Dragon King's Harem Chapter 397. Fireplace Hall

I nodded, giving her a brief, appreciative smile before gesturing for Eir and the soldiers to follow me.

We made our way toward the stairwell, and as we passed the small group of patrons near the fire, I noticed the instant recognition in their eyes.

Unlike the times I’d traveled in disguise, this time, I was clearly recognized. They all rose to their feet, bowing with a respectful but slightly nervous manner.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a young boy, nearly a teenager, staring up at me in awe, his jaw practically on the floor. His eyes were wide, filled with the kind of admiration that only a young dragon could have for his king. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Before he could gawk any longer, his father grabbed his head, forcing him to bow. The kid let out a yelp, breaking the quiet reverence for a moment.

The scene made me smile. Memories of Argod’s childhood, filled with the pressures of being the crown bearer, flooded my mind.

He had been raised with a lot of expectations like this, but he’d never had the freedom to stand in awe of others or get swept up in the wonder that this young boy showed now. He had to press his emotions and feelings well, making them unreadable for others.

Without breaking stride, I gave the group a respectful nod, acknowledging their gesture. I continued up the stairs with Eir and the soldiers. The wooden steps creaked beneath our feet.

When we reached the second floor, the innkeeper gestured to the door on our right. “This is your room, Your Majesty,” she said, a hint of pride in her voice. “It’s the largest we have, meant for guests who need privacy and comfort.”

She hesitated for a moment, then continued with an apologetic smile. “I’ll admit, it’s not quite as grand as the rooms in the bigger city inns. We usually host smaller nobles here… but it is our finest room.” She nodded reassuringly. “And, of course, your wives are already inside, waiting for you.”

I gave her a small nod. “It’ll be just fine. Thank you.”

She turned to the next doors down the hall. “Your advisors’ rooms are just beside yours,” she explained. “The rest of the soldiers have been settled in the rooms on the next hallway.”

Before she could go, I asked, “And the patients we brought with us?”

The innkeeper nodded quickly. “Ah, yes... they’re on the first floor in the ‘fireplace hall.’”

“Fireplace hall?” I asked, surprised. That was a feature I hadn’t come across in any of the smaller inns we’d stayed in.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” she replied with a respectful nod. “It’s rare for an inn of this size, but during the colder months, it’s used by nobles and the wealthier townsfolk for gatherings and events. It’s spacious and very warm, so we thought it would be best for the soldiers and healers to tend to your patients there. Princess Evelina and Lady Jyne are with them now.”

I nodded, absorbing the information. “I see.”

Eir gave a small nod of gratitude to the innkeeper. “Thank you for the arrangements.”

She dipped her head before leaving us in peace.

I turned back to the room and entered, the door creaking softly as it closed behind me. The space was modest but comfortable, the walls lined with simple wood paneling, and a bed that, while not as large as the one back in the palace, looked comfortable enough.

I glanced around, noting that the room was empty. I sighed, allowing myself a brief moment to relax.

Setting my blazer aside on the small chair by the bed, I felt the warmth of the room begin to seep into my skin. ‘It’ll be a while before dinner,’ I thought, realizing the inn staff would need time to prepare enough food for everyone.

Fortunately, the cooks I’d brought along would assist the inn’s kitchen staff. There was no need for a feast, just enough to fill everyone after the long journey.

I walked over to the window, pulling back the simple curtains. Outside, the town was quiet, the streets mostly empty except for a few townsfolk heading home for the night.

I scanned the area, my gaze sharp and searching, making sure there was nothing suspicious in the shadows or movement where it shouldn’t be. All seemed well.

Deciding I couldn’t sit idly by, I straightened up and made my way to the door, determined to check on the fireplace hall. After the day we’d had,

I needed to be sure everyone was secure, and I wanted to see Evelina and Jyne.

I descended, the sound blending with the faint murmur of voices coming from below.

When I reached the main floor, I saw the entrance to the fireplace hall just past the lobby. The soft glow of firelight flickered out from the open doorway.

Once I entered, I saw that the inn’s staff had truly gone to great lengths. Beds had been lined up along one side of the hall, where the soldiers and patients lay resting, some still attended by healers who whispered quietly as they worked.

The large fireplace dominated one wall, its flames casting a comforting warmth that filled the room. The smell of herbs and ointments drifted through the air, mingling with the scent of burning wood.

Evelina and Jyne were at the far end of the room, speaking quietly with one of the healers. When they spotted me, they both smiled, relief was clear in their faces.

“Your Majesty,” Evelina greeted. Her voice was soft, but I could hear the relief in it.

“Did the journey go well after we parted ways?” Jyne asked, her gaze searching my face for any sign of trouble.

I nodded, keeping my voice low to avoid disturbing the others. “Yes, everything went smoothly. I assume the patients are settled?”

Evelina nodded, her expression softening as she glanced at the resting soldiers. “They’re comfortable here. The fireplace hall was a good choice. They’ll stay warm and can recover properly.”

I looked around, observing the quiet calm that had settled over the hall. “Good. The town’s quieter than I expected.”

“It’s rare to have such a peaceful evening after everything that’s happened,” Jyne murmured, her voice tinged with the exhaustion of the day. “It almost feels… surreal.”

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