Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 72
Kyden eyed Roel intently as she cleaned.
Her slim waist and the way the dress flared out beneath it, the deep neckline, and the striking color all caught his eye. Her thin waist and bulging behind was a charm known only to him…but this cursed dress made it too visible to everyone else.
Kyden reassured himself that he had done the right thing by driving away the other guests.
“I’ll be back before dinner.”
“Okay. Please be careful.”
Bidding him farewell stirred a nostalgic feeling within her. It was as if things were reverting back to old times.
What business did he have in the city? Where was he going? Who was he meeting? Roel wanted to ask so many questions, but she held back and simply smiled.
Kyden called out to Hawk after coming down the steps. Towering over the innkeeper, he lowered his voice imposingly.
“Hey, innkeeper.”
“Yes?”
“How much is it to stay here?”
“It, it’s 50 copper a day, but if you stay a week it’ll be discounted to 3 silver. If you stay for a month, there will be further discounts….”
“No, the entire inn.”
“The entire inn?”
Hawk’s eyes widened. What does this mean? Was this man serious about renting the entire place?
“It’s 4 silvers per day…”
Kyden pulled out his pocket.
“Will this cover a month?”
He showed a gold coin and fifty silvers. Since a gold is equivalent to 100 silvers, it was 150 silver paid in advance.
“Gasp!”
Hawk was tempted to grab the money but then remembered the upcoming Founding Day. It was a peak season when rates were raised, and losing out on that would be disastrous for business.
He hoped that Kyden would be able to communicate.
“But, sir… As you know, we raise our rates for Founding Day. It’s our busiest time of the year. If we clear out the inn, what will we live on?”
Kyden clicked his tongue in annoyance, but Hawk stood his ground. He was bolstered by 13 years of experience. If he backed down now, he would not be called a businessman.
“If we empty the inn during peak season, we’ll lose customers next year too. And during Founding Day, our generous guests spend a lot on lodging and drinks. Please, consider our situation.”
With a reluctant sigh, Kyden conceded a bit.
“Fine, just clear it until just before the Founding Day.”
“Of course, that’s not difficult.”
Hawk returned the change immediately. Even though it was annoying that the guests dwindled immediately, there was someone who wanted to rent the entire inn. It was honorable.
Kyden, who had left the inn for a bit, was wondering how to win back Roel’s heart before Founding Day. However, he found himself tongue-tied and overly cautious around her. So it didn’t seem like it would be easy.
Moreover, he was troubled by unresolved issues.
Why had Roel left without saying goodbye? Had he been so hateful to her? What needed to change about him? What has gone wrong?
How could he win her affection back?
The situation wasn’t like their isolated days in the cabin. At that time, her survival heavily depended on him. Back then, he could embrace her frail form, basking in the fullness.
But now, the conditions are different. It wasn’t the cold of winter, nor were they trapped by heavy snowfall, and Roel wasn’t cornered.
He wanted to be by her side, to care for her, to be cared for by her, and to love her wholly. Yet, he lacked a solid reason to firmly hold on to her.
‘Don’t feel burdened… gradually…’
He planned to approach her carefully so that she wouldn’t be startled and might open her heart to him again.
Just waiting and watching her was agonizing—his blood ran cold with anxiety, desire swelled, and violent obsessions writhed, breaking his heart from time to time. Nevertheless, he resolved to wait quietly by her side.
At that moment, he felt like a dog on a leash, his emotions and desires tethered to her. Clearly, Roel held the leash.
What else could he do but circle around her, lowering his body, watching for any sign from his master?
* * *
When Kyden was away for a moment, the leader of the Wild Dogs Mercenary Band, along with several subordinates, stormed into the Double Axe Inn. The arrival of such a notorious mercenary band that was said to be the best in the capital, once again surprised Hawk.
The commander, looking around the simple inn, smiled broadly.
“So, our esteemed second-in-command, had he sorted out his domestic affairs?”
