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Cinne's POV
The rain slithering down the window was a relaxing sight. I mean who does not like a rainstorm?
I closed my eye lids and slowly let myself sink into a reverie under the comfy soft chair.
"A quiet peace at last" I sighed through my nose.
But as soon as it came, peace went away when I heard metals clanging just outside the front door. I turned and peeked outside the window and see a man with grey fitted coat with peak lapels and black pants, he stood in front of the sleepy guard outside.
He looked like he came alone but I know that there are other guards or knights fully suited with armors or metals standing behind him. They looking like a bunch of armadillos, shame that they are in invisibility charm otherwise it would be quite a sight!
He talked to the guard outside of the hotel that I'm currently staying in 'as the only customer'. The guard got up from his trance and did a 90 degree bow at the man.
'He seems like a big shot for the guard to do a respectful bow, on the other hand the guard only shrugged at me'
Ducking my head down as quickly as I can from the window, I went to grab a book whose language I don't understand as I await for the hotel manager's arrival.
Yes! For the manager's arrival!
I mean I understand the business is low in their hotel with 'zero employees' minus the sloth like guard but they shouldn't be too ignorant instead they should put more effort! We never know, a customer might come and take a shelter at such a pleasant rainy day such as tonight. I can already see the future of this hotel, anyone would.
In the middle of my amazing thinking, the bell chimed signaling the opening of the front door and I swear the temperature dropped to the point my teeth started chattering though it was only for a moment. But being the only one present inside there was no audience for the 'superstars' entering.
The man entered the room and with some unknown wind blowing his bluish hair?
'What a grand entrance'
I gagged internally and zipped up my jacket as high as it can go and covered my head with my hood.
The man in grey was now standing beside the booking table where the 'supposed' manager was to be in.
'Somebody's gonna get in trouble tonight' I sighed internally. The knight's stood in a C form. It must have been a plan they made if things were to go south but I highly doubt what could go wrong in this abandoned hotel in the middle of nowhere?
Carefully glancing back at my watch it was already 11 pm.
'Maybe I should just go on ahead with my journey instead of taking a rest here and if luck be on my side I might discover a new hotel to stay in for the night. Cause God knows how long the manager will take-'
I was disturbed by the sound of footsteps (minus the –s) approaching my direction. Obviously this was the only sitting room with two red velvet covered couches, a coffee table with books in the middle and a comfy chair by the window which I'm currently sitting on.
Slouching my back a little so that my hood could cover my entire face, I crossed my legs and focused on the book while deciphering a picture of 'two men sitting opposite each other with their arms crossed'.
They or rather the man sat down on the red couch opposite to me, three knights sat on the other couch while the other two sat beside the man. Their invisibility wore off so does their armors and now they were in the similar dressing as the man, well except for different shades of colors.
I side glanced if anyone saw them but there was no soul in sight.
'Right, I'm the only one present here. Should I act surprise! Terrified? What should I even do?'
I sat a little straighter indicating that I noticed (Ha! Nice move!)
Being a first in 'time travelling' or rather 'world travel' I think that's good enough.
3rd POV
The men turned their attention to an unknown girl sitting opposite them. She was wearing a weird blouse like cloak covering her head and wearing pants which is somehow blue. They had only realized now that she was present when they removed their charm. It was like she was in an invisibility charm too until she moved.
Their so called captain cut off their connection and cleared his voice as he faced the girl in front. His voice turning from dark monotone to a little brighter one, like a black rose with monstrous thorns turned into a white rose.
"Ahem, my lady I'm very sorry for startling you with their sudden appearance~" the captain apologized while gesturing her to his fellow knights who looked less than sorry, let alone apologize.
The girl was surprised at the sudden gesture from the captain. As she was currently looking at the picture of 'two men bickering each other some nonsense but their distance growing dangerously closer'.
She slightly tilted her head to the left revealing her lower face and gave a nod before turning a page from her book and started reading the new scene 'which was getting intense' she gulped but continued analyzing the picture obliviously to the stares from the guys in front.
A dusky blonde man with violet coat glared daggers at her informality while being held back by a slick black haired man wearing a black coat with vertical white lines while he calmly observed at the title of the book the girl was reading, he was slightly amused. The others was just shocked at witnessing their captain's sunny attitude being turned down by a slight left nod from the girl sitting opposite them.
Something about her intimidated them, but what is it?
