🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 18
“What on earth am I thinking right now?! He’s someone I’ll never see again. Forget it, I have to forget!”
Lucy shook her head fiercely on the bed before suddenly sitting upright.
Her heart felt suffocated. She wanted to go out and get some air, but it was too late at night, and she was scared to go out alone.
Besides, Lucy’s appearance stood out too much.
Over the past six months she had spent here, Lucy had learned something clearly: beauty wasn’t always a blessing.
Of course, that may have been because the societal norms of this world were different from the modern world she came from. But either way, Lucy decided she needed to start hiding her conspicuous face as much as possible.
“Lucy, can’t sleep?”
She turned her head at the unexpected voice—Dino was sitting on the bed opposite hers.
“Gosh! How long have you been sitting there like that?”
Lucy gasped in surprise.
“What about you, Dino? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
“How could I sleep when I’m in the same room as two beautiful ladies?”
He chuckled lightly.
“Since I can’t sleep, how about getting some sea air outside?”
It was as if he had read her mind.
“Sure! I was actually just thinking the same thing.”
Lucy nodded and got up from the bed without hesitation.
Outside the cabin, Dino locked the door behind them, worried about leaving Anna alone asleep.
“Lucy, if you ever end up alone in the cabin, make sure to lock the door from the inside, okay? I’ll keep looking out for you, but you never know.”
His thoughtful gesture brought a warm breeze to Lucy’s tightly coiled heart.
Even though it was past midnight, there were still quite a few people outside. Most were couples or drunken wanderers.
The salty ocean breeze brushed Lucy’s nose refreshingly. She took a deep breath, relishing the scent of freedom.
Then, Dino took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
“The night breeze is chilly. You’ll catch a cold.”
“Thank you…”
The fresh musk scent from his coat subtly lingered at the tip of her nose.
“So this is what a man’s scent is like.”
Lucy let out a quiet chuckle at her own random thought. Her chest fluttered once again.
Dino pulled the coat’s collar snugly around her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. Rather than brush it off, Lucy simply turned her head forward as if nothing happened.
It was too dark to see the ocean. The sea before her eyes was just pitch-black void. So instead, Lucy looked up at the sky.
Though this was a fictional world, there weren’t two moons or anything overly fantastical. Just one bright moon and countless stars glittering in the night sky. It was a breathtaking sight she could never see in her modern world.
“Oh, it’s the full moon today! I guess even in this world, the full moon is round…”
Dino tilted his head at her quiet murmur.
“The sky is so beautiful. I’ve never seen such a clear and bright night sky before.”
He gazed at her curiously.
“What kind of life have you lived to have never seen the night sky properly? Were you locked up or something?”
He asked jokingly.
“Something like that. But not anymore.”
At her words, Dino stopped smiling and looked at her quietly—then let out a small laugh.
“Yeah, the stars will always be there in the night sky. You should start looking up at them more often now.”
Then, with a mischievous expression, he suddenly ruffled her hair. Lucy let out a soft laugh and glanced sideways at him.
For some reason, she felt she wouldn’t be falling asleep easily tonight.
While they traveled by ship, Dino looked after Lucy and Anna with attentive care. The peaceful atmosphere kept smiles on their faces throughout the journey.
They often bickered over who would pay for meals, but Dino always ended up winning. Lucy gradually opened her heart to his thoughtful kindness.
Time flew by, and soon, their ship arrived in Tyren. As they disembarked, they were greeted by a line of carriages waiting at the port to pick up passengers.
“Wow… Miss, it feels like a completely different country—even though it’s still the same empire!”
Anna exclaimed at the completely different atmosphere from the capital, where Baron Diallo’s estate had been. Lucy was also taken aback by the exotic sights and couldn’t stop admiring the tall buildings and bustling crowds.
“Lucy, are you going straight to your relatives’ house now?”
Dino asked in a gentle tone, as if reluctant to part ways.
“No, their house is nearby… but I don’t want to impose. So I’m planning to find an inn close by. Since I’ll be staying here for a while, I need to look for a job too.”
Lucy gave the answer she had prepared in advance with Anna.
Truthfully, she was also reluctant to part ways with Dino. After spending more than two days on the ship together, a hope had bloomed in her heart—maybe Dino really could be their lifeline.
“Hm, I actually know an inn with great facilities and cheap rates. And as for work… well, I’m quite popular and well-connected around here. I might be able to help find you something. What do you say?”
He grinned playfully, acting boastful.
“Really? I already feel like I owe you so much… Is it really okay to ask for more help?”
Lucy asked, face slightly flushed.
“Don’t mention it. Helping each other out is what people do.”
Dino shrugged and took the lead.
He led them to a surprisingly clean and decent-looking inn.
“Miss, I don’t know the market here well, but I think the room rate here is really cheap!”
‘Come to think of it, I don’t even know the value of money in this place.’
Lucy realized just how clueless she still was about life here.
‘I need to learn their currency system fast. I really will be living in this world from now on.’
“I’m staying in the room right next door, so come find me anytime you need something. For now, how about we go look around the city? I’ll show you some great places.”
Lost in thought, Lucy was startled back to reality by Dino’s playful voice.
“Oh… Should we?”
She glanced at Anna uncertainly, but Anna was already nodding eagerly with sparkling eyes. The two of them quickly unpacked and followed Dino.
Just like the day they first met, they strolled through the area, enjoying themselves. Once again, Dino took them to a nearby market and bought them unfamiliar local snacks.
“Tyren is one of the largest cities in the empire, rivaling even the capital. It’s densely populated and has developed a unique northern culture.”
Dino explained as he guided them.
“The north is rich in minerals and has the most advanced manufacturing technology in the empire. That’s why many people come here seeking new job opportunities.”
A land of opportunity. The place Dino described was truly one where many came with hopes and dreams.
‘It’s the perfect place for me and Anna.’
As they listened, they arrived at one of the most bustling districts in all of Tyren.
“There’s a night market here every evening.”
The night market didn’t just offer food—it also showcased artwork, street performances, and more.
‘People are the same everywhere.’
As that thought crossed Lucy’s mind, she reminded herself again—this world was part of a novel. And yet, she was still caught between reality and fiction, struggling with the surreal.
“Ladies, are you scared of sleeping alone? If you want, though I’m not too eager, I could stay in your room all night…”
Back at the inn, Dino leaned casually against the wall outside his room and teased them. His expression and tone were so comically thuggish that both Lucy and Anna burst out laughing.
“Maybe you’re the one who’s scared of sleeping alone, Dino?”
Anna giggled and teased him.
“Oh no, you caught me! So, shall I come over then?”
His cheeky response made them laugh again.
“Call me if you need me. I’ll come running anytime. Sleep well, ladies!”
Dino winked playfully before disappearing into his room. Watching him go, Lucy entered her own room and, first thing, checked the money hidden in her bag.
