Louise and Michael bid Siesta farewell in Lenore. Then, together with Kirche and Tabitha, they set off on the first leg of their journey by horse-drawn coach. Later that day, they arrive at a luxurious manor named the Halfway House, a rest stop for travelling nobles on the road to the Tristanian capital.


Halfway House

I'm genuinely impressed by how busy Lenore is this morning. It's practically bustling compared to the last time Louise and Montmorency brought me here.

Nobles line up outside of shops with their maids and servants to purchase goods, and the cobblestone streets feel way more packed than the other week.

I mean, shit, I almost wish we weren't planning on taking coach to Tristania. If we weren't, I'd make a date of it with Louise under the guise of a guided tour.

Following Louise to the end of the street with a bag-laden Siesta in tow, the three of us arrive at a large central square with a water fountain at its center. A row of carriages wait there and several well-dressed drivers with old-timey ruffled collars and top hats chatter amongst themselves.

"That's the coach station," Louise tells me with a dainty finger towards the carriages. "This is where travelers go to hire a carriage for longer journeys."

"Right, gotcha," I reply, setting down the one drawstring sack of clothes Siesta allowed me to carry at my feet. I stretch my back a little, then glance Siesta's way. "Guessing you'll be heading to your uncle's tavern now, right?"

Siesta gives me a warm smile and nods. "Yes. I really do appreciate you helping me carry everything here though Michael." The girl leans in and pecks my cheek as best she can with so much baggage on her back. "Honestly, it was sweet of you."

I chuckle and then lean in, kissing her forehead. "Everything? Girl, you only let me take one bag," I remind her, torn halfway between a guilty smile and grimacing at the way she struggled along the Academy road earlier. "I would've grabbed another if you'd let me, lightened the load a little more."

Siesta just gives a precious titter and her cheeks warm.

"Oh, it's quite alright," she assures me with a little smile. "I'm here to serve, after all."

Louise clears her throat and folds her arms. Curiosity is alight in her eyes.

"Say, Siesta, which inn will you be staying at while Michael and I are away?" she wonders, glancing between her and the coach station once or twice as if mindful of time. "Not that I've ever frequented a peasant-owned establishment," she clarifies with a hint of snooty displeasure at the notion.

"If you don't care to try it then why are you so interested, huh?" I put out with a cheeky smile.

Louise huffs at my little jab. "Quiet now, Michael. I am simply... intrigued."

Siesta rewards her mistress with a small smile and bows her head.

"The Inn is called the Charming Fairy. My uncle Scaron has owned it since my cousin Jessica was a small girl." The maid raises a curious brow. "Why do you ask, Miss Louise?"

"Mere interest, as I said," Louise replies, a hint of strange insistence coloring her tone. "In any case, do enjoy your leave, and remember, I expect you to be back at the Academy within a few days."

Siesta's expression brightens like sunshine.

"I understand. Have a safe journey, both of you. And... do take care of one another."

The maid bows her head for Louise first, then kisses me on the cheek again. Afterward, she picks up the smallest of the bags and slings it over her shoulder.

"Later, Siesta," I say, raising a hand and waving to her. "You take care now."

I watch as Siesta returns the gesture and walks away.

Once she disappears behind a throng of well-to-do-looking merchants, I return my attention to Louise.

"Well, looks like it's just you and me now, Princess," I remark. "We grabbing a coach now, then?"

Louise gives me a slight tilt of the head. "Indeed, we are."

"Cool, cool." I pick up the first of the remaining three bags, each of them looking way heavier than the one Siesta took, and sling it over my shoulder. Then I pick up the remaining two in each hand with a shallow grunt. "Alright then, let's get moving."

Thankfully, we're only a quick couple of hundred yards away. Dunno if my back could take it if we weren't.

"Here we are," Louise announces as we arrive before the coach assembly. She points towards the largest of the coaches. "This one should do. Come, we'll wave over a coachman, then I shall pay him and you can hand over our luggage."

"Sounds like a plan," I reply with a nod.

"Hello, hello!" a middle-aged man calls from the front of the coach we're approaching. He's wearing a large hat that resembles a top hat and a ruffled collar around his neck. He wears a pair of riding gloves and has a whip strapped to his hip. "Where might you two be headed today? I'm heading northward if that's your direction."

Louise nods shortly.

"We wish to head northward, toward Tristania," the girl explains, taking out a drawstring coin purse from inside of her cloak and placing it into her palm. "It will be a simple one-way journey, and my... betrothed and I wish to stay overnight at a suitable coachman's inn along the way."

Not gonna lie, my heart kinda skipped with what Louise said just then. Wonder why she's making out like we're engaged to this guy, all of a sudden?

The coachman smiles.

"Sounds like I'm your man then, miss...?" he replies, glancing at Louise expectantly.

Louise blinks, her expression blank for a moment before she realizes he's expecting an answer.

"Valliere," she replies, folding her arms and glancing at him sternly. "And in case you haven't realized, sir, I am a woman of nobility. Therefore, I will only stay at an inn that accommodates highborn needs. Pray tell, do you know of any places of good standing on the road to Tristania?"

