Chapter 72
“Ah, since we have guests, I should serve some tea!”
The excited Rapunzel dashed off but ended up tripping and falling.
“Are you oka—”
…No, she wasn’t. Of all things, Rapunzel knocked over a potted plant as she fell.
Crash!
As we watched the flowerpots topple like dominoes, Johan intervened to prevent a major disaster.
Shards of broken pots scattered everywhere, and the carpet was a mess of spilled soil. The disheveled plants were a separate issue.
‘If she was confined here due to her clumsiness, they should have created a suitable environment.’
I sighed, looking around. A spacious and uncluttered space without unnecessary decorations would be more appropriate for Rapunzel’s lively and disorganized nature.
‘They just confined her without considering that. How can things improve like this?’
As I bent down to pick up the shards, Johan stepped in.
“The shards have sharp edges. I’ll clean them up.”
“Then I’ll wipe the floor.”
We quickly divided the tasks and started cleaning. Having worked together for a few days, we synchronized seamlessly.
Once the disastrous scene was taken care of, Rapunzel brought out some tea.
‘Ugh. It’s too bitter from over-steeping.’
After taking a sip, I put down the tea and looked around.
The bed in one corner resembled a princess’s, with canopy drapes surrounding it.
The carpet also seemed high-quality and felt nice underfoot.
Rapunzel’s dress, despite the red stain on the sleeve from some mishap, seemed made of good fabric.
“What else is in this tower?”
“Each floor is different! There’s a pool, a garden…”
This really was a luxurious imprisonment.
“Would you like an apple? Oh, there are snacks too!”
“No, it’s okay.”
I stopped her, worried she might cause another accident while preparing something.
“Actually, I came to ask about the witch.”
“Oh, Witch Unnie! I know her well. She was friends with my mom and cast amazing spells. That Unnie has gorgeous, fiery red hair! And her golden eyes sparkle like stars!”
This could go on endlessly.
“Let me ask directly. What do you think about the witch?”
“I like her!”
“No, not that. She confined you in this tower. Don’t you resent that at all?”
“Umm, living here is a bit stifling, but… The facilities are nice. They get me whatever I want to eat…”
Rapunzel rambled on hesitantly.
I needed to steer the conversation to a conclusion before it dragged on further.
“So you have no complaints?”
“Well, at least I don’t cause any trouble here. I’m such a nuisance, you see. Here, I can live comfortably without worrying about others. If I get too bored, I go out to play somewhere!”
Rapunzel laughed.
Considering her previous visit to the Milky Way Lounge, she seemed able to leave if she wanted. She even opened the door when I came.
It likely wasn’t true confinement if she could do that.
“I’m glad you’re satisfied with your current life. But don’t you think the facilities should be modified a bit? The mishap earlier looked quite dangerous.”
I picked up a shard from the floor. No matter how thoroughly you clean, some fragments are bound to remain.
“Yeah, I get injured often.”
“I’ll discuss it with Sylvie when I meet her.”
“You’re really kind, Bartender Unnie!”
Rapunzel beamed and hugged me tightly. I gently pushed her away, not out of dislike but embarrassment.
“Well, I’m just suggesting….”
It would be great if she could also practice meditation or get some counseling to calm her mind….
But would that be overstepping? Still, saying this much should be fine, right?
“But are you really okay living here forever?”
“Huh?”
Rapunzel tilted her head, puzzled by my words.
“You’ve probably thought about it more than me, but it’s good to consider it seriously once again. Here, you don’t cause trouble, so it’s comfortable…”
I looked out the window as I continued.
“But your family and friends are out there, aren’t they? Everyone makes mistakes. Has accidents. Isn’t that how we live?”
“Bartender Unnie…”
Perhaps Rapunzel is the type to be overly sensitive to stimuli compared to others?
So the overwhelming stimuli of the outside world make her prone to accidents?
While we can’t turn the world into a sterile room, with the help of those around her, there might be a way to cope.
There must be solutions beyond isolation.
