R302 | Chapter 1

[✧ March 3rd, Moon Day]

I had a dream about my childhood after a long time. Ain appeared in the dream, and it felt incredibly nostalgic.

When I was young, Ain was really good to me. He played with me every day, went shopping with me, and even helped with the inn work… Ain and I really got along well. There were other guests who treated me nicely, but there was no one like Ain.

Ain was special to me.

One day, Ain suddenly stopped coming to our inn, and I lost all contact with him.

I don’t know why Ain stopped coming to our inn. I thought he would keep visiting… I never imagined he’d say goodbye without even a word.

At first, I was worried that Ain might have died or gotten hurt, and I cried a lot. But then Mr. Maser, Ain’s colleague (or former colleague?), came and told me Ain was safe. He couldn’t explain where Ain was or why he wasn’t coming, but I was just happy to know Ain was alive.

But seriously, is it that hard to tell me where Ain is? It’s a bit unfair.

The last time I saw Ain was when I was twelve, so it’s been eight years already. Dad said all adventurers who come and go from the inn are like that and told me not to get attached… but Ain was different. I couldn’t give up easily.

I wish Ain would come back to our inn. I could really treat him well. I could give him extra service during meals, keep his room clean every day, and even do his laundry for free. I miss him. Ain probably forgot all about someone like me.

I was happy to dream about Ain, but now that I think about it, I’m a little upset.

☆ To-do list for tomorrow

– Deliver the wind rose to the client

– Don’t forget to reserve a room for Mr. Fern. Make sure to keep one of the innermost double rooms!!

[✧ March 6th, Wood Day]

A guest proposed to rent the entire inn. They even offered an advance of 500 Rund.

The guest (can I call them a guest? They haven’t even stayed at the inn yet) said the 500 Rund was a deposit and they’d pay double the usual inn fee every day. They must have a lot of money.

Of course, I wanted to accept the offer, but I refused. I have to honor my dad’s last wishes.

Actually, the important thing wasn’t that, but Mr. Fern, who had been staying in room 205 for a week.

Mr. Fern is a regular but a bit troublesome. Whenever he stays at the inn, he brings someone to his room two or three times a week. And he demands fresh sheets multiple times a day, claiming they’re dirty.

I think it’s an excessive demand, but since it’s a paid service, we can’t refuse according to our inn’s policy.

Moreover, the guest in room 206 complains daily about the noise from Mr. Fern’s room. When I complained, Mr. Fern promised to be quieter, but honestly, I’m not sure how quiet he’ll be.

☆ To-do list for tomorrow

– Do the piled-up laundry

⌗ ⌗ ⌗

March 7th, Gold Day.

Licht Heissis, the owner of the inn <Cats and Adventurers>, started the laundry he had been putting off. It had only been two days, but the laundry had piled up alarmingly. It was all because of one troublesome guest.

Licht poured water into a large tub, added soap, and then put in the sheets. He rolled up his pants, stepped into the tub, and began stomping on the sheets.

Fern, who was secretly watching from afar, swallowed hard. Despite bringing different people every day and living lightly, Fern had someone special in mind. The reason he stayed at <Cats and Adventurers> was because of the inn owner, Licht. Fern was convinced that about 30% of the people who came to the inn did so because of Licht.

Fern couldn’t take his eyes off Licht. The white calves and slightly revealed thighs, firm and smooth, tempted him to touch them.

Fern’s gaze traveled up to Licht’s face. Licht’s face… it was like heaven.

The stark contrast of his white, clean skin and jet-black hair left a strong impression. The eyes beneath the hair, with long, dense eyelashes, shone golden. The eyes, sparkling as if wet, often stirred the hearts of those who met them. His straight nose was flawless, and his tightly closed red lips looked inviting to bite.

In short, Licht had a beautiful face, as if crafted by a god as a masterpiece.

In addition to being an inn owner, a familiar profession, and having a gentle personality with a lack of awareness, Licht often attracted perverts. Like Fern (though he didn’t think so).

Fern, who was eagerly watching, closed the window and prepared to leave. After delaying a bit, he went downstairs, where Licht, having finished the laundry, was coming inside. Fern quickly approached and greeted him.

