Why are so many good-looking men out here while I have to marry a seventy-year-old grandpa?

Maisha's face turned sour as she recalled her fiance's appearance. His pale skin had even shriveled up like a nearly rotten orange.

"Go to the second floor, the room closest to the stairs. You can meet Captain there."

Samson's words broke Maisha's reverie. She looked back at the man and said, "Thank you, Sir."

"Don't call me 'Sir'. Just Samson," Samson replied with a friendly smile. "Good luck with whatever your business is. You need it."

*****

Maisha entered the inn and looked around. The wooden floor and ceiling looked well-maintained, with no mold or cobwebs visible. She glanced at the visitors who occupied several rectangular tables before slowly sighing. All of them were strangers. No one knew her.

However, Maisha's brow furrowed when she saw a giant painting on the wall near the stairs. An aged man with a familiar face. Not her fiance. Her fiance's face was uglier compared to him.

Duke Ravenscroft.

Maisha had seen that man at a party. He was tall and thin, with high cheekbones and sharp eyes like a crow.

Maisha's body shivered instantly. She did not like this duke or the duke who had become her fiance. It was like she was allergic to any duke.

Focus, Maisha, focus.

Maisha ignored the painting and climbed the stairs in a hurry. Gerald would be shocked to see her coming and would probably escort her back home. However, she had no other choice.

Maisha's footsteps stopped in front of the room. She gulped before muttering softly, "Come on, Maisha, cheer up."

Maisha opened the door. She stepped inside, exclaiming, "Hi, Gerald!"

****

Maisha gaped, staring at the figure before her. The mud man, who had moments ago left her, now stood shirtless, with a white towel around his neck, in the center of the room.

Maisha's eyes unconsciously followed the water's droplets from his wet black hair down the muscular chest and slender abdomen.

It was beautiful.

Maisha gulped. Her gaze kept going down, down, and––

"What are you doing here?"

Cyril's cold, low voice made Maisha raise her head and stammered. "Huh? Uh, they told me to––"

"Get out."

"But––"

"Get out!"

Cyril's yell made Maisha step back and leave the room. However, someone was coming, almost bumping into her.

"Hoa, be careful," Liam said instantly.

Maisha corrected her almost-slipped backpack off her shoulders before saying with bated breath. "I want to see the Captain."

"Captain?" Liam frowned. "Weren't you just there?"

"Huh? Yes, but––"

"Why is he here?"

Cyril's voice made Maisha wince. She turned her head and found the man had come out, wearing a tight black T-shirt, making her sigh inwardly in disappointment. What a pity.

"Oh, Cyril. Topaz's tantrum made the applicants flee. This boy said that he wanted to––"

"Tell him to leave."

Huh? Maisha's mouth dropped open. Did he throw me out?

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"Cyril, are you sure? This boy managed to lead Topaz to the stable without getting stepped on. Samson said he also could take care of horses. Besides, we added article thirty-five for incentives, which says––" Liam's voice gradually sounded like the buzzing of wasps as he covered his lips with his palm while whispering into Cyril's ear.

Maisha's brow slightly furrowed as she looked at the change in expression on that handsome face. The face that previously displayed a cold impression now looked pale. No, not pale, but very pale.

Cyril suddenly coughed when his partner finished muttering. However, his face became stiff again. He stared for a moment at Maisha before looking away and saying flatly. "We should appreciate the workers."

Liam nodded in agreement.

"No dismissals," Cyril continued.

"No, no. None," Liam repeated before smiling sweetly at Maisha.

Maisha looked back and forth at them before saying, "Excuse me, but can I see the Captain? I have something to tell him."

Liam's right eyebrow rose. He pointed his right thumb at Cyril and said, "He's the one you're looking for. So, what do you want to tell him?"

*****

"I was mistaken," Maisha said while grasping Princess' reins tightly, trying to leave the stable. However, Liam was standing there, blocking the exit.

