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This particular diner was one of several that he had been using, of late. One thing he appreciated about his time in this melting pot of a country was the opportunity to sample all the different types of cuisine that it had to offer, especially here in the heart of its capital city.

But the problem with trying new things, of course, was that they weren’t always to his taste. So perhaps that was another reason for his foul mood, at the moment. He had not enjoyed his lunch, nor even the experimental dessert thereafter. The other meals he’d tried here had been exquisite, but that one...

Maybe Jesbolese food was simply not for him. Or maybe this otherwise excellent restaurant did not know how to prepare it. He supposed he would have to give it at least one more try in order to be sure.

At length, he decided that continuing to wait like this was pointless. The young paralegal that he’d been hoping to talk to had probably forgotten. The kid had seemed a bit airheaded, after all. Or just overwhelmed with work. It was strangely difficult to tell one from the other, sometimes.

He’d already paid, so he gathered up his things, put his coat on slowly, and then finally left.

Out on the street, he had a car waiting for him in order to take him back to the Livingston Grand Castle where he was but one of many resident ambassadors.

Before he even made it three steps to the car, however, a familiar face arrived in his vision--a face which brightened with recognition in return.

“Prince David,” said the young mustachioed man. A friendly smile crossed his lips, though it seemed rather muted when compared to how amicable David remembered this fellow to be. “A pleasure to see you again, sir.”

“Likewise,” said the Prince. This was not the same young man that he had been meant to have lunch with here today, but as David recalled, the two of them were coworkers. “Young Victor Branson the Paralegal. What a coincidence. Do you fancy this place, as well?”

“Ah... yes, sir, I do. I come here all the time. Their Jesbolese meatballs are to die for.”

David had to consciously avoid wincing at that remark, considering he’d just dined on exactly that meal and reached the exact opposite conclusion. “Heh. I see. You know, I was supposed to have lunch with Charlie, but he never showed up. I was hoping to pick his brain on a couple of subjects.”

Victor’s eyes widened. “Ah...”