I smirk at Louise's sudden, formal shift. Gotta love how she whips out the haughty attitude when it isn't just me, her, and Siesta.

The coachman, now realizing his customer is noble, bows his head respectfully.

"Of course, my lady. There is a particularly well-received coachman's inn halfway between here and Tristania named the Halfway House. It is owned and overseen by Marianne de Mott."

I quirk a brow upward at that one. Mott... Great.

"Any relation to Count Mott, by any chance?" I ask.

The coachman nods. "Marianne is his niece, yes. Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," I reply, not at all feeling some kinda way about her being related to the guy that tried taking Siesta from us a few weeks back.

The coachman glances at me for a moment, then shrugs.

"Well then, if you're all settled, let us be off. Provided I have secured your patronage today, Miss Vailliere."

Louise nods. "You have, coachman. We shall depart at once."

"Excellent!" the man exclaims, looking my way. "Now, do hand me those bags, young man. I shall load them up for you, then we will be on our way. Provided we leave now, we should reach Halfway House by sunset."

I nod in return and offer up the first of the drawstring bags in my hand, and set down the other at his feet.

"Cool, cool. Here you go. Let me get this third one off my back."

"Thank you," he replies, taking the first bag from my hand and turning around to load it into the back of his carriage. "This one will do just fine."

As the coachman turns his back to me and starts loading the luggage, I glance at Louise.

"So, uh, about what you said earlier, Louise," I begin, scratching my neck awkwardly. "...The whole betrothed thing," I specify in a whisper. "What's the deal?"

Louise blushes.

"I simply told him that you were my future husband to avoid him trying anything untoward with me," Louise explains. "...A-aside from that, I honestly meant nothing by it."

"Right," I reply with a chuckle. "Makes sense, I guess."

Louise folds her arms and looks at her shoes, her cheeks pinkening.

"W-well, then again, I suppose I don't mind us pretending for today, in truth," she mumbles under her breath.

My heart kicks in my chest at her saying so, hard.

"Oh, really now...?" I throw out, daring to push the boundaries a little.

Louise shakes her head, flushing even more.

"Never mind," she states. "Just get in the carriage."

I chuckle at that.

"As you wish, Princess."

"My, my, is that who I think it is over there?" calls an all too familiar sultry Germanian girl.

Louise and I turn back to see Kirche and Tabitha approaching, each with a fair-sized travel bag thrown over their shoulders.

"Oh, it certainly is, von Zerbst," Louise replies flatly, crossing her arms.

Kirche stops a few feet before Louise and I, wearing a wide smile.

"Well, well, fancy running into you two here," the fiery girl remarks, placing a hand on her hip and offering me a wink. "Fancy sharing a coach to Tristania?"

"Not a bad idea, Kirche," I remark, offering a thumbs up. "You two can join us. There's room."

Louise blushes and pouts, folding her arms and huffing.

"I didn't allow you to speak for me, idiot," she hisses under her breath, so as not to be heard by the others.

I smirk at her.

"Well, we're all going to the same place, for the same audience. Well, you guys are, at least," I reply, my tone gentle. "Makes sense we all travel together, right?"

Louise pouts at me, her face flaring.

"Fine, fine! We can go together, but only because doing so is practical." Louise swings back around with a grumpy huff and eyes the coachman. "Driver, is there space in your carriage for two more? My friends wish to join us on our journey."

The coachman, who's almost done loading our luggage, nods.

"There certainly is, Miss Valliere," he replies. "The more passengers, the merrier, after all."

Louise sighs and then turns back around, her gaze softening the slightest bit.

"...Consider this a gift from me, for the kindness you showed after the fight with Fouquet," she states. "...We shall be traveling together, as friends."

Kirche clasps her hands together and gives a short, happy laugh.

"Oh, splendid!" she exclaims, practically skipping up to the carriage's side door. "And just where have you chosen to stay tonight, Louise? Somewhere reputable, I hope."

"The Halfway House," my mistress answers. "I was told by our driver here that it is overseen by Count Mott's niece, Marianne."

Kirche stops for a moment, then shrugs her shoulders.

"Yes, I likewise hear it is a very nice establishment. One of my cousins said as much when he stayed there whilst visiting Tristain on official business," she replies, her expression becoming mischievous. "He did mention that the barkeep is rather well-endowed, however."

Louise rolls her eyes, but I can't help but chuckle.

With that, Kirche climbs aboard the coach and sits down.

Curious suddenly, I lean near to Louise's ear to whisper.

"What's the deal there then, Princess?" I ask.

Louise exhales deeply, her expression is the smallest bit pained.

"...Kirche was nice enough to walk me back to the academy after our fight with Fouquet, while you and Tabitha were unconscious," the pinkette explains in a soft and sincere tone, clutching a hand to her chest for a moment. "And, for that, I feel obliged to return the gesture of kindness. Even if she is my rival."

I nod.

"Right. Gotcha."

Louise shoots me a look, her eyes narrowed.

