Xavier's POV
By the time we were done feeding and brushing the horses, the sun had already begun its lazy descent. Even with the woman and the girl helping, and Darcelle and Paige pitching in, it felt like an endless chore. My arms ached, my back screamed, and I was sure the horses were judging me for existing.
To make matters worse, Nathaniel was being… well, Nathaniel. And Elisha? Nowhere to be found. I doubted he'd have helped even if he were here. Sometimes I think Nathan and Elisha are the bosses of this road group, and the rest of us are their loyal, unpaid slaves.
Darcelle slumped into a chair the moment we stepped inside. "Gosh, I'm so exhausted," she groaned dramatically.
"Yeah, me too," Paige added, rubbing her shoulders. "My whole body feels sore."
I grabbed a jug and poured water into two wooden cups, handing them to each of them with my most charming grin. "Water for the pretty girls to calm their troubled souls."
Paige smirked and took a sip. "When did you turn into a gentleman, Xavier?"
Before I could answer, Darcelle groaned, "Please no—someone bring back the five-year-old. This gentleman act is creeping me out."
Paige burst into laughter, her bright smile lighting the room. I chuckled too and poured myself some water. "Don't worry, big sis," I said, taking a dramatic sip. "Your five-year-old is right here."
She patted my head fondly. "Good child."
Paige shot her a playful glare. "Alright, stop bullying my sunshine."
My cheeks warmed a little. I quickly looked away and mumbled, "Speaking of sunshine, where are Elisha and Nathan?"
Darcelle gave me a look. Paige did too. I raised my hands in surrender. "What? They're two grown men. They can take care of themselves."
That was when the girl who had been helping us—quiet, dark-haired, with a soft voice—walked over. "Breakfast will be ready soon," she said.
"Hey," I smiled, "we never actually got your name."
She blinked, surprised for a second. "Charlotte."
"Charlotte," I repeated with a grin. "Pretty name. So, where are the other two gentlemen—?"
Darcelle cut her off before she could finish. "Gentlemen? Oh no, dear, you're mistaken. Those two are wild, untrained dogs who argue and fight like it's a national sport."
Paige snorted. Charlotte giggled softly. I couldn't help laughing too.
"They went upstairs," Charlotte finally said, still smiling.
"To do what?" I asked, curious.
She only shrugged. "I don't know. Their business, I suppose."
Paige's cheeks instantly turned crimson.
Darcelle noticed and smacked the back of her head. "Oh, for heaven's sake, Paige! What are you thinking?"
Paige hid her face in her hands.
"What is she thinking?" I asked innocently.
Charlotte smiled. "It's probably best if your mind remains innocent, Xavier. They are two grown men after all."
It took me a few seconds, but then my eyes widened in realization. "Wait, no way—Elisha and Na—"
"—Elisha and Nathan did what?"
I froze. Slowly turned. Nathan was standing there, one brow raised.
Elisha slumped into the chair beside Darcelle, looking bored. "What's with Paige?"
Nathan took a seat next to me. "And why does Xavier look like he saw a ghost?"
Charlotte, trying not to laugh, said, "Breakfast is almost ready. As for them, well… they were just talking about you two going upstairs."
Elisha immediately choked on his water. Paige squeaked. Nathan gave us all the most done-with-life stare imaginable.
Elisha coughed for seven long seconds before snapping, "Xavier, what the hell!"
I threw my hands up. "Hey, if you were in my shoes, you'd think the same thing!"
Elisha shot back, "If anyone's a threat here, it's Nathan! I don't trust him. Charlotte, if any of your maids get pregnant, it's definitely his fault."
Charlotte giggled. Paige was red again. Darcelle nearly fell out of her chair laughing.
Nathan, however, was not amused. "That's not humor," he said dryly. "That's your empty head trying to sound alive."
Elisha's jaw dropped. "You son of a—!"
"Empty vessel," Nathan muttered.
A cup went flying. Nathan ducked, and it hit a poor maid carrying our breakfast tray.
"Elisha!" I groaned.
Elisha gasped—not at the girl, but at the tray. "My food!" He rushed forward, carefully rescuing the dishes like they were newborns. "Oh, my beautiful breakfast, I'm so sorry."
I helped the maid up while Nathan sighed deeply. "You care more about food than human life," he said flatly.
"It hit her tummy, not her head," Elisha muttered. "If anyone's to blame, it's your fast reflexes."
Nathan ignored him completely.
We finally ate—thankfully in silence this time. After breakfast, we went upstairs to pack. Our next stop: Thyrelith.
The woman and Charlotte saw us off at the stables. "You kids be careful," the woman said warmly. "And remember—let your heart decide, not your head."
We all nodded, though her words only added to the growing confusion in my mind.
Charlotte smiled faintly. "You're lucky to have each other."
Nathan mounted his black stallion like a knight from some dark legend. Darcelle took the brown mare. I helped Paige onto the white one with me.
"Tell the boy and your patron we said thank you!" I called.
They waved as we rode off, the inn slowly fading behind us. The further we went, the more it felt like it was dissolving—like it had never existed at all.
Hours passed. The sun dipped low. Dust rose behind our hooves as the horizon stretched open to reveal a breathtaking sight—
A golden gate, towering and radiant, shimmering with enchantments under the dying light.
"That should be the city gate of Thyrelith!" I shouted.
Darcelle grinned. "Yeah, that's it!"
Paige rested her head against my shoulder. "I don't know about them, but I'm finding a fancy inn with a massage."
I laughed softly. "You sound like a tired wife."
She smacked my arm. "Shut up, you."
Her cheeks had a faint blush. I pretended not to notice.
At the gate, two armored guards stopped us. They looked far more competent than the lazy ones in Ardenfel. Nathan flashed his Black Raider token. Instantly, their postures straightened. They bowed slightly and opened the gate without a word.
Inside was a world of gold and calm. Streets paved in smooth white stone, lanterns glowing warm orange, music echoing faintly from taverns, and the scent of roasted meat filling the air. It felt alive—welcoming yet mysterious.
I couldn't help but smile.
Paige led us to a large inn with silver detailing on the windows and vines curling up its walls. The sign read: Silver Pleasure Inn.
Elisha snorted. "Sounds like a whorehouse."
Nathan smacked him lightly on the head with the hilt of his sword.
"Ow! Abuse!"
Inside, a pretty receptionist in her thirties greeted us with a polite smile. "Rooms for how long?"
"Three nights," Nathan replied.
"That'll be twenty silver coins each."
I quickly did the math. "That's a hundred silver for all of us if we go solo."
Nathan gave no indication of paying, of course. Darcelle sighed and covered sixty silver instead.
Elisha suggested, "Darcelle can share with Paige."
"No can do," she said immediately. "In my family, a girl who's engaged doesn't share rooms unless married."
"You're engaged?" I blinked.
She smirked. "What do you think? I'm not getting younger." Then she winked and walked off with a maid to her room.
Paige grabbed my hand. "Come on, sunshine."
I followed her, smiling to myself as we climbed the stairs.
For the first time in a long while, the city felt… safe. Warm. Beautiful.
And I thought to myself—
I think I'm going to love Thyrelith.
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