Chapter 20: The coming days of The Winter Festival
Blade lay on the bed when the door creaked open.
"We're back," Chrone said, following behind Alden as the young boy entered the room, carrying a bag of groceries then placed it near the door, leaving it for later.
Blade slowly sat up, turning her attention toward the two of them. Her usual aloofness was present, but there was a slight change in her demeanor.
"Anything eventful happened while you were out?" She asked unexpectedly, her tone calm but inquisitive.
Chrone blinked, momentarily surprised. It was rare for Blade to ask about their outings. "Nothing. Why do you ask?"
She didn't answer right away. Her divine sense extended, sweeping over their bodies, lingering on Alden before retracting. "I sensed something unpleasant attached to you," she said, standing and making her way to the groceries. She paid particular attention to Alden before picking up the bag and heading to the kitchen. "I'll borrow the kitchen."
Her hair color rapidly changed to black as her fox ears and tail disappeared and the blindfold she wore disappeared, replaced with dull golden eyes.
Chrone scratched his head, watching her leave, "That was... odd. Alden, do you smell anything strange?"
Alden, who had been about to follow Blade, paused, sniffing around himself before shrugging. "Sorry, Father, but I don't smell anything weird." With that, he headed toward the kitchen to join Blade.
Blade had taken over the cooking duties since the beginning of our stay here. At first, it was purely out of necessity since she was the only one who needed to eat. But after Alden joined us, she began teaching him how to cook as well.
From the outside, it might look like she was a mother showing her child how to cook, but I knew better. Blade wasn't doing it out of affection. No, she was simply teaching him to take over so she could avoid the task and laze around.
"Sigh, should I call that dedication or laziness?" I muttered to myself, descending the stairs.
As I neared the kitchen, I overheard a conversation.
"Oh, Blade, here to borrow the kitchen again?" The innkeeper's wife greeted her warmly. "Go ahead."
Then she turned her attention to Alden, her face lighting up. "Oh, little Alden, helping Blade again? Such a good boy. Sigh, I wish my son were as diligent as you." She gently pat Alden's head before leaving to tend to other tasks.
As she stepped away, her head popped back through the doorway. "Oh, by the way, will you all be joining the Winter Festival?"
"Oh, that's actually a great idea!" I said, a spark of excitement in my voice.
"Ah, hello, Chrone! Good to see you today," the innkeeper's wife greeted me with a smile.
"Good to see you too," I replied before turning to Blade. "Blade, you should explore the city more. I'll show you some of my favorite spots Alden and I found."
Alden's eyes lit up, brimming with excitement as he turned to Blade with a hopeful expression.
After a brief silence, Blade seemed to consider the offer. Finally, with a slight nod, she agreed.
"Alright," she said, her usual calm demeanor intact, though I could tell there was a hint of curiosity beneath it all.
Alden beamed with joy.