DSFL | Chapter 35

{ Chapter 35 }

I suddenly raised my voice, embarrassed.

“Of course there’s a problem!”

The innkeeper widened her eyes and asked back,

“What’s the problem then?”

“Well…”

I had plenty of reasons. But saying them all out loud felt awkward and embarrassing. So I decided to sum it all up in one sentence.

“B-because we’re different genders.”

“…You’ve got to be kidding. For someone so young, you’re more old-fashioned than I thought.”

See, this is why I didn’t want to explain!

The innkeeper clicked her tongue and stood up.

“Wait a bit. I’ll call around and see if there’s another place.”

“Thank you.”

But why is Ricardo so quiet?

Hey, you do realize this is about finding your room, right?

I turned my head—and locked eyes with Ricardo, who had been quietly staring at me. The corner of his mouth lifted in a faint smile, like he was amused.

Then he let out a soft laugh.

“So I guess you do see me as a man.”

Well, technically, yes. I just said it myself.

But seeing him smile while saying that made it feel so irritating!

“I wasn’t trying to hint at anything. I was just stating a fact.”

“Right. We are different genders, after all.”

Obviously, it made sense to be flustered in this situation.

“I don’t mind at all. Why don’t we just share the room?”

Excuse me?! Weren’t you the one blushing earlier?

His eyes widened for a second, but then he chuckled.

“I’m just joking. I’ll find a place nearby to stay so you can rest comfortably.”

“…”

“I’ll come pick you up tomorrow at 10 a.m.”

With a graceful gesture, he gave me a polite goodbye and walked out of the inn.

…Where is he even planning to sleep?

While I stood there wondering, the innkeeper returned.

“No luck. Everyone says they’re full. Well, not surprising for today.”

“…I see.”

“Now where did I put the key… Oh, here it is. You’re in room 209.”

Seriously, that man is so stubborn. Leaving like that—how can I not worry?

I took the key and rushed out of the inn. I started running to find Ricardo.

Was I being too nosy? Even though I knew he would probably turn me down, I couldn’t stop myself from going after him.

“Ricardo!”

Did he already go far?

Just as I was about to call out again—

“Bianca?”

Ricardo walked toward me, looking surprised.

“You haven’t found a room yet, have you?”

Still catching my breath, I asked. He nodded silently.

Of course he didn’t. You fool.

“I know it’s a bit uncomfortable… But if you’re okay with it, you can stay here for the night.”

He was going to sleep outside—how could I just ignore that?

He looked genuinely surprised. That made me feel embarrassed too.

Should I take it back now?

As I hesitated, I heard someone calling Ricardo from far away.

“H-huff…! Your Grace!”

It was a familiar voice—the same one I’d heard in the alley earlier.

That must be Elliot. Behind him, I saw a female knight running toward us.

“We’ve been searching for you everywhere!”

As soon as I saw them, I instinctively pulled my hat down to cover my face. The knights of the Hessen family didn’t like me very much. It was just a habit by now.

“The Crown Prince and Lady Idette have already returned. Let’s head back too.”

So Idette came with Prince Erkishian…

Wait, if what Elliot says is true, then Ricardo doesn’t need to stay overnight after all.

Right at that moment—

Ricardo’s expression turned serious.

“I’m not finished here yet.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Elliot asked, tilting his head in confusion.

“You’ve been acting strange since earlier. You even ignored me when I reported that the hunters were taken care of—”

At that moment, the female knight hurriedly covered Eliot’s mouth.

“You know that thing you mentioned earlier? I forgot to tell Eliot about it,” she said quickly.

Ricardo nodded right away, looking desperate.

“Mmmph!”

Eliot glared at Ricardo with betrayed eyes. But Ricardo just ignored him completely.

Then the woman gently hit Eliot on the back of the neck, knocking him out, and turned to me with a smile.

“We’ll leave you two alone now. Have a lovely evening!”

With that, she carried the unconscious Eliot on her back and left as fast as lightning.

…What on earth just happened?

While I stood frozen, staring at the two of them disappearing, Ricardo took a deep breath and said calmly,

“I still have some business to take care of in Dians.”

He sounded like he was making an excuse.

“Huh? Oh, right. You said that earlier.”

“…Just saying.”

Ricardo’s face turned bright red, like it was going to explode. I pointed toward the inn.

“Well, should we head inside?”

As I walked toward the room, Ricardo quietly followed behind, holding onto the edge of my robe.

“…Why are you holding this?”

It’s not like we’re kids playing choo-choo train.

Ricardo replied like it was obvious.

“What if I lose sight of you?”

“Then… that’s that.”

“I’m trying to prevent that from happening.”

He sure knows how to talk.

While chatting like that, we arrived at the room. I pulled out the key and opened the door.

“….”

Ricardo suddenly stopped walking behind me.

“They said it was a double room…”

Then why was there only one bed?

I felt embarrassed by the awkward reality. I had brought Ricardo here so confidently, and now it looked like he had nowhere proper to sleep.

“You might have to sleep on the sofa. Is that okay?”

I hesitated, and Ricardo smirked.

“I thought I’d be kicked out.”

“I don’t go back on my word.”

He chuckled softly and walked over to the sofa.

“…You’re really okay sleeping there?”

He didn’t seem like the kind of guy who could sleep on a shabby inn sofa. He looked like someone who cared about cleanliness and comfort.

“I didn’t grow up pampered. It’s fine.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

Honestly, just letting him stay was already more than enough from me.

***

After I finished my bath and lay on the bed, my whole body felt heavy with fatigue. I pulled the blanket up and spoke to Ricardo, who was getting ready to sleep.

“Good night.”

He paused for a second, then gently nodded.

The lights turned off, and I shut my eyes.

Who would’ve thought?

That I’d watch a festival with Ricardo—someone I once saw as a sworn enemy—and even end up sharing a room with him.

Maybe because things were different tonight, I just couldn’t fall asleep.

‘…Next time we meet, we’ll probably act like strangers again.’

I tossed and turned for a while, then eventually sat up. I figured some fresh air might help. Quietly, so I wouldn’t wake Ricardo, I stepped out onto the terrace.

I still needed to ask him about that thing Rayla had told me.

If I really thought about it, tonight was probably the perfect time.

We might not get a chance to be alone like this again.

While I was deep in thought…

“…Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Ricardo’s voice came from behind me.

Startled, I turned and saw him standing next to me, looking a little awkward.

“Couldn’t sleep. Wait, did I wake you up?”

“No, I couldn’t sleep either.”

Maybe this was for the best.

I had something I wanted to ask him anyway.

Just as I was wondering how to bring it up, Ricardo spoke first.

“Would you… like to take a walk?”

His voice was soft and hesitant, like he had gathered courage just to say it.

He even looked a little scared or nervous—though it didn’t make sense, it kind of felt that way.

“I just… don’t want the night to end like this.”

I had prepared myself in case he teased me or acted cocky. I was ready to fire back.

But now, seeing his unexpected expression, I had no idea how to react.

So, I fiddled with the terrace railing and answered softly.

“Sure. I’d like that…a walk.”