How foolish she was. The inscription on the flag and the group name printed on her employment contract was not Wyvern Division 6 but Wyvern Master 9.

Liam's eyes squinted and looked dangerous. He chuckled before continuing, "According to the agreement, you have to pay one hundred gold pieces if you quit before five years have passed."

"One hundred gold pieces?!" Maisha almost squealed in surprise. "I didn't read that article––"

"Article forty, point F." Liam unfolded the parchment scroll from his pocket, "If the worker breaks the agreement––"

"Let me see!" Maisha snatched the agreement paper and read it. Apart from the writing that looked like chicken claws, there was indeed the number one hundred and a word resembling gold on one of the lines.

"Argh! I can't pay for it! I don't have that much money!" squealed Maisha in frustration. She only had two gold pieces in her pocket.

Liam pulled the parchment from Maisha and rolled it up. He carefully put the agreement back in his pocket before observing Princess with interest. "That horse seems expensive."

"This horse is not for sale!" snapped Maisha. She hastily stood in front of Princess, blocking Liam from appraising the price of the horse.

Liam snorted and gave her a lazy look. "Maybe we should report this to the city guard."

Huh? Maisha's eyes widened. Right now, her aunt and probably her fiance were looking for her. If the city guards were involved, then it was only a matter of time before she was returned home and perhaps married off.

"No," Maisha replied softly. "Don't."

"No?" Liam raised his right eyebrow.

"I––." Maisha licked her lips, which felt dry. She caught her breath as she continued her sentence. "I'm willing to join you."

Liam's lips twitched before thrusting out his right hand. "Welcome to Wyvern Master 9. My name is Liam. Nice to meet you."

"Uh, Mai––Mansha," Maisha stammered back. She could escape at dawn when they were asleep.

The girl unconsciously bit her lip and scratched Princess' back. At least I can fill my stomach first.

Liam took out a paper fan from the pocket of his long dress and fanned himself. "Go back to the Captain so you can start your work."

To that cold man? Maisha's feminine instinct flatly rejected Liam's suggestion. After getting a snarl and a glare from Cyril, she intended to stay as far away from him as possible until it was time to escape.

"Can I eat first? I haven't eaten since this afternoon." Maisha's deflated stomach made a noise, proving she was not lying.

Liam observed Maisha's appearance before snorting. He made a motion like shooing away a fly with his fan. "Just tell the waiter that the Captain will cover the bill."

Maisha's eyes immediately lit up happily. She bowed deeply and exclaimed, "Thank you."

Liam gave a brief smile. He let Maisha return Princess to the stable. However, it wasn't long before the man said, "Oh, don't try to break the agreement. I froze the leg of the last worker who tried to steal our gold. Now, he can no longer walk normally."

Maisha took a quick breath when she heard Liam's threat. However, he ignored her reaction by walking away while muttering, "It is so hot! Shaved ice with sweets. That must be delicious."

*****

A sweet and sour lobster, a portion of fried duck, and a plate of salted vegetables. Who would have thought that being part of the elite wyvern troops could enjoy delicious food like this?

Maisha licked her lips, tasting the sweet and sour sauce, before yawning widely. She indeed needed a good night's sleep after this morning's adventures.

Maisha gulped down the glass of water before getting up and walking towards the stairs. However, Duke Ravenscroft's painting made Maisha shudder, reminded of her fiance. He must own this inn.

Maisha climbed the stairs while yawning. She paused outside Cyril's room and gently knocked on the door. "Excuse me."

There was no answer.

Maisha waited a few seconds before knocking harder. "Captain, excuse me!"

A minute passed. However, there was still no reply from inside the room. Maisha cracked the door and peeked, finding two beds separated by a small window.

Cyril seemed to sleep on one of the beds with an open book covering his face. Maisha's forehead suddenly frowned in displeasure. She didn't want to wait for him to wake up before knowing where her room was.

Maisha stepped inside and closed the door carefully. She put her backpack on the floor before approaching the snoring man.