Arrival

On a pleasant weekend, Seraphine, Damian, and a group of newly assigned knights embarked on an expedition to the bustling town of Riverdale. Situated quite a distance from the mansion, the journey took a full day but was manageable, given the efficiency of their travel arrangements.

Riverdale, a significant city where Seraphine had once been purchased from the slave market, was now their destination. It boasted a population of around 20,000 residents, making it one of the largest towns in the region. While impressive in its own right, it paled in comparison to the grandeur of the capital city of the empire.

As they approached Riverdale, the sun began its descent in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape. Seraphine gazed out of the carriage window, her heart stirring with a mix of anticipation and nostalgia. Memories of her arrival in this town, a month ago, flooded her mind, reminding her of how far she had come.

The carriage came to a halt near an exquisitely adorned inn, a stark contrast to the humble accommodations she had rested before in this city. This inn was specifically prepared to welcome important guests, such as Damian and his expedition group.

Stepping out of the carriage, Damian was greeted by the town's mayor, who had come to extend his warmest welcome. The mayor bowed deeply, a symbol of utmost respect, his words reverberating with genuine hospitality.

"Welcome, young master Damian Ornstein. We humbly welcome you to our town," the mayor greeted, his voice filled with sincerity. The townspeople had eagerly anticipated the arrival of their esteemed guest, fully aware of the young master's reputation and not to disappoint or anger him.

"Very well," Damian responded with authority, his voice carrying the weight of his command. "We will rest here for the remainder of our journey. Everyone, take this time to rest. We will begin our work tomorrow."

The knight squad behind Damian's carriage acknowledged his orders with a respectful nod.

As Seraphine gracefully stepped out of the carriage, her eyes took in the bustling scene before her. The mayor's servants scurried about, carrying baggage and making preparations at the inn. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and activity.

Just as she was about to make her way towards Damian, a guard from the mayor's entourage approached her. He called out to her, referring to her as a maid and indicating that he would lead her to the separate servant quarters alongside the knight squad. It was a common practice to segregate the servant staff from the main rooms reserved for important guests.

However, before the guard could even touch Seraphine's shoulder, Damian swiftly intervened, stopping the guard's hand in its tracks. The guard was taken aback, visibly surprised by the sudden interruption.

"There is no need for that," Damian declared firmly, his voice carrying an air of authority. He placed his other hand reassuringly on Seraphine's shoulder, asserting his presence.

"She will be staying with me for the night."

The guard, confused and hesitant, voiced his concerns about the impropriety of a servant resting in the main rooms intended for noble guests. His words hung in the air, challenging Damian's decision.

Damian's annoyance was palpable, but he remained silent. Instead, his crimson eyes bore into the guard's, conveying his displeasure.

The guard immediately bowed, realizing the gravity of his insolence, and apologized profusely for his misconduct.

"Now, shall we go inside, Seraphine?" Damian said, his hand gently placed on her shoulder as he led her into the inn.

Inside the inn, a serene and welcoming atmosphere enveloped them. The mayor's servants guided them to their luxurious accommodations, ensuring that their every need would be met. As Seraphine settled into the room, she couldn't help but notice that its level of comfort and opulence was comparable to Damian's personal quarters.

However, a question lingered in Seraphine's mind. Why had the mayor's servants guided both her and Damian to this room? Did it mean they were expected to sleep together?

"Young master, do we sleep separately or together in this room?" Seraphine's curiosity got the better of her, and she mustered the courage to ask Damian directly. He turned his head, a smug smile playing on his lips.

"I'll let you guess, Seraphine. What do you think is the correct answer?" Damian's pleasant expression invited Seraphine to ponder her own question.

"Well, since the mayor's servants brought both of us here, does it mean I have to sleep in this room with the young master?" Seraphine's face flushed with embarrassment as she voiced her thoughts, unsure of what to expect.

Damian chuckled softly, his amusement evident. "You're getting ahead of yourself, Seraphine. I brought you here to discuss work and tomorrow's town visit. After we're done with our discussion, you can sleep in a different room."

Relief washed over Seraphine as Damian clarified the situation. The weight on her shoulders lifted, and she realized that her assumption had been premature. They were in the room for a purpose, and it had nothing to do with sharing a bed for the night.

With the misunderstanding resolved, they both settled into a comfortable seating area within the room. Seraphine's mind shifted gears, focusing on the forthcoming discussions about the town's issues and how they could address them.

The night had progressed, and the weight of their work had begun to take its toll on both Seraphine and Damian. Fatigue settled in, evident in their weary expressions and slightly slumped postures.

"I think it's time to call it a night," Damian declared, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion. "Seraphine, would you like to sleep in this room or a different one?"

Seraphine felt a momentary hesitation, unsure of what to decide. She reached out to Alice through her thoughts, hoping for some clarity.

"Are you really going to rely on me for such a decision, Seraphine?"

Alice responded, her tone sly and mischievous. It was clear she found amusement in the situation. "You should think for yourself in matters like these."

Seraphine let out a sigh, realizing the truth in Alice's words. She couldn't depend on her companion to make such a choice for her.

"Never mind," Seraphine muttered inwardly, gathering her thoughts and weighing the options before answering Damian's question.

"Young master, for tonight I believe it would be best for both of us to sleep in separate rooms. This way, we can ensure that we rest well and be fully prepared for our journey tomorrow," Seraphine finally responded, her voice filled with a mixture of certainty.

"How boring..." Alice's voice echoed through Seraphine's mind, clearly dissatisfied with the decision.

" Just shut up, Alice" Seraphine retorted, feeling a tinge of irritation and embarrassment towards her companion's reaction.

"Very well. That makes sense for both of us. You may dismiss now, rest well, and I'll see you tomorrow," Damian replied, accepting Seraphine's choice without displaying any disappointment. It seemed he had anticipated her decision from the start.

"Thank you, young master. I wish you a restful night as well," Seraphine said, bowing respectfully before leaving the room.

As Seraphine exited, Damian made his way to the bed, laying down and placing a hand on his forehead. A mix of relief and a trace of shyness washed over him.

"Well, to be honest, if she had agreed to sleep in this room, it might have been more challenging for me than for her," Damian whispered to himself, his ears turning slightly red as his thoughts wandered into the realm of their unspoken connection.