It was night, and Princess Khillian's carriage arrived in front of the inn. A guard opened the door, and she gracefully stepped out and jumped from the carriage. She had waited for Nameless until dark, passing the time with Lady Pherna.
Lady Pherna had recounted all that had happened since they parted, without revealing that Nameless was actually Prince Khane. When he didn't show up, Princess Khillian decided to leave and come back the next day.
As she walked towards the inn's entrance, she noticed a couple walking out with their traveling sacks.The man was smiling widely and the woman was frowning.
"Are you leaving already?" she asked, looking at them with curiosity.
The couple exchanged a glance, and the man spoke. "Yes, Miss. You haven't been in the inn all day, have you?" he asked with a wide smile.
From his smile, Princess Khillian sensed that something exciting had happened, but she didn't know what, and her curiosity was piqued.
"I can see the excitement on your faces. Did something great happen that I missed?" she asked with a curious smile.
The man smiled back and looked at his wife before lowering his voice. "The innkeeper offered us triple the amount we paid, on the condition that we would leave.
He offered it to all the occupants. The rest have left, except for you and the man who stays beside your room. Essed is a big place; we will find another inn soon," he said, turning to walk away with his wife.
"Please wait," she said, wondering about the innkeeper's reason for such a generous offer.
The couple turned back to face her.
"I won't keep you for long, but why would the innkeeper offer triple the amount to all occupants all of a sudden? Isn't it strange?" she asked, looking at them intently.It was suspicious.
"What's strange about receiving triple the amount we paid to leave? Miss, you look like you live a life of luxury. Why else would you ask that question? I'm leaving now. Goodnight!" the man said angrily, turning to leave with his wife.
"This is not a good idea. I already told you. How are you sure we will find an inn tonight? If we can't find one, will I sleep on the streets with you? I wasn't born in the streets!" the wife yelled, her voice filled with frustration.
"You!" The man said, wide-eyed, pointing at his wife and glancing around in embarrassment.
"People enter Essed and can't leave. It's more populated than ever because of the tournament," she retorted angrily.
Then she turned to Princess Khillian. "Some men came in the afternoon. I don't know who they are, but the young man who sleeps in the room next to you will know because they met with him. I think the young man is extremely wealthy, maybe the son of a government official.
After they met with him, I noticed some occupants left before the innkeeper spoke to my husband and me. So, the reason for the sudden movement is because of the man who sleeps beside your room," she said, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Are you done yapping!" the man said, grabbing his wife's hand and dragging her away as they walked off.
"The young man beside me? Eyrin?" Princess Khillian whispered, recalling when he told her he was the son of a wealthy merchant.
She gathered her dress and walked inside the inn hastily to meet him. She noticed some men sitting by the tables, their gazes shifting towards her, then back down as she walked past. As she approached the stairs, she saw several men standing guard.
"These men ...they are guarding," she thought as she reached the stairs.
Then she stopped as she heard footsteps approaching. She turned, her hair flipping, to see the innkeeper with a piece of fabric draped over his shoulder.
"Miss, come with me. There is something important we need to talk about," the innkeeper said, motioning her to the left.
She glanced in the direction he indicated and then at the men sitting beside the tables, noticing their eyes on her. As she looked, they immediately averted their gazes, as if waiting for her to agree.
She raised an eyebrow and glared at the innkeeper. "I am not leaving here, even if you offer five times the amount I paid. Goodnight," she said firmly, walking away with her guards.
"Miss, please wait," the innkeeper called out as he rushed forward, nearly grabbing her hand, but one of her bodyguards swiftly blocked him with his sword.
"Miss, this is my building. I want you to leave," the innkeeper said with a stern expression, before breaking into a grin.
"This is not how to conduct business. I won't leave. I paid to stay for a specific duration. What do you think you are doing?" she asked calmly, her voice steady and composed.
"Miss!" the man exclaimed angrily.
"How much were you paid to make everyone leave and keep the remainder for yourself?" she asked, squinting her eyes and glaring at him.
"Please escort this lady out. Such defiance and arrogance for a lady, hmph," the man said, turning to the men sitting nearby.
The men stood up and unsheathed their swords, prompting her guards to do the same.
"You want a sword fight? Alright!" she declared, extending her hand toward one of her guards, who handed her his sword.
She held the sword, feeling the blade with her fingers, her eyes scrutinizing it as they reached the tip. "It's not sharp, but it will surely kill. Do you really want a blood fight?" she said, looking over the sword at the men.
"You should be worried about yourself. You can avoid this. Why are you so stubborn to leave?" the innkeeper said as he backed away from the impending fight.
Just then, Lourix walked into the inn and saw the guards' swords unsheathed, and Princess Khillian holding a sword, ready to fight.
He knew Princess Khillian's strength, and since Eyrin spoke to her, he assumed they were close.
"Stop!" he commanded as he approached one of the guards.
"Don't you think you could have informed His Royal Highness before taking action? That lady is a friend of His Royal Highness," he said in a low tone.
"We are following the Eunuch's orders," the guard replied in a low tone.
"Are you implying that the Eunuch holds a higher status than Prince Eyrin? Do you wish for death to befall you?" Lourix retorted, his voice filled with authority as he spoke with a low tone.