I, too, unknowingly raised my voice in shared embarrassnt.
“Of course there's a problem!”
At my words, the innkeeper lady widened her eyes and asked back.
“What’s the problem?”
“Well, that’s…”
There were plenty of things I could say. But bringing them all up felt petty and embarrassing. In the end, I decided to sum up everything in a single sentence.
“B-Because we’re different genders.”
“…That’s ridiculous. You’re more conservative than you look, young lady.”
This is exactly why I didn’t want to say anything!
The innkeeper lady clicked her tongue and got up from her seat.
“Wait a bit. I’ll contact so other places and check.”
“Thank you.”
But still, why was Ricardo being so quiet?
Excuse , we’re looking for your room right now…?
When I turned my head, I t eyes with Ricardo, who had apparently been watching for so ti. One corner of his mouth was lifted, as if he were in a good mood.
A mont later, Ricardo let out a soft chuckle.
“Seems like you do see as the opposite sex.”
He wasn’t wrong. I had said it myself.
But hearing that kind of comnt with a smiling face made it feel irritating.
“I wasn’t being conscious of you. I was just stating a fact.”
“Right. We’re not the sa sex, after all.”
Since we were clearly different genders, it was only natural to be flustered.
“I’m fine with it. Then just share the room with .”
Who was the one blushing first just now?
At my words, Ricardo’s eyes briefly widened before he snickered.
“Just kidding. I’ll stay sowhere nearby, so please rest comfortably.”
“…”
“I’ll co pick you up tomorrow at ten in the morning.”
Whether he was trying to tease or not, he gave a graceful bow and left the inn.
…Where is he planning to sleep?
In the anti, the innkeeper lady returned to her seat and spoke to .
“They all say there are no vacant rooms. Well, it is that kind of day.”
“…I see.”
“Where did I put the key… Ah, here it is. The room you’ll be using is 209.”
Anyway, that man’s just too willful. Walking out like that—of course it bothers .
I received the key and hurried out of the inn. Then, I ran to find Ricardo.
Was I being nosy? Even though I knew he’d definitely refuse , my steps still moved toward him.
“Ricardo!”
Had he already gone sowhere else?
It was the mont I was about to call his na again.
“Bianca?”
Ricardo approached with a puzzled expression.
“You haven’t found a room yet, have you?”
I asked between gasping breaths, and he quietly nodded his head.
Of course you haven’t, you idiot.
“I know it’ll be uncomfortable, but if it’s okay, just stay here for tonight.”
But if he was going to sleep outside, I couldn’t just ignore it.
Ricardo seed surprised by my words. Seeing that look, a wave of embarrassnt washed over .
Should I take back what I just said?
While I was hesitating, a voice calling Ricardo from a distance rang out.
“Hu-Huff…! Your Excellency!”
It was a familiar voice I’d heard earlier in the alley.
That must be Elliot. Behind him, I could see a female knight running after him.
“We’ve been looking all over for you!”
The mont I saw them, I instinctively pulled my hat down low. I knew the knights of the House of Hessen didn’t like much, so it was a reflexive move.
“Idette and the crown prince have returned. Let us withdraw as well.”
So Idette had co with Erkishian.
Wait, more importantly, if we go by Elliot’s words, then we don’t need to stay here overnight at all.
At that mont.
Ricardo imdiately hardened his expression.
“There’s still sothing left to do.”
“Pardon? What is it?”
Elliot tilted his head and asked back.
“You’ve been acting strange since earlier. Even when I contacted you to say we took care of the pursuers, you ignored—”
Just then, the female knight urgently covered Elliot’s mouth.
“You an the matter you ntioned last ti? I haven’t had the chance to tell Elliot yet.”
At her words, Ricardo quickly nodded.
“Mm-mph!”
Elliot looked at Ricardo with resentful eyes. But Ricardo simply ignored him.
The woman lightly hit the back of the man’s neck and greeted .
“We’ll be on our way now. Please enjoy your ti!”
Then, carrying the now unconscious Elliot on her back, she quickly left the scene faster than anyone else.
…What on earth just happened?
I was blankly staring at the backs of the two people when Ricardo took a deep breath and spoke with a calm face.
“I still have business in Dians.”
It sounded like he was making an excuse.
“Pardon? Oh, yes. You just said that.”
“…Just saying.”
Ricardo’s face turned red, as if it would burst at any mont. I tilted my head toward the inn and spoke.
“Shall we go in for now?”
As I started walking, Ricardo grabbed his robe and followed right behind .
“…Why are you grabbing that, exactly?”
It’s not like we’re kids playing train!
Ricardo replied as if it were the most natural thing.
“What if I lose you?”
“Then it can’t be helped.”
“This is to prevent such a thing.”
He sure had a way with words.
While exchanging such trivial talk with Ricardo, we sohow arrived in front of the room. I took out the inn key and opened the door.
“…”
Ricardo’s steps, which had been following in, suddenly stopped.
“I heard it was a double room…”
Why was there only one bed?
Faced with that bleak reality, I felt a bit embarrassed. I’d confidently brought Ricardo along only to make him sleep uncomfortably.
“You’ll probably have to sleep on the sofa. Is that okay?”
When I hesitated, Ricardo let out a quiet chuckle.
“I thought I was going to get kicked out.”
“I—I’m not soone who goes back on their word.”
Ricardo gave a small laugh and walked toward the sofa.
“…Are you really okay with sleeping on the sofa?”
How should I put it, I just couldn’t imagine soone who looked so picky about cleanliness sleeping on a shabby inn sofa.
“I grew up rougher than I look. It’s fine.”
“That’s a relief.”
Well, I’ve done my part just by giving him a place to sleep.
* * *
After finishing my bath and lying on the bed, my whole body felt drowsy. As I pulled the blanket over myself, I spoke to Ricardo, who was getting ready for bed.
“Have a good night.”
He paused for a mont, then gave a cautious nod.
With that, the light was turned off, and I closed my eyes tightly, trying to fall asleep.
Who would’ve thought?
That I’d end up watching a festival with Ricardo, who was practically an enemy, and on top of that, sleep in the sa room with him.
Maybe it was because things were so different than usual. For so reason, I just couldn’t fall asleep that night.
‘…Next ti we et, we probably won’t even say hello to each other.’
After tossing and turning for a while, I ended up getting up without falling asleep. I thought I’d go get so fresh air. Quietly, so I wouldn’t wake Ricardo, I stepped out onto the terrace.
By the way, I really should ask about what Rayler said—about “that day”…
Thinking about it, today was the perfect opportunity.
No matter how I looked at it, today felt like the last chance I’d have to be alone with him.
I was agonizing over it alone when—
“…Why aren’t you asleep?”
Ricardo’s voice ca from behind . When I turned to him with wide eyes, he approached with an awkward expression and stood by my side.
“I couldn’t sleep. You didn’t wake up because of , did you?”
“No. I couldn’t sleep either.”
Maybe this was a good thing.
I actually had sothing I wanted to ask him.
While I was still wondering how to bring it up, Ricardo spoke first.
“Shall we take a walk?”
His voice was overly careful, as if he’d mustered up so courage.
It felt like he was scared, or maybe anxious. Though he couldn’t possibly be feeling that way, it made mistake it for that.
“It just feels like a sha to let the night pass like this…”
If he’d teased or acted annoying, I had plenty of cobacks prepared. But when he showed an expression I wasn’t expecting, I had no idea how to respond.
So I fiddled with the railing for no reason and answered.
“I’d like that. A walk.”
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