"Also, I expect you to keep what I just told you to yourself, mister," she hisses in warning, frowning.

I chuckle and wink.

"Don't worry, my lips are sealed, Louise," I reply, my tone gentle.

Louise looks intensely at me for a moment and then swings around to face the coach station.

"...Good. I'm going to board the carriage. Help Tabitha with her bag, will you?"

I place a hand on my chest and give a short Tristanian bow. "Will do, Louise."

As Louise boards the carriage, I approach Tabitha and offer a hand.

"Here, let me carry that for you," I offer. "It's no trouble at all."

Tabitha stares at me blankly, her gaze as inscrutable as always.

Then, for the faintest second, her cheeks darken and she smiles the tiniest, sweetest smile.

"Thank you, Michael" she expresses graciously, handing me her bag.

I take the bag and sling it over my shoulder with a shallow grunt.

In the moments afterward, I feel her heartbeat pulsing inside of me through our secret magical bond. It's warm and comforting and makes my own heart beat a little faster.

Tabitha's smile widens, and her eyes glint with the slightest hint of excitement.

I feel a flush of heat rise to my face.

"Everything okay with you?" I pose in a low voice so the others don't hear, leaning just that little bit nearer. "Your heart's beating hard there, Blue."

Tabitha nods.

"I am well," she replies, her gaze meeting mine. "But I appreciate you asking."

I nod in return. "Glad to hear it."

"Although, later, when we arrive at our destination for the evening, there is something I would ask you," she continues.

"Sure thing, Tabby," I reply with a smirk. "Heck, you can ask now if you like."

Tabitha shakes her head.

"No," she states. "Later. After we arrive at the Halfway House. It concerns our... connection."

I blink, my expression going blank for a moment before I manage to compose myself.

"R-right," I reply, scratching my cheek awkwardly. "Sure, sure."

Tabitha cracks a small smile at me again, then moves past and boards the carriage, sitting beside Kirche.

Once I'm all set with everyone's luggage, I step up into the carriage and close the door behind me. The coachman finishes loading up the remaining bags, then hops up to his seat and picks up the reins of his horses.

"All aboard!" he calls. "Now, on to Tristania! Our first stop, the Halfway House!"

Kirche claps her hands together in delight and flashes me a smirk.

"Oh, this will be fun," she says, humming playfully. "It's been far too long since I last stayed at a coachman's inn."

I'm imagining something small and quaint off the beaten path. Like, something between a pub and a large cottage, given the buildings I've seen so far on my visits to Lenore.

"Just what are these coachman's inns like, exactly?" I ask Kirche, resting my hands in my lap as we disembark with a whack of the driver's reins. "Like, is it just some kind of roadside pub for weary travelers? Because that sounds pretty nice. I'm always down for a trip to the pub."

"Ah, yes, it will be your first time seeing one, won't it, Michael?" Kirche replies with a smile. She leans back against her seat, crossing her legs and folding her arms. "Well, in that case, I believe it would be best to leave you in the dark, at least for the moment."

I laugh gently at Kirche's answer.

"So you can gauge my response when we get there, am I right?" I press, smiling.

Kirche's expression becomes impish, and she giggles.

"Yes, precisely!" she confirms, looking over to my mistress. "Actually, Louise, how about we place a little wager? You and I, when we get to the Halfway House, shall place a bet on your familiar's reaction. We shall see which one of us is correct, and the winner will have to grant the other a request."

Louise blinks at the suggestion and then glances away with a huff.

"I don't care for games," she comments flatly, folding her arms. "I would rather not."

Kirche pouts in the face of rejection like a little puppy dog.

"You can be such a killjoy, Louise," the Germanian girl sighs. "...But I shall pose my suggestion anyway, in the interest of fun. I think that when we arrive at the Halfway House, Michael will react as if he has never seen anything like it in his life. Will you bet against me?"

Louise's face reddens, and she narrows her eyes at Kirche, her lips pressed into a line.

"Fine, fine," she hisses, folding her arms and frowning. "I will bet against you: I'll wager is that Michael will look upon the inn and be thoroughly unsurprised."

Okay, now I'm really curious as to what this place will look like when we get there.

Kirche claps her hands together in delight.

"Splendid! This will be fun. Perhaps you will even enjoy yourself, Louise!"

The pinkette rolls her eyes and scoffs.

"I'm only doing this because you issued me a challenge of sorts, Kirche," Louise states, her expression flat. "As a Vallière, it isn't as though I'll back down."

Kirche folds one curvy leg over the other and leans back against her seat, smiling.

"Whatever you say, Louise."

"Which means you had better be immensely unsurprised when we arrive later, Michael," Louise whispers into my ear. "...Because I don't want to lose."

I chuckle softly and touch her shoulder in acknowledgment.

"We'll see when we get there, I guess," I reply, glancing out of the carriage window. Lenore's houses and shopfronts are all slowly becoming more spaced apart the further we go. The cobblestone street gradually gives way to dirt. "How far off is this place, anyway?" I call to our driver.

"...A good eight hours or so, I would wager," the older man replies. "We should arrive at sundown."