Rapunzel looked at me with moist eyes and nodded slowly.
“I’ll…think about it.”
“If you need counseling, come find me. I can at least lend an ear.”
“You’re the first person to say such things for my sake! Then I’ll bring some snacks!”
I made Rapunzel, who had jumped up, sit back down.
“Really, it’s okay. Instead, will you help testify when needed? For the witch’s sake.”
“Sure!”
🫧
The third place we visited was Hansel and Gretel’s.
As we entered the alleyway, a sign that said ‘Bread Uncle’ came into view. I had wanted to visit here someday anyway, so this worked out well.
The buttery aroma already had my bread-loving heart fluttering in anticipation.
I was also curious if the adult the children had encountered was really a huntsman.
“Shall we go in?”
“Yes.”
Ding ding.
A pleasant chime welcomed us as Johan opened the door.
The baker’s back, busy arranging bread, was familiar to me. I had my suspicions, but I didn’t expect it to be true.
“Welcome…”
The baker turned to greet us, and upon seeing me, his mouth fell open.
“Y-You!”
I had somewhat expected this, so I managed to meet his gaze calmly while suppressing the urge to grin as I spoke in a playful tone.
“Hello. I’ve come to place an order.”
“An or-order?”
“Yes. Do you have any bread that’s rich yet sweet, sentimental yet fragrant, unique yet warm?”
At my cheeky order, the huntsman—no, the baker—wore an expression like he might cry.
He must have recalled his dark past.
‘Was that too much?’
I was just happy to see him again.
Johan, clueless about our shared history, tilted his head in confusion.
“What does that mean?”
“We have something like that.”
The baker cleared his throat, glancing at me after overhearing our exchange.
“Seems you succeeded. You’ve opened a bakery now. Not Huntsman Uncle, but Bread Uncle?”
“Thanks to you. By the way, call me Ephesus.”
“Got it, Uncle Ephesus. I’ve heard about Hansel and Gretel’s situation.”
“Hmm, I’ve heard about you from those kids too.”
How can I put this? This outcome was deeply moving.
The huntsman who couldn’t kill Snow White and was exiled by the queen is now living peacefully in another dimension. He even fulfilled his dream.
‘I did the right thing back then, advising him to cross over to another dimension.’
Contrary to my expectations, the fairy tale realms were intertwined, but not close enough for the queen to reach here.
Most importantly, it seems he has found a good connection.
Thinking that, I picked up a tray and tongs to gather some cannelés. Just looking at the cannelés decorated with raspberries made my mouth water.
Ephesus subtly approached me as I excitedly filled the tray with various loaves of bread.
“By the way, no need to pay.”
“Really? Then I won’t decline.”
Jackpot! As I dithered, a rainbow-shaped bread appeared on my tray.
“What’s this?”
“My masterpiece. It just came out of the oven, so give it a try.”
Seeing the rainbow bread reminded me of the rainbow milk cocktail. Though bread and cocktails are different, they bear an uncanny resemblance.
‘He must have heard about this from Hansel too.’
The nostalgic memory warmed my heart.
“Actually, I came to meet Hansel and Gretel.”
“They’re out for a delivery but will be back soon. Have a seat over there and enjoy the bread while you wait.”
Ephesus ushered us to a table before rushing back to the counter as more customers lined up.
Looking around, there were hardly any empty tables.
“Business is booming. Must be tough…”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Haha, I suppose.”
I stifled my true feelings and smiled. Johan is my customer, so I can’t imply I don’t like hard work.
At any rate, I was relieved Ephesus’s second life was going well.
I immediately took a bite of the bread.
“It’s delicious.”
“So you prefer soft breads, Sena. Have some more.”
Johan kindly placed more bread on my plate. Did our private meeting affect this? I felt our distance had grown much closer.
“You should have more too, Johan.”
“I’m fine. Watching you is enjoyable enough.”
Johan kept offering me bread, smiling warmly.
Enjoyable? Watching me eat?
‘I must have a talent for mukbang.’
🥂
Thank you for reading! ♡
