Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 78
The more her feelings for him grew, the more difficult it became to approach him. She was increasingly conscious of her mistakes and her confidence waned.
‘Today… I must talk to him after work.’
Determined to visit his room after her shift, Roel and Hawk prepared for the influx of guests by stocking the storage room with alcohol and supplies early in the morning. Hawk’s wife also decided to help by sitting at the desk to greet guests, despite Hawk’s attempts to dissuade her due to her recent recovery.
As dawn broke, the streets became busier. Though the Double Axe Inn was located on the outskirts of the capital and was usually quieter, the early morning saw crowds of newly arrived travelers bustling about.
Soon, groups of visitors, clearly travelers, poured into the inn.
“Welcome!”
“How much for a room here?”
“How long will you be staying? It’s 2 silvers and 50 coppers per night. If you stay for a week, it’s 15 silvers.”
“Jeez, expensive for the capital. What about a four-person room?”
“Of course, we have those too. The price is the same, but it’s cheaper if you share. So, go for the four-person room.”
Hawk’s wife skillfully managed the guests. Since all rooms at the Double Axe Inn were the same size, the price was the same for a single or a four-person room. Four-person rooms were essentially single rooms with bunk beds, making them cramped and uncomfortable, but they had the advantage of being more affordable.
While Hawk’s wife handled the check-ins, Roel guided the guests to their rooms. Leading the way up the stairs, she suddenly heard a whistle from behind.
“Whoo… Nice.”
Turning around, she saw some guests leering at her with smug smiles. She swallowed her discomfort and hurried up the stairs.
It seemed that whether they were mercenaries or travelers, lecherous behavior was the same.
She showed them to Room 210 at the end of the hallway, a four-person room.
“During the Founding Day celebrations, the restaurant is open all day. Meals are charged per person. The bathroom is at the end of the hall on the first floor. If you need anything else, please let the front desk know.”
Roel quickly showed the room and turned to leave. She wanted to avoid any more inappropriate remarks.
As Roel hurried down the hallway, the door to Room 207 suddenly swung open. Startled, she stopped in her tracks as Kyden emerged, his expression hardening when he saw her.
His gaze was fixed on Roel’s dress. He had left a dress for her at her door last night, but she was wearing something else given by the innkeeper. He sighed softly and asked.
“Did you see the gift?”
“Oh, yes. You mean the one you left at the door?”
Roel couldn’t hide her joy as she responded. She had avoided him all day yesterday, but now he was the one starting the conversation, which made her happy.
“Yeah.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll wear it well.”
“Why aren’t you wearing it today?”
“Oh… well, I wanted to save it. I didn’t want it to get dirty while working.”
“I see.”
Kyden rubbed his brow, realizing he had overlooked that part.
Seeing Roel hesitating and clutching her skirt, his neck tensed. Today, her flushed cheeks, exposed white neckline, neatly tied-up hair, and cute stray strands all tested his patience.
She seemed to be getting prettier by the day. Maybe it was because the weather was warming up, bringing a healthy glow to her skin. If he found her this beautiful, others likely did too, which worried him.
At that moment, feeling impatient and impulsive, Kyden grabbed her shoulder.
“Come in for a moment.”
“What? Right now?”
“Just for a moment.”
Before she knew it, Kyden had pulled her inside and shut the door with a click. He stood in front of the closed door and exhaled deeply.
Not understanding what was happening, Roel looked up at Kyden with wide eyes.
“….You haven’t decided yet, have you?”
“What?”
“Your answer. Are you still disappointed?”
“Oh.”
Roel opened her mouth slightly. There was so much she wanted to tell Kyden. She planned to confess everything and let him decide.
She wanted to admit her past mistakes, explain why she left, and if he still felt the same, even after all that, if he still made the foolish choice, she was ready. She would face him without fear, without running away, and embrace him.
As Roel remained silent, Kyden’s face grew increasingly dark. Worried that he might leave in disappointment, Roel grabbed his collar, not wanting to miss this final opportunity. She was now just as serious and earnest as he was.
“Kyden, can you wait….until tonight? I’ll tell you everything tonight. I’ll be completely honest.”
She had spent so much time blaming herself, wandering, and being afraid. She had come to realize just how pathetic she felt. But even so, Roel had changed her mind. No matter how pitiful and foolish she might be, she wanted to be happy. She wanted to love.
Just as she had realized her selfishness and weakness after leaving him, she now felt a desperate need to do her best so she wouldn’t have any regrets or lingering doubts.
“Tonight.”
“Yes. Just wait until tonight. I won’t ask you to wait any longer.”
Roel leaned against his chest as if clinging to him. Her eyes glistened as if tears were about to fall.
Seeing her small hands clinging to him, her earnest expression, and her quivering lips, Kyden’s face and ears flushed a deep red. The moment he read the positive signals from her gestures, a thrill similar to the peak of ecstasy spread through his entire body.
His eyes gleamed, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, unable to contain his emotions. Even if someone accused him of being mean-spirited for finding joy in her desperation, he wouldn’t care.
At that moment, Kyden felt like he was in heaven.
