~Lucky Draw System Grants Me A Quite Life~

It's been a week since my day off in the capital. I was able to hire on two cooks that did a good enough job to fulfill the standards of Hannah and Aerial, standards that were a little too high but after a bit convincing they had given in. A young man about 18 years of age name Steven and a older fellow about 34 years of age name Ronald or Ron as he liked to be called. The two were subjugated to after hours cooking classes with the two Dark Maids and I was sure to toss in a few silvers each day they participated.

Steven had sacrificed the last 3 years to supporting his little sister because his parents had been murdered by street thugs, leaving them on their own. By a stretch of luck, Steven had come into possession of a prepaid phone by helping an acquaintance out and saw the offer I made on the notice board. Now, he and his little sister, Maya, live here and the boy has even started sending his little sister to school again. Any education a commoner gets is important but it doesn't help that they demand a fee every three months. Of course, I had loaned him enough to pay for a whole year and stressed that he needs to be able to pay a year's worth of fees before trying to pay me back.

Ron on the other hand, was a retired gang member. Well, retired is a strong word. The gang he was a part of had been wiped out by there rivals and only a hand full of them had survived. Ron was one of that hand full of course and after the fall of his old gang, he turned over a new leaf. It was funny how the hardened man had a similar goal to mine. To live peacefully away from the dangers of the world. The reason is different but the point is the same. Ron, however, doesn't exactly live here either. He stays during the 5 days that he works before taking his horse back to the capital and doing his own thing there. He did cash in the the health care though, getting a healer to heal the scars over his body and even get rid of a curable cancer that was going to kill him in the next year or so.

With these new cooks, it allowed Hannah and Aerial to focus on serving the few customers that arrived. Lately, people have showed up more often and some even returned. For the last couple of days, I've had at least 5 groups of 2 to 3 people showing up in the afternoon. The Sleeping Mug was gaining a reputation and I liked it. Currently, it was such an afternoon and the Dark Maid duo were delivering food or drinks to the customers while bring back the purchases on each run. I had made it a habit to buy as you go so that no one overspend with a tab, a system that gained a lot of appreciation recently.

The bell chimed and the cloaked figure of Gillian appeared with 7 'normally dressed' Servants following right behind her. She had left about a week ago and said it would be a few weeks before her arrival, so for her to suddenly show up brought a frown to my lips. Even her hurried steps spoke that something had happened. She sat at the empty bar right in front of me and peered at me from under her hood. Her eyes had bags under them and she had a solemn look to her that had a hint of serious grim to it.

"What happened?" I asked calmly with a raised brow.

"My step-mother, Filia, is cleaning house. Luckily, most of my siblings that aren't under her control have fled. Each of us scattering and a few are most likely searching for my father to deal with her treachery." Her voice was a hoarse whisper and her words only made my frown deeper.

"I don't like where this is going." I said to her dryly.

"Neither do I." She snarled in pain. "Sorry... it's been a rough week. Anyways, as much as I loathe to ask, will you help me by hiding me away here?" She slumped her shoulders while apologizing and reluctantly asked.

I just sighed and gave her 1 VIP room key and 7 regular room keys. She nodded with a quite thanks before leading her retinue up the stairs. When she disappeared up the stairs, I turned around and poured myself a mug of mead. Downing the whole mug, I filled it up once more before turning around.

"I'll have what your having." Migard smirk as he placed 2 Copper Coins on the counter.

He sat down as I swiped up the coins and prepared him a mug. Handing it to him, he took it and took a swig of it.

"So what has your feathers so ruffled up that your already drinking?" He chuckled out.

"Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that I'm now harboring two individuals that noble Magister Houses want to kill and I'm the only person to effectively stop them if they show up." I grunted sarcastically with a roll of my eyes.

"Sounds funs." He teased. "You need to get a hobby going to mellow out the chaos. However, if you prefer, get a lady friend to help relieve the stress. I'm sure a certian two loyalist would be more than happy to help." Migard suggested with a smirk, clinking his mug against mine.

As soon as he was done speaking, Aerial tripped over her feet and spilled the mug of ale she was delivering. Luckily, none of the customers suffered with it splashing on them. It did land on Aerial before the mug smacked her in the head. Hannah sighed, use to Migard's indirect teasing by now, as a few patrons either winced or stiffled a laugh. Shadows cover the poor woman and she suddenly stood back up. The liquid was gone but she had gained a healthy blush. Nonetheless, she returned to her duties like nothing happened.

"What is it with you teasing them?" I asked bluntly.

"Well, at first it was just some light hearted teasing. Then Ashley and I made a bet to see how long it takes for them to stop getting so flustered. I lost the bet on Hannah but so far, I'm winning the bet on Aerial." Migard confessed with a chuckle.

"Now that sounds fun." I smiled while making a few orders of drinks up.

"Indeed it is. Anways, I need your help with something." Migard nodded before taking on a serious tone.

"Whats up?" I prompted.

"Ashley and I have been thinking about settling down together but the problem is that we can't find anywhere that could pay enough for a job that doesn't risk our lives. Max, Ashley's older brother, is planning to start selling his magical services but due to his protective personality and Ashley's sibling love for him, it has made it harder to find a good place to settle down. Do you see where I'm going with this?" He painted a picture of his problem to me, reluctant to just get straight to the point.

"I do but what exactly are you asking for?" I nodded, handing over a tray of drinks to Hannah.

"Is it possible that you could pay me 1 Gold a week as a bouncer for your tavern." He pleaded while awkwardly bowing at the counter.

"Sure. However, since your an A-Rank adventurer you'll get 3 Gold Coins a week." I shrugged to him.

"What?" He looked up and asked in disbelief.

"I'll pay you 3 Gold a week, Max, Ashley and you will get health care provided and a permanent room here if you all like." I turned to him and explained.

"... I need to go tell Ashley and Max." He chugged his mug before speaking to himself. The swordsmen proceeded to sprint up the stairs in excitement.

"Well, isn't My Lord a softy." Hannah walked up and teased me.

"What can I say. The trio has grown on me.