Rayan pushed open the door to their room and glanced at Aria, who was still holding onto his sleeve. She looked back at him, her wide brown eyes filled with confusion.
His lips curled ever so slightly in amusement—but only for a moment. When she looked again, his expression was calm and composed as usual.
"Let's go inside."
His voice was soft but firm. He took her hand, steady and sure, and led her into the room. Once they were both in, he let go and closed the door behind them.
Aria, curious as ever, looked around. Her eyes roamed over the simple bed, the old wooden walls, the slightly cracked window.
She walked toward the bed and asked aloud.
"He lu penin kew? Ho lou lana bista?" (Are we sleeping here? Is this your room?)
Silence.
A second later, she remembered—he couldn't understand her. She slapped her forehead lightly with her palm.
"Baya." (Fool.)
Rayan watched from the door, the amusement in his eyes flickering again. Her expressions were so easy to read, and she made no effort to hide them.
Just then, a knock came at the door. Rayan's eyes sharpened. He reached instinctively for the hidden dagger under his coat before opening the door cautiously.
It was Magnus.
"My Lord," Magnus greeted with a bow. "Dinner is ready downstairs. Should I bring it up, or would you prefer to eat with the rest of us?"
Under normal circumstances—especially when laying low—Rayan would have stayed in the room and had his meal brought in. But glancing over his shoulder at the ever-curious girl poking around the room, he changed his mind.
"We'll eat downstairs," he said. "It'll give us a chance to hear what the locals are saying."
"My Lord" Magnus nodded and took his leave.
When Rayan turned, Aria was watching him expectantly. He thought for a moment, then recalled one of the few words he'd learned in her language back in the hut.
"Wuya?" (Eat?)
Her face lit up like the morning sun. Whether it was the rare moment of understanding or just the thought of food, Rayan wasn't sure.
She hopped up and followed him. After tucking their luggage under the bed and locking the door, Rayan led her out. Aria watched him curiously, not quite understanding why he was so cautious.
As they walked through the hallway, Aria reached out and gently held onto his sleeve again.
He looked down at her hand, then at her smiling face.
Did she even realize how much that small gesture meant to him?
That smile so innocent and beautiful... Rayan asked himself the same question he had been asking since they left Aria's hut.
Was he the most selfish bastard in the world?
If he lets something stain that innocent smile on her lips, even hell shouldn't show him any mercy.
In the inn's dining room, Tristan and Magnus had pushed two tables together and arranged enough chairs for everyone. The knights sat around, waiting.
"My Lord," Linus greeted softly when Rayan and Aria entered.
Rayan nodded in return. As he pulled out a chair for Aria, his eyes landed on Linus' pale face.
"How are your wounds?"
"They're fine, My Lord. I appreciate your concern."
But Rayan wasn't convinced. He looked at Lenn instead.
Lenn, the youngest and most transparent of the group, bit his lip as his master's gaze fell on him.
"We quietly visited a physician, My Lord," Lenn admitted. "It's… a little serious. But with rest and proper care, he should recover without issue."
"Then make sure he does," Rayan said. "That's your responsibility now."
Lenn's face turned serious at once, even as he stole a glance at Linus' cold expression. Still, he nodded.
"As you command, My Lord."
"—And the food's here!"
Eden's cheerful voice broke the tension. He led a young server carrying trays of food toward the table.
Taking a bowl from the tray, Eden set it down in front of Aria with a charming grin.
"This is vegetable soup for My Lady."
He knew she wouldn't understand—but the words were more for Rayan than for Aria. Seeing the small nod of approval from his lord, Eden smirked and shot a teasing glance at Tristan.
Tristan glared. Eden only grinned wider.
Unaware of all this, Aria smiled brightly when she saw the soup. Rayan handed her a spoon, and she took it with a grateful nod.
As the knights helped themselves to the meal, Maxim entered and took the last seat.
Rayan looked at him, and Maxim answered the silent question with a quick shake of his head.
"The village is quiet," he said. "Peaceful people. The guard at the inn said nothing unusual has happened recently."
Good.
It meant they hadn't been recognized—yet. With four different roads leading out of the forest, and several villages in each direction, it would take time for the Ulrik soldiers to search them all.
At least for tonight, they were safe.
After dinner, the group slowly returned to their rooms. The long day had finally caught up to Aria. She hadn't noticed it until now, but the moment her body hit the bed, a yawn escaped her.
Still, before closing her eyes, she looked around. The space beside her on the bed was empty.
Raising her head slightly, she saw Rayan unfolding a cloth over the couch to make a makeshift bed.
She frowned.
"Rayan!" she called out.
He turned to look at her. Aria patted the empty space next to her, brows furrowed.
He looked from her hand to the bed, and then back at her.
After a moment of pause, he cleared his throat, then shook his head.
"I'll sleep here," he said quietly, gesturing to the couch.
Aria blinked. She didn't really understand—but she didn't push further.
Before she could think of another question, the lamp went out, and the room was dark.
As her eyes closed, the last thing she remembered was the faintest glimpse of red on Rayan's ears.
His ears were red again.
Like the big apples that grew near her hill.
She smiled to herself and smacked her lips slightly before she finally fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.