As for the bluish haired man sitting in front of the weird girl, he was taken aback by her gesture and he decided to just leave it at that and turn to his real attitude not wanting to pry on anymore.
'Suspicious but I'll leave it at that and focus on my new recipe'
The said man took out a black notebook and started writing a recipe on how to cook a human without hurting them. A small grin taking over his pale face.
Cinne's POV
After 30 minutes or more, I came to an end of the picture book and boy was I flustered. I mean just from the picture it was about some type of hyper angry love between two males which I never expected to find in this world and even giving real details of 'the act'.
'But never mind that, I'm just so glad the man in grey stopped asking me anything more because I was regretting my actions from before to make them notice me. Yes, I'm a world traveler of some sort 'not the only one of course' and No, I don't like communicating with strangers or anything, which I have to work on. Because whenever I talk it comes off as rude (cause it's my personality nothing more….or less)'
While we were waiting, the bluish haired man was writing something on a black notebook with some sort of an evil predator like grin. I shrugged internally.
The knight with neat brown hair and a fatherly look was sitting beside bluish man observing the slightly dim sitting room while the other ginger haired guy looked scared for some reason. The setting around us gave a very shady look for some reason 'like we're here for some smuggling' I look at the other three.
Two blondes with similar dusky features were arguing some nonsense which once again reminded me of the picture book, keeping my composure I glance at the slick brunette sitting in the side while reading a book in an elegant manner (not even I can surpass that, heck I'm the lowest when it comes to manners well except for my acting…I think).
Once again I carefully glanced at my watch it was 11:44.
The rainstorm started getting worse which I'm proud of but not anymore as a sudden hailstorm started.
Now feeling rather cold under my loose jacket, I looked around and by a corner I saw a small fireplace with a weird type of wingchair in red and black patterns.
Deciding my next 'waiting' spot I stand up and at the same time one of the blonde in the middle stood up muttering something and turned towards my standing figure.
The rest of the men stop what they were doing and look up at us like expecting something to happen. Arranging and pulling down my loose burgundy jacket I made my way to the fireplace ignoring a snide comment from the blonde.
They buried holes on my back with their stares but I steadily waltz down the room. Reaching the fireplace I sat down on the wingchair which was surprisingly comfy. I took out a lighter while bending towards the firewood with a blue sparkle in the fireplace the black wood started blazing softly.
The sitting room was dark now compared to my small furnace. From the corner of my eyes I see someone approaching me. I turned towards the approaching figure not removing my hood which was surprisingly still hiding my face. I already know who was approaching me from the color of his coat.
'God I hoped he just came here for warmth and nothing else, wait why does it sound so weird?' I face palmed myself but still continued to look in his direction.
3rd POV
With the sudden movement from both their comrade and the weird girl, the men looked at the scene in front of them expecting some drama between the both of them. The angry blonde inhaled to say something offensive but the girl ignored him and made her way to a small fireplace in the corner. Each one of them observing her movement till she sat down and bending towards the fireplace she took out something and with a snap there was a blue sparkle and the woods started burning with orange hue. Their eyes widened for some split second but before anyone of them could say something, their captain swiftly made his way towards the girl's direction almost like an attracted magnet 'which was weird'.
The bluish haired man came to a slight stop when the girl turned to face him, her hood still covering her face but he knew that she knew it was him.
'I already told myself not to pry anymore but why did I made my way here?' Confused and with conflicted thoughts he continued to approach her.
"Can I sit beside you? If you don't mind~" he asked with his sunny tone.
"…"
"It's a little bit chilly there so~" he continued after receiving no response from her.
"Yeah sure" replied a cold but calm voice. The girl was beyond happy inside that he came only to warm himself.
'Nearly shitted myself when he asked me with his fake sunny voice'
Cinne's POV
He was about the same height as me about 5'7 maybe an inch taller than me (props he a 5'8). His features were very likable with bluish hair and dusky silver eyes though he was the shortest among the other men. But I can say with ease that any lady seeing him would definitely crane their necks but he's too porcelain for my eyes with his pale white skin.
'Looks like an albino with blue hair'
"But there is no extra chair" I said again.
He looked a little astonish for a second but flashed a fake smile while sweeping his index finger and 'summon' another wingchair and sat down a few feet apart from me.
'Great he is a summoner'
I could hear some heated arguments from the two blondes behind and I try so hard not to grin recalling back at the picture book.
