•Inn's First Floor•
Ovelia's POV
Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden patterns on the wooden floorboards. Villagers looked up from their meals, their faces brightening as they greeted us with cheerful "Good mornings" that we returned in kind - Ann with her usual polite smile, Ace with a curt nod, and me with perhaps too much enthusiasm, still buzzing from our rooftop morning.
My eyes scanned the room, searching for Mrs. Melinda and Chief Gareth but they were nowhere to be seen.
A sudden burst of laughter from the staircase drew our attention. Philip descended first, his usual composed demeanor replaced by boyish excitement, his blue long hair sticking up in odd directions. Behind him came Shin, attempting (and failing) to smooth down his impeccable hair, while Ray and Colt were engaged in what appeared to be an exaggerated retelling of some event, their arms waving dramatically. Kai brought up the rear, still picking feathers from his shirt.
