I Refuse This Life, Your Highness! - Chapter 119

It was a somewhat odd statement ghosts, in the middle of this busy street full of inns? Yuraine and Isis fell silent at the unexpected remark, causing the innkeeper to fumble nervously as he hastily added,

“J-just rumors! Our inn doesn’t actually have anything like that!”

“Then is it those rumors keeping your inn empty?”

“Y-yes…”

The man glanced outside the large window. Amid the travelers carrying luggage, a few people who seemed to be hawkers from other inns were scattered about. The innkeeper’s gaze stopped on one group pointing at his inn and whispering among themselves. It looked like they were considering coming this way, but one of the hawkers approached them.

Although they couldn’t hear what was being said, the travelers’ faces immediately soured. Soon, they shook their heads and started toward the inn again—only to be intercepted by other hawkers. Gradually, their expressions shifted from curiosity to doubt, then unease. Eventually, they wheeled their luggage away.

“Ever since rumors about ghosts started circulating, it’s been like this. The hawkers from other inns make sure every traveler hears the tale before they can come here.”

“Did you offend the innkeepers’ guild or something?”

Yuraine frowned, and both the innkeeper and his wife shook their heads vehemently.

“No, not at all. But if you see that tall building over there…”

The innkeeper pointed to a seven-story building that towered nearby. It looked luxurious, and people bustled in and out of it.

“The owner of that inn had his eye on our building. He said it would make the perfect annex—great location, great structure. Naturally, we refused, and not long after, all this started happening.”

“Typical.”

Isis’s curt comment hit the mark. It was classic bullying—spreading elaborate and malicious rumors to drive competitors out of business. For such a well-built inn to have no customers during a weeklong festival was nothing short of absurd.

Isis turned toward the large window and gestured. Before long, a towering figure stepped through the door: Sir Lairn, in his impeccably polished knight’s uniform.

The innkeeper and his wife stared in confusion at the unexpected appearance of a knight.

“Investigate that inn across the street. If you find anything unusual, report immediately.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The investigation would proceed on two fronts: a direct inquiry into the inn’s operations and surroundings, and covert eavesdropping in the guise of a cat. The innkeeper couple, oblivious to the fact that this burly man could transform into a cat, simply looked more bewildered.

“And have our luggage brought here. We’ll be staying tonight.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Despite the sudden change in their lodgings, Sir Lairn complied without question. Shortly after, other knights arrived with their belongings.

“What about our room?”

“Oh—o-of course! The best room, right this way…”

The inn featured a pulley-operated elevator. Once they reached their room, Yuraine and Isis were greeted by a well-maintained, elegant suite. It was clear this inn was considered upscale in the area. For it to suddenly lose all its customers was undoubtedly suspicious.

The innkeeper couple diligently explained the room’s features before departing to prepare dinner. Left alone, Yuraine took her time inspecting the space. Despite the rumors, there was nothing eerie about the room. The canopied bed adorned with Tiserette silk, the intricately patterned floor tiles, and the sophisticated blend of ancient and modern designs created a harmonious and refined atmosphere. The semi-private bath that took up half the room was also a nice touch.

“Do you think there’s actually a ghost here?”

“If there is, it’ll be entertaining.”

“What’s so entertaining about a ghost?”

“Your reaction, of course.”

Yuraine frowned and lightly smacked Isis, who chuckled in response.

“I’m not sure if the innkeeper’s story is entirely true.”

“If it is, we’ll find something during the investigation. People rarely stick to just one tactic.”

“That’s true…”

Earlier, the hawkers’ actions were unmistakably targeted harassment. They likely swarmed travelers to ensure that, even if they didn’t choose the hawkers’ own inns, they avoided this one.

After a full day of exploring the festival and concentrating on her music, Yuraine began to feel the fatigue setting in. A warm bath with rose-scented oils followed by a sumptuous meal awaited them.

Stuffed eggplants, sunflower-seed-topped bread, lamb’s liver roasted with tomatoes, seared beef glazed with spices, and a refreshing salad of figs and lemon juice—all accompanied by two types of wine. The dinner was excellent, with no room for complaint. For such an inn to suffer a sudden drought of customers, something unnatural was at play.

After the meal, the innkeeper knocked on their door. The tray holding dessert rattled conspicuously in his trembling hands. He was visibly unnerved, no doubt due to the knight standing beside him.

“Leave it.”

