I regarded Furina with pleading eyes, hoping to receive her aid.
Please... help me!
Though I harbored some doubt towards her earlier arrogant demeanor, in my gravely injured state I required her assistance.
Surely she would help me, would she not? Indeed, would she not, Developer?!
"What do we do about this?" I asked weakly, gesturing to the dilapidated state of the inn room resulting from my prior brutality.
Furina followed my gaze, her expression creasing as she took in the severe destruction surrounding us.
I parted my lips, yearning that I might receive even a modicum of her aid.
I implore you!
"Please lend me some mora! I shall repay you later!" I beseeched with imploring tones. "I promise!"
A promise? To a noble? To a human masquerading as the Archon? Heh... my inner voice mocked her disdainfully.
Yet I would exploit her to whatever end I could!
Furina furrowed her brow several times with a perplexed look.
She seemed surprised that I would shamelessly request aid from the 'Archon'. Yet eventually she let out a long sigh.
"Very well, but in return you must tell no one that I am here!" she demanded.
No, whoever shot me has likely already discovered your presence here... I muttered inwardly.
Whether she would divulge it to others was another matter entirely.
"I promise I won't tell a soul!" I replied, then regarded Furina sidelong. "My apologies if I was rude. But pray tell, what business does Lady Furina have at this inn?"
Furina met my gaze with a look mingling confusion and suspicion. "Why does your manner shift so swiftly?"
I shrugged nonchalantly. "A talent."
She pursed her lips with an annoyed look. "The answer to your query... you need not know."
I resigned myself with a sigh at her haughty response.
Arrogant and infuriating... were I not a patient soul, I would have struck her already.
My apologies, I jest.
For the present, I was compelled to remain silent and acquiesce to her whims. Yet on the other hand, my mind churned seeking a solution to this predicament.
If I paid recompense to the innkeeper for repairing the damage, it would inevitably draw workers to this location...
And that... meant Furina's presence would be exposed! Whatever her reasons, she clearly wished to keep her stay at this inn undisclosed.
Realizing this, I promptly voiced my thoughts aloud to her.
As I suspected, Furina's expression turned apprehensive, even fearful, her face draining of color.
"This is all your fault!" she raged accusingly, her emotions running high.
I could only let out a weary sigh. "We simply need to find another inn," I suggested.
How utterly foolish her behavior... I inwardly scoffed at her overblown panic.
That one could be so obtuse.
***
(Third Person POV)
Charles let out a long exhale after returning from paying restitution to the innkeeper whose property he had wrecked.
The innkeeper turned out to be an irate middle-aged man. He was enraged upon seeing the severe devastation in Charles' rented room.
For over half an hour, Charles had to restrain himself while listening to the torrent of rebukes and curses hurled his way by the livid owner.
Charles' expression was dour when at last he could rejoin Furina where she awaited him.
Taking in his sullen look, Furina erupted into mocking laughter.
"Oh the poor thing, the poor thing, the poor thing!" she taunted between peals of raucous guffaws.
Charles clenched his fists in rising anger.
Truly, how he wished to plant one solid blow against that infuriating head... Charles muttered darkly as he eyed Furina's grating countenance.
Yet with great effort, he strove to rein in his emotions, forcing a wry smile.
"By all means, laugh your fill, Lady...Furina," Charles said in an artificially leveled tone.
The corners of his mouth twitched slightly as he fought to maintain composure. "Perhaps later I shall inform the citizens of your presence here... I would be curious to hear their opinion on their Archon's unbecoming dalliances. How does that sound, is it not intriguing?"
Charles' thinly veiled threat instantly drained the color from Furina's face as she paled in fear.
She even went so far as to plead with Charles not to follow through. Yet Charles merely regarded her indifferently.
After some time spent entreating him, Charles at last let out a protracted sigh. "Very well, I shall pardon you. If so, do you have any other inns in mind?"
Furina snorted in annoyance. "Was it not you who suggested finding another inn? Surely you must know of others!"
Charles shrugged carelessly. "I am but a troglodyte."
The statement caused Furina's brow to furrow.
From his speech and conduct, it seemed apparent he was not native to Fontaine. No wonder his mannerisms were so uncouth and lacking in decorum! Furina inwardly remarked.
After that, Furina donned her disguise attire and they both set out into the streets, scouring about in search of another inn.
"Hey, look over there!" Charles pointed to a nearby bakery not far ahead. Its display window showcased an array of tempting cakes and sweet breads.
Furina wrinkled her nose with a disdainful murmur, "No need for such trivialities..."
Yet Charles paid her no heed as he promptly dragged Furina inside the shop. The rich aroma of fresh-baked goods wafted over them as the door opened.
Furina wrenched her arm free from Charles' grip with an irritated huff.
"Welcome! What can I get for you?" a friendly server greeted them.
Charles unhesitatingly rattled off his order – a cheesecake slice, sugar-coated donuts, chocolate bread, a fruit tart, and several other baked confections.
Furina goggled at Charles' enthusiasm for ordering such an assortment of sweets. She made to protest, but Charles had already paid using Furina's mora.
Charles spared no expense in splurging Furina's money on sugary treats and other confections that caught his fancy!
After all, I'll be returning this mora anyway, so why not spend what's left! Charles inwardly reasoned as he dug into the sugary indulgences.
He even offered some of the sweets to Furina, who merely shook her head in refusal.
At length after traversing a fair distance, they happened upon another inn.
After some consideration, Charles decided to rent the room right next to Furina's.
Before entering her quarters, Furina narrowed her eyes at Charles suspiciously.
The bemused Charles could only shrug with a muttered:
What an odd one...
***
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