When Your Secret Crush Wizard Took a Love Potion - Chapter 18
However, even though I knew the purpose was to sell the goods, their playfulness or whistling attitude was not good to see. At first glance, I looked around the stalls, but they were not particularly high-quality items.
“Look at that! People are saying we make a great pair.”
Normally, Edgar would have snorted dismissively, but today he seemed thrilled and listened eagerly to the vendor’s praise. Worried about unnecessary expenses, I forcefully pulled him away.
“Oh my! The lady’s got a firm grip on her boyfriend. Must be exhausting to be bossed around like that all the time.”
“Come on, just take a look at one item!”
The vendors tried to tempt us to buy something, but I ignored them. The real issue was Edgar’s beaming reaction to being called a couple.
“A man should buy his girl a necklace or two. What do you think? This opal would look perfect on your girlfriend.”
“Hmm.”
I was worried he might actually buy everything the merchants were pushing. Just as I was about to intervene, Edgar was still Edgar, no matter what potion he drank.
“But why should we clutter our home with junk? I can’t possibly give my Chloe a scratched-up, cloudy piece of fake gemstone.”
The vendor’s face turned red at Edgar’s blunt criticism.
Living a secluded life in the mountains had made me socially awkward too, but even I could tell this was not right.
“Let’s go, Edgar! Let’s find an inn.”
Fortunately, once we moved beyond the area designated for street vendors, they disappeared, and larger establishments like inns and restaurants came into view.
I gave a brief sigh of relief, but the many shops due to the high tourist traffic meant we couldn’t possibly explore them all in one day.
As we were deciding where to go, Edgar pointed somewhere.
“How about over there?”
The inn Edgar pointed to was the largest and most ornate two-story wooden building in the city center.
The ground floor operates a restaurant, and the second floor seems to offer lodging, but despite its size, the inside was noticeably quiet, a stark contrast to other inns filled to the brim with guests.
“Why is it so empty here?”
Could there be a problem? After a moment’s hesitation, since other inns seemed fully booked, we didn’t have much choice.
“Welcome. Thank you for choosing our establishment, the finest in Meroni.”
Upon entering the inn, it felt more luxurious than I had imagined from the outside. The solid stone floor was covered with thick carpets to minimize dust, and large curtains hung on the walls, embellished with the emblem that was on the sign outside.
“What brings you here?”
The innkeeper greeted us at the counter. It was evident from his well-manicured nails and smooth skin that he was accustomed to regular care, though not quite aristocratic.
“We’re looking to stay for a few days.”
“Ah.”
Instead of a clear response, an awkward silence followed.
“How much were you thinking of spending?”
“How much would it be?”
Though I had received payments for magic services and occasionally bought bread and fruit at the market, staying at a high-end inn was new to me. Prices with the word ‘luxury’ attached can vary greatly, and I had no idea what to expect.
“Well, it’s hard to say specifically, but it’s rare to find guests as young as yourselves staying here.”
There was something off about his attitude, but I wasn’t sure if it was just my impression. After a brief silence, the purse I pulled out seemed to resolve any doubts he might have had.
“Would this be sufficient?”
After seeing the pile of gold coins I had taken from Edgar’s drawer, the innkeeper’s attitude changed completely.
“More than sufficient! I apologize for not recognizing esteemed guests like yourselves. I assure you, you will be treated with the utmost care. Please forgive my earlier rudeness.”
He bowed deeply and summoned a young staff member, repeatedly emphasizing to take good care of us. His over-the-top escort to the second floor felt almost too abrupt.
“Let me show you to your room.”
Unlike the innkeeper, who seemed to have judged us by our appearances, the young staff member was genuinely friendly.
