I left the guild in high spirits. Now my goal was something that resembles an item shop or probably a weapon's shop. While I was looking through the town or maybe city, my eyes fell on a run-down inn.
This must be the inn in this city.
For some reason, Steve believed that it must be the only inn in the city.
This must be the place Clair was working.
Well after going on an adventure resting doesn't seem to be a bad idea.
I strode forwards in that inn. Irrespective of what that inn might hold for me, that inn had Clair working there. Who knows? Maybe I will get a discount?
I pushed open the door, a ring overhead rang in its glory informing everyone of my entry. Well, the entry wasn't as grand as it sounds like. None of the people at the tables turned to look at me.
Just the clerk at the table seemed to be aware of my presence as he was looking toward me however neither did he shout out nor did he had any intention to exchange greetings.
How will their business bloom if they are so cold to their customers? Seriously they should have greeted me at the very least.
Well, I shrugged to that and approached the clerk.
"Umm, I am kind of new to here, and I was hoping to have lunch?"
The clerk nodded.
"Go to the table and wait for your turn. Your order would be taken in due time" The man said as he pointed to a table at the corner of the room.
I walked towards that table as he intended. As I strode the bell rang yet again. This time a man entered. He was wearing neat clothes. A red cloak accompanied by a white coat.
Thank God! Finally found someone normal. I thought all people in this city were hooligans or something.
However, a realization dawned upon me. I grazed my vision through my own attire. It was torn here and there not looking civilized at all. On my fists, the torn pieces of my shirt were wrapped.
I think I should buy some clothes before armor and stuff.
Unlike Steve, the man didn't wait for any greetings and strode straight to the table.
It was completely unknown to Steve that the man's name was Abel and his sole purpose to spy on him.
Needless to say, he was even more unaware that even the store clerk was his man.
Steve sat at the table waiting for his turn to place his order. Later Clair approached him while drenched. She seems to be lotta busy ever since she applied here for a job.
"So you decided to show up, after all"
"Yeah just completed a mission to get my hands on some coins. I don't know how much they are worth though"
"How much did they give you?"
"100 silver coins"
Clair nodded.
"I see. That much would be enough for your food and lodging for two weeks"
"I hope so, I was planning to buy some clothes for myself. What do you say want to tag along?"
"Sure if it's after my working hours"
"So what would you like to order?"
Steve smiled
"I don't know. You were the one who used to prepare my meals so you decide"
"Very well"
"But you know there's a specific reason why I came here"
Clair halted.
"What might that be?"
Steve smiled again and then started whispering softly so that no one could hear him.
"You know there is something only you could give to me. That is why I came to this inn"
Clair blushed.
"I see, only me huh?"
"If that's what you want then I am okay"
"What really? You will give me a discount? I am so happy!"
Clair's face formed an O shape to that.
"What happened? Why such a reaction? Don't tell me you were expecting me to be desiring yourself?"
Steve smirked.
Clair became a bit teary.
"Yes, that's what I was thinking. Especially since I confessed to you yesterday. But you seem to just want a discount. Poor me"
Clair seemed weary.
"Haha" Steve started laughing.
"If you want that so badly then fine by me"
Steve took her hand and caressed it gently.
"Clair, be mine"
Clair was taken aback by the confession.
"What? How? Why so sudden?"
'Cause I think you are the female lead' but unfortunately, I can't say that. I stuck out my tongue in my mind.
"Don't tell me you don't want to?"
Steve smirked.
Followed by her smiling.
"I want to be with you," she confessed.
"But please treat me kindly, you are always so harsh on me"
The event at the purple forest is still fresh in her mind.
He smiled.
"Sure sure"
He paused and then continued.
"I will try at least"
"You!"
"Haha" Steve started laughing.
"Hehe" Clair followed.
Both of them hadn't noticed that the other customers were frowning cause of the atmosphere they were creating.
Some were simply annoyed cause of the delay the poster girl was making in taking their orders. They had worked throughout the day and they were hungry beyond repair.
These customers were wondering why the owner wasn't reprimanding her. They didn't know that owner was working according to the instructions of Abel who had instructed him to not interrupt the conversion between the two cause he needed information from their interaction.
Both of them hadn't noticed that Abel was intently staring at them trying to make sense of their conversation. Abel had made assumptions on how the conversation might go but his assumptions were shattered before they reached their fruition. Their conversation was weird and seemed like a lover's talk.
'Is it some kind of secret language code to fool us?'
'Makes sense cause I can't figure out what information they are exchanging amongst themselves.'
'But for now, this is just a hypothesis' Abel thought.
[Author: plz vote for me with lots of power stones!]