The heavy door of the Iron Matron creaked shut behind them, sealing out the tension of the street. The inn’s warm, welcoming glow wrapped around Valeria like a familiar cloak, though she would never say as much aloud. The mingling aromas of roasted meat, spiced wine, and freshly baked bread filled the air, accompanied by the low hum of voices from the other patrons. It was lively yet calm, the kind of noise that soothed her nerves after a long day.
Her boots echoed softly on the wooden floor as she made her way to the usual table—the one tucked near the fire but not too close, offering warmth without the oppressive heat. It was the table she had initially chosen on instinct, but now it felt like it belonged to them. A quiet corner where the chaos of Andelheim couldn’t quite reach.
Lucavion, of course, slid into his chair with his usual ease, stretching his arms over the backrest as though he hadn’t a care in the world. Valeria took her seat opposite him, resting her hands on the table and glancing once more at the door they’d just entered. The figures in blue robes were fresh in her mind, their deliberate approach and unmasked intent still gnawing at her thoughts.
She sighed inwardly, trying to push it aside.
They wouldn’t dare act here,
she told herself, though the thought brought little comfort.
Lucavion, as if reading her mind, smirked across the table. “Told you we’re fine,” he said, his tone laced with mock reassurance. “The Iron Matron is practically a fortress. Even the boldest wouldn’t risk stirring trouble here.”
Valeria shot him a withering look, but before she could reply, a voice cut through their quiet corner.
“G-good evening! Welcome back!”
Valeria’s breath caught as recognition set in. The girl standing before them, her smile polite but tremulous, was unmistakably the same foxkin they had saved from a dire situation just the day before.
Sena. Enjoy more content from
Her long ears twitched faintly, betraying her nervousness, and her tail, though neatly brushed, flicked uneasily behind her.
The transformation was jarring. Just a day ago, Sena had been a terrified, disheveled girl hiding behind Lucavion as he dispatched the bandits threatening her life. Now, she stood in a server’s uniform, balancing a tray and a fragile composure. Valeria’s brow furrowed.
“Sena,” she said, her tone more uncertain than intended. “You’re… already working?”
The girl’s smile faltered slightly, though she quickly masked it with a hurried nod. “Y-yes,” she stammered, her voice soft. “Miss Mariel…..here… she gave me a chance to earn my keep.” Her eyes darted around as though ensuring everything was in order, then back to Valeria. “She said that we couldn’t just sit and do nothing. We need to prove that we can stand on our own.”
Valeria opened her mouth to respond but hesitated, her gaze slipping to the faint tremor in the girl’s hands as she gripped the tray. Sena’s words spoke of determination, but her body betrayed her unease. This wasn’t something she was used to—not yet, at least.
Her eyes flicked to Lucavion, silently questioning him.
Is this normal?
Her look seemed to say.
Shouldn’t she be resting? Recovering?
Lucavion met her gaze with a casual shrug, his smirk still lingering. “It is no longer my responsibility,” he said simply, biting into the remains of his skewer.
Valeria pressed her lips into a thin line, unconvinced. She glanced around the inn, her keen eyes scanning the room. Then she saw him. Another foxkin—a young man—was sweeping the floor near the fireplace. His movements were deliberate but subdued, his expression one of quiet concentration.
Riken,
she realized.
Unlike Sena, Riken’s demeanor was more composed, though there was a weariness in his eyes that spoke of recent hardship. He moved efficiently, his tail swaying in time with the strokes of the broom, but there was a guarded tension in his posture.
“They are both working?” Valeria asked, her voice low as she returned her focus to Sena. The girl nodded quickly, as if afraid of being perceived as idle.
Sena stood there, her ears twitching nervously as her gaze darted between Valeria and Lucavion. After a brief moment, she seemed to realize she had lingered too long without doing her job. Her hands tightened around the tray, and she cleared her throat softly. “I’ll, um, take your order now,” she said, her voice small but earnest.
Her attempt at professionalism was endearing but clumsy, and as she fumbled with a small notepad and pencil, the tray nearly tipped from her grip. Lucavion chuckled at the sight, his laughter a warm, teasing sound. “Careful there,” he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You’ll have the whole inn thinking we’re a tough crowd.”
Sena’s blush deepened as she clutched the tray tighter, her tail swishing nervously behind her. “S-sorry!” she stammered, trying to steady herself.
Lucavion raised a hand, gesturing for her to come closer. “Hey, come here a second.”
