Chapter 24: An Unexpected Offer

Marcus's PoV

As they walked side by side through the dimly lit streets of the Grand Duchy, the silence between Marcus and the mysterious girl stretched on. The cool night air seemed to amplify the stillness, broken only by the occasional sound of their footsteps against the cobblestones. Marcus glanced at the girl out of the corner of his eye, trying to piece together what little he knew about her. The silver hair that peeked out from beneath her hood glistened faintly in the moonlight, and her slitted red eyes—so striking when he'd first caught a glimpse of them—were now hidden in the shadows.

Curiosity gnawed at him. Who was she? Where had she come from? And what was she running from?

Finally, unable to hold back his questions any longer, Marcus broke the silence.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice gentle but filled with concern. "You were in quite a situation back there. Do you... mind if I ask your name?"

The girl hesitated, her steps slowing slightly. Her face remained hidden beneath her hood, and for a moment, Marcus wondered if she would refuse to answer. But after a long pause, she spoke, her voice soft but clear.

"Artoria," she said quietly. "Artoria Pendragon."

Marcus blinked, the name unfamiliar yet carrying a strange weight to it. Pendragon. There was something regal, even ancient about it, but he didn't press further. Instead, he offered her a small smile, even though she couldn't see it beneath his own hood.

"Nice to meet you, Artoria," he said, hoping to put her at ease. "I'm Marcus."

Artoria gave no visible reaction to his name, her body language still closed off, as if she were wary of every word she spoke. Marcus could sense her discomfort, but his curiosity was far from satisfied. There was something off about her—something she wasn't telling him. So, he tried again, carefully treading the line between curiosity and respect.

"I couldn't help but notice... you seemed to be running from someone. Are you in trouble? Maybe I can help."

Artoria's hands clenched slightly at her sides, and her lips pressed together. Marcus saw her hesitate, but this time, her reluctance was more pronounced.

"I... don't remember," she said finally, her voice tinged with frustration. "My memories... they're jumbled. Some things I can recall, but most... it's like looking at pieces of a shattered mirror. Everything is broken, and I don't know how to put it back together."

The admission surprised Marcus. Amnesia? She didn't look like someone who had simply lost her way. Her strength, despite her condition, her aura—everything about her suggested something more. But seeing the frustration in her voice, he decided not to push further.

"I see," he said, his tone understanding. "I won't ask more if it's uncomfortable."

Artoria nodded, clearly relieved by his understanding. They walked a little longer in silence, the bustle of the town slowly growing louder as they neared the inn Marcus had in mind. It was a lively place, popular with adventurers after a long day's work. The sound of laughter and clinking mugs echoed through the street, and the smell of hearty food wafted from the open doors.

Marcus pushed open the door, stepping inside first and holding it open for Artoria. The interior of the inn was warm and bustling with energy. Adventurers of all types sat around wooden tables, sharing stories of their exploits, while others lined up at the bar, ordering drinks and food. It was a lively, chaotic scene, but one that made it easy for them to blend in. No one paid them any mind as they slipped inside, still cloaked and hooded.

"Let's find a quiet spot," Marcus suggested, leading her to a table tucked away in the corner, far from prying eyes. They sat down, and Marcus ordered a meal, hoping that some food might help ease the tension. As they waited, he leaned back in his chair, watching her closely.

"I don't know where you're from, Artoria," he began, choosing his words carefully. "But if you don't have anywhere to go... you could stay with me. I have a home, and my sister could use the company. She's around your age."

Artoria's head turned slightly toward him, her eyes still hidden beneath her hood. Her lips twitched as if she wanted to say something but held back. A few moments of awkward silence passed.

Then, with a slight edge of irritation in her voice, she muttered, "I'm 17. Seventeen years old."

Marcus blinked, surprised by the unexpected response and tone. He chuckled softly, realizing how his comment might have sounded patronizing. 

"Right, sorry about that. I meant to say, my sister's around that age too," he quickly added, hoping to avoid further offense. "She could use someone like you around."

Artoria remained silent, though her posture seemed to relax a little. The slight irritation was gone, and Marcus felt a bit of relief. Perhaps his attempt at humor had worked, even if just a little. They sat quietly again for a moment, the air between them no longer as tense.

The food arrived shortly after, and they ate mostly in silence, the lively sounds of the inn providing a comforting background. Artoria seemed to eat quickly, as if she hadn't had a proper meal in days, and Marcus let her enjoy her food without more questions for the time being.

Once they had finished, and the plates were cleared away, Marcus leaned forward slightly, his expression growing more serious.

"I don't know where you're from, Artoria," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers. "But if you don't have anywhere to go, you're welcome to stay with me for as long as you need. My sister would love the company, and you... you seem like you could use a safe place to rest."

Artoria remained silent, her red eyes staring at him intently from beneath her hood. Marcus couldn't read her expression, but the silence stretched long enough that he began to worry he had overstepped his bounds. Maybe she didn't trust him yet. Maybe she would prefer to go her own way.

Just as he was about to speak again, to offer her a way out, Artoria finally broke the silence.

"I..." She hesitated, her voice almost too quiet to hear over the din of the inn. "I don't know where else to go."

Her admission was soft but heavy with the weight of truth. Marcus felt a pang of sympathy for her, realizing just how lost and vulnerable she must have felt.

"Then come with me," he said gently. "At least for now. You don't have to decide anything immediately, but you're welcome to stay as long as you need."

Artoria was silent again, but this time, it wasn't a hesitant silence. It was a contemplative one, as if she were considering his offer carefully. After what felt like an eternity, she nodded—just once, a small but decisive gesture.

"Alright," she whispered. "Thank you."

Marcus felt a wave of relief wash over him, though he tried not to show it. He hadn't been sure if she would trust him, but something about her demeanor told him that she was beginning to let her guard down, even if only slightly. It was a small step, but one that could lead to something more.

As they sat together in the warmth of the inn, with the lively sounds of adventurers all around them, Marcus found himself thinking about the strange twists of fate that had brought him here. Artoria was a mystery—a puzzle he had only just begun to unravel—but for now, he was content to let things unfold at their own pace. 

For some reason, he felt that her presence in his life was significant, even if he didn't yet understand how. And as he glanced at her from across the table, he couldn't shake the feeling that their paths had crossed for a reason.

"Let's get some rest," he said after a while. "Tomorrow, we can figure out where to go from here."

Artoria nodded again, and Marcus rose from his seat, gesturing for her to follow. As they left the inn and stepped back into the cool night air, he couldn't help but wonder what the future held. All he knew for certain was that something had shifted in his life, and whatever lay ahead, it was bound to be more complicated than he had anticipated.

But he would face it—together with her, for now.