The tavern was brightly lit and bustling with people. Merchants sat in circles, discussing business and trades, while the air was thick with the aroma of roasted meat and ale.
Sista, Tii, Su Ling, and the Poet walked into the tavern one after another, immediately drawing the gazes of many patrons—though it seemed the Poet was quite familiar with the people here.
He smiled slightly and gestured for the group to find a seat in a corner. Afterward, he ordered drinks and food with practiced ease.
However, before the food could even reach the table, the scent of gunpowder between Sista and Tii had already begun to spread.
“The environment here is acceptable. I hope you haven’t forgotten the basic etiquette of hosting a guest.”
Sista let out a cold snort, her gaze sweeping over the crowd in the tavern as if searching for potential threats. She still hadn’t let down her guard, remaining wary of everyone present.
“Of course not. At least there aren’t any Witch Tribe mercenaries here,” Tii said calmly, her tone laced with clear hostility. “Otherwise, Her Highness would get angry again.”
Su Ling sat between the two of them, lowering her head awkwardly and clasping her hands tightly. She felt like a little bunny trapped between two volcanoes, liable to be swallowed by erupting lava at any moment.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Sista’s expression darkened instantly, and a flash of anger flickered in her blood-colored eyes.
“It doesn’t mean anything. I’m just stating facts. After all, the Princess seems to always have some prejudices against the Witch Tribe.”
Tii smiled faintly, her gaze meeting Sista’s without backing down an inch.
“Prejudice? I simply have no desire to associate with lower creatures.” Sista’s tone was cold and haughty. “I have long heard of your disgusting experiments. You are nothing more than a group of lunatics who use any means necessary for the sake of power.”
“Oh?” Tii’s tone turned mocking. “To hear a Vampire who finds pleasure in drinking human blood say such things… I really can’t tell if you’re being sincere or hypocritical.”
“You—”
Sista’s face turned ghastly, and her fists clenched tight. It looked as though she might explode in the next second.
Just as the two were at each other’s throats, the Poet gave a light cough, attempting to smooth over the atmosphere.
“Alright, you two. Let’s eat first. After all, there are more important matters to handle.”
However, his mediation didn’t have much of an effect. Their eyes remained locked on each other as if they might start a fight at any moment.
At that moment, the waiter brought out the food—a large plate of roasted meat, a fresh vegetable salad, and several cups of steaming ale. The fragrance filled the air, yet no one moved their utensils.
“Princess, after you,” Tii said with a smile, though her tone was clearly sarcastic.
“Hmph. I don’t need your concessions.” Sista responded coldly, reaching out to grab a piece of bread.
—
After they had finished their meal, the group began preparing the room arrangements.
The Poet went to the front desk to speak with the landlady. When he returned, his expression was slightly awkward. He scratched his head and gave an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry. The inn is very busy today, and most of the rooms are already booked. However, since the Princess is a distinguished guest, I specially reserved the largest room for you.”
“As for Su Ling and Tii, you two can stay in the small room next door.”
Upon hearing this, Tii’s eyes lit up immediately, and a meaningful smile curled the corners of her lips. She threw an arm around Su Ling’s shoulder in a friendly manner.
“That’s perfect. Little Su Ling can stay with me then.”
“I disagree.”
Sista stood up almost at the exact same time, directly grabbing Su Ling’s other hand. Her tone was hard and cold. “Su Ling must stay with me.”
“Oh my, doesn’t the Princess have a VIP room?” Tii said, feigning surprise. “That’s the largest room, after all. How could you bear to squeeze in with us?”
“I don’t care about the room’s size,” Sista said without hesitation. “Su Ling must come with me.”
The Poet was nearly breaking into a sweat as he tried to play peacemaker. “Princess, although that VIP room is large, it can only accommodate one person. Su Ling and Tii’s room is a bit more spacious, but the bedding is somewhat old. You might not be used to it…”
“Was I not clear enough?” Sista interrupted him directly, her tone brookng no argument. “It doesn’t matter what the bedding is like. My Personal Maid cannot leave my side.”
“But according to the rules, if you stay in a standard room, I can’t exactly occupy the VIP room…” the Poet said with a wry smile.
—
‘Well, then. That “only two rooms left” hypothesis actually came true.’
Caught between the two of them, Su Ling felt her head throbbing.
She tried to pull her hands free and whispered, “Um… how about I just sleep by myself? I can sleep on the sofa or…”
“No!”
The two of them interrupted her in unison.
Four eyes fell on Su Ling simultaneously, carrying a weight that brooked no refusal.
The Poet sighed helplessly and spread his hands. “Since you both are so insistent, then… how about this? The three of you can stay in the same room. It’ll save some trouble.”
The moment the words left his mouth—
Sista and Tii froze at the same time.
Both of them turned their heads in sync to look at the Poet, as if confirming whether or not he was joking.
Su Ling’s eyes widened in sheer shock.
“The same room?” Sista’s voice was as cold as ice.
“Oh? Now that is an interesting suggestion.” Tii smiled thinly, her expression unreadable.
“This—this won’t work!! It’ll be too crowded for three people to stay together…” Su Ling waved her hands frantically, her voice starting to tremble.
The Poet explained awkwardly, “Actually, that ‘largest’ room is only slightly more spacious, and the bed is still a single. On the contrary, the bed in the standard room is quite large; three people can just barely squeeze in. Besides… there really are no extra rooms left, so please make do.”
Sista snorted coldly, clearly extremely dissatisfied, but she was even less willing to let Su Ling and Tii stay alone together.
She shot a cold glare at Tii. “I can accept this. But certain people had better behave and not try any little tricks.”
Tii only smiled and didn’t respond.
Thus, the three of them followed the Poet to that “standard room.”
The room was indeed more spacious than a typical guest room, but the bed was clearly designed for two people. For three people to squeeze together, it was inevitably going to be a bit cramped.
Su Ling stood at the door, looking at the bed, already starting to feel like retreating.
Meanwhile, Sista and Tii stood on either side of her, their gazes falling on her at the same time.
The atmosphere… became dangerous in an instant.
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