The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 50: No Rooms Left

"I am sorry, Sir, but I really have no rooms left," the innkeeper said, beads of perspiration trickling down the sides of his forehead as he cowered into himself. "I will be able to house the horses in the stables, but if we’re talking about a proper bed and breakfast then―"

"How about a spare bed?" Ralph tried to bargain. Soleia merely stood to his side and watched, the corners of her lips fighting the urge to turn down into the pits of hell. "Will there be space in the room to add an additional bed?"

"It’s one of our smallest rooms, Sir," the innkeeper said with a squeak. "I’m afraid that would be nigh impossible―"

"For fuck’s sake, how about a cot, surely there’s room for a cot ―"

"Sir Ralph," Soleia gently called out, pulling him away from the counter. "It’s alright. We can find somewhere else to sleep for the night."

They had been traveling for a little over a week. Throughout this time, Ralph and Soleia had been sleeping under one snow hut after another, seeking shelter from the elements using only whatever was available in the forest. Orion continued to shoot them occasional glares, but Soleia couldn’t help but notice he certainly didn’t offer any help while Elowyn merely smirked.

This was supposed to be the night they could finally rest their heads on a proper pillow, but even that was foiled.

"I overheard the innkeeper when he gave Orion the keys," Ralph grumbled under his breath. "That room Orion and Elowyn have is the largest suite available in the inn. There’s definitely room to add an extra bed― heck, even the couch might be comfortable enough to sleep for the night!"

Soleia cast a glance at the stairs that led up to the upper levels where the rooms were. Orion and Elowyn had quickly disappeared upstairs once they arrived at the inn, leaving Ralph to attend to the carriage and horses.

But once Ralph and Soleia were done with their tasks, they arrived at the front desk of the inn only to be told there were no more rooms available. Even the guards that had followed along on the trip had their own rooms to rest their heads for the night!

"The stables are pretty warm..." Soleia trailed off.

They weren’t, but they were much better than sleeping out on the streets. And only God knew what had transpired inside the carriage, so that option was also off the table.

"What a shitass town," Ralph grumbled under his breath. He ran a hand through his hair, tousling the strands in frustration. "This whole place is also surrounded by a forest, and there’s no other places we can stay for the night."

"Excuse me, Sir!" A sudden voice caught their attention, and Soleia and Ralph turned to see a young lady stare at them with hopeful eyes. She couldn’t be more than maybe thirteen years old, still young and full of wide-eyed wonder, her hands clenched together in front of her chest as though in prayer.

"Can we help you?" Ralph cautiously asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I couldn’t help but overhear," the girl said. "If you’re looking for a place to sleep for the night, my family has rooms available."

"Oh, no," Ralph quickly said. "We wouldn’t want to impose―"

"It’s an inn, don’t worry," the girl quickly added. "But a small one. Definitely nothing as grand as this place, but it’s enough shelter if you’re looking for some shuteye."

She bit her bottom lip, eagerly looking back and forth between Soleia and Ralph.

"It’s not expensive either, I promise!" the girl said when she noticed their hesitance. "Just ten coppers for one room." She paused for a second before she added, "Add another copper and I’ll include breakfast for two."

Soleia and Ralph shared a look, both their eyebrows raised high. Finally, Ralph turned and nodded at the girl.

"You drive a hard bargain," he said. "Lead the way, then."

The girl excitedly nodded before leading the two of them out of the inn and down the road, stopping only every once in a while to make sure they were still following after her.

When she finally stopped, it was in front of a small, two-story building. A few lanterns hung outside, swinging whenever the wind blew, but otherwise provided plentiful illumination. There was also a small sign that was hung near the door.

"Welcome to The Pleasant Inn," the girl said with a bright smile. "Well," she sheepishly said, "the name is still a work in progress."

"Is the inn new?" Ralph asked as they followed the girl in. "I’ve never heard of it."

"We just started the business," the girl said as she pushed open the door. The wood let out a short creak before swinging open. "Pa always wanted to start an inn of his own, but there weren’t a lot of people dropping by Frostholm in the past. But things started to change in recent years." freewebnøvel.coɱ

She crossed the reception area, decorated only with the fireplace and a couple of couches, and headed to the counter. Reaching behind, she grabbed a set of keys before returning to Ralph and Soleia.

"In any case, that will be ten coppers for one night. Will you two be having breakfast with us?" she asked.

Ralph nodded and shrugged. "Might as well," he said and fished out twenty-one coppers from his pocket.

However, when he placed the coins in the girl’s open palms, her smile quickly faded.

"What’s wrong?" Soleia asked. "Is there something wrong with the payment?"

She hoped not. Other than the coins that Sir Ralph carried, Soleia had no money of her own. She had some crystals, but using them to pay for accommodations in a small town so close to the capital was as good as sending an alert to her father to set Frostholm on fire. Besides, most of the common people had no use for these crystals.

"No, nothing like that. It’s just..."

The girl’s tongue darted out to lick her lips, looking sheepishly at Soleia and Ralph. She dug through the coins and picked out ten pieces, placing them back into Ralph’s hand.

"I only have one room available. All the others are still under refurbishment and are unfit to sleep in."

Soleia’s body instantly felt as though ice-cold water had been chucked over her head. She stilled, her eyes wide with horror as she slowly registered the girl’s words.

"If you’re okay with that, I can show you to your room," the girl continued, her voice growing softer and softer. "I didn’t realize that you two weren’t a couple, so I thought one room would be enough... You two looked like husband and wife."