An Offer You Can't Refuse

The morning sunlight streaming through the windows of the Red Griffin Inn cast a warm glow over the common room, but the atmosphere was far from peaceful. A loud bickering match between two patrons had escalated, their raised voices ringing off the wooden beams. Ayaki, her long black hair braided down her back, emerged from the kitchen, her scarlet eyes scanning the room with a mixture of annoyance and concern.

The common room was barely occupied, with only a handful of people scattered about. A hooded figure sat in the corner, nursing a mug of ale, while a pair of travelers shared a plate of breakfast meats at a nearby table. However, her attention was drawn to the source of the commotion: a tall, broad-shouldered man with a breastplate strapped over his leather tunic. His disheveled brown hair framed a rugged face, and his hand rested on the hilt of his sword, which lay on the table.

Ayaki's eyes narrowed as she recognized the man. He was none other than Kenji Saito, the infamous "Lucky Blade," a member of one of the local guilds in Dale. His reputation for stirring up trouble was well-known, and Ayaki had dealt with him before so many times.

Her expression stern, Ayaki strode over to Kenji's table, her footsteps light on the wooden floor. She reached out and pinched his ear, her grip firm but precise. "Either behave yourself, Kenji, or get out of my inn," she warned, her voice low and even.

Kenji winced, rubbing his ear, but a charming grin spread across his face. "Ah, please, Ayaki...," he protested, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "....I haven't finished my ale yet!"

Ayaki's gaze turned cold, her disgust evident. "You're pushing your luck, Kenji. I've had enough of your antics." She glanced at the sword on the table, her expression unyielding. "And I'll have you know, weapons are not allowed in the common room. You know the rules."

Kenji's grin faltered, and he sighed, sheathing his sword. "Fine, fine... I'll behave. For now." He raised his mug in a mock toast. "To the lovely Ayaki, the only woman who can tame the Lucky Blade."

She kept staring at him for a moment, unable to ignore the sensation that crawled through her from just staring. If only she had the privilege to throw a punch at his face—she would have done so a long time ago but the consequences would have left her fired. She bit her lower lip, her hands clenched into the tightest of fists.

As she walked back to the counter, her gaze still lingering on Kenji, the door to the kitchen swung open and a young waitress emerged. She had her blond hair tied into a neat bun, revealing her delicate ears. The tips of her ears were pointed—like a leaf, giving her an endearing quality. Her large blue eyes sparkled with warmth as she smiled, her full lips curving upward.

Her waitress outfit, a crisp white blouse with a short skirt and an apron, accentuated her slender figure. A delicate circlet of tattoos adorned her neck, the intricate patterns dancing across her skin. The tattoos seemed to shimmer in the morning light, adding to her charm—but Ayaki wasn't fascinated. She knew exactly what those tattoos were. Slave Seal.

"Ayaki, you're needed in the kitchen," she said, her voice a gentle melody.

Ayaki smiled, her expression softening. "Alright, Yukino." She walked back into the kitchen, leaving Yukino to attend their guests.

The kitchen was a cozy, bustling space with a large wooden table at its center. The table was laden with an assortment of vegetables, herbs, and cooking utensils. A stout woman, dressed in the same waitress attire as Yukino, but with a crisp white apron and a chef's hat, stood at the coal stove. She stirred a large pot with a wooden spoon, her movements practiced.

Ayaki's gaze was drawn to the knives on the counter, which seemed to be cutting carrots with a life of their own. The blades moved with a smooth motion, as if someone invisible was using them to cut. Ayaki broke into a faint smile, because no matter how many times she saw this happening in the kitchen—it was always something that piqued her interest. Magic at times was beautiful, especially under the right person. Ayaki's eyes sparkled with amusement as she turned to the cook.

"You called for me, Tsuchiyo?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Tsuchiyo turned around, her storm-grey eyes staring into Ayaki's for a splitting moment. "Yes. I called for you."

"What's up?" Ayaki asked.

"It's about the Inn," she said, picking up the chopping board before she pushed the sliced carrots into the pot. She grabbed the wooden spoon again, and started stirring gently. The scent wafted through the air, appetizing. "Our sales are decreasing, and we have a lot of expenses on our plate for this month!"

Ayaki raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing on her pink lips. "What, you want me to charm people into coming into your Inn?"

Tsuchiyo laughed, the sound husky and confident. "Ha! You think you could even if you tried? Magic was never meant to be wielded by peasants."

Ayaki's expression turned cold, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "Did you call me here to insult me or what?"

Tsuchiyo giggled playfully, the sound grating on Ayaki's nerves. "Oh, dear, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings," she said, her tone dripping with insincerity. "But don't forget, you belong to me, dear... until you've cleared your brother's name."

