NOVEL NEXT Chapter 97: Anticipations
Ethan and Lirael walked side by side, the evening breeze tugging at her maid's uniform, making the hem flutter lightly against her legs. The cobblestones beneath their boots were still warm from the sun, carrying the faint scent of roasted meat and baked bread drifting from the taverns behind them.
They had eaten well, and Ethan carried a small bundle of newly bought clothes tucked under his arm—several sets of plain daily wear, a couple of elegant noble outfits that could easily make him pass for a wealthy lord's son, and a light set of armor polished enough to gleam faintly under the lanterns.
"Three gold and fifty-six silver…" Ethan muttered, rubbing his temples as if tallying up a war budget. "Adventuring life really is hell." He let out a long sigh, his hand brushing over the leather pouch at his belt. "From twelve gold, eighty-six silver, twenty-nine bronze, and forty-three copper… down to just nine gold, thirty silver, twenty-nine bronze, and forty-three copper." He hung his head like a defeated merchant. "Haah…"
Beside him, Lirael tilted her head, her blue eyes narrowing. "You're crying even with that much left?" she asked, her voice edged with disbelief.
He gave her a sideways glance but said nothing, so she continued, her tone sharpening. "For your information, this is the first time I've ever seen that kind of money—money that we can actually spend freely. Do you even realize? Me, Maya, and Aina had to scrape and bleed just to earn three gold coins. Three. And all of that just so we could finally disband from those vermin."
Ethan's expression softened for a moment, but he sighed again, shaking his head. "It's not about that…" Then, with a sudden mocking smirk, he leaned closer and tugged her lightly by the sleeve. "Well, that was the case before you were with me. Now?" His grin widened. "You'll be spending money like this on a daily basis. You know I was the richest man in my circle back in my world, right?" He glanced at her, clearly fishing for a reaction.
Lirael's cheeks puffed ever so slightly. She turned her head away with a faint "hmph," the lamplight catching her long azure hair as it swayed. "You and your 'CO' or whatever it was…" she muttered.
"Ooi, it's C-E-O, not CO." Ethan corrected, his voice half amused, half exasperated.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," she said dismissively, though the corner of her lips twitched as if she was trying not to smile. Then her gaze grew distant, her tone softening. "…I wonder how they're doing."
Ethan looked at her sidelong, instantly catching the names unsaid. "Aina and Maya?"
She gave a small nod, eyes flickering with worry before dropping to the ground.
He exhaled slowly, his tone steady but reassuring. "I believe they're doing fine. That adventurer group that picked them up seemed solid. And their leader…" A faint grin tugged at his mouth. "He's the kind of man who wouldn't let anyone lay a finger on them. I doubt they could've ended up in safer hands."
Lirael's lips softened into a small, almost reluctant smile. "Yeah… You're right. I believe that too."
The two continued walking, the silence between them no longer heavy but quietly comforting, broken only by the distant laughter spilling out of a nearby tavern and the rhythm of their footsteps under the moonlit sky.
"So? Where now?" Lirael asked, her silver hair glinting faintly under the lantern light.
Ethan stretched his arms behind his head with a casual grin. "Some inn, obviously. Should we go back to the same one as before?"
"No." Lirael's reply was sharp and immediate. She turned to face him with narrowed eyes. "You embarrassed me far too much in there. I don't even want to show my face in that place again." Her voice carried the sting of someone still holding a grudge.
Ethan froze dramatically, clutching his chest as if struck by an arrow. "Eh? Embarrassed? What embarrassment?" His expression shifted to a pitifully exaggerated pout. "I was only being honest…"
Lirael's lips pressed into a thin line. Her hands balled into small fists at her sides, and she muttered through clenched teeth, "Shameless. Utterly, utterly shameless."
That only made Ethan chuckle, his laughter spilling out warmly into the quiet street. "Alright, alright, fine," he said, waving his free hand in surrender. "We'll find a different inn." Then, leaning closer, his grin widened into something mischievous. "But…" His tone dropped into a playful drawl. "…you'll still end up in my arms anyway. Hehe."
Her breath caught, and before she could stop it, her face flushed crimson. She quickly turned her head away, her long hair swishing to hide her expression. "D-Don't say such ridiculous things."
Ethan, grinning from ear to ear, looked far too pleased with himself.
The two continued down the lantern-lit street, their steps falling in rhythm, her reddened ears giving him silent victory while she pretended not to notice his smug expression.
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They strolled down the lamplit street, passing taverns and small shops until their eyes landed on a well-built inn with carved wooden pillars and glowing lanterns that gave off a warm, welcoming hue. Without hesitation, Ethan led the way inside. The air was filled with the faint scent of spiced wine and roasting meat, and the polished oak counter gleamed under soft candlelight.
"One double room," Ethan said smoothly, tossing three silver coins onto the counter.
The innkeeper raised an eyebrow but said nothing, sliding the key across the counter.
Behind him, Lirael's jaw tightened, her thoughts practically written across her face. Shameless man. Absolutely shameless and a bastard. Her eyes narrowed like knives stabbing into his back.
Ethan, with the serenity of a saint, picked up the keys with a calm expression, turned, and walked toward the stairs as if her curses were nothing more than a breeze on his cheek. His movements were too practiced, too natural—like a man who'd long since grown used to handling fiery women.
Once inside the room, they separated for their baths. The inn's private bathing chambers were lined with smooth stone, steam rising from the tubs of hot water. For the first time that day, their bodies truly relaxed, muscles loosening under the soothing warmth.
Ethan finished first, toweling his hair lazily before throwing himself onto the double bed with a content sigh. He stared at the ceiling, recounting the day's events in his mind. "SP, xp, coins…" he muttered under his breath, running through his calculations like a merchant counting profits. His lips curved into a crooked smile. "Truly a rebellious, non-punctual maid," he chuckled, shaking his head.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," he called.
The door creaked open, and Lirael stepped in. She was back in her maid attire, her silver hair damp and trailing down her shoulders, glistening in the lantern-light. The faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her thoughts, her posture stiff as if bracing herself for whatever shameless stunt he might pull next.
Her gaze flickered toward him lying on the bed, and her heart skipped before she quickly averted her eyes. So this is it… she thought, heat creeping to her ears.
Ethan, however, only propped himself up on one elbow, his expression oddly serious. His eyes flicked over her once.
"You're late," he said casually, as if she were reporting for duty. "Took you long enough."
Lirael blinked, her face shifting from embarrassed to bewildered. "Eh?"
He waved his hand. "Come here. I need your suggestion with something."
For a moment, her face went redder—half from indignation, half from relief. She gritted her teeth. "…Shameless."
Ethan just smirked, utterly unbothered. "What? Did you think I was going to eat you alive or something?" His grin widened at her flustered expression. "Tsk. You really do have a dirty imagination, maid."
Her jaw dropped slightly, her flush deepening until she spun on her heel. "I—I'll kill you one day, Ethan!"
He only laughed, patting the bed beside him. "Yeah, yeah. Sit down already. We've got work to do."