•Inn's First Floor•
Ovelia's POV
Morning sunlight poured through the diamond-paned windows, painting golden lozenges across the worn floorboards. The scent of frying bacon and fresh-baked bread wrapped around me like a warm embrace as we entered the bustling common room. Villagers looked up from their meals, their weather-worn faces breaking into smiles.
"Good morning!" they called in cheerful unison.
"Good morning!" I returned, my voice perhaps too bright, still thrumming with the memory of dawn on the rooftop. Beside me, Ann offered polite nods while Ace's greeting consisted of a single sharp chin-lift.
My gaze swept the room, searching for Mrs. Melinda's kind eyes or Chief Gareth's broad frame, but found neither. The absence sent a pang of disappointment through me—I'd wanted to thank them properly.