Ayaki's eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched in anger. She didn't need anyone to remind her, to remind about why she was in this Inn in the first place.

Tsuchiyo turned back to the pot, stirring its contents with the wooden spoon. "Now, I want you to find someone who'll market our Inn to the public. We need to make sure we get as many people as possible who'll be coming to the Carnival. I have a lot of expenses on my table, and I need every penny."

*

Meanwhile, Karl stood by the window of his room, gazing out at the vibrant town square below. The early morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over the bustling stall and tables that lined the square. People were already hurrying, preparing their day's activities.

He had hardly slept through the night because of the excitement that bubbled inside of him. He was officially a loner, on a mystery quest to become the strongest. He couldn't wait for the sun to rise.

His eyes wandered over the square, taking in the sights and sounds of the lively town. His gaze landed on a stall with a bright, striped tent, adorned with colorful streamers and flags. A man stood on top of a box, in front of the stall, his arms outstretched as he yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome! Step right up to everyone's favorite magic shop! Potions, spells, magical artifacts, and more! Everything you need to make life easier, more exciting, or just plain magical!"

The man's words carried through the air, and Karl's eyes widened with excitement. His heart skipped a beat when he heard the word, 'spells'. He felt a surge of anticipations, his mind racing with possibilities. Maybe this was the lead he was looking for. A place where he could learn real magic, not just the fantasies he read in his favorite book.

He walked away from the window, his mind still reeling with excitement about the magic shop he had spotted. He stopped in front of the mirror, gazing at his reflection. His tawny blond hair fell down his head, framing his arched ears and accentuating his almond-shaped eyes, a piercing emerald green that seemed to sparkle. His pink lips curved into a subtle smile, and his tanned skin glowed with a healthy radiance. His physique was slightly toned from all the hard work they went through on the farm.

He grabbed the nearby shirt and pulled it over his head, the fabric rustling softly. He tucked his feet into his boots, the leather creaking as he laced them up. With a final glance in the mirror, he turned and walked out of the room, locking the door behind him. He didn't need anyone to tell him that he was quite the looker—he started noticing his radiance when he was still a kid.

He made his way down the stairs, his boots thudding softly on the wooden steps. As he entered the common room, he gazed around at the faces of the patrons, already enjoying their breakfast. He was about to leave when a hand grasped his, holding him in place.

He turned to see Ayaki, her crimson eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. He felt a surge of heat flare up his cheeks as he stared at her, his heart skipping a beat.

"Hey," he said, his voice a little softer than he intended.

"I've been looking for you," Ayaki said, her voice husky and confident.

Karl raised an eyebrow. "Looking for me? Why didn't you just come to my room?"

Ayaki cleared her throat, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "Take a seat, Karl. We need to talk."

Karl shook his head. "Whatever it is, it can wait. I have something really important to do."

Ayaki's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "What if what I want to propose to you will be beneficial? Very beneficial?"

Karl's curiosity was piqued, and he cocked a brow. "How so?"

"I want to employ you, make you start working under me." Ayaki said, her eyes steady as she gazed into his. For some reason, he felt an electric sensation where her fingers wrapped around his hand, and he wished he could just pull his hand from hers.

"Employ me?" Karl asked, holding back laughter. One thing for sure, he didn't come here to become employed.

"Yes..." She said. "....I want to employ you."

"I don't think I'm ready to be a waitress..." He mumbled.

She rolled her eyes. "Very funny."

"I mean it though." He said firmly.

"I know, but the offer I have is something you won't get anywhere in Dale," she said softly.

"What's it about?"

She loosened her grip on his hand, clasping her hands at her waist in a way that accentuated her curves. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she leaned in, her voice taking on a sultry tone.

"You'll be staying at the Inn for free, and dinner will be provided for you," she said, her words dripping with promise. "But in exchange, you'll have to market our Inn, spread our fliers across Dale..."

His cheeks burned with hesitation, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. But her grip on his hand tightened once more, her fingers wrapping around his wrist like a vice.

"If our proposal isn't sufficient..." she whispered, her breath hot against his ear. She guided his hand upwards, her eyes locked on his, until his palm was almost pressed against her chest. Karl could feel the heat emanating from her body, and his face burned with embarrassment.

"I'll be willing to give you something much more appetizing!" She finished, her voice husky with suggestion.

Karl jerked his hand away, his cheeks still burning. "Stop trying to seduce me, it won't work!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in protest.

She chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "Oh, really? Your boner's telling me something else!" she teased, her eyes glinting with amusement.