Chapter 7: Naked
Without encountering any trouble, they navigated the trajectory to an inn near the edge of the village. A young man stood outside, tending to a trough. They approached him, asking if he could look after Viva, ensuring she was fed and watered. The man nodded eagerly, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the fine horse.
As they stepped through the inn's door, a wave of warmth greeted them, carrying the enticing scent of food and freshly baked bread. It wrapped around them like a comforting embrace after the long journey.
A chubby woman emerged from behind the counter, her rosy cheeks and warm brown eyes radiating kindness. Her apron bore smudges of flour, and her hands clutched a wooden spoon.
"Oh, my goodness! What happened to you, dear?" she exclaimed, her gaze fixed on Ren with genuine concern.
She glanced at her grumpy, thin husband, who was berating a teenage boy for breaking a bowl. His sharp voice cut through the warm air as he called the boy a clumsy dimwit, incapable of doing anything right.
"We have guests! Stop it!" the woman snapped, her voice firm but measured. Her husband huffed but fell silent, retreating to a quieter corner. She turned back to the couple with an apologetic smile and gestured toward the counter.
"Do you need a room?"
"Yes," Kai answered smoothly, his tone steady. "And warm water for my wife to wash up."
Ren's cheeks flushed as his words drew the woman's full attention to her. Before she could recover, she felt Kai's hand press gently against her back, his touch both firm and reassuring. The unexpected gesture made her wince slightly, a flicker of shock crossing her features.
Her heart fluttered. If only he acted like this more often, especially in front of others, Oh gods, what was she supposed to do? She thought, warmth stirring within her unlike her wish, she might not be able to refrain her heart from finding a place for him, despite the awkwardness between them.
The woman beamed warmly and turned to the teenage boy. "You heard them—prepare it right away." She then shifted her attention to Ren, her gaze briefly scanning the tattered remains of the wedding gown.