Adventurer of Many Professions

Although they had just finished lunch, Raymond and Arya couldn't resist nibbling on the snacks and sipping the fragrant milk tea while listening to the fox-eared girl's presentation.

"If you're looking to settle in the East District as adventurers, there are three main types of housing," the fox-eared girl began with a friendly smile. "First, we have single-family homes with private yards; ideal if you'd like space to plant flowers or herbs. Those range from 200 to 500 gold coins."

Raymond and Arya exchanged a quick glance; that price was well beyond their reach, but they kept listening.

"The second option," she continued, "is a two-story townhouse. These have a bit less space, as they lack a front yard, but they're still cozy and comfortable. Prices for these range between 150 and 300 gold coins."

Both Raymond and Arya's eyes widened slightly. Even the mid-range option was expensive.

"And lastly," the fox-eared girl said, her tail flicking as she leaned forward, "we have shared multi-family homes. Each family lives on its own floor, and prices for these start at 100 gold coins and go up to around 200."

The shock was starting to settle in. Raymond took a slow, thoughtful sip of his milk tea, while Arya's hand holding a pastry froze mid-bite. Even the cheapest option was well beyond their budget.

"Is there… anything else?" Raymond asked, trying to keep his tone light.

"Yes, of course," the fox-eared girl replied cheerfully. "The South District is far more affordable if you're open to it."

She went on to explain that the South District, where most ordinary folks lived and where their familiar Becker Hotel was located, offered the lowest prices in town. But even the modest homes there, she noted, started at over thirty gold coins; still no small sum.

Arya's face flushed a bit as she set her pastry down, looking unsure. She hadn't expected housing to cost quite this much, and now even the snacks seemed harder to enjoy.

Raymond, however, took it all in stride. He'd already prepared himself mentally for this. "Can we rent instead?" he asked suddenly, an idea sparking in his mind.

"Huh?" Arya's head snapped up. She hadn't even considered that. They'd always dreamed of owning a place someday but hadn't thought renting might be an option.

"Yes!" the fox-eared girl nodded eagerly. "However, you'll need to pay a full year's rent upfront."

"Not a problem," Raymond said, nodding decisively. "What rental options do you have in the East District?"

The fox-eared girl's eyes sparkled as she led them through the available options. After a bit of discussion, Raymond found a townhouse on Red Rose Street that seemed perfect. It was a quaint two-story home, with an annual rent of twelve gold coins. Reasonable, but he wanted to see it in person before making a decision.

With the snacks and milk tea all finished; most of which Arya had eaten, though she felt slightly embarrassed about it, the fox-eared girl cheerfully led them outside and gestured toward a waiting carriage. "Red Rose Street is a bit of a distance, so let's take the carriage there," she said with a warm smile.

Raymond and Arya exchanged surprised looks, unable to hide their appreciation. From the treats to the carriage ride, the Housing Chamber of Commerce had gone above and beyond to make them feel welcome.

Inside the carriage, Arya shifted nervously on the plush seats, clearly not used to such luxury. Sensing her unease, Raymond reached over and gently placed his hand on top of hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Arya glanced up at him, and though she blushed, she didn't pull her hand away.

The fox-eared girl noticed the exchange and couldn't help but smile knowingly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Arya blushed even harder under her gaze but held on to Raymond's hand.

Soon, the carriage rolled to a stop in front of townhouse No. 25 on Red Rose Street. It was a charming, two-story building with a steep, polygonal roof and a pair of distinctive chimneys. Painted a stately gray-blue, it had a certain cozy elegance, though it lacked the luxury of a courtyard or garden. The front door opened directly onto the street, flanked by two other townhouses in the same style.

Raymond and Arya stood there, taking it all in, and for a moment, they could picture themselves living there; a place to call their own, even if just for a year.

The fox-eared girl jingled a ring of metal keys before finding the one she needed, inserting it with a practiced ease as she unlocked the door. "As soon as you step in, you'll find yourself in the living room," she said, opening the door with a warm smile. "It's spacious, with plenty of natural light from the front windows. Behind the living room, there are two guest rooms with their own windows as well, so it feels open and bright."

As they entered, the first thing Raymond and Arya noticed was the sunlight pouring across a long, plush sofa in a living room far more spacious than anything they'd known. Raymond took a deep breath, savoring the faint smell of wood polish and fresh air, while Arya's eyes widened in awe.

"To the right," the fox-eared girl continued, "is the kitchen and dining area, and to the left is the bathroom. There's also a fireplace that keeps the whole floor cozy in winter."

A fireplace! Both Raymond and Arya exchanged excited glances, hardly able to contain their enthusiasm. Winters in West were harsh, and back at the Weir Hotel, they'd endured countless freezing nights, their hands and feet often cracked and bleeding from frostbite. The idea of sitting by a warm fireplace, of finally getting through winter in comfort, was like a dream come true.

After thoroughly exploring the first floor, the fox-eared girl led them up a narrow staircase to the second floor. "Here's the main bathroom, much larger than the one downstairs and complete with a full bathtub," she explained, gesturing proudly. "The bath is separated from the toilet by a folding door, for privacy and ease of use."

Raymond and Arya peered into the bathroom, taking in its immaculate cleanliness. The tiled floor sparkled, and there wasn't a trace of any unpleasant odor, quite a change from the public bathrooms they'd used before, where conditions were often less than ideal.

Arya stood there, entranced by the spotless tub and gleaming fixtures, as if in disbelief that a place like this could be hers. She lingered there in a daze until Raymond gently tugged her arm, leading her further into the tour.

The fox-eared girl continued, showing them two bedrooms on either side of the hallway, each equipped with a comfortable bed, a wardrobe, and a desk. "And finally," she said, opening a door to the right, "this is the balcony. Perfect for drying clothes in the sun, and it also has a lovely view of the street."

Raymond nodded, taking in the final details: a balcony, a storage room, all the necessities they could ever need. The house felt complete, down to the last detail, as if it had been waiting for them to make it a home.

Back in the living room, the fox-eared girl turned to Raymond, a professional yet cheerful look in her eyes. "Adventurer, are you satisfied with this house?"

Raymond smiled, glancing at Arya, who was already beaming, her excitement barely contained. "Yes, I think we're more than satisfied," he replied.

The contract was signed quickly. Raymond handed over ten gold coins as a deposit and paid the year's rent upfront, totaling twenty-two gold coins. As the fox-eared girl waved goodbye from her carriage, Raymond and Arya stood in front of the door to their new home, keys in hand.

"Raymond…" Arya stared at the keys, her face aglow with disbelief. "Am I really not dreaming?"

Raymond took a deep, contented breath, glancing at the house before looking back at Arya with a grin. "If it is a dream, let's never wake up."

Without warning, Arya squealed with joy, throwing her arms around him in a delighted hug. "I'm really not dreaming!" she shouted, her voice full of wonder.

That evening, both of them enjoyed a warm, relaxing bath, washing away not only the day's dust but also the weariness of years spent in hardship. Each settled into their own rooms on the second floor, their hearts lighter than they'd felt in a long time. Raymond lay on his bed, surrounded by the soft glow of moonlight filtering in through the window, the unfamiliar comfort of a mattress beneath him lulling him toward sleep.

Just as he was drifting off, he heard a quiet creak as his door opened. Turning, he saw Arya standing there, dressed in loose, thin pajamas, her skin flushed from the bath, her hair damp and tousled. She bit her lower lip nervously, her eyes flickering with vulnerability.

"Raymond," she whispered, her voice barely above a tremble, "I'm… I'm scared."