The warm glow of lanterns flickered inside the inn, casting long shadows across the wooden walls. The scent of roasted meat and spiced ale lingered in the air, blending with the murmurs of late-night patrons enjoying their drinks.
At a corner table, Alex the transmigrated young master, was completely and utterly drunk.
His normally sharp black eyes were glazed over, his jet-black hair slightly tousled, and his lips curved into a lazy grin as he swayed slightly in his seat.
Across from him, Freya, the enigmatic beauty with soft cyan hair and hypnotic azure eyes, remained completely composed, watching him with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
She gently swirled the contents of her cup, her milky-white skin glowing softly under the lantern light, her veil still in place, concealing half of her face.
Alex blinked at her, his drunken state making him far less reserved than usual.
"You know what… hick… you are truly beautiful…" he slurred, his voice slightly hoarse from the alcohol.
Freya raised an eyebrow, a playful smile forming beneath her veil. "Oh? Is that so?"
"I haven't seen a woman… hick… as beautiful as you…" Alex continued, his head tilting slightly as if he was trying to focus on her face.
Freya chuckled. "If that's true… then why did you reject me?"
Alex frowned, his drunken mind struggling to process her words.
"Hick… B'cause… when beautiful women appear… trouble always follows…" he said, his voice slow and lazy as he tried to emphasize his words.
Freya tapped her fingers against the table, clearly entertained. "So, you think I'm trouble?"
Alex nodded sagely, his drunken wisdom shining through.
"Hick… definitely."
Freya laughed softly, resting her chin on her palm. "But I can protect you, you know? I'm much stronger than you."
Alex paused, staring at her with an almost childlike amazement.
"Really?" he asked, blinking sluggishly.
Freya leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them, her eyes locked onto his with playful intensity.
"Really," she whispered.
For a moment, Alex's drunken haze lifted slightly, and he found himself staring at her crystalline eyes, feeling an unexplainable pull toward her.
But before he could think too much, the alcohol slammed back into his system, making his vision blur slightly.
Freya sighed, placing her cup down and standing up.
"Come on," she said, moving beside him. "You need to rest. You're completely drunk."
She slid an arm around his waist, helping him up.
Alex groaned as he tried to stand, his legs wobbling like a newborn deer.
"Wait… hick… no. I need to go home…" he muttered lazily, his head lolling slightly as he tried to walk by himself.
Freya tilted her head, watching him with mild amusement. "Can you walk by yourself?"
Alex narrowed his sleepy black eyes, his pride as a man kicking in.
"Of course I can…" he muttered.
He took a single step forward—
And immediately collapsed.
Freya barely held in her laughter as she caught him before he hit the ground.
"Yeah, I don't think so," she said, shaking her head.
Alex groaned against her shoulder. "This… is embarrassing…"
Freya smiled. "A little bit, yeah."
Ignoring his weak protests, she supported his weight effortlessly, guiding him toward the counter.
"One room for the night," she said.
The innkeeper, an older woman, nodded. "That'll be three silver coins."
Freya reached into her robe, retrieving the coins and handing them over.
"Second floor, room number seven," the woman said, handing her a small key.
Freya nodded and turned to guide Alex upstairs.
The wooden stairs creaked slightly under their weight as they ascended. Alex leaned heavily against Freya, his head resting against her shoulder, his breathing slow and relaxed.
Freya stole a glance at him, a small smile playing on her lips.
"He really can't handle his alcohol… how cute."
Reaching the second floor, she slipped the key into the lock, twisting it until the door clicked open.
The room was simple but clean, with a large bed, a wooden chair, and a small table near the window.
She led him inside and gently laid him down on the bed.
Alex groaned slightly, shifting on the mattress, his black hair messy against the pillow.
Freya stepped back, watching him.
A strange emotion flickered in her eyes—something between amusement and intrigue.
She removed her veil, allowing her full beauty to be revealed in the dim lantern light.
Her soft cyan hair cascaded over her shoulders like liquid silk, and her azure eyes gleamed with something undeniably dangerous.
She reached forward, trailing a finger along his jawline, studying his face.
"Tonight," she whispered, "I'll make you mine."
Her lips curled into a smile as she turned toward the bathroom, her silhouette vanishing into the steam-filled chamber.
As the door closed behind her, the faint sound of water filling the tub echoed through the room.
Alex, still half-asleep, shifted slightly, his breathing slow and even.
The night was far from over.