, please… For the love of the Pointed hats… No more. Just this once. Because I swear the moment Iー.

Suddenly the people around me began to surround my table…

“”Miss. Eilise!! Please sign this!! Please Miss. Elise!!””

I tried to wiggle my wait out but there were too many people surrounding me all at once…

MY TABLE IS GETTING SQUEEZED LEFT AND RIGHT. I’M LOSING MY MIND! THERE'S. TOO. MANY. PEOPLE… I’m so sleepy… I'm gonna eat my food somewhere else…

Without wasting a moment, I quickly took the plates and teleported away.

They wouldn’t go after me for this since I paid, right?

Anyways, after all that commotion I caused. I heard it took a while for them to calm down, but it all went well…

And that was the last time I was seen a year later.