Chapter 11. After the Encounter

Serenia wasn’t sure if this was a situation where she should laugh or not, so her expression twisted into an awkward frown.

Noticing her hesitation, Ain smiled warmly and added.

“Oh, just to clarify, I’m not someone who gains weight easily. Please don’t misunderstand.”

That’s when Serenia remembered: ignoring him, not reacting, was the only winning strategy.

“I wasn’t misunderstanding anything.”

She replied curtly and decided to stop giving him any more of her attention. Instead, she focused entirely on the food in front of her.

After all, there was an old saying: ‘Eating is saving.’

At home, all she had to look forward to was thin cabbage and potato stew. She might as well eat her fill while she could.

With that thought, she resolutely stabbed a piece of boiled carrot with her fork and brought it to her mouth.

Completely forgetting that the fork had just been in his mouth.

Ain, however, hadn’t forgotten. His eyes widened in alarm, and he quickly reached out his hand.

“Wait, uh, hold on!”

“What?”

Serenia asked, confused.

“The fork… it’s…”

“Yes? What about it?”

But by then, the fork—and the carrot—were already in her mouth.

Ain stared at the fork with a conflicted expression, then muttered under his breath.

“…Never mind.”

His cheeks tinged slightly red, but Serenia didn’t notice why. She merely glanced at him with a puzzled look, wondering what was wrong with him.

Flustered by her indifferent gaze, Ain cleared his throat unnecessarily and reached for his glass of water, taking several large gulps in quick succession.

Watching him drink water like it was his lifeline, Serenia couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.

“Instead of filling yourself with water, why don’t you just eat a little?” she asked casually.

“…It’s not like that.”

“Sure, it isn’t.”

“I’m telling you, it’s not.”

* * *

After finishing the photo shoot and meal, Ain descended the hotel stairs with Serenia and spoke.

“Since we’re already here, why not stay at this hotel for the time being?”

“…You’re not planning on sharing a room with me and taking strange photos, are you?”

At her wary question, Ain responded in an exaggeratedly offended tone.

“Just how shameless do you think I am?”

“Well, if you’re not, then fine.”

Ignoring her dry reply, he continued, “I’m just saying it won’t be easy to return to the Count’s estate, surrounded as it is by reporters.”

“…Oh.”

“By now, they’re probably not just waiting around but actively searching the area. If someone were to discover the secret escape route…”

“That would be a big problem,” Serenia finished, grinding her teeth before muttering, “Not that the house value could drop much lower.”

“That’s not the issue here…”

Ain started to reply but stopped, his expression complicated.

Serenia glanced at him, puzzled by his exasperated look, before clearing her throat awkwardly.

“Anyway, thanks for worrying about my way home. I admit it’s going to be tough getting past the reporters, but staying at the hotel isn’t an option.”

She added sheepishly, “…I can’t afford the room.”

Ain seemed to have been waiting for this. Smiling, he pulled a gold card from his pocket and held it up.

“If that’s the problem, don’t worry. I happen to have a lifetime free-stay pass for this hotel.”

Serenia blinked in surprise, looking between him and the card.

A lifetime free-stay pass?

Such things were typically only given to people who had done something extraordinary for the owner, like saving their life or something equally dramatic.

As she pondered this, they arrived at the hotel lobby.

The lobby was quiet, likely due to the early hour.

“Welcome,” a middle-aged woman behind the counter greeted brightly as she approached them.

Ain gestured subtly toward the woman and whispered to Serenia, “That’s Angela Neriad, the owner of this hotel.”

‘Wait, the owner is a woman?’ Serenia frowned slightly, feeling an inexplicable twinge of annoyance.

Unaware of her reaction, Angela’s face lit up as she recognized Ain.

“Ain! What a surprise! You never come, no matter how much I ask!”

Her refined appearance clashed with the excitement she displayed, practically bouncing with joy.

Ain greeted her calmly and respectfully, “It’s been a while, Lady Angela. How have you been?”

“Me? Of course, I’ve been great. And you?”

Angela then clapped her hands over her mouth, chastising herself.

“Oh, listen to me. Now I’m making it obvious that I haven’t visited you recently. Sorry, I’ve been so busy lately.”

“Not at all. You still visit when you can, and I appreciate it.”

“When was the last time I even—never mind, let’s not dwell on that.”

“On the contrary, I feel bad for not greeting you properly when you do visit. I always notice from afar and am grateful.”

“Grateful? Don’t be silly.”

As Angela waved her hands dismissively, her lively conversation with Ain only made Serenia’s expression grow colder.

They were on first-name terms, exchanging natural pleasantries. Despite the disguise of hats, wigs, and sunglasses, Angela had recognized Ain immediately.

Her comment about not visiting often yet still making an effort confirmed Serenia’s growing suspicion.

‘She must be a regular at his host bar!’

Oblivious to Serenia’s glare, Ain and Angela continued chatting.

“So, what brings you here?” Angela asked, sneaking a glance at Serenia.

Ain smiled flawlessly and replied, “Not what you think. The lady will be staying here on her own.”

“Oh, I see…” Angela seemed oddly disappointed but nodded.

Leaning closer, Ain added quietly, “Please ensure her stay is safe and private.”

“Ah.”

Angela, who had been grinning thoughtlessly, immediately sobered and studied Serenia more carefully.

Feeling the middle-aged woman’s gaze, Serenia began to sweat nervously.

Sensing her discomfort, Angela offered a reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry, my dear guest.”

“Excuse me?”

“Whether you’re a prince, a princess, or anyone else, if you stay at this hotel, you’re just a guest to me.”

“A… guest?”

“Yes. And at Neriad Hotel, we guarantee our guests’ privacy.”

“Guarantee…?”

“Absolutely. Whether you’re here for forbidden love, plotting treason, or simply eloping, it’s none of our business.”

“Wait, shouldn’t you report treason?!” Serenia gasped in disbelief.

Angela winked mischievously. “I value my business more than the royal family.”

“What?!” Serenia practically jumped.

‘Did I just hear something incredibly treasonous? Is this place even safe?!’

As she struggled to process Angela’s audacious statement, Ain leaned in and whispered, “You won’t need to worry about security with someone like her in charge. I give you my word.”

For some reason, Serenia felt this was less reassuring and more irritating.

“Does your word even mean anything?” she retorted.

“…Excuse me?”

“Ah, is that why you only told me half your name?”

“Well… how about I stake our contract on it instead?”

“Sure. Do whatever you want.”

Though her tone was sharp, Ain simply smiled and turned back to Angela.

“I’ll leave her in your capable hands.”

“Don’t worry. You know I’m good at this.”

Ain nodded politely before taking Serenia’s hand and kissing it.

Unlike yesterday, she didn’t recoil in disgust but remained icily indifferent. Ain found her reaction oddly unsettling.

‘But we still have more than six days to go.’

He reminded himself of this as he exited the hotel with a confident stride.

* * *

The room Serenia was assigned to was 312.

Situated at the farthest end of the third floor, it offered a stunning view of the serene Pfenn River.

However, the first thing Serenia did upon entering was draw all the curtains.

There was no point risking being spotted by a sharp-eyed reporter while casually gazing at the flowing water. Sacrificing the view early on was a far better option than facing exposure.

In the dimly lit room, which now felt more like late evening despite the midday sun, Serenia yanked off her bothersome wig and aggressively removed her tinted lenses.

Crossing her arms, she narrowed her eyes and muttered bitterly, “Honestly. He made such a big deal about me calling ‘Raskal’ by name, acting like I committed some grave sin. And yet he…”

Her monologue of complaints trailed on, growing longer with each passing second.