Chapter: 10
The capital of Antithesia, Taran, wasn’t very far from the northern regions.
Even from Nak, which could be considered the northernmost area, it would take only a day or two by carriage.
But that was only if the snow wasn’t falling.
“Looks like we won’t make it by tomorrow. We’ll have to stay the night,” Theodore said, staring blankly out at the snow beginning to fall.
This is the worst. I was hoping we’d get there as fast as possible.
Did Theodore even realize how unbearable it was to be stuck together in this cramped carriage?
Seria let out a low sigh.
“Where are we headed?”
“Kerus.”
Kerus was one of the largest commercial towns in the north.
It lay southwest of Nak and, because it was on the main route to the northern gate, almost every merchant heading north passed through it.
Seria had never left Nak in six years, so she had only heard of it in stories. This was her first time going there herself.
“When we arrive, you need to be on your guard.”
“I already know, even if you don’t tell me.”
“No, you don’t.”
Theodore crossed his arms, wearing a sullen expression.
Does that mean “no”?
Unaware of the reason, Seria crossed her arms and looked at him as if asking whether there was a problem.
“You need to call me ‘Theo.’ I can’t keep reminding you forever. Get used to it,” Theodore said in a low voice.
“Hmph.”
“There are many eyes at the mansion. If you make mistakes like this, it’s only a matter of time before you slip up. Keep that in mind,” he continued.
Seria averted her gaze instead of replying.
Get used to it? Will a day ever come when I actually do?
She knew she had to act naturally, as Theodore said.
Her mind understood, but her instincts resisted.
Still, to ensure the plan succeeded, she had no choice but to bend and follow.
Seria gritted her teeth.
After traveling for quite some time, the carriage finally stopped around sunset.
Theodore got out first and held out his hand to Seria.
She almost swatted it away but hesitated.
She didn’t want to be scolded by Theodore again.
“You not getting out?”
“…I am.”
With a reluctant expression, Seria took Theodore’s hand and stepped out of the carriage.
The snow, which had been falling lightly, now came down in clumps. Even standing outside for a moment felt like she could turn into a snowman.
Seria brushed the snow off her face and looked around.
Despite the late hour, the streets were bright, and many people and carriages passed by.
It was a strange sight compared to Nak, which fell silent after six o’clock.
Watching the busy crowd in a daze, Seria shook herself and asked Theodore,
“Where’s the inn?”
“First, it’s better to cover your face.”
“Why?”
Ignoring her question, Theodore pulled the hood on Seria’s cloak over her head.
Now I can barely see anything.
She tried to pull it off, but Theodore held it firmly.
“Let go. I can’t see!”
“Just keep it on for now.”
With both of them hooded, Theodore grabbed her hand and led her, relaxed but firm.
Why is he making such a fuss? Seria rolled her eyes and scanned the surroundings.
Not far away, two merchants had stopped their cart. They whispered to each other and pointed at them with their fingers.
Their expressions didn’t look friendly.
Could it be because of my hair?
Its unusual color, along with her obviously Azenate appearance, drew unnecessary attention.
Seria gave up on removing the hood and reluctantly relied on Theodore as they walked.
Though her vision was partially blocked, she could barely make out the snow-covered ground, but there was no choice.
Passing through the town’s central fountain square and turning into an alley, Theodore and Seria entered a fairly large inn.
Inside, the inn was bustling with people.
At the tables, merchants from various regions were gathered in groups, exchanging stories laced with curses.
They were talking so loudly that they barely noticed anyone entering.
“That bastard Bassett! He didn’t even treat me like a human, and now his clients have all cut ties!”
“Serves him right! This is why you can’t act arrogant!”
The banging of fists on the table made Seria flinch.
Perhaps they were drunk enough that they couldn’t control their strength.
Theodore glanced at Seria, then quickly made his way to the innkeeper.
“Welcome,” he said.
The plump innkeeper looked Theodore and Seria over with sharp eyes.
He even quickly scanned Seria’s luggage with remarkable skill.
Startled by the innkeeper’s blatant stare, Seria clutched her bag tightly.
“Tch.”
Not pleased with the cloak-covered figures of Theodore and Seria, the innkeeper clicked his tongue.
Unbothered, Theodore met his gaze.
“We reserved two rooms.”