The bluish albino inhaled and was about to start a conversation but I quickly interrupted him.
"Hm, what should I read again?" I ask myself while abruptly standing up and making my way to a bookshelf fitted within the wall.
I heard him sighed a little and I mentally patted myself at my back for avoiding a conversation.
I looked at the books noticing different languages and at the top shelf I saw a book which shouldn't exist in this world because it was from mine! Maybe a world traveler stayed here!
Excitement filling in my stomach I reached over and took the book it was entitled 'Beauty and the Beast' (someone's a fairy tale lover)
I grinned at myself.
'I doubt none of the people know about this book'.
Except for the one who brought the book, whoever it may be.
'Which means that I can meet and create a business line with the travelers in this world like my father instructed me'
I victory screamed inside.
I smiled internally while sitting back at my wingchair which seems to be somewhat closer to the blue albino now. He was noting down something again on his black notebook but this time without an evil grin.
I sat down and started reading, a very uncomfortable mist settling between the blue albino and me but I ignored and continued reading.
A few unsettling minutes later a 'beeb-beeb' sound startled the both of us or 'rather' more to the blue albino. It was my freaking watch's alarm which I had set at 12 am signaling me to wake up and get going with my journey.
I groaned internally and quickly turned off my alarm by pushing a button from my now visible watch to the onlooker.
I looked back at the blue albino now he looked genuinely perplexed and surprised even the men sitting back in the couches.
'This scene looks like some drama is about to happen with a tension violin playing in the background'
Acting like nothing happened I stood up and placed the book with a small note indicating my address written in my language of course.
As I turned back, the blue albino was suddenly in front of me with our faces some few inches apart, glaring at me for some reason.
I glanced behind him and saw the rest of the knight standing and looking in our direction ready to unsheathe their swords which magically appeared out of nowhere.
'Fuck my life!'
"What" I said calmly but clearly annoyed knowing that I can't even fight. Well except for being able to nullify magic directed at me, but not physical action!
"What was that thing? Do you know of us?" the blue albino repeatedly asked me with his deep monotone voice.
'I like this tone better' I grinned internally.
"Why would this thing bother you?" I asked showing my beeper type watch in front of my face to let him see it clearly and also to keep some distance between us. My hood finally got its moment to slide down.
My shoulder length burgundy hair visible so does the rest of my face.
Nothing wrong with my face except for my blue eyes which glows at night! Or in intense situation.
(Yeah nothing special keep on reading)
"It's just a time teller which I made by myself" I lied cause in no way will I be able to make a watch let alone invent.
".." he still remain skeptical, but now he was glare-staring at my slightly glowing eyes with his piercing dusky silver gaze but not piercing me at all.
"The sound it made was to wake me up but seeing as the manager decided to sleep on his snail paced horse I forgot to turn it off" I ended my sentenced and glared back at the blue albino.
We were basically the same height right now and if we were to kiss, now would be a good position. I brushed my thoughts aside and started our staring contest 'literally'.
The others suddenly appeared and surrounded us but we ignored them and continued with our contest.
Eventually the blue albino released a sigh and back away.
'Ha! I won' I mentally audience clapped.
"I apologize for my wrong assumption" he said without changing to the sunny attitude and not sounding sorry at all.
"Yes it is a very bad assumption mister blue albino" I replied victoriously, acting like I didn't say anything offensive.
I could see one of the blonde twins (which I assume) trying to hold back his laughter, while the slick brunette grinned leaving the other two knight shocked and one angry blonde.
"My name's Alexander Blackwood the 1st lieutenant of Drikun"
"I never asked for your name" I said as I tried to covered my face again but the hood remained stubborn.
"Or your title Mr. Lieutenant"
".."
"Why you piece of-" the aggressive blonde started bickering but soon cut off by the other blonde.
"No offence miss" replied the other blonde with a shy or should I say sly smile.
"None taken" I replied as I made my way to the sitting room ignoring but I stopped in my tracks. There in the front door stood our soaked and shaking manager. He looked like a handsome flirt but his hair was like a disheveled sperm springing all over the places.
I grinned at his shattered behavior.
Surely he was late because of some warming he had.
The men stood behind me like my bodyguards which I wouldn't mind to have and reminding myself to hire one later in my journey.
"My l-lady and s-sirs I'm sorry for the inconvenience for our lowly hospitability-" he bowed looking like a shriveled egg.
