Home/I Didn't Want a Honeymoon Like This/ch29

Chapter 29

"If you came to our inn, we wouldn't make you do such rough work. And there's far less to do here. I'm good at cleaning myself, so our mascot would only need to stay at the counter. Comfortably. Sitting down," said Cecile, the owner of the Black Lion Inn.

"With proportionally less pay."

"Double what you're getting now. How about it?"

"Oh, well—"

"I'm saying this as if you were my son—don't trust people who talk like that."

"My mother is still alive."

"Imagine how heartbroken your mother would be if she knew you were being exploited under such an owner."

Nancy pressed her dry eyes with her fingers.

"She'd be surprised, but she's a sharp woman."

"……"

When their jokes didn't land, the two women's quarrel quickly fizzled out.

"What a dull man."

"Being that serious all the time—women won't like that."

"Maybe when dating, but as a husband, a man with gravitas like that is better."

"That's old thinking. These days, fun men are the popular ones."

"And capable too?"

"That's a given."

"I'm married."

"Huh?"

The two women, who had been trading remarks, both turned to Alexei at once.

"Really?"

He nodded.

Good heavens.

Nancy, startled by the thought, clamped her hand over her mouth.

So that's how it was…!

That's why they said 'something like siblings'…!!

Their tragic story raced through Nancy's mind as vividly as if she'd witnessed it herself.

"Come on, tell me too."

"Oh, no. No, no. I'm not the type to have a loose tongue."

Nancy shook her head vigorously.

The fact that he was staring at her with his mouth firmly shut must mean he wanted her to keep the secret.

Nancy swore she would never, ever disclose this forbidden love story.

"Then I won't tell either."

"Tell what? What is it?"

"I said I won't tell."

Turning her head away as if sulking, Cecile was itching to speak. In the end, she opened her mouth.

"A while ago, pirates and their crew were rummaging all over this area. They haven't been to your place yet, have they?"

"I heard the rumors, but they came here too?"

"Yes. They're going through restaurants, inns, taverns—everything. I don't know why. Captain Blasquez is notorious, but he's never caused trouble without reason before. Something must be brewing. Anyway, be careful—oh my."

The mascot, who had gone stiff, suddenly dashed outside.

"Where are you going?"

Nancy shouted through the wide-open door, but she couldn't stop him.

---

Angelina finished cleaning the second floor and came downstairs.

The inn was deathly quiet. The owner was gone. Alexei hadn't returned either.

It must be farther than I thought.

"I'd like to eat."

Guest 106 came out, yawning widely.

"Wait a moment."

The soup pot from morning was empty. Now that the dining hall was clean, everyone got up early to have breakfast.

It's your own fault for being lazy, old man.

Angelina took out hard baguettes and wine, arranging them nicely on a tray.

"That morning soup smelled great. I was drooling in my sleep."

She heard Guest 106's voice.

He's asking for some.

Then he should have gotten up instead of just drooling.

"It'll take time."

"I've got nothing but time."

What kind of person is he?

Frowning, Angelina rolled up her sleeves.

"I'll make it if you pay your overdue lodging fee."

"Fine."

She heard the sound of money being placed on the table.

"I'm good with calculations too."

Why does everyone here claim to be good with calculations?

Just don't let it get overdue in the first place.

Anyway, she'd collected the overdue rent, so she probably wouldn't get scolded for making the soup.

As she started cooking, she heard humming from the dining hall.

A man with nothing but time and no work—and his singing was terrible.

Clatter.

Has Aunt Nancy finally returned? Or Alex?

Angelina stirred the soup, ears pricked.

"Wh-Who are you people?"

"Where's the owner?"

"The owner? She's not here. There's a maid, if that's what you're looking for."

"That's good to hear."

The voice was somehow familiar.

Where have I heard it before?

Angelina peeked into the dining hall from behind the kitchen.

Gulp.

It's Captain Jin Blasquez!

She barely stifled a gasp.

"Search."

At the command, the crew scattered in perfect order. It was hard to tell whether they were searching or just making a mess.

I have to run.

Angelina slipped past the crew and climbed the stairs.

If they were ransacking every room like this, no hiding place would be safe.

Somehow, I need to get out of the inn.

Right. There's a back door.

Angelina returned to her room and gathered her belongings. She stuffed clothes and money into her bag.

"Angel."

Alexei burst in. He looked so out of breath it was painful.

"We need to leave now."

Alexei grabbed Angelina's hand.

They tried to go downstairs, but the crew was loitering near the stairs. The two quickly turned back.

"The back door won't work."

"Then?"

"Go to room 210."

It was an empty room.

"Before coming in through the back, I laid down some straw bales."

Alexei quickly opened the window. Angelina stuck her head out. Several straw bales were piled below.

"It's safe to jump—"

Before Alexei could finish, Angelina had already jumped.

"She really never thinks of her own safety."

Alexei shouldered the bag and grabbed the window frame. Then he jumped down beside her.

A dull pain shot through his shoulder. He had landed outside the straw bales and winced.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine."

"Don't rush so much—"

"Well, well. What a pointless effort."

Blades flooded their vision. They looked up. The pirates had surrounded them without a single gap.

"Let us go. Or you'll regret it."

"If there's regret, it'll be after we let you go."

Captain Blasquez turned his bandaged hand.

Where's the gun?

Angelina slowly moved her hand toward her bag.

"If you move even a millimeter, I'll draw a picture right here."

The pirate captain's blade dropped toward Alexei's face.

Gulp.

Angelina smiled awkwardly and withdrew her hand.

---

Setting foot in the Tordi Empire was also unpleasant for Franz.

Though he was used to a wandering life, he didn't want to stay here.

Franz decided to earn money quickly and leave.

He'd spent all his money in Latria, and he'd blown the chance to receive a large sum. Not that he regretted it.

He was a man who acted on material gain, but he wasn't obsessed with money.

His way of earning was through drawing.

Roughly a week.

He calculated that he'd need about that much to buy a third-class ticket and cover expenses for a week.

Franz bought an easel and painting supplies on credit. Then he set up shop on a street adjacent to the park.

The first day brought many customers. His pockets quickly bulged.

On his way to buy a boarding ticket, Franz stopped at an eyewear shop.

It was a somewhat impulsive decision, but a satisfying one.

Franz put on glasses large enough to cover half his face. The round frames gave him a somewhat comical look.

Seeing his reflection in the window, Franz chuckled.

"What's with the glasses?"

He turned, surprised—it was Naomi.

"Why are you here?"

Reflexively looking around, Franz was met with Naomi's crooked remark.

"They're not here. It's just me. Except for this guy."

Naomi stroked the monkey's back.

"Because of you, mister, I got abandoned too."

"Because of me?"

"You left to save your own skin. They said I should do the same and chased me away."

"Good for you."

Naomi pouted.

"Those glasses are funny. They don't suit you."

"I know."

"Then why did you buy them? Do you have a lot of money, mister?"

"No. Not a single coin."

Naomi made a strange sound.

"You bought those weird glasses with no money? Are you out of your mind?"

"No."

Naomi instinctively stepped back. Franz chuckled at the sight.

"Other people will never understand, but I have to do what I have to do."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's an adult's excuse."

"Playing the adult even now."

Naomi pouted again.

"Don't follow me. I'm not in my right mind."

"I'm not either, so it's fine."

At her formidable logic, Franz was at a loss for words.

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