Sena hesitated for the briefest moment before stepping closer to his side, her wide eyes fixed on him. Valeria watched the exchange closely, something stirring in her chest as she noted the way Sena’s expression shifted when she looked at Lucavion. There was a softness there, a quiet admiration that Valeria couldn’t quite place. It unsettled her, though she didn’t understand why.
Lucavion reached out, his movements casual, and placed a hand on top of Sena’s head. He ruffled her hair lightly, earning a small gasp from the girl, who stood frozen under his touch. “You’re doing well,” he said, his tone gentle but still carrying that teasing lilt. “Look, most people will probably start coming back just to see you. Don’t worry so much.”
Sena’s cheeks turned a vivid shade of pink, and she lowered her head shyly, her ears folding back slightly. “T-thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely audible over the hum of the inn.
Lucavion retracted his hand, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. “Alright, for me, I’ll have whatever you think is the best. I trust your judgment.”
Sena blinked, her eyes wide with panic. “B-but I don’t know much yet!” she stammered, her hands gripping the tray tightly again. “I—I’ve only been here a day, and—” freeweɓnvel.com
Lucavion laughed again, clearly enjoying her flustered state. “Then surprise me,” he said, waving a hand dismissively. “It’ll be good no matter what, I’m sure.”
Sena looked as though she might protest, but then she nodded quickly, scribbling something on her notepad with trembling hands. “Okay,” she said, her voice small but determined. “I’ll—I’ll figure it out.”
As she hurried off toward the kitchen, her tail still swishing nervously, Lucavion glanced across the table at Valeria. His grin widened at the faintly unreadable expression on her face. “She’s got spirit, doesn’t she?”
Valeria’s lips pressed into a thin line. She didn’t answer immediately, her mind too occupied with the strange twinge that had surfaced earlier. Finally, she shook her head slightly and replied, “She’s trying her best.”
Though she was a little angry at the fact that, this girl had forgotten to take her order.
Yet that irritation simmered as she watched Sena rush off toward the kitchen, her ears twitching nervously. The girl’s flustered state had been amusing in its way, but it was hard to ignore the fact that she had completely forgotten to take Valeria’s order.
Her eyes drifted toward the kitchen door, where Sena’s small form was partially visible. Through the clatter and murmur of the bustling inn, Valeria’s sharp senses picked up the distinct sound of a voice—firm, authoritative, but not unkind.
It was Mariel, the Iron Matron herself.
Valeria narrowed her eyes, focusing on the scene. Mariel, a sturdy woman with an air of command, stood before Sena with her arms crossed. The foxkin girl was bowing her head slightly, her ears flat against her hair as Mariel lightly tapped her on the head with a wooden spoon. The gesture wasn’t harsh, but Sena’s shoulders tensed as though she had been dealt a mighty blow.
“Forgot something, didn’t you?” Mariel’s voice was faintly exasperated but patient. “You can’t go running off without finishing the orders, girl. Go back and get it done.”
Sena nodded quickly, her tail drooping slightly. “Y-yes, Miss Mariel,” she said, her voice a timid squeak.
Mariel sighed and ruffled the girl’s hair lightly with her free hand, her stern expression softening. “Go on, now. And don’t let the nerves get the better of you.”
Valeria’s irritation melted as she watched Sena scamper back into the main hall, her notepad clutched tightly in her hands. The girl’s determination to do well, despite her nerves, struck a chord with her. Valeria’s grip on the table’s edge loosened, and she leaned back slightly, shaking her head to herself.
When Sena approached the table again, she looked thoroughly embarrassed, her ears drooping as she stopped in front of Valeria. “I’m so sorry, Lady Valeria,” she stammered, bowing deeply. “I—I forgot to take your order. Please forgive me!”
Valeria waved a hand, her tone uncharacteristically gentle. “It’s fine. Just bring me the usual. That should be easy enough, right?”
Sena’s ears perked slightly, and she nodded vigorously, her expression brightening with relief. “Yes! Of course, I’ll bring it right away!” She scribbled on her notepad, the trembling in her hands notably less severe this time.
Valeria glanced across the table at Lucavion, who was grinning smugly as he watched the interaction. “See?” he said, his tone laced with mock praise. “You do have a soft side after all.”
Her glare was immediate and sharp. “Unlike you, I don’t enjoy tormenting people.”
Lucavion chuckled, raising his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. “Who, me? I’m just building character.”
Valeria rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath as Sena hurried back to the kitchen. The irritation she’d felt earlier had all but vanished, replaced by a quiet respect for the girl’s resolve—and a faint, begrudging amusement at Lucavion’s antics.
CREAK!
Yet, just then the door opened and five people entered the place.
SILENCE!
And the entire place fell silent at that.