"Can I know the directions to the Fua house? I would like to pay a visit to her now when she is sober" Iris made her way to the front desk of her inn.
The lady in front of her was the same one who had been there yesterday. She looked uncomfortable to have Iris's eyes on her.
"Y-You do? P-Please, forgive her this time. I promise it was a one-time thing" the other replied, obviously trying to cover the other's mistake.
The other looked seemed to be looking Iris up and down in curiosity but also fear. Was the other trying to gauge her reaction?
Did lady Fua and this person know each other? The innkeeper seemed far too forgiving of that young lady and her actions. She even went as far as to hide her faults.
"I'm not angry at her, just curious. You see, there is something I wanted to confirm with her regarding her past." Iris decided to take a risk and take off her glove. She had taken to wear one for precautionary reasons.
She only flashed her hand for a second before her glove was back up.
But that one small peak had been enough to convey her message to the other. The innkeeper looked serious, her eyes changing from nervous to cold steel.
"I see why you are here but I'm afraid that we cannot entertain you. Lady Fua had requested to never see anyone from her previous life again so it's better that you go away. All your money would be refunded as well" the other didn't even wait for Iris to finish her words.
And at this point, it was clear that nothing Iris said would get to the other as well. It was just better to find Lady Fua and have a talk with her.
"I understand. But also know that if you are set to protect her, don't be foolish enough to give her name out in the first place. Besides, a change in the name means nothing for the commission" the innkeeper looked startled and looked back at Iris with wide eyes.
"Y-You know who she is! How? Why? Get out. Get out now!" her words caused the inn lady to become aware and look at Iris with wide and terrified eyes.
"I'll leave now. No need to give my money back since we will meet again and soon as well. Also, running would not help you since the commission already has this town in its grasp. You will be caught before you got out" the innkeeper seemed distressed.
It was lucky for them both that it was too early for anyone else to be here in the morning. The sun had just started to rise as well.
"Go and never come back" the innkeeper called out, her eyes troubled and angry.
Iris left as well, feeling it was about time to give the pair some space. She had noticed another curious pair of eyes looking at her as she left but she paid no attention.
The magic energy was familiar and her own called out to it.
Iris saw the young woman almost buckle but she left before it could get worse. There was no point in waiting here since the other would come to her anyway.
And as the curious eyes watched Iris go out, a familiar young woman stepped out from behind the wall she had been hiding behind.
The sleep was clear in Lady Fua's eyes but there was also curiosity.
"Who as that? She looked familiar but I can't place her. She's also not from the council or commission" Fua called out to the innkeeper who took a few deep breaths to calm herself down.
"She's not? But she had those court signs for sure. I did not get a good look but she screams trouble. Lady Fua, I think it's about time we get going" the innkeeper said in a pained voice.
The younger looked at her and then outside the door. Her lower lip pressed under her upper lip and she looked a little dazed. Her eyes followed the door and seemed to be fixed there by some unknown power.
"Do we need to? I like this place" the younger lady complained, her face breaking into sadness. The innkeeper could only sigh in resignation as she looked at her young charge.
Her young and unfortunate charge.
"I'm afraid that I cannot risk your life like that. But you do seem a little flushed which worries me. You should sleep it away and then we shall leave" the innkeeper led the younger back to where she came from.
The wall parted once she was close enough, showing a well-furnished room behind the wall. The magic had made it possible to build a place like this and it could only be opened by Fua and the innkeeper.
"Are you sure I cannot go out today?" Fua asked, looking out with a face full of longing. She did not know why, but she wanted to follow the beautiful lady who had just left the inn.
"I'm only concerned for your safety. Please rest young master" the innkeeper left her charge alone in the room. Her eyes hardened as she looked ahead and planned her next move.
She could not fail since both their lives depended on it. The innkeeper had made a promise to do this right and not fail her young charge. She intended to keep her promise at all cost.
Fua waited for her aid to leave before she slowly opened the door to the room. She looked around and found the way clear for her.
She hesitated for a few seconds but then decided to go out anyway.
She was an adventurer, someone of age and it was not her first time out. She had a whole party of people in her adventure team that she trusted.
But most of all, she had a life here that she liked. One she would like to keep even when she had to leave this place. If they followed the innkeeper's way then these people would forget her and Fua did not want that.
All it was all because of the beautiful lady who was driven out by her guardian.
Maybe if Fua talked with the other and convinced her not to disclose their location, Fua could remain here for a little longer.
There was also another reason, a more selfish one which she did not want to admit.
She had felt something yesterday, a dangerous and attractive pull toward those pretty eyes and that cold demure. She felt captivated and had approached the other drunk.
At first, it had been all smooth and flirt where the other seemed uninterested.
And then there was the pull, the magic, and the call so alluring that it left her stumped. She had to leave before she did something foolish in front of the other.
And Fua's face burned as she thought back to the act she had performed after she had reached back to her room. She felt ashamed but also enchanted.
She quietly moved through the streets, the sun rising higher every moment, leaving an orange-reddish hue behind.
Fua followed the feeling inside her, allowing it to call out to her magic and follow it to its source.
The magic led her out of the village, right into the forest area where she had hunted hundreds of demons before.
Once she reached the meeting point, Fua froze but her heart beat faster and faster.
"So you did decide to come. Please come and sit in front of me" The beautiful lady and the beautiful feeling were here once again.