Isis’s directive applied to both the dessert and the knight, who set down their belongings, shot the innkeeper a pointed glance, and exited with a formal bow. The innkeeper, still pale, quickly set the dessert on the table and tidied up before hurrying out of the room.

“Soon, there will be fireworks in the square, and the orchestra will perform. It will be delightful, so if you’d like, please come down to enjoy it,” the innkeeper said, still trembling slightly.

Yuraine nodded with a smile, and the innkeeper seemed to relax a little before retreating.

“They said there’ll be fireworks and music,” Yuraine remarked.

“Are you excited?” Isis asked.

“It feels festive,” she replied.

After finishing their dessert, the two changed clothes. Already, the sounds of lively music and bustling chatter were rising from outside. The streets, adorned with lanterns casting a warm, crimson glow, were lively and bright.

The noise grew louder as they stepped outside. Faces all around were filled with joy. The light from the lanterns played across Yuraine’s cheeks, giving them a faint blush. Isis gazed at her as if drawn to her radiance and kissed her. Startled, Yuraine glanced around but soon realized no one was paying them any mind—if anything, those who noticed seemed to smile approvingly. Emboldened, she placed a hand on Isis’s arm, stood on tiptoe, and returned the kiss to his chin. Taken by surprise, Isis couldn’t suppress the laughter that bubbled forth.

Musicians with tira instruments began playing Tiserette’s traditional music. The crowd paired off, clasping hands with their partners. Isis extended his hand to Yuraine, and she took it.

“I don’t know how to dance Tiserette style,” she admitted.

“That’s fine. It’s simple—just follow my lead at first.”

Reassured, Yuraine gripped his hand tightly. Her cold fingers, chilled from being outdoors, gradually warmed in his grasp. As the music began, she tentatively mimicked Isis’s movements, her first steps awkward. But after a few tries, she found the dance to be easier and more charming than she’d expected.

As they danced, they naturally drew attention. It was different from the gazes at a formal ball in the Grand Duchy; these were warm and approving. Yuraine’s cheeks flushed as she focused on keeping up with Isis’s steps. Whenever a move was particularly challenging, he lifted her gently, carrying her through it with ease.

The warmth of their joined hands, the soft glow of the lanterns, the laughter and chatter of the crowd, the music, and the scent of delicious food drifting through the air—everything melded together into a moment of pure enchantment. The sunset’s rosy hues painted the face of the one she loved. It was a perfect, sparkling moment.

Isis wrapped his arms around Yuraine and lifted her off the ground. Looking up at him, she lowered her head slightly, and their lips met. Cheers erupted from the crowd, adding to the magic of the moment. Their gazes locked, their eyes shining. For a fleeting instant, Yuraine wished this moment could last forever. Yet, time’s passage was what made it all the more beautiful. The perfect moment flowed gracefully into the next.

The next day, despite the festival, the grand inn across the street was raided by the city watch. True to predictions, the results were far from minor: tax evasion, bribery, falsified documents, substandard ingredients, hygiene violations, and even previously hushed-up crimes against guests came to light.

The innkeeper couple and their child watched the scene in bewilderment. Not long after, guests began pouring out of the raided inn and flooding into their establishment. With other inns already full and the sight of prominent visitors staying at this one, many seemed to disregard any lingering rumors.

Suddenly, the once-empty inn was bustling with activity. At a subtle glance from Isis, Yuraine nodded, and the two quietly slipped away amidst the growing crowd, boarding their carriage. The knights would handle the final arrangements and payment.

After their three-day retreat, the Grand Duke and Duchess returned to news that the grand inn had been shut down indefinitely, its owner imprisoned. The investigation, conducted over just three days, had unearthed an overwhelming amount of dirt. With the direct orders of the Duke and Duchess behind it, there had been no escaping the consequences.

“There will be new rumors about the inn now,” Yuraine mused.

“Not rumors—facts,” Isis corrected.

“True enough,” she conceded with a smile.

The fact that the Grand Duke and Duchess had stayed there would be a powerful promotional tool for the inn. It was, after all, a fitting reward—not for the modest flower they’d received but for the courage shown by the child who had gifted it to them.

“It turned out well,” Isis remarked.

“Shall we bring the children with us next year?” he added.

Yuraine’s face lit up with a smile. “I’d love that.”

The thought of sharing such a special experience with their children filled her with anticipation. She gently placed a hand over her belly, already imagining the joy of that future day. Isis’s hand settled over hers, a quiet promise shared between them.

This was just a few months before the birth of their twin children.

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