The Merchant and Tavern Master

Empty Room

"This building is..?" Sofia asked me, as we arrived at the 3 floor building. This place hasn't really changed much since the last time I visited. According to Cordelia, this is the only place that she could afford with her pay on Pixie Tavern and have more money to save. She could stay in a more decent place rather than in this shady region, but she prefers to save her income more for her future self when she is unable to work someday, she said.

"This is the place where Cordelia used to stay." I answered, as I walked to the front door. I knocked at the front door of the landlord. When I started a relationship with Cordelia, I stayed at her place almost every night, so I visited the landlords once to let my face be known to him. The old landlord seemed didn't care who the tenant brought, or what the tenants do as long as they pay their rent. Cordelia said despite his grumbling, the old man was a kind person.

The door opened slightly, and a pair of old eyes peeked from behind.

"Who is it?" he grumbled.

"Good evening, my name is Takahiko," I said. "I greeted you three years ago; do you still remember me?"

"Three years ago? Takahiko?" He seemed to ponder for a while. I wondered if he had really forgotten.

"Ah! You're Cordelia's man?!"

"Yes, I was," I replied.

"Where the hell did you go all this time?! I was surprised when someone told me Cordelia had died! I thought you had died somewhere too?!" His sudden outburst surprised me and the girls.

"It was a hard time for me. I only just remembered this place now. But I wanted to ask, has Cordelia's room been tidied up?"

"No, I didn't. I intended to clean her room, but somehow I felt I couldn't do it. The neighbors said it was eerie, as if she was still there. I've lost many tenants because of these rumors of her ghost lingering in her room, you know that?!"

"What?!" The girls held onto my hand and body tightly when they heard his explanation.

"I assume you came to take care of her belongings, right? Hurry up and make peace with her ghost! Her room should be the same as the last time you visited! Just don't let her haunt this place! I'm begging you!" The old man seemed desperate, although there's no such thing as ghosts. He's just superstitious. If there really were her ghost, I would love to see her myself. I really missed her.

"Alright, please lend me the key. I will see what I can do," I said, although I didn't believe in ghosts. I kept my skepticism to myself.

"Uhm, Takahiko? Are... are you sure you want to go? I mean, aren't you scared?" Guin asked, her voice trembling with concern.

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" We departed as I got the key. Amanda and Isabelle still hold my clothes. Only Sofia at the moment seemed not disturbed by the eerie story from the landlord.

"You're alright, Sofia?" I asked her.

"T..Th.. There's no way there's a ghost, right? Takahiko?" Oh, she's holding on to her fear.

"Well, I never met one, that's for sure."

"So, the reason you go here is.."

"I just realized, I never came to her place to take care of her stuff since I buried her, three years ago. It's surprising that the landlord didn't touch anything for this long, but if he was afraid, then it's understandable. But it's something I must do in the beginning. I'm sorry but, please help me here."

As we reached the door of Cordelia's chamber, a familiar flowery fragrance wafted into my nostrils, a scent I hadn't encountered in so long. I had embraced her many nights when she was alive, etching the aroma into my heart. It stirred my deepest longings and memories of her, making it almost believable that she stood just behind the door. Perhaps it was this pervasive scent that unnerved the neighbors and landlords.