IWETR 10

Chapter: 10

The capital of Antithesia, Taran, wasn’t very far from the northern regions.

Even from Nak, the northernmost area, it could be reached in a day or two by carriage.

But that was only when there was no snow.

“Seems like we won’t make it by tomorrow. We’ll have to stay the night,” Theodore said, staring out at the window as snow began to fall.

This was the worst. I had hoped we’d get there as quickly as possible.

Did Theodore even realize how unbearable it was to be stuck in this cramped carriage together?

Ceria let out a low sigh.

“Where are we heading?” she asked.

“Kerus.”

Kerus was one of the largest commercial towns in the north.

Located southwest from Nak, it was a short distance from the northern gate, making it a passage for nearly every merchant traveling north.

Ceria had never left Nak in six years, so she had only heard of it; this was her first time actually going there.

“You’ll need to keep your wits about you when we arrive,” Theodore said.

“I know that already,” Ceria replied.

“No, you don’t,” Theodore said, crossing his arms with a sullen expression.

Huh? What does he mean by that?

Ceria, not understanding, crossed her arms as well and looked at him, as if asking if there was a problem.

“You should call me ‘Theo.’ I can’t keep reminding you forever. Get used to it,” Theodore said softly.

“Hmph.”

“There are a lot of eyes in the mansion. If you make mistakes like this, it’s only a matter of time before someone notices. Keep that in mind,” he added.

Ceria didn’t answer, turning her head instead.

Get used to it? Will there even be a day I get used to this?

She knew she had to act naturally, as Theodore said. She understood it in her head—but her instincts refused to comply.

Still, to make the plan succeed, she had no choice but to bend.

Ceria bit her lip tightly.

After traveling for quite some time, as the sun began to set, the carriage finally stopped.

Theodore stepped out first and held out his hand to Ceria.

Ceria almost brushed it away but hesitated.

She didn’t want to be scolded by Theodore again.

“You’re not getting out?” he asked.

“…I am,” she replied reluctantly, taking his hand and stepping down.

The soft snow had turned into clumps falling from the sky. Standing outside for even a moment would likely leave her looking like a snowman.

Ceria brushed the snow from her face and looked around.

Though it was late at night, the streets were bright, and quite a few people and carriages passed by.

It was a strange sight for someone used to Nak, which became as quiet as a graveyard past six o’clock.

Watching the busy people for a moment, Ceria regained her focus and asked Theodore, “Where’s the inn?”

“First, you should cover your face,” he said.

“Why?”

Ignoring her question, Theodore pulled the hood of Ceria’s cloak over her head.

I can’t see anything like this.

Ceria tried to remove it, but Theodore’s hand held it firmly in place.

“Move your hand. I can’t see,” she protested.

“Doesn’t matter. Just keep it on for now.”

Theodore, with his own hood up, lightly took Ceria’s hand and led her along.

Why is he acting so dramatic? Ceria rolled her eyes as she looked around.

Nearby, two merchants had stopped their cart and were whispering to each other, pointing at them. Their expressions didn’t seem friendly.

Could it be because of my hair?

Its unusual color, along with the fact that it clearly marked her as an Azentian, was enough to draw attention.

Ceria gave up trying to remove the hood and half-reluctantly leaned on Theodore as they walked.

Although her vision was partially blocked, all she could really see was the snow on the ground. There was no helping it.

Passing the fountain square in the center of town, they entered a fairly large inn.

Inside, the inn was crowded.

Merchants from various regions were gathered in small groups at tables, talking loudly, cursing, and ignoring anyone entering.

“Basset that bastard! He didn’t even treat me like a human, and now, my business with him is cut off!”

“I knew it! You can’t let people get cocky like that!”

Ceria flinched at the loud banging on the table, as if it might shatter. The men seemed either drunk or unable to control their strength.

Theodore glanced at Ceria before heading quickly toward the innkeeper.

“Welcome.”

The plump innkeeper eyed Theodore and Ceria sharply, quickly scanning the luggage in Ceria’s hands with expert scrutiny.

