Published: August 1, 2025
When I opened the door of the cute inn, I was greeted by an equally adorable welcome.
“Welcome! Welcome to ‘Tender’s Inn.’ We’ve been waiting for you!”
A cheerful voice with a full-blown smile.
He looked to be about ten years old. Wheat-colored hair, bright brown eyes, and at the corner of his widely open mouth, showing his back teeth, was an attractive set of double teeth.
…What’s this? Even though this was our first meeting, I felt a strange sense of nostalgia. His simple, unremarkable face seemed to be his defining feature, and I had a déjà vu of his hair and eye color.
“Hey, Isaac. It’s been exactly a year. You’ve grown quite a bit.”
Lord Cyrus patted his head, and the boy, Isaac, smiled even more broadly.
“Hehe, I’ve grown about a head taller. The lady beside you is Lady Marie, right? Nice to meet you. My name is Isaac. I’m the third child of Tender Mama. Please take care of me.”
He bowed crisply.
“Well, thank you for your courtesy. You’re quite responsible.”
I reached out to pat his head, then suddenly realized and checked.
“Tender Mama? Is the landlady of this inn named Tender?”
“Yes. Since Papa passed away, this inn has been Mama’s.”
“…Uh, Isaac, by any chance, do you have an older brother or relative named Thomas… someone working in the Dilz homeland?”
“Yes! That’s older brother Divomov!”
Isaac nodded easily. Divomov was Thomas’s middle name—or rather, his real name. It wasn’t just a working alias used in Dilz but his name from his birthplace.
So, the inn we are going to stay at is Thomas’s family home? When I checked with Lord Cyrus, he grinned mischievously and nodded. Apparently, he had deliberately kept quiet to surprise me.
“Every time I stop by Luhab for business negotiations, I stay here. Isaac has three younger brothers; it’s quite fun.”
“I’ve also heard about Lady Marie from my brother’s letters.”
Isaac proudly said.
“I’ve never left the island, but I know many good spots here. If you want to sightsee, leave it to me— but first, I’ll show you to your rooms. Please, make yourself comfortable.”
Isaac flashed a perfect smile and opened the door wide.
At that moment, like a collapsing sandcastle, a bunch of children tumbled out. They had apparently been pressed against the door, eavesdropping.
All boys. Their ages were about seven, five, and three years old. They looked like smaller versions of each other, which was irresistibly amusing.
When their eyes met mine, they all beamed brightly.
“Nice to meet you!” “Welcome!” “Hello!”
They all spoke simultaneously from different mouths.
I hesitated, wondering whom to answer first.
“Hey, you guys! Don’t surround the guests like that all of a sudden!”
A loud voice came from behind the children. It must be their mother—the landlady of the inn, ‘Tender Mama.’ She didn’t look much like Thomas, but her hair was the same wheat color. Lord Cyrus, who was a familiar face, lightly raised his hand and said, “Hello.”
“Landlady, it’s been a while. We'll be staying for two nights and three days. Please take care of us.”
“Yes, yes, count, welcome. Still as handsome as ever. Is that beauty your wife? Welcome to Luhab Island! I’m Tender, the landlady. I’ll be taking care of you.”
“I’m Marie. Thomas has always been very helpful to us.”
When I bowed deeply, the landlady let out a soft gasp and frowned.
“Oh no, my apologies—uh, sorry. There’s no honorific language in Luhab’s dialect. I don’t understand well how to talk to noble lords… Please speak with Isaac. He’s more studious.”
“I’m fine. Please don’t worry.”
“Is that so? Good!”
When I said that, the landlady immediately smiled.
“Are you hungry? I’m just preparing dinner now. Relax in the guest room until it’s ready. I’ll send some tea over.”
She pointed to the back of the large room. By the way, this hall, right after the entrance, had a big table, many chairs, a cabinet and desk, and toys scattered on the floor. Indeed, this was a family-run inn — the living space of the family continued into the guest rooms.