"Got it, thanks."

Sure enough, the town disappears behind us as the carriage makes its way through a small forest. The rolling green countryside stretches out before us as we continue on, the sound of the horses' hooves and the rattling of the carriage wheels along the road being the only sounds to break the quiet.

A sudden wave of tiredness overcomes me then, and I yawn, leaning back against my seat.

"Getting tired there, Michael?" Kirche asks me with a gentle chuckle.

I nod, rubbing my eyes and stretching out my arms.

"Yeah, figure I'll sleep for a while."

Siesta and I certainly kept each other up last night, after all. And, Louise had the two of us up at the crack of dawn, just like we thought she would.

Louise nods, shuffling just the smallest bit nearer to me.

"I will do the same, I think. And, as my familiar, you will act as my pillow, Michael," my mistress commands, her tone curt. "I wish to sleep upon your shoulder."

Kirche laughs at that.

"Still treating this strapping young gentleman as a servant, are we?"

Louise blushes, frowning.

"Oh, be quiet, von Zerbst," Louise fires back. "I treat Michael with far greater kindness than his station deserves, so you should stay out of it."

Having succeeded in riling up Louise, Kirche giggles cheekily.

"As you wish, Louise, as you wish."

Tabitha, though? A twinge of painful emotion swells in her chest. It isn't malicious or anything. In fact, it's like longing or something.

"...I'm staying well out of this one, Louise," I reply with a sigh, dismissing the sensation and offering my mistress a shoulder. "Here. One shoulder."

Louise smirks victoriously as she lays her head on my shoulder, and then she sighs contentedly.

"Good. Now, remain still, Michael."

"Will do, Louise," I agree with a gentle pat on her shoulder.

Louise hums with satisfaction and closes her eyes, her pink hair splaying over my arm.

My heart skips at the sight of her.

Then, closing my eyes, I allow begin drifting.

Further. Further. Further still. Until I nod off completely.

...And then, I dream.

...

I see myself and Louise walking hand-in-hand down Parliament Bridge together in London. The capital is bustling with life and there are people as far as the eye can see, all hurrying about their day. Ahead of us is Big Ben, and the London Eye is off in the distance.

Louise is dressed in a lovely black, sleeveless dress and a pair of high-heel sandals with a small white purse hung over her shoulder. Her long, pink hair is tied up in a ponytail.

I'm decked out in my jeans and a sleeveless white vest top the letterman jacket I bought when me and dad last holidayed in America, and my black casual shoes.

I glance at Louise, my heart skipping a beat at the sight of her.

"I'm seriously glad I brought you here, Louise," I admit, squeezing her hand. "I know you've found London amazing so far."

Louise smiles warmly at me, then leans into my side and kisses my cheek.

"It's amazing because you're here with me, Michael," she confesses, giggling sweetly. "Even if those first few days were somewhat... overwhelming."

I grin at her, then lean in and kiss her gently on the lips.

"Hey, you've done well enough," I reply, my tone gentle. Then I crack a teasing smile. "Minus getting stuck on the Underground on Tuesday."

Louise pouts cutely at my little jape, and I snicker.

After being prodded in the ribs by the pinkette, we continue along the bridge and step around people as we go.

"So, what do you think you will choose to do, Louise?" I ask. "Stay here for a while, or head back to Tristain? I mean, the choice is yours, but I was just wondering..."

Louise giggles at that and shakes her head.

"You have been asking me that question all day, Michael," she reminds me with a squeeze of my hand.

"I know, it's just... You've adjusted so well this past week, but... Tristain's your home. I just don't want you feeling like I've snatched you away, that's all."

Louise hums thoughtfully, then leans in and kisses me again.

"I'll always be by your side, no matter what," she whispers against my lips. "So stop worrying yourself."

I laugh at that and shrug my shoulders.

"Alright, alright, you've convinced me," I concede, kissing Louise a final time before pulling away. "Now, come on, I just have to show you this fantastic coffee house down in Trafalgar Square, you'll love it."

I lead Louise off the bridge and we continue deeper into the heart of London. As we walk, Louise lays her head against my shoulder and loops her arm through mine.

...

I stir from my slumber sometime later, my heart racing because of the genuinely nice dream. Haven't had one like that in a good, long while.

Louise is still sleeping peacefully on my shoulder, and I smile tenderly at the sight of her.

Then I turn to my side and find Tabitha staring at me, her expression unreadable as always.

"I apologize," the blue-haired girl utters at a near-whisper, turning away. "I didn't mean to stare."

I chuckle at her politeness and shake my head.

"It's fine, Blue," I assure her, smiling. I glance across to Kirche, who's also asleep, and then back to the small glasses-wearing mage. "Guess it's just us two for the time being, huh? You not tired or anything?"

Tabitha shakes her head.

"No. I dozed off for a while earlier, but I'm not sleepy now."

I bob my head a couple of times at that, smiling.

"Got it."

The silence resumes, and I feel a strange tension between me and Tabitha.

It isn't an uncomfortable feeling, though. It's something warm, like our shared magical connection.

