Ascension of the Harem King : From Fugitive to Lord

Zedd walked through the bustling village streets, his mind simmering with a quiet frustration. He'd been running around, doing odd jobs for the past few days, but today, he felt a strange weight in his chest. A sense of tiredness that had nothing to do with physical exhaustion but everything to do with his thoughts. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was constantly chasing after something—money, survival, respect—and yet, when he paused to take a breath, it felt like he wasn't truly living. He was just moving, existing, and it bothered him more than he cared to admit. 

"I need a break," he muttered to himself, his gaze scanning the village as he walked. He was no stranger to hard work, but today, he just couldn't bring himself to keep going. He'd earned enough for the day and had a decent stash in his pouch. He could afford to take a moment to relax. 

Deciding that today would be his day off, Zedd made his way to the restaurant he had frequented a few times before. It was a simple establishment, not too fancy, but comfortable enough to be a refuge from the hustle and bustle of village life. The scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and simmering stew greeted him as he pushed the door open and stepped inside. 

The waiter, a lanky young man with a nervous twitch in his eye, was quick to approach him, his smile too wide to be genuine. "Good afternoon, sir! A seat for one?" 

Zedd nodded, his face unreadable. "Yes, please. Somewhere quiet." 

The waiter led him to a small table tucked in the corner, far from the commotion of the main area. Zedd sat down, taking in the cozy ambiance of the restaurant. He liked it here—no one bothered him much, and the food was decent. 

The waiter returned with a menu and, after a brief moment, left him to peruse the options. Zedd didn't need much time; he'd been here enough to know what he liked. He ordered a roast chicken with a side of vegetables and a loaf of freshly baked bread, his stomach growling at the thought. 

As he waited, his eyes wandered around the restaurant, and it wasn't long before he spotted them—Elara and Reina, seated a few tables ahead. Elara was casually dipping a piece of pineapple pie into a strawberry milkshake, her red eyes sparkling with contentment as she took a bite. She was clearly enjoying herself, her focus entirely on her food. 

Reina, sitting quietly beside her, was picking at her plate, her shy gaze fixed on her food. Zedd could see the contrast between the two; Elara was vibrant and confident, while Reina seemed almost invisible, as though she were trying to blend into the background. Zedd's gaze lingered on them for a moment, then he quickly turned away, not wanting to draw attention to himself. 

He didn't want to deal with Elara today. Not after their little game earlier. He hadn't expected her to chase him down so quickly, and although it had been entertaining, Zedd wasn't in the mood for more of her games. 

His meal arrived shortly after, and Zedd dug in, savoring each bite of the perfectly roasted chicken. It was tender and flavorful, the herbs complementing the meat perfectly. He washed it down with a mug of ale, his body relaxing with each sip. 

But as he ate, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping up on him. He was trying to enjoy his meal, but his mind kept drifting back to Elara and Reina. Zedd didn't like feeling so unsettled, especially not over something as trivial as a meal. He told himself to focus on the here and now—on the food, on the moment—but the nagging feeling wouldn't go away. 

As he finished his meal, Zedd caught sight of Elara and Reina again. This time, Elara was laughing at something Reina had said, her mouth still full of pineapple pie. Zedd couldn't help but smirk at the scene. For all her bravado, Elara seemed to have a softer side when it came to Reina. He wondered if that was the side of her that Reina saw more often. 

But that wasn't Zedd's problem. He had his own issues to deal with, and he didn't need to get involved in the dynamics of their relationship. He had enough on his plate as it was. 

It was then that Zedd noticed something strange—the waiter was hovering near his table, looking at him expectantly. Zedd raised an eyebrow. 

"Is there something wrong?" he asked, his voice steady but carrying a hint of irritation. 

The waiter, his smile even wider now, leaned in slightly, as if he were about to share some important news. "Well, sir, it's just that… we've had a small issue with the bill. You see, we've accidentally undercharged you for your meal. The total should be 12 silver coins, not 10." 

Zedd's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. He could already tell what this was. The waiter was trying to scam him. He had seen it before—an attempt to overcharge customers, hoping they wouldn't notice. 

"No, the bill is 10 silver coins," Zedd said calmly, his gaze hardening. "You've made a mistake. I've been here enough times to know how much the meal costs." 

The waiter's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Oh, but sir, there's a new charge for the bread and ale. We've had to adjust the prices—" 

Zedd cut him off, his patience wearing thin. "No, there hasn't been an adjustment. You're trying to scam me, and it's not going to work." 

The waiter's nervous smile slipped entirely as Zedd's tone became more forceful. The man hesitated, then nodded, backing away. 

"I—I'm sorry, sir. I'll correct the bill right away."

Zedd didn't wait for him to return. He stood up, leaving the 10 silver coins on the table, more than enough to cover his meal. Without a word, he turned and walked out of the restaurant, his anger simmering under the surface. 

Outside, he took a deep breath, trying to shake off the frustration. He didn't like feeling like he'd been taken advantage of, but it was something that happened often. People always assumed that because he was big and quiet, he was easy to fool. They were wrong. 

As he made his way back to his cabin, Zedd glanced over at Elara and Reina once more. They hadn't noticed him leaving, and he was fine with that. He didn't want to deal with Elara right now—not after the little stunt he'd pulled earlier. 

Zedd reached his cabin, the familiar wooden walls offering a sense of solace. He stepped inside and locked the door behind him, finally allowing himself to unwind. The cabin was small, but it was his, and it was a place where he could be alone with his thoughts. 

He sat down by the fire, letting the warmth seep into his bones. Today had been one of those days—one where he wanted to forget everything and just exist. But the thoughts kept creeping back, and Zedd wasn't sure if he was ready to face them yet.