Merlin was about to stand up when Maya suddenly appeared with a letter in her hand.
"Young Master, I have a letter for you," she said hurriedly.
Merlin looked surprised. "A letter? From whom?"
Maya stopped in front of him and shook her head slowly. "I don't know. The sender didn't give their name, but they said you would understand after reading it."
Merlin paused for a moment before taking the letter, opening it, and reading it carefully.
A few moments later, his eyebrows lifted slightly, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"So, it's her..."
The sender was Margaret. She hadn't written her name to avoid the risk of the letter reaching Merlin's father or mother.
She was afraid of embarrassing him, and for some reason, Merlin found that very adorable.
"Who is it from, Young Master?" Maya asked without thinking. A second later, she quickly covered her mouth and bowed her head deeply.
"I apologize for my impertinence, Young Master!" she said frantically.
She had forgotten that she was only a maid. It was very rude of her to ask such a question.
But Merlin wasn't angry at all. He simply waved his hand casually and said, "It's fine. This letter is from someone I helped a few days ago. She invited me to meet her somewhere."
The letter was an invitation from Margaret to have lunch together. Since he hadn't eaten yet, her timing was perfect.
Maya let out a relieved sigh and nodded, not daring to ask any further questions.
"By the way, I'm heading out now. Please tell Father and Mother that I'm going to the city to meet a friend," Merlin said softly.
"As you command, Young Master!" Maya replied, offering a small smile as she bowed slightly.
***
The city of Droswen was bustling, especially in the center. People hurried past, and merchants shouted constantly, trying to attract buyers.
Merlin walked leisurely, his hood pulled low to conceal his face.
To avoid incidents like yesterday, he carried a spare dagger in his pocket. If anyone with ill intentions approached, he could strike first.
'The Golden Chalice Restaurant, huh? Isn't that the most luxurious place in Droswen?' Merlin muttered softly.
That was where Margaret was waiting. As far as he remembered, a single dish there could cost two gold coins, while the most expensive ones could run into dozens.
For someone like him, who held over a hundred thousand gold coins, such prices were meaningless.
But for ordinary people, it was outrageous. One dish could equal half a month's salary—a tremendous waste.
"Well, she is the daughter of the richest trading house in the world. How could she possibly care about a few gold coins?" Merlin chuckled softly.
He remembered when Margaret had offered a million gold coins to each of the kidnappers.
Though the offer had been ultimately rejected, it was enough to show that money held little value to her.
Merlin continued walking until he finally reached the luxurious restaurant. The decor was truly impressive—atop the building, a carved golden dragon's claw looked so lifelike it seemed ready to strike.
A large golden sign reading "Golden Chalice" hung prominently above the entrance. The people entering and leaving the restaurant were clearly not ordinary; their clothes were expensive and stylish, marking their high status and wealth.
"Welcome, Little Lord," greeted a young man with a professional smile. "Do you need anything? If so, please let me know. Perhaps I can assist."
Merlin glanced at him and realized he was the doorman of the Golden Chalice, and he was pleased and impressed by the man's courteous and respectful demeanor.
"I'm here to meet my friend. Her name is Margaret Beethoven. Has she arrived yet?"
At once, the man's expression froze. His friendly gaze shifted to one of surprise and tension.
He quickly bowed his head, and his tone became more respectful and careful.
"Welcome, Young Master Merlin Clay. Forgive my ignorance in not recognizing your identity. I hope I have not offended you," he said calmly, though a slight tremor betrayed his nerves.
He realized he had made a grave mistake—offending the little Demon King in front of him. Everyone in this city knew how formidable Merlin was.
On top of that, the young lady from the Beethoven family had instructed the staff to treat him with utmost respect. Anyone who failed to comply risked losing their job.
Coincidentally, it was the man's job to guard the door at this hour, so it was his responsibility to greet Merlin.
Merlin was surprised by the man's sudden change in attitude, but he quickly understood the reason.
Although the people around him had accepted who he had become, the citizens of this city were still trapped in memories of the past. To them, Merlin was still the troublesome boy he had once been.
Chuckling softly, Merlin patted the man gently on the shoulder and said casually, "It's okay. Relax, I'm not mad. By the way, has Margaret arrived? If so, can you take me to her?"
The man felt as if a heavy weight had lifted from his chest. At first, he had expected Merlin to make a scene, but he had overthought it.
"Could it be that Merlin Clay isn't the troublemaker everyone says he is?"
The thought crossed his mind. This was his first time meeting Merlin in person, so he didn't know what he was really like.
But after seeing Merlin's friendly and relaxed demeanor, he began to doubt all the rumors.
Shaking off his doubts, the man smiled again. "Don't worry, Young Master. Young Lady Margaret arrived half an hour ago and is waiting inside. I'll take you to her."
Merlin smiled softly. "Thank you."
***
The interior of the Golden Chalice was spacious and luxurious. The walls were coated in gold paint, adorned with intricate carvings that were a feast for the eyes.
There weren't many tables, but each one was occupied by wealthy patrons enjoying their lunch.
'No wonder it's called the most luxurious restaurant—the interior is truly stunning,' Merlin muttered with a small sigh.
They followed the red carpet deeper into the restaurant. Behind the main hall lay another area—not very large, but lined with ten doors on either side, each marked with numbers from 1 to 10.
The man led Merlin to door number one. "Young Lady Margaret is waiting for you inside, Young Master Merlin. Please, go in."
This was the section with private rooms. Waiters were usually not allowed in, except to escort guests to the door.
Merlin understood this instinctively. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a gold coin, and handed it to the man.
"Take this," he said calmly.
The man's eyes widened in surprise, and he accepted the coin carefully. "Thank you, Young Master Merlin!"
Joy shone clearly on his face. Merlin merely smiled slightly and nodded.
Then he opened the door and stepped inside, leaving the man behind, still glowing with happiness.