"Ow!"
Renee clutched her nose as she glared at the culprit. She wanted to give it a piece of her mind when she noticed that the 'solid' thing that collided with her face was someone's back.
Did this idiot walk backwards in going out the door?
Renee was about to scream foul words at the stupid idiot but the words got stuck on her throat when she saw him turn around to face her.
Beautiful…
That was the first word that popped inside her mind as she looked into his striking eyes.
His eyes held the color of the ocean and it glowed even more brightly under the night sky. She felt so mesmerized by them that she couldn't help but want to stare at them forever.
That was until she heard a loud and annoyed cough.
"Sorry miss, but I need to get going. Would you mind moving away?"
Renee snapped out of her admiration when she noticed the irritated expression the man held. Then, the man tried to sidestep and move past her. But Renee, burning with desire, decided to block him as she tried to put on her cutest expression. And despite the increasing irritation displayed on the man's face, she remained unfazed as she giggled.
"Why are you in such a hurry, pretty boy? Why don't you just slow down and… enjoy yourself, hmm? How 'bout it?"
Renee winked at him as she oozed an aura of seduction. But the man didn't even bat his eyes as he strongly refused her silent invitation.
"Excuse me, miss. I need to pass. I am very much occupied at the moment. If you would just move aside…"
The man shifted something that he carried in his arms and Renee finally realized that he was actually holding something while he was talking to her.
Curious, she decided to observe what it was. But all she saw was a pale pink robe that had those ugly red indiscernible designs on her torso. But when she looked further up, she noticed the pool of brown hair and the familiar form of a slender neck.
Wait, is that a woman?
He's carrying a woman!
Renee clicked her tongue in irritation.
Just what kind of woman would be able to catch such a hunk and make him carry her?!
Was she possibly more beautiful than her?!
Getting more curious about it, Renee tried to get a good look of the woman's face. But it seems like the little wrench had her face buried on the man shoulder. The only thing she was able to see was that weird ribbon that had golden bells tied to her hair.
Wasn't that kind of ribbon used for animals and children?
Animals had it tied around their necks while children had theirs tied on their wrist...
Now, what kind of woman would actually wear such a weird accessory as a hair tie in public?
Renee suddenly had the urge to make fun of the woman's choice of jewelry. But before she could even get a word out, the man clicked his tongue loudly.
"It seems I have no choice but to be rude, huh."
The man muttered as he tried to move past her. Renee instinctively moved to the same direction to block him but the man didn't seem to care as he shoved her shoulder to pass through her.
Renee took a few steps back in shock as her face morphed into an expression of rage.
"You disrespectful brat!"
She had her hand outstretched as she turned around to hit the man but she was startled to see that he was already quite a distance away. She gritted her teeth in irritation before screaming.
"IT WOULD DO YOU GOOD TO RESPECT WOMEN, YOU--MPHHH!"
Rod hurriedly covered her mouth as he whispered furiously at Renee.
"It would do YOU good to remember to keep your voice down! The royal guards might return at any moment! We don't need you drawing more attention than necessary!"
Renee gulped in nervousness as she felt Rod's grip on her mouth tighten. She nodded slowly under his tight grasp, indicating that she understood him.
Rod's furious face soon changed to his usual down to earth smile as he slowly let go of her mouth.
"Now, why don't we just go inside and eat? My stomach's killing me and I'm sure you guys are hungry too."
He chuckled lightly as he entered the restaurant. Nol followed suit but he paused lightly when he stood beside Renee.
"You know full well about his temper so don't get on his nerves."
Renee sighed as she nodded gently.
"I know. It's just that… I forgot for a moment. Don't worry. From how tight he gripped my jaw, I wouldn't forget anytime soon."
Nol made a brief grunt of understanding as he followed Rod inside. After a moment of massaging her jaw, Renee stepped inside the restaurant as well.
A waiter began to approach Rod with a bright smile.
"Apologies, sirs and madam. The first floor is currently packed and the second floor was… supposedly packed as well."
Rod furrowed his brows at the waiter's statement.
"Supposedly? What do you mean by supposedly?"
The waiter's smile slightly wavered as he tried to answer Rod's question without leaking out the irritation he felt.
"Well, the second floor is mostly used for reservations. And all the tables are currently reserved… but… it seems like after that little… scuffle earlier, some of the guests left their tables in a hurry and we're not entirely sure if they would still come back or not. Hence, the owner is still contemplating if--"
The waiter suddenly stopped and stiffened. His face showed different emotions as time passed but then after a few seconds, it returned to his usual bright smile.
"Apologies. The owner just told us that two tables are now available."
Hearing the good news, Rod couldn't help but release a bright smile.
"I see! That's great! Then, please guide us to a table for three!"
The waiter bowed slightly as he told the team to follow him. Then, the waiter showed them their table on the second floor with a bright smile on his face. He gave them the menu he held on his hand as he waited for their orders. Once the team finished giving out their orders, the waiter soon left.
While waiting for their food, the three decided to get comfy in their seats. So, Rod and Nol decided to remove the swords strapped to their waists since it was hindering them from sitting freely. Then, they both laid it on their side of the table as they sat comfortably on the cushioned seats. Renee was the only one who didn't bring her weapon so she simply rested her chin on her palm as she tried to sit comfortably on the squishy chairs.
Then suddenly, they heard a certain man mutter behind them.
"To think I'd live long enough to see three Edserian Adventurer swords in Anemoly in the less than an hour."