It was getting dark as we were heading back to the inn. Barren was fearless as ever although, I was shitting my pants recollecting all the stories I have read of what happens to people who walk empty alleyways at night. We soon reached the brightly lit street where the inn was located. Lucia from the previous night was present at the reception as usual. We entered the inn and noticed that it was very busy. Guess this place is famous. But then again, I didn’t notice much competition around. She exited the counter and walked towards us as we were just entering. I got a bit anxious cause of the impression I had left earlier on her. I hope she isn’t too hard on me. But I was glad she ignored me as she asked Barren.

“Where were you so late. I was getting worried.”, she said in a flustered manner.

“Calm down I was just taking a stroll.”, Barren replied.

Well, and the conversation continued as a cute couple would. Well, the inn must have great service because I just noticed that the whole inn was full, and some people were even standing. Well, they had their booze to give them company. Although there was alcohol being served, I could still see families with their little ones around. Well medieval times, I guess. And that’s when I heard a loud thud and plate breaking sound. Whoever he was, he was successful in drawing everyone’s attention and probably that was his motive as I later deduced.

“You messing with me girl. Serving me this shite. I didn’t order this. I want the meat not your vegetables, you piece of shite.”, he yelled at Layna clutching her hand forcefully.

He looked like a problem and had to be diffused as soon as possible. He was half drunk which was even more of a problem. The manager wanted to intervene but before that could have happened there was our unexpected, totally unwanted hero, LUCAS!!!

“Let her go you monster”, he yelled at the guy, pulling the hand that had grabbed Layna.

The guy was built like a bull, one swing sent the 15-year-old (my educated guess) Lucas flying to the wall. There he lay unconscious. This shook Layna mentally and the other guests were startled too. The crowd around was getting more and more uncomfortable. This guy was ready to trash the place and Barren was getting ready for a fight. I don’t know why but I am just allergic to fights like these because they feel so dumb. And for some reason, I didn’t want to go to bed thinking everyone I know is in a rotten mood. I mean life was just getting better for me. Then again, I didn’t want to end up like Lucas. I had to take a gamble and play it smart. This could be an opportunity for me to land on the good side of the manager. After all, I will be staying here for a while. And hence I charged before Barren could or Layna would get hurt. Besides she was the only one who was genuinely honest and kind towards me without any ulterior motives.

“Woah, Woah let us all calm down there.”, I approached as he was charging up a blow for Layna.

“Well you want some too then?”, he turned towards me.

“I believe you have caused enough ruckus to make your point mister…...”, I waited for a reply, acting civil.

In this way, I could convey that I didn’t want a fight and I acknowledged his strength and his problem.

“And why should I give you my name, you bastard”, he replied arrogantly as expected.

From now, I had to play my cards right and hence I began my passive-aggressive strategy. The first objective is to grab his complete attention and make him release Layna.

“I am afraid I will have to ask you to let go of the girl sir. You have made your point clear and I apologize for the disservice you received but your current behavior is unacceptable”, I replied with a stern voice.

Well, that worked marvelously if I shall say so because within no time that bull had let go of Layna and was holding me by my collar. I was about half an inch above the ground and I will not lie, it was bloody scary. But this is the second and final step of my plan. If this doesn’t go smoothly then God please help me.

“Dear sir, I get you are upset but I believe your approach isn’t right. If you don’t stop then the patrol guards will. And I think that will not end good for you but before that look around yourself”, he turned his eyes around and I continued after giving him a moment.” There is a high possibility of you ending up as the victim of mob justice and you might end up dead too. That is surely not good for you and real pain for us. We will be losing a customer and you will be losing your life.”, he continued to stare at the angry crowd which was all ready for a beat-up.

Now they knew that it wasn’t a singular feeling and they all had ganged up. The guy was gaining his senses back and hence, he lowered me down. He picked up his stuff and was ready to leave. And that’s when you add a final touch. Marie came forward with a package.

“I humbly apologize for the inconvenience caused to you. As a token of our apology here is your actual order free of cost. We doubled it. We care for our customers and I hope you will visit once again with your family”, I replied as I noticed a little surprise on that man’s face.

It was a good advertisement for the inn’s customer service but even more, it saved a lot of chaos from breaking out. Everyone else got back to their tables and I saw Layna tending to Lucas. Everything went quite peacefully although not completely for free. The inn still suffered a loss.

Although it would have gone a lot smoother if Lucas had acted the way he did. Well, I am just glad that everything went well.

That made me hungry and a lot thirstier. Marie came back with a glass of water for me. Damn this girl can read my mind. I thanked her and gulped down the whole glass. Suddenly, I received a thud on my shoulder.

“Well damn. That was something. So, you aren’t so useless after all. I mean your dad did warn me about your peculiar talents. Mainly that was the primary reason he told me to be careful, but this is something on another level”, he said laughing and still beating my back.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

I slowly started noticing the attention I started getting from all the people in the room. As if I had achieved something extraordinary feat. There was a lady who was staring at me from between the curtains of the VIP room, but the stare turned into a grin the moment I looked back at her. She then closed the curtains back.

Well, that was weird. I didn’t understand though. I am a 20-year-old man who was good at negotiations, but they all were staring and gossiping as I did something great. I mean I did build my fake background story of a merchant’s son.

“Well so aren’t our regular batch of brats”, the manager had somehow appeared near the bench I and Barren had seated after the scene had ended for our dinner.

“I believe we have never been properly introduced. Hello, my name is Lucia Renard of the Clovis clan. If Barren hasn’t told you about me already.”, she starred at Barren.

Barren retreated with an expression of I ‘didn’t do anything.’

“My name is Ray Ash. Son of Rayan Ash, a merchant of the Mestlecair empire. Good to make your acquaintance. I apologize for my rude behavior on the first day we met. I was in a bad mood.”, I replied.