"Hmm…really?"
I asked in disbelief while tilting my head (yeah I love to tilt my head a lot because it gives my nerves some relief).
"I've been waiting for five hours thinking that I would have a good rest before my journey….so how do you plan on repaying?" I said losing some cool but oblivious to a scoff and grins from the men behind me.
"R-repay?"
"Yes repay, Are you deaf? Should I slap some sense into you?"
It made him shudder and he quickly made his way to a wall near the booking table while saying a charm and drying himself.
"How many rooms would you like? My lady?" he asked a little shyly.
"One room, of course"
"One room would be…. Small for seven people…"
He started off with a slight look of lust hinting in his eyes and looking behind me.
'What the actual fuck?'
I looked behind then I realized that I had taken whole control of the situation in the spur of my strong woman moment that I forgot about the men behind me. Some looked flustered while others surprised at the managers bold comment.
"What made you think I'm with them? Just get seven rooms!" I face palmed.
The manager whispered a spell and keys appeared from the wall.
Looking at my key it was written 'N.7'.
Sighing I sat back at the comfy chair from before.
The guys stopped in their tracks and turned back at me.
"What?"
"…."
"…?"
"Didn't you say you were tired?~"
"Yes I said that, so what of it?" I asked with an annoyed face as my stomach did a small side grumble.
"Well why aren't you coming?~" the blue albi- the lieutenant asked again with his sunny voice.
"Do I need to tell when I should come?"
"Hmph Bitch" the aggressive blonde replied back to which I just scoffed while flipping him off with both hands.
"I need some dinner..no..breakfast for my angry stomach" I finally said not wanting to talk anymore.
The manager combed his hair back a bit and walked up towards me handing me a menu. I took it while he winked at me but I ignored it and visibly inhaled the menu. The brown haired older man made a disgusted face at the manager's act and he went back to his previous seat, the others return back at their usual seats too, not uttering a single word.
'Ugh not again, why can't I just have some alone time?'
The manager came back for my order with a happy smile turned to a scowl when he saw the men sitting.
"You're order my Lady?"
"Cut the 'Lady�� crap and just get me an omelet with caviar fillings"
He turned to the other men.
"Anything for you all respectable Sirs?"
"I wan-"
"Just coffee will be fine" the lieutenant replied cutting off the blonde's request.
Squinting my eyes a little I looked away from the handsome devils and observed the weather outside.
'After some few hours I have to start searching again'
Sighing, I looked down at my watch and remembering something I looked up at the lieutenant and he faced me at the same time.
'What the heck?'
"By the why did you act like I offended you or something when my alarm went off?"
"…it was similar to our enemies track alarm" he mostly whispered to himself and I had to twist my ear.
"If you are a lieutenant why are you here? I mean there must be some other grander hotels nearby…forget I asked that" I trailed off thinking it was probably not a good idea giving more reason for a conversation.
Before he started speaking, the coffee table transformed itself into a long dining table along with high back chairs with nude cushions.
Hesitantly getting up from my comfy seat I sat at the chair in front and the others did that as well while rearranging their positions.
The manager came in bringing five black cup of coffees and placed it on the table in front of the men and placed a sparkling glass of water by my side which was infused with some type of charm, he went back to where a suppose to be kitchen is.
'He does all the work by himself? And did the manager just spike my water?'
"I don't like coffee-" one of the blonde said with a disgusted look.
"Just shut up and stop complaining about everything" another blonde snapped.
"Say… miss? May I ask why you're travelling alone?" the slick brunette asked me while elegantly placing the cup on the table.
"What makes you think I'm travelling alone?" I retorted back ignoring to give my name.
"If you were with company then you would have left this hotel instead of waiting"
"Then what about you guys? Surely you all are from high status why come here at all?"
I asked instead of answering his questions.
"We have business in this area"
"Same here" I replied quickly.
There was some silence as I looked at his block orbs and him at mine. He was sitting next to the lieutenant.
"What type of business?" the lieutenant asked letting me turn my gaze towards him.
"That's….. none of anyone's concern"
I replied back and at the same time the manager placed a plate in front with a deep smile. His eyes hinting something else but the façade was soon diminished when one of the twins pulled the table towards them and the plate nearly fell on my lap.
The manager let out a scowl but managed to get past the men who glared daggers at him for some unknown reasons. I ignored the drama. Pulled my chair closer and started my very early breakfast which was also spike with some type of love charm.
