Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 70
Hawk, who had gotten up just a bit later than Roel, gestured to her as he stepped out of his room.
“What is it?”
“Come here and try on these clothes. They belonged to my wife; they should fit you well.”
As Roel stood in front of the room, Hawk handed her a bundle of dresses. From inside the room, his wife’s voice could be heard.
“They’re still clean because I took good care of them. They should be fine to wear.”
“Are you awake? Thank you for letting me borrow the dress. I’ll make sure to wear it carefully and return it in good condition.”
“Oh, don’t mention it. After having a child, I can’t fit into those anymore. I’m happy if a pretty young lady like you wears them.”
Hawk’s wife, still bedridden, struggled to add more words from her bed.
“I should be getting up and helping out too, but the doctor says I need to keep resting.”
Her difficult labor had made Hawk’s wife lose so much blood that she was unable to get conscious for some time after birth. It was a miracle she had regained this much strength, and Roel shook her head in sympathy.
“No, you must prioritize your recovery. Please, rest well.”
“Right, don’t worry about the inn work. Just focus on getting better.”
Hawk also expressed his concern for his wife’s health. Watching the deep affection Hawk had for his wife, Roel felt envious.
‘Could I ever have such a tender and supportive relationship with Kyden?’ she wondered. If that were possible, she would want nothing else. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel greedy for such a life.
“Anyway, try on the dress. Let me know if it doesn’t fit!”
“Thank you.”
Snapping out of her useless thought, Roel nodded and took the dresses back to her room. She tied up her half-dried hair and changed out of her old dress, donning a sheer slip before examining the dresses she had received.
“…”
Roel’s expression darkened as she looked over her dress. Isn’t this neckline too low? If she bends over, it feels like everything will show. Perhaps it’ll look better on? With that thought, she hesitantly changed into the dress.
“Ah…”
After trying on the dress, Roel found herself in an even more dilemma. The waist fit perfectly, but the deeply cut neckline was problematic. Given the already bothersome guests, wearing such clothes…. It could lead to uncomfortable situations. Even the thought of it was daunting.
Despite her reservations, she couldn’t easily dismiss Hawk’s suggestion.
Hastily, she grabbed a needle and thread and stitched the neckline to make it less revealing. She could only manage a couple of stitches without altering the shape of the dress too drastically. Though still more revealing than her usual attire, it was a significant improvement.
The bright red dress with a plunging neckline was a stark contrast to Roel’s introverted nature, yet it surprisingly suited her well. Her fair complexion harmonized beautifully with the vivid color of the dress, and its cinched waist accentuated her figure.
The real issue was her shy and reticent demeanor, which didn’t match the boldness of the dress.
After changing, Roel went straight to the dining area to help Hawk with his work. Hawk beamed with pride after seeing Roel in the new outfit.
“There you go, should’ve worn this from the start. You look great! Reminds me of my wife before we were married, brings back memories.”
He laughed heartily, saying Roel looked prettier.
“Now, you just need to pick the right man!”
He clapped his hands and then suddenly widened his eyes, remembering something.
“But stay away from those mercenary types. Too rough and crude. A woman’s life can turn miserable with such a man. You need someone with strong life skills, like me. Understand?”
“Yes…”
“And don’t you quit your job suddenly if you start seeing someone, okay?”
“Yes, of course.”
Roel smiled awkwardly and nodded.
Hawk might have been stingy with pay and demanding with work, but he wasn’t a bad person. He liked to give life advice and looked out for her, making Roel feel fortunate to have him as an employer.
“Let’s eat something before the guests come down. Come on, sit here.”
“Thank you. Please have some yourself, boss.”
It was nearly time for the guests’ breakfast.
Guests who had gotten up early gradually made their way to the dining area. Unlike the varied dinner offerings, the breakfast menu was simple: stew and bread.
Roel just had to carry the prepared trays to the tables.
“Wow.”
“Looks giid…”
“Nice…”
Compliments flew from various corners of the dining area each time Roel passed by. Though the guests were expressive with their admiration, they seemed careful not to take any further action.
Why were the guests, who usually played pranks even early in the morning, so subdued today? Roel found it odd as she busily worked.
“Shi…t.”
A low mutter came from the entrance of the dining area.
Quickly turning her head, Roel couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face after seeing him. Forgetting her concerns, her heart skipped a beat.
“Please have a seat. I’ll get your breakfast ready.”
“…”
Without another word, Roel dashed back to the kitchen. She added extra meat to his stew and returned to the dining area.
“Huh?”
The other guests had cleared out. In the center of the now empty dining area, Kyden sat alone with an intimidating expression on his face.