“Hi, Licht.”

“Hello, Mr. Fern!”

Licht greeted him with a smile.

‘He seems to smile brighter at me than at others.’

Fern, feeling excited, sat at a table in the inn’s first-floor hall.

“Licht, give me a chicken stew.”

“Sure, I’ll get it for you. Hey, a chicken stew here!”

Fern pretended to wait for the food while sneaking glances at Licht. Just looking at him felt healing. But soon, he had to avert his gaze because of Nidia, the inn’s employee, who came out to the dining hall.

Nidia, Licht’s childhood friend of the same age, was quick-witted, unlike Licht, and quickly noticed Fern’s gaze. She was sensitive to the looks directed at her friend and often retaliated against such guests.

Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t been caught today. As Fern sighed in relief, Licht approached him.

“Here’s your chicken stew. Enjoy, Mr. Fern.”

Licht’s intense gaze (purely Fern’s imagination) lingered on Fern before moving away. Fern decided he would soon ask Licht out on a date as he began his meal.

It was when Fern was halfway through the delicious stew. The inn’s door opened, and someone entered.

Fern, looking up absentmindedly, blinked stupidly. The man entering… looked like an ancient hero from a famous painting in the capital Resari. He even seemed to glow as he walked through the door.

“Welcome!”

Licht greeted brightly. Fern knew what would come next. ‘Good morning.’ If the guest didn’t respond (often lost in Licht’s appearance), he would continue, ‘Are you here to stay, eat, or perhaps for a request?’

However, even though the guest didn’t immediately respond, Licht didn’t continue speaking. Curious, Fern glanced back.

Licht looked very surprised. His long eyelashes trembled, and he stopped what he was doing, taking a step forward.

“…Ain?”

“Licht.”

The man replied with a voice tinged with laughter. Immediately, a bright smile appeared on Licht’s face. It was a face of happiness incomparable to the business smile that made others think Licht liked them.

“Ain!”

Licht ran and hugged the man called Ain. Licht practically threw himself, but the man didn’t budge. It was proof he was a trained warrior.

The sight of Licht running to hug Ain looked like a scene from a famous play. Fern swallowed his defeat and turned back to his stew. Asking for a date… might need more thought.

Regardless of Fern’s feelings of defeat, Licht was swept up in the joy of reuniting with Ain after so long. Licht, still holding Ain, tilted his head to look up at him.

“Ain, is it really you?”

“Of course, would there be two of this face in the world?”

Only then did they release their embrace and step back.

“Licht, you haven’t changed since you were a kid.”

“What do you mean I haven’t changed? It’s been 8 years.”

“After 8 years, you should have grown into a big guy, but you’re still pretty.”

Saying so, Ain roughly ruffled Licht’s hair.

“I thought you’d be much taller, but you’re still grounded.”

“It’s you who’s tall. I’m average, you know.”

Even as he dodged Ain’s hand, saying not to treat him like a kid, Licht’s smile didn’t leave his face.

“Let’s not stand here. Come in and let’s talk.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Nidia, can you watch the hall for a bit?”

“…Uh, sure.”

Nidia replied, looking a bit dazed. Licht, not noticing, led Ain into the kitchen. He excitedly called out to the head chef, Heiker.

“Hey, Ain’s here!”

“…Yeah, I saw.”

Heiker nodded. Ain also gave a simple bow. Heiker’s face showed a hint of surprise. As he turned his head awkwardly, his eyes met Nidia’s.

They exchanged a silent conversation.

‘Does Licht still not know who he is?’

‘Seems like it. How can he not know?’

Ten years ago, Ain had been a guest who happened to stay at this inn.

Ain, a mercenary, solved problems around the village, handled incidents in big cities, and eventually headed to Castle Latier to successfully overthrow a tyrant. He proved he had royal blood and finally ascended the throne.

Ivern Serhardt.

Praised as a wise ruler leading the new glory of the Kingdom of Elio, a king respected and loved by many… For some reason, he unexpectedly appeared at a small village inn. Disguised as an ordinary traveler, fooling the inn owner, Licht.