Ceria clutched her bag tightly, startled by the innkeeper’s blatant stare.

“Tch.”

Apparently displeased with how cloaked they were, the innkeeper clicked his tongue.

Theodore ignored him and said, “We reserved two rooms.”

“One moment. Name?”

“Ian.”

The innkeeper glanced at the ledger and scratched his bushy beard.

“Unfortunately, we’re full today. No rooms left.”

“But I’m sure we made a reservation,” Theodore pressed.

“Yes, but it’s the season when many merchants come. You understand, right? Our inn prioritizes merchants.”

There was no hint of apology in his voice. He even casually scratched his ear in annoyance—sheer audacity.

Ceria glanced at the ledger. The handwriting was nearly illegible, and she couldn’t find the name “Ian.” She doubted the reservation had even been made.

Sensing Ceria’s scrutiny, the innkeeper closed the ledger and blocked her view.

“A half refund of the deposit is all I can offer. You knew the circumstances when you booked, didn’t you?”

“….”

Theodore remained completely unbothered.

Ceria’s face flushed with frustration. He speaks to me so nicely, but treats others like that? He chooses who to be polite to, huh.

Unable to stay silent, Ceria pushed Theodore’s hand off her arm and stepped forward.

“Excuse me, isn’t this too bold? You broke the promise first, so why can’t you refund the full deposit?”

“Huh? What, a little girl?”

The innkeeper’s eyes gleamed as he laughed. Soon, the noisy crowd around them turned their attention to Ceria.

Confused by all the staring, Ceria’s shoulders tensed. The innkeeper’s tongue clicked.

“You must be from out of town. How suspicious, hiding like that. Won’t you show your face?”

He spoke loudly, ensuring everyone could hear. The crowd began to murmur excitedly.

“Don’t act so high and mighty!”
“Ha ha! She’s flustered, look at her!”

They drank as if she were entertainment. Ceria frowned; they all seemed mad.

The innkeeper reached out to remove her hood.

“What the—!”

Ceria instinctively recoiled. At the same time, Theodore grabbed the innkeeper’s arm.

The innkeeper, instead of being startled, shook his arm defiantly. The crowd shouted excitedly in response.

“Look at this! Makes you more curious, doesn’t it? Who could she be?”

Theodore’s gaze turned icy. His unusual obsession with Ceria was suspicious. He needed to check if she knew something.

The innkeeper couldn’t meet Theodore’s eyes. Theodore glanced at other merchants around—they all seemed to think along the same crude lines: “Is she a noblewoman? Is she rich?”

This had been a quiet place to stay, but it clearly wasn’t a good choice. Seeing these kinds of people made Theodore feel disgusted.

He shoved the innkeeper’s arm aside and quickly grabbed Ceria’s hand, exiting the inn.

“You—you bastard…!”

The innkeeper fell backward, shouting, but Theodore ignored him.

Outside, the snow had stopped. They walked toward the fountain square in the town center.

“It’s too late to look for another inn. Better to rent a carriage and go straight to the capital,” Theodore said, still holding Ceria’s hand.

He plans to leave just like that?

Ceria yanked her hand free and blocked his path.

“Wait. How can we just leave? Shouldn’t we do something about the inn? It’s outrageous,” she said.

The rude behavior of the innkeeper and the merchants’ reactions—nothing was reasonable. In a busy commercial town, this couldn’t be allowed.

“The innkeeper said he couldn’t refund the full deposit because of circumstances. Did something happen recently?”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Theodore said firmly, cutting her off.

“How can I not—”

“How do you plan to solve the bandit problem plaguing the north?”

“Ceria, don’t be so stubborn. You just focus on what you need to do,” he said.

“What?”

“Let’s go somewhere else. We can’t sleep here.”

He walked ahead, leaving Ceria frozen, staring at his retreating back.

He calls me stubborn?

Ceria had always been taught to correct what was wrong. Not ignore it.

Sighing, she clenched her fists and followed Theodore’s footsteps.