“I see so you are not completely without manners. Well, it’s a good thing. And I thank you too for what you just did. I don’t think I could do it any better. Cause I am neither a merchants’ son nor a human.”, she smiled as she left.

Being a merchant’s son doesn’t mean I inherit his skills just like that (Although practically I am not) and what does it have to do with me being human. Although I am one of the few humans I have seen recently (two to be exact). I still feel there is more to this story.

Soon Layna made her visit and for some weird reason I got up from my place to show my respect when she approached the bench. I still wonder why I did that. Perhaps because of her kindness.

“Thanks a lot, Mr. Ash. You helped me a lot. You have been kind and treated me like a friend since you first arrived, but I have been causing you a lot of trouble. I am very sorry. Hope you will forgive me.”, she said in an apologetic tone.

It was one of the cutest apologies I had received and man, I was flustered. I was taller than her and she looked so sad with that tone. I felt like I had to make it right cause, to be honest, she was the one who was kind towards me. She is still the only one I feel completely safe to be around. I had to make this right.

“Oh, no-no. There is nothing to apologize for. Mistakes do happen and we learn from our mistakes to grow even more than what we were before. Remember, apologizing to others is good after making a mistake but apologizing to yourself is a big mistake.” I continued. “but if you truly consider me as a friend then that’s more than enough reason for me to help you out. And please call me Ray.”, I hope I didn’t sound too cheesy or desperate.

Now that I think, it is quite unusual for me to intervene some fight just like that. Guess Layna was the only reason I considered to do so. She was so kind but also gullible. She might not survive the world being so innocent. Probably one of the reasons Lucas is so proactive around her. Wait why is he so enthusiastic though. I am not sure if he has a crush. Because his behavior is closer to a childhood friend than an admirer. Some of his behavioral traits depict as he is constantly trying to do things to gain her approval or something like that. It’s weird but I too have many holes in this assumption. I mean I could be wrong too. Well, I shouldn’t be thinking about that so much as I have other matters to be concerned about.

Later that night, after finishing my dinner I headed to my room and hit the bed.

Next day…….

I was woken up by Layna. I saw around and spotted Barren at the other corner of the room on his bed. As I recall, Barren came very late to the room last night. I wanted to know the reason, but I respected his privacy. Besides I was already half asleep. But I distinctly remember that ‘tired sighs’ he was giving off.

I wonder what must have happened. What got a cheerful lizard, like Barren so down? Well, I am sure he will figure it out. And I stopped worrying, got out of bed, went to the bathroom and had a hot water bath. I came back to the room, changed into the second pair of formals that Barren had bought me yesterday. Put my other pair in the laundry basket. Then headed downstairs for breakfast. As I left the room, I heard Barren’s yawns. I was afraid I woke him up due to the noise I had caused. I ran downstairs shamelessly.

I was having a delicious meal although I had no idea what it was, it was quite edible. In the middle of my breakfast, Barren walked down the stairs. He greeted everyone

“Good Morning, everyone”, he yawned.

Everyone returned the gesture. I too waved because of my incapability to speak due to my stuffed mouth. I was in a bit of hurry. I finished my breakfast and got up. Marie came to clean up the table. I washed my hands and was about to scoot when Layna came with a box which was my lunch.

I was about to cry. I always wished I had someone like this who would cook and take care of me. Well just joking I always preferred to be alone because the world was too mundane but having someone as Layna as a sister wasn’t a bad idea. Besides relationships are a burden and I don’t want to get involved in that. But perhaps I came to that conclusion just because I have known more bad examples of relationships than good ones.

Either way, I had more important things at hand now. I thanked Layna but apparently, Lucas had cooked it. Well, he has more chance than me, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I wasn’t going to waste any more time searching for Lucas and thanking him. I just scooted right off declining Barren’s offer to escort me as I was familiar with the path to the Library, my new workplace.

As I drifted further away, I looked back once and saw Barren and Lucia both at the door and it seemed they were conversing but no eye contact.

Previous night…...

“Barren, listen closely. The only reason I am allowing your lie to slide by because I have known you for a very long time and I know you would never do something so foolish to put the ones you care for at-risk”, after pausing for a moment. ” But I think you are taking a big gamble here and I fear what will follow if you are wrong,” she completed her argument.

“I know. What you just saw was out of yours and my capability too. Almost like magic. And yes, I am taking a gamble. What if he turns out to be the key to our problems? I mean he fell from the sky. And yes, I am no believer of faith, but this is a hunch I can’t let go off.”, he sat down in a desperate tone.

“What do you mean a hunch? If it goes wrong and he turns out to be a hitman or an assassin or something even worse. I mean seeing his soft skills I can’t stop imagining things. But I know for a fact he is stronger than he seems. Who knows what kind of tricks he has up his sleeves? I am scared at the thought you both sleeping in the same room. And I am even scared for Layna. What if he is really what I just mentioned and finds out about Layna. He will…. he will…. will…”, she started stuttering.

Barren held her hand firmly and shook her “hey hey hey. Listen…... Listen. I will not let anything bad happen to you or anyone here. I swear my life upon it. If he is anything that you say. The moment I come to know of it is the moment I will end him, just like the last time. So, I want you to believe me.”, he gave her hope.

They both dispersed after a while and so did LAYNA……...

She heard everything from across the kitchen door but wasn’t sure if she should have intervened. She wanted to believe Ray was a good guy and defend him. She was tired of people looking after her and doing her job. But at the same time, she loved and trusted Lucia and Barren as they had almost acted like her true parents after her biological parents…….. besides she was astonished at Ray’s demonstration of his intellect.

Ray unknown to him has done a grave mistake. Layna knows the disaster heading towards Ray but doesn’t trust Ray yet.