"...Michael," Tabitha speaks up again after a while, turning back to me.

"Yeah, Blue?"

The mage blushes faintly at the nickname I gave her and snaps her eyes toward the carriage window.

"...Would you like to read together, when we arrive at the inn later?" she offers.

My heart skips at her being so...expressive, and I can't help but grin.

"Yeah, I'd like that, thanks," I agree, nodding. "I mean, it isn't like I've read any Halkeginian books since getting here. Well, not counting my spellbook, anyway."

Tabitha dips her head for a second, a gentle smile touching her lips.

"I have a few books that I brought with me," she continues, still looking away. "And I would... like you to choose one for us to read... if that is alright with you."

"Sure thing, Blue," I reply, reaching over and patting her shoulder. "Sounds like a plan to me."

Tabitha blushes at the gesture, her heart beating fast.

"Thank you," she replies, smiling. "I look forward to it, Michael."

We sit together in silence as our journey stretches onward.

...

The rolling green countryside turns to an expanse of forest as the hours go by, and it isn't until the sun is low in the sky that Kirche finally stirs from her slumber across from me.

"Oh, what a lovely rest," the Germanian girl says, humming gently whilst stretching from side to side.

"Yeah, that nap did me a world of good," I say with a smile. "...I had a pretty vivid dream, though."

Kirche glances at me, her eyes gleaming.

"Oh? And what kind of dream did you have, exactly?" she wonders, her lips curving into a smirk. "Did you perhaps dream of a certain well-endowed Germanian nobleman's daughter, hmm?"

As ever, I don't quite know if I should chuckle or roll my eyes at Kirche's tactless teasing.

I simply decide to wave her off with a chuckle and shake my head from side to side.

"Nah, nothing like that, unfortunately for you," I answer with a smirk. "It was about London, my home country's capital city. Louise was there with me, and we went sightseeing together."

Kirche's smile widens at that and she pouts her lips playfully.

"Aww, and here I hoped you dream of me sometimes."

Louise opens an eye and fires a warning growl off at Kirche. Then she sits upright and stretches her arms outward. "I'll have you know that I've been awake this past five minutes or so, von Zerbst," she states in a low voice. "And I would very much appreciate it if you stopped flirting with my familiar."

Kirche laughs at that, then winks at the girl, which twists her frown into a full-blown scowl.

"My, Louise, you can be such a spoilsport."

Louise puffs out her cheeks in anger but does not respond.

Then, a short while later, a huge building becomes visible through the trees on the horizon.

"We've arrived, everyone!" our coachman calls to us, his voice ringing loud and clear.

The girls glance at the building and begin to awaken fully, smiling at the sight of it.

I stare at the building too, and blink several times in disbelief.

It's an enormous manor house. Bigger than any I've ever seen. It's several stories tall and is wide and long enough to fit several dozen houses from Lenore within it, easily. It looks like a stately home and a tavern fused into one building, complete with a stable on the side, a long, winding cobblestone drive, and a large fountain at the front of the place.

"Holy shit... That's big," I whisper, staring.

Kirche laughs gently at my reaction, while Louise groans and rolls her eyes.

"Now, who won the bet, I wonder?" she questions, reaching over and poking Louise's shoulder with a smug grin.

Louise narrows her eyes at Kirche, then sighs and turns away.

"Idiot familiar, you were supposed to remain stoic," she hisses, prodding my ribs with her elbow.

I chuckle, rubbing my side. "Yeah well, I couldn't. Just... Wow. I mean, I have to know: Is this the sort of place most nobles usually stay at when traveling on the road?"

"Yes, this is the norm," Louise answers with a little bow of her head, "though most coachman's inns are nowhere near this large."

I stare at the place, dumbfounded.

"In my world, this would be a luxury vacation spot, the kind of place folks dish out thousands for a couple of nights," I explain, trying to regain my composure. "Just... Wow."

Kirche chuckles at my boyish amusement and shakes her head.

"So, you were not expecting this, then?" she asks. "...I can't wait to see your face when we get inside."

Tabitha bobs her head in agreement at that, her heartbeat thudding gently in my ears.

"Yes, it will be interesting," she adds in her usual, flat tone.

I shrug and sigh, glancing back out the window.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited, but I also feel a little... sad.

"It's moments like these that make me realize just how far away from home I am," I reflect aloud, shaking my head. "I miss my old world, but... Well, I can't do anything about it."

Louise looks intently at me and smiles weakly, reaching over and touching her hand to my shoulder.

I simply accept her gesture without a word.

As we roll nearer the Halfway House, I close my eyes. To gather my thoughts and feelings. As I do, a pang of concern from Tabitha sweeps in and grips my chest. It's cool but caring nonetheless.

Was it that dream of London earlier that made me miss home all of a sudden?

No... That's not it.

I don't want to leave. I can't ever leave. But...

It's just...

A short, rainy exhale escapes me, and I shake my head.

I miss London.

That's all there is to it.

Louise squeezes my shoulder, and I look up and find her staring at me. Her expression is gentle but filled with concern, and her lips are pressed into a thin line.

Best I don't worry her too much.

So, I force a smile for her. For all three of my traveling companions.

"Hey, don't worry about it. Let's just enjoy our trip to Tristania, eh?"

I glance up at the Halfway House again, and this time, I grin.

"So, what are we waiting for? Let's get going."

The three young women smile between themselves, then our coach pulls up in the main courtyard beside several others. The coachman steadies the horses and adjusts his hat. Ready, he hops down from his seat and comes around to open the door and help the girls down.

"Here you go, ladies," the man says, offering his hand to Tabitha.

Tabitha stares at the man's hand, and I feel a brief spike of fear from her.

"I... Thank you," she utters, reaching out and taking the older man's hand.

She gets down from the carriage and dips her head to the driver. Kirche follows after her, and then Louise.

Lastly, it is my turn to disembark, and I hop down without the coachman's help.

"Thanks for getting us here, sir," I praise the man, patting his shoulder.

The coachman simply tips his hat and smiles.

"You're welcome, young man," he replies quickly, shifting his gaze to Louise. What time do the four of you plan on departing tomorrow?" the man inquires, opening the question to our group.

Louise thinks for a moment, then shrugs her shoulders.

"Sometime early in the morning, I suppose," she replies. "...So, be ready by then."

The coachman tilts his head understandingly.

"As you wish, Miss Vallière," the man complies. He then bows to us and tips his hat.

"And what about you?" I ask the driver, raising a brow.

"Oh, don't you worry about me, young sir. They've lodgings for the common folk out back, by the servant's quarters, I'll hire a bunk there," the driver explains.

I offer a thumbs up. "Gotcha. Well, see you in the morning, then."

Our coachman departs. As he does, a pair of maids and a young lad wearing a butler's outfit arrive by our coach. The guy bows, and the two lassies begin unloading all of our bags from the coach.

"Here, let me help with that," I offer, rushing over to lend one of the girls a helping hand.

She blinks, surprised by my willingness, but smiles gratefully at me.

"Thank you, sir, but please don't trouble yourself."

The girl is blonde and her features are similar to Siesta's in length. The other girl is an auburn-haired beauty with large breasts and a pale, freckle-dusted complexion. Both ladies are dressed in maid's uniforms similar to Siesta's, and both wear white lace bonnets on their heads.

Their male counterpart clears his throat and bows for us, real gentlemanly-like.

"Good afternoon, ladies, sir," the young man greets us. "Please, allow me to show you to reception and we'll see about getting you all rooms for the evening."

Louise bobs her head curtly, and Kirche flashes him a wink. Tabitha just falls in next to me and stays quiet.

"Well, that would be lovely, thank you," Kirche says to the man, stepping closer to him.

The man blushes, and I roll my eyes.

As the girls and I head inside the building, I hear the maids following behind us, each carrying several bags on their shoulders.

I sigh at that and feel a faint twinge of guilt.

Some things in Tristain just don't feel right to me, no matter how many times I see them.

And this?

Well, it's another one of those things.

...

The interior of the Halfway House is even more impressive than the exterior. The front lobby is decked out with plush, comfortable-looking furniture and an open fireplace. There are dozens of staff moving about the place, some dressed as maids, and others as butlers. Some are even dressed as chefs.

"You know, this place has a hell of a lot of staff," I remark aloud, whistling.

"Why yes, sir," our butler answers, glancing over his shoulder. "Miss Marianne keeps some seventy servants on hand to manage the needs of all guests staying here at any one time. You see, we have thirty rooms in total, each the size of a small home in its own right. Some are larger still, depending on your budget. Only the best for our noble guests, of course."

My eyes widen a touch at what the guy just said.

Seventy? Seriously? That's insane!

"That's... incredible," I mutter, glancing around at all the people. "I mean, it's far from what I'm used to back home, but... Anyway, I'm sure it'll be lovely here."

And far more expensive than anything I could hope to afford. In this world or England.

Thank God Louise is the one holding the purse strings here.

"I'm glad you think so, sir," our butler replies, lowering his head for a moment respectfully.

Then he stops by a desk at the back of the room and taps his digits against the wood to rouse the receptionist on duty, another young maid.

"Afternoon, Miss Helena," the man greets his colleague, bringing an arm around his middle and bowing.

The receptionist, a short green-haired young woman with creamy skin and a pair of thick-rimmed spectacles, bows back.

"Good afternoon, sir," she greets the man, her tone respectful.

Our butler bows to her, then steps back from the desk the smallest bit and raises from his formal greeting.

"We have four guests here in need of rooms. Would you mind preparing them, please?" the butler requests, gesturing to us with an open palm.

The girl glances over our little group, then claps her hands spiritedly.

"Of course," she replies, skimming over a large ledger sitting atop the desk. She pauses, turns over a couple of pages, and her expression falls just the slightest bit. "...I see."

"...Is there a problem?" the butler inquires with a concerned undertone, glancing sideways at us, and then back at Helena.

The receptionist pushes out a weary breath and raises her eyes to our group with a thin smile.

"Please, excuse my rudeness," the maid begs, bowing again. "It's just... We have a lot of guests this evening, so most of the rooms have already been booked up, I'm afraid."

Louise frowns at that, while Kirche shakes her head.

"Aww, how unfortunate," the Germanian speaks up, tutting. She then leans closer to the desk and bats her lashes. "There must be something left though, mustn't there?"

The receptionist blinks, then exhales tiredly.

"...There is, but... It's just that, well..."

The young woman glances at Louise, then at me. Something about the way she does it makes me nervous.

"What?" I wonder, raising a brow.

Helena exhales deeply and shakes her head.

"Well, I'm afraid we only have a single large suite available for the four of you to share," she reveals in a shy, nervy voice. "...I apologize for the inconvenience."

My eyes widen the smallest bit. but

Kirche though, smiles wickedly, her gaze heating up.

"...I see. And what are the sleeping arrangements regarding this room?" the tanned redhead girl inquires, her lips curving upward eagerly.

The young receptionist appears a bit uncomfortable and blushes, but answers regardless:

"...All four of you would be sharing one bed, madam. It's our Silver Suite for wedding parties, you see, complete with a washroom and separate sitting room," she answers shyly, looking down. "...It is a large bed, however, so there should be ample room for the four of you."

Kirche purrs passionately, while Louise puffs out her cheeks and glares at her.

"You had better not be thinking what I think you're thinking, you... you lecher!" she snaps, jabbing the Germanian girl's shoulder. "I-I couldn't possibly share a bed with you."

Kirche grins at Louise's intense rejection, prodding her back."My, so you would rather sleep in the coach as opposed to beside my plush, warm body, hmm?" she questions, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "That doesn't sound comfortable, Louise. And, besides, it is only for one night..."

She then glances at me and winks like a lioness on the prowl.

"You agree with me don't you, Michael? Right...?" Louise's eyes glint with subtle panic as she glares my way.

I only sigh, then shrug and shake my head. "Hey, I'm the guy in this situation... It's complicated for me whichever way we cut it."

"...It's only sleeping," Tabitha adds suddenly, speaking up to my left. "...I wouldn't mind."

I lock eyes with the blue-haired girl, surprised by her interjection.

Louise on the other hand levels a shocked look at Tabitha and her expression falls further still.

"I-I don't care, I'm not sleeping in the same bed as a Zerbst!" the pinkette shouts, stamping her foot on the floor. She then looks at me, her gaze intense. "Michael, tell her!"

Not wanting to deal with one of Louise's fiery outbursts, I turn to the receptionist. The poor girl already looks a little anxious over my mistress' little tantrum just now.

"...Is there really nothing else left? My... companion, is getting a little distressed, as you can see," I double-check with Helena, smiling apologetically.

The receptionist simply lowers her head.

"I'm sorry, sir. All other rooms are taken."

Louise stares at me, her lips trembling.

"Sorry, Louise, you heard the lady... there's nothing else," I reaffirm, half expecting her to blow up on the spot.

Louise pouts like a kid and folds her arms over her chest. "Fine... Whatever... I just..." She then huffs bashfully, lowering her head.

"I suppose I'll sleep in the sitting room..." Taking a couple of moments to compose herself, the pinkette locks gazes with the receptionist. "...Fine," she concedes, tilting her head downward somewhat stiffly. "If there is nothing else then we'll take the room. I'll pay." Decision made, the dainty mage brings out her coin purse and loosens the drawstrings.

"How much is it, exactly?" she follows up somewhat sharply with the receptionist. "The total for the night?"

Helena bows and accepts the coin purse from Louise without question.

"Thank you, Miss," she replies, smiling gently. "That will be twenty-five gold coins for your initial lodging fee."

Louise nods and opens her coin purse, emptying it of its contents onto the counter. The receptionist takes what is owed and then places the rest back inside.

"And your name, Miss...? So I may place it in the ledger for services rendered during your stay," the maid adds, handing the purse back to Louise with a bow of her head.

"Vallière, Miss Louise de la Vallière," the pinkette answers while collecting her change, then turns to us.

Grumpy doesn't even begin to describe the expression she packs. It's kinda scary, actually.

Kirche smiles in the face of Louise's fury, then pats the pinkette on the shoulder, which earns her a growl like an angry dog.

Done stoking my mistress up, the redhead turns to the young receptionist.

"Von Zerbst, Miss Kirche von Zerbst," she tells to the young woman.

The receptionist simply lowers her eyes and enters the name into a large, leatherbound ledger before turning to Tabitha.

"...Tabitha," the blue-haired girl replies in a flat tone, her face faintly flushed. "Just Tabitha."

The young woman nods at that and scribbles Tabitha's name down in the ledger too.

Lastly, she looks to me.

"And you, sir?" Helena inquires.

"DeSilva, Michael DeSilva," I answer casually, folding my arms.

"Thank you, sir," the young woman says, jotting my name down alongside the girls' in the ledger. She then closes the book, sets it aside, and smiles. "Miss Leena and I will show you to your room presently," she informs the group, gesturing to the petite blonde girl working the desk beside her. "She's new, so please be patient while she learns."

At the mention of her name, Leena blushes and lowers her head shyly.

"T-thank you for choosing the Halfway House," she says to us, bowing deeply.

I smile at the girl for her politeness. "Thank you, Leena," I then follow with warmth to my voice.

Leena's cheeks burn a little brighter when I call her by name and the young woman stares up at me with a wide-eyed expression.

I wink at her, and she just turns away and fumbles about with some paperwork on the desk.

The butler that escorted us in, with the two maids carrying our bags at his back, leans nearer to the counter and clears his throat. "Which bridal suite was it again, Miss Helena? So we might deliver our guests' bags," he inquires politely.

The receptionist bows her head, then reaches across to the wall at her back and retrieves a set of keys from a hook. She hands them to the butler and smiles.

"The Silver Suite, please. And thank you," she tells her co-worker.

The butler nods, takes the keys, and then shifts his gaze to the maidly duo loaded down with bags.

"Please, follow me," he instructs the heavily saddled pair.

They do, and the man leads them away with a bow.

Louise sighs at that, then looks at us.

"...I cannot believe they don't have any other rooms," she grumbles, sounding extra spoiled and bratty even to her usual standards.

Kirche hums teasingly at the pinkette, folding her arms.

"My, Louise, you really are the worst sometimes, you know that?" the Germanian girl teases.

Louise sets her glare to kill.

"Why, you! I-"

I clear my throat, unfold my arms, and raise my hand. Better I cut Louise off now before she makes a scene.

"Hey, guys, let's not do this again, okay?" I urge the two noble girls, looking between them. "Come on, we're here to have a good time, not get into another fight. Right?"

Kirche snorts and smirks at Louise.

"As you can see, dear, it is your mistress that is struggling to restrain herself.."

Louise glows red with rage and clenches her teeth.

"...I think you're both being silly," Tabitha expresses softly, speaking up from her place beside me again "...The room will be fine for one night."

I smile and pat Tabitha on the shoulder, which earns me a little jolt of comfort in response.

"Right?" I reply, grinning at Kirche.

The Germanian girl smirks back but remains quiet.

Louise grumbles something under her breath and levels a razor-sharp stare at the young blonde Miss Helena tasked with taking us to our room a few moments ago.

"Well, come on then, girl," she instructs to shy blonde. "We don't have all evening."

The young maid bows and her lips curve upward

"O-Of course, Miss Vallière," she replies, stepping out from behind the desk and gesturing to the door to her right. "Please, follow me."

She leads us to a corridor and then down a hallway filled with doors. The corridor is warm and cozy, with plush rugs on the floors, and paintings of flowers, landscapes, and sunsets hanging on the walls. A silver dining cart sits outside of one room. Atop one of its many platters is a plump, roasted chicken covered in herbs and spices.

My stomach growls while passing it.

As we continue ahead, Louise and Kirche being led by Miss Leena up front, me and Tabitha following up behind, a sudden feeling of unease grips my stomach. Over Kirche and Louise, and how the Germanian always manages to wind up my pink-haired mistress so damned easily.

Sighing over the thought, I shake my head.

"Is something wrong?" Tabitha asks with a hint of worry.

The girl obviously feels my unease, so there's no sense dodging her question.

"Yeah, kinda," I answer in a low voice. "It's just, well... Kirche and Louise..."

Tabitha looks away, her cheeks faintly flushed.

"...I see," she says, staring at the carpet.

Then, without another word, the bluenette gently takes my hand into her own.

I look at Tabitha in surprise, and the girl's cheeks warm to a vibrant pink.

"I... I want to spend more time with you... before we leave tomorrow," she admits in a soft voice, smiling gently, but nervously. "...So, you should ignore those two."

My eyes widen and I stare down at Tabitha's dainty hand clasped around mine.

It's warm and small, and just holding it feels right somehow.

It's just as natural as feeling the girl's heartbeat when she's near. And... There's something else...

The extremely warm sensation I've picked several times from her today: It's back and stronger than ever. An emotion so powerful that I can hardly put it into words.

All I know is that it signifies something precious. Something heartfelt. Something she treasures.

Our friendship, perhaps? Or at least I'm guessing as much.

If so, then I picked up a friend for life when I comforted her in the infirmary, that's for sure.

"Hey, come on you two, stop dawdling!" Kirche calls back, turning around and beckoning us forward. "Fall any further behind and I'll summon a search party," she teases.

I chuckle to myself and glance at the petite blue-haired girl holding my hand.

"...That would be bad," Tabitha murmurs, mustering a meek half-smile.

"Yeah, it sure would," I agree. "Come on, let's go."

Tabitha bobs her head, we then separate and continue walking side by side.

I notice a faint pinkness coloring the bluenette's cheeks as we go. The two of us lock eyes for a swift second, and then I snap my gaze ahead.

Here's hoping our little overnight stop is as relaxing and stress-free as possible.

Especially with Kirche and Louise in the same room together.

To be continued...


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