Feeling their stares at my direction I looked up meeting five pairs of eyes.
"Is it just me or are you guys hungry too?" I asked with my mouth full.
"Do you even know that your food is spiked with love charm?" the guy with neat brown hair spoke with a stern but slightly concerned fatherly voice. He somewhat reminded me of father.
"Have some manners while eating" the angry blonde snapped at me.
"No manners in front of strangers" I replied.
"Isn't that suppose to be the other way round?" a meek voice asked to thin air.
"And yes I know that its spiked but I don't care"
'Cause magic, charm, spell etc will not work on me'
"May ask of your name?~" the lieutenant asked in the fake sunny tone with his hands on the table and fingers folding.
"What's up with your fake tone? It sounds very…shady-"
"The arrogance you have for speaking like that to our comman-" the angry blonde cut me off and in turn got cut off from the lieutenant.
"Mustaf!" the lieutenant said, his fingers coiling.
"Didn't I tell you to contain your anger?" the commander's voice turn cold.
"~Gee don't be so hard on your comrade~" I whispered.
"Sorry Sir but the lady here should speak more politely" said Mustaf with blazing golden eyes which I noticed just now.
'Damn that's a hot eyes right there'
"We don't even know each other so there's no need for us to be formal Mr. Angry blonde"
"Come on, he just ask for your name" the sly blonde said.
"Yeah just your name and we'd like to know more about you" Mr. Slick said calmly while sipping his coffee keeping his eyes on me.
"Pardon my behavior" the lieutenant said with his monotone deep voice.
"Never mind" I said wiping my mouth with a tissue found near my plate.
I stood up.
"Now you're just gonna ignore us?"
Mustaf asked while muttering some profanities, surely at me.
"Yes, what else do I have to do with you all?"
"Let us start with introduction" the sly blonde stood up along with others. He held his hand towards me to which I just stared at. Somehow awkward he retreated back.
"My name's Karilf and the angry blonde here is Mustaf"
"Let me guess both of you are twins am I right?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes we are" Karilf let out a low chuckle.
"Let me introduce myself…too" the slick brunette said while giving an elegant bow.
"No need for formalities"
"Nah he's like that" Karilf replied.
"Vancelot Kai, Vance for short" he stood up 6 ft straight.
"Okay then the other two here is Jean he's the oldest among us and the meek fellow here is Samuel" Karilf continued as I yawned through my nose.
"Right! Thank you for introducing yourselves even though I didn't ask for it. Anyway let me head back to my room now" I said visibly yawning.
"So you won't say your name?~" Karilf asked slyly as he walked beside me with the others dangerously behind us.
'I don't like where this is going'
"Fine you can call me C for short" I gave up.
"Just C?"
"Yeah, got a problem?"
"Nope~"
"Who the heck have a name as C" Mustaf grumbled behind.
"Uh…that would be me" I replied while reaching my room. Just as I was going to open the door I stopped and turned back.
"And may I ask why are you all just standing here? Behind..me?"
"You're suspicious-"
"Just worried about you-"
"You intrigue us-"
"I want to get to know you better~"
".." ".."
They all replied at the same time sounding like children rhyming with different tones. I raised my eyebrows clearly surprised.
They looked at one another confused at the different response but talking through their eyes. The lieutenant turned to me.
"We'd like to ask some questions because to be honest you look suspicious"
"I thought my acting was good" I muttered to myself.
"What?"
"What?"
".."
"…?"
'Never mind that'
"What did you want to ask?"
"Can we come in?"
"No?"
"Only me?"
"...…no"
"Don't force us" Mustaf said.
"I'm not forcing anyone, I'm just so tired and would like a rest. If you all are so adamant on questioning me than do so in the morning"
I opened the door while yawning loudly and closed the door in their faces kinda like flipping them off except for the man who reminded me of father and the meek guy.
"Goodnight miss C" someone said.
I entered the room while locking the door. The room was spacious for two people at least. The bed looked so welcoming.
'Just you wait there I'm coming in a bit'
I sighed and made my way to the small table with two black chairs.
Placing my maps and golden timepiece on top of the table, I removed my jacket revealing my white cotton t-shirt and dived inside the warm blankets. Making a nest under my foot and placing a soft pillow between my thighs while swiftly drifting off to sleep.'I'll worry about tomorrow when it comes'