“Just a moment. Your name?”
“Ian.”
The innkeeper skimmed the register, scratching his messy beard.
“Too bad. We’re full tonight.”
“But we made a reservation.”
“Yes, but this is the season when many merchants come. You understand, right? Merchants take priority at this inn.”
There was no hint of apology in his voice. He even lazily scratched his ear.
Such shameless audacity.
Seria glanced at the reservation register. The handwriting was illegible, but she couldn’t find “Ian” anywhere. She doubted the reservation had even been recorded.
Noticing her gaze, the innkeeper covered the register with his body and then closed it.
“Unfortunately, we can only refund half the deposit. You knew the circumstances when you booked, didn’t you?”
“….”
Theodore showed no reaction to the innkeeper’s rudeness.
Seria, standing silently beside him, looked utterly bewildered.
He can talk to me like that but not to the innkeeper? Guess he chooses who he speaks to.
Finally losing patience, Seria shook off Theodore’s hand from her wrist and stepped forward.
“Excuse me! Isn’t that too arrogant? You broke the promise first, so why can’t you return the full deposit?”
“Huh? What’s this, a girl?”
The innkeeper’s eyes lit up as he smiled.
Not just him—the surrounding crowd turned their attention to Seria.
She didn’t think they cared before; what changed?
Caught off guard by the sudden attention, Seria’s shoulders stiffened. The innkeeper clicked his tongue in satisfaction.
“From your appearance, you must be a stranger. Suspicious indeed… hiding so carefully. Why not show your face?”
The innkeeper deliberately spoke loudly so others could hear. The crowd started buzzing even more.
“Don’t act so high and mighty!”
“Ha ha ha!”
“Look at her! She’s flustered!”
They drank as if she were some amusement.
Seria frowned; everyone seemed insane.
The innkeeper reached to pull off her hood.
“What the…!”
Reflexively, Seria leaned back, and Theodore grabbed the innkeeper’s arm.
Rather than panicking, the innkeeper waved the arm in defiance.
The crowd cheered and shouted in excitement.
“Look at this! Curious now, aren’t you? Who could she be?”
Theodore’s gaze darkened. He found the innkeeper’s excessive interest in Seria suspicious. He needed to confirm if it was because of something he knew.
The innkeeper couldn’t meet Theodore’s gaze.
‘If it weren’t for this guy, I could have had some fun,’ Theodore thought, reading the innkeeper’s mind.
He then quickly scanned the other merchants’ eyes.
‘A noble? Maybe noblewomen are different physically…’
‘Why isn’t he taking the hood off quickly?’
‘Maybe she’s valuable?’
All thoughts were as crude as the innkeeper’s.
They had chosen this inn to move quietly, but it seemed a poor choice.
Seeing such humans, whom he would normally avoid, made him feel disgusted.
“Ha.”
Theodore pushed the innkeeper’s arm away and grabbed Seria’s hand, leaving the inn quickly.
“You… you bastard…!”
The innkeeper tumbled backward shouting, but Theodore ignored him.
Outside, they walked to the town’s central fountain square.
The snow had stopped during the commotion.
“It’s too late to find another inn. Better to rent a carriage and head straight to the capital,” Theodore said, still holding Seria’s hand.
Are we really doing that?
Seria yanked her hand free and blocked Theodore’s path.
“Wait. How can we just leave?”
“Then should we grab them by the collar and fight?”
“No, I mean… can we really let them run an inn like that? It’s absurd.”
The way the innkeeper treated guests, the reaction of the surrounding merchants—nothing made sense.
Being a major commercial town, there were many travelers. This behavior couldn’t continue.
“The innkeeper said he can’t refund the full deposit. Has something happened recently?”
“You don’t need to worry about that,” Theodore cut her off firmly.
“How can I not worry…?”
“What can you do about the northern bandit problem?”
“Don’t be so stubborn, Seria. Focus on what you need to do,” he said.
“What?”
“Let’s move. We can’t stay here overnight.”
He passed by her and walked ahead.
Watching Theodore’s retreating figure, Seria froze.
Stubborn?
If something’s wrong, it should be corrected. Not ignored.
That’s what she had been taught, and she believed it to be right.
So why was that considered stubborn?
Sighing, Seria clenched both fists and followed Theodore’s footsteps.
