The Merchