Chapter 172
‘What should I do?’
Even so, she couldn’t tell them the name of the inn where she’s staying now. If she did, they wouldn’t be able to stay there any longer and would have to move again. She couldn’t just sit here and waste time either.
After agonizing over it, Lynette let out a small sigh.
“Could you tell Reina to meet me here tomorrow morning?”
“Understood. May I have your name?”
“It’s Lynette.”
The man scribbled her name and the meeting time on a piece of paper.
“You must make sure to tell her.”
“Don’t worry.”
Leaving him behind, Lynette stepped outside and let out a small sigh.
‘It’s fine now because the branch is here, but what do I do in places where there’s none?’
They needed some sort of arrangement.
In a situation where they were separated so suddenly, they needed a specific sign or signal that would allow them to meet again.
It would have been nice if they had talked beforehand about where and when to meet should anything happen.
She had gone about her days without much thought, but with everything happening now, she regrets so many things.
Leaving the branch with nothing gained, she thought for a moment, then began walking back toward the inn they had originally stayed at.
Didn’t they say that culprits always return to the scene?
‘Ah. But that would make me the culprit. Maybe it’s a little different.’
Lynette lightly shrugged her shoulders and slowed her steps.
She had no intention of simply walking in. She had promised Sillian that she wouldn’t do anything dangerous.
She only planned to check the area from nearby. If, by any chance, it was possible, she could try to slip a note under Euphen or Eshar’s door.
She had already left a message at the branch, but it would be safer to try several methods of communication just in case.
‘We really do need some kind of arrangement.’
Next time, they needed to decide on a meeting place and time in advance for emergencies.
This incident made her reflect on many things.
When the inn finally came into view, Lynette walked even more slowly.
If she’s just standing still and staring, it would look even more suspicious.
Compared to the Count’s men who were violently pushing their way through people earlier, the area in front of the inn was quieter.
Was it because they assumed he wasn’t here anymore? If she went inside, would they be waiting in their rooms?
Her idea of slipping in a note sounded fine at first, but realistically, it was too risky. Above all, the innkeeper knew Lynette’s face, so she couldn’t guarantee what might happen.
‘Running into Euphen or Eshar by chance would be best.’
But such convenient coincidences never happened.
With a bitter smile, she walked past the inn. Keeping her head lowered, hair covering her face, moving as inconspicuously as possible. Then, just as she was passing by an alley, she heard a small voice.
“Lynette.”
It was so faint she almost walked past without noticing.
She stopped belatedly and turned back toward the alley. Casting her gaze into the dim interior, dark even in daytime due to the shadows, she saw a familiar face.
“Eu-”
She almost called out happily but firmly shut her mouth. Then she quickly stepped into the alley. Euphen and Eshar were standing there.
“I’m glad you’re safe, Lynette.”
Exhaling a deep breath, the man finally relaxed his shoulders, which had been stiff with tension.
“You two seem unharmed as well. I’m relieved.”
“The atmosphere felt strange, so we were checking things out. What happened?”
At Eshar’s question, Lynette pressed her lips tightly together.
Where should she begin?
It would be best to start from her encounter with Edwin.
“Yesterday…”
The moment she opened her mouth, two men passing by the alley entrance stopped abruptly, then stepped inside.
They scanned the three of them up and down.
Lynette clasped her hands together tightly.
If the innkeeper had told them that they were part of ‘Sillian’s group’, then this combination would be easy to recognize.
“Hey. He’s not blond.”
A companion tapped the shoulder of the man who still looked doubtful, then walked out of the alley.
The man who’s still suspicious of them reluctantly followed.
Only when both of them disappeared completely did Lynette release a long, trembling sigh.
“We should go to where Sillian is.”
It was clear they needed to leave this area.
At her words, the two nodded slightly.
All three of them seemed to understand that moving together is practically inviting a repeat of the trouble earlier, so they walked while maintaining an appropriate distance, without needing to speak. Walking as if they weren’t a group.
Lynette strode into the inn where Sillian is.
Taking advantage of the moment when the innkeeper had stepped away, she motioned the other two inside.
When she knocked on the door, the man swung it open immediately, as if he had been waiting.
He gently pulled her into an embrace.
“Lynette.”
His low voice held a mix of emotions. Relief, worry, comfort.
Lynette simply smiled without a word and lightly patted his back.
Though it is a room for two people only, there were four people inside and a child lying on the bed.
The space felt cramped.
“How is Edwin?”
“It seems his fever has completely gone down.”
“Who is this child?”
“I think we need an explanation.”
Lynette let out a short sigh and took a seat.
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