Just because Jessica found what they did reasonable. Didn’t mean everyone was so nonchalant. For the two, they built up a considerable amount of ties. So to leave someone that had value in their eyes, it left a bad taste in their mouth.

After a few attempts to build up communication. Their food arrived. Soon, the now very awkward situation was alleviated slightly. As they ate, Claire let out a sigh. It was softly released. Removing the negative feelings, she ate the food in relish.

Once they were done, Jack wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Claire, “See you later.”

Jack clearly wanted to say something, however, he stopped when Jessica smiled as she waved them off, “Be safe.”

Trying to start over wasn’t something done so easily. Even though Jessica agreed with their decision to separate. At that moment, they had cut a fissure between the two. She might not have negative feelings about them, but that didn’t mean she was willing to close that divide. Not at the moment at least, so trying to reconnect like nothing happened didn’t work the way they wanted it to.

Finishing her grilled chicken sandwich, she drank the juice that was recommended. Letting it all settle in. As new people came to take the seats that had been emptied. She got up and returned to the lodging.

“Joe, that spot two corners down is amazing!” Jessica spoke seeing Joe sitting at the counter, she couldn’t help but pat her stomach as she praised in awe.

Looking up from the last newspaper, “Of course, I don’t recommend trash. I eat most of my meals with Charles. Do you expect me to starve when he isn’t around?”

Sitting down, Jessica didn’t head upstairs. In terms of being lazy, she decided to just relax without going up the stairs. Not losing all decorum, she pulled a chair out to put her feet up. She felt like she would be chastised if she tried to put her feet up on the table.

Seeing as Joe hadn’t reprimanded her, she slowly started to space out. As time was slowly passing, the only sound came from Joe turning the pages. All noise from outside was dampened. Usually it could be heard a little, but when Joe was reading he liked it to be very quiet.

Jessica always guessed it was something similar to the formation on the carriage, though without having talent in that field she couldn’t be sure. Without the talent, she never spent very much time learning about such things. At most, she was aware of some of the things that existed, but not how they worked or where they would work.

Glancing up, Joe saw her spacing out in peace. Putting down the last newspaper, he returned to his room before pulling out a book. He didn’t bother Jessica, as she was clearly thinking about something. At least from the changing expression on her face.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The fact that she could be so open and unguarded was a testament to his lodging. Usually he would call out or do something to stop her from lowering her guard completely. He was not a graded being, so he could only understand a little.

After years of doing the job. He saw his tenants as people worth protecting. Therefore, if he could help stomp out bad habits, he would try. Though he wasn’t one to go too far out of his way.

However, very rarely he would get tenants that were different from the rest. It wasn’t like he had never been wrong before. Some didn’t last, but those that did. Every so often would be different. They very rarely appeared. When they stayed, it was for a day or two.

Very quickly taking up another request. Only allowing themselves to relax for the minimal amount required. If something required his aid, he would bring messages and reminders. To do this he was required to go to the second floor.

That or he would inspect the rooms to ensure that everything was as intended. Both Jessica and Saleh were a bit scary. He had trespassed on their territory before. While the building was his, those that stayed were generally not to be belittled.

If a person was sleeping, they had a territory that was not to be bypassed. Depending on the person and how cautious they were, this territory would depend on their senses. Saleh was the worst he had ever seen, he had given up inspecting when he is sleeping.

The second he went upstairs, he felt like he was being watched. An extremely uncomfortable feeling. Jessica was the same, she would feel it if he had entered the area outside her door. So to see her relax to this extent, he wasn’t too worried.

After a few hours, Charles entered as he lowered his hood to glance at Jessica. Looking at Joe, he saw him shake his head. So he quietly went into the kitchen.

Walking to the table. He only made it to around ten feet before her eyes that were unfocused sharpened as they glance at him. Once she recognized him, they lost their ferocity.

“You have been like this for hours now. Will it help to talk about it?” Joe sat down at the table as he spoke.

Without much hesitation, she surprisingly found that it might, “I was given an opportunity to progress. I feel like it could be a really great opportunity that might never come again.”

Seeing as she was not getting specific, he could only do the same, Joe spoke vaguely, “There is no free lunch in this world. While at the same time, if you stop moving you start to stagnate. The longer you stagnate, the harder it will become to start moving again.”

“That is exactly the very essence of the problem. It isn’t free, everything has a price. Some higher than others. But, I feel like I have been stagnating for too long.” Thinking about Joana, Jessica was deeply worried. Even just seeing Claire and Jack reminded her of more of her flaws and issues.

Seeing that Jessica wasn’t thinking lightly about it, there wasn’t much else he could do. Not without knowing the issue. Not excusing the fact he had no reason to know, there was little he could actually do. Even if he liked Jessica, he wouldn’t go too far out of his way.

Too much help was also a form of poison.

“You hungry?” Remembering that she had gone out to eat not long ago. He was unsure if she would even want to eat again so soon.

“I can eat.” A smile appeared on her face.