The Inn (Continued...)

Louise and Daisy brought up Clarimond's bags to the room upstairs, following someone Evania had somehow seemingly made appear from the shadows. In the meantime, Clarimond and Evania entered the main living room where worn couches surrounded a crackling hearty fireplace which radiated warmth. The wall was lined with worn bronze hooks which had clearly been used recently as a shimmer of water was still visible.

Evania shrugged apologetically, "I know it might be much, but it's comfortable and warm."

Clarimond smiled back, emitting an air of innocence, "Oh! Well, I think it's quite nice. I like places with life, I mean, the palace is perfectly nice and everyone there is so kind but I don't have a lot of companions since they prefer Arabella, since she is so perfect and sweet and kind. I mean everyone there has been so friendly to me."

"That's good, we don't really get a lot of special guests."

When Clarimond heard those words, she wanted to laugh. There was a reason why the inn didn't get a lot of special guests, it was because this inn, although cozy and comfortable, it was not "refined enough" for the nobility. However, with everything she had been through, it was better to have a place that was warm and inviting, rather than a place that was elegant but filled with people hiding insults and threats behind facades of kindness and openness.

Clarimond repiled truthfully, "Well, I'm glad to be here."

The remaining of the day passed by rather productively as Louise had gone out to spread rumors about Clarimond's treatment and the death of the Duchess and the Duke being involved with the imperial family under the guise of getting groceries for the inn. The previous night, she had revealed everything including her rebirth to Louise who had accepted it all and readily agreed to do everything to help Clarimond's cause. Clarimond had assigned Daisy to go back to the castle and get one of her necklaces which would not only prove to Daisy that she was "special" and would get her out of the way so she could talk to the workers at the inn. Clarimond spent the day talking to the maids at the inn in the kitchen and around the inn, they warmed to her quickly and were quite sympathetic to her. Everything was going well!

As the evening arrived, more people began to arrive at the inn. They were guests who had been out during the day and were coming back for dinner and to sleep. It had already been planned that Daisy would stay out to have dinner with some of her family before leaving and would also stay out that night too and that was indeed happening. Clarimond stayed in her room as the evening had arrived, reading while the guests came. About half an hour later, Clarimond wandered downstairs where people sent scattered around the living room, the hooks now wearing slowly warming jackets and hats. In the small parlor, there was a pile of boots drying.

There were about eight people in the room. There was a man with a figure-hugging grey sweater, grey trousers, and dark messy brown hair and piercing cold blue eyes. When Clarimond looked at him, she instantly recognized him, this was James Ashford. He was nearly the same as the picture on the newspapers, only he looked younger, colder, and more tired. She knew little of his past despite being reborn. Her eyes scanned over the remaining people – there were two women and five other men. Three of the men were dressed more formally and appeared to be from the same party, however, they were amicable to everyone else. There was a young couple and two good friends also in the eight people in the room. When Clarimond walked into the room, it turned silent, and they all looked at her. Clarimond knew instantly, that they recognized her. Afterall, despite being someone who did not really remain in the public life, her parents were beloved by the people and Clarimond knew that the people generally suspected that something was off with their deaths but did not know who the real culprit was. She also had done a lot of charity donations in both her past and present lives, without appearing and without recognition from the officials or on the building or memorial or appreciation area. However, many of the people who processed these donations told their families and friends or the ones being helped secretly so she knew she had gained some respect in that aspect.

As the day had gone well, Clarimond was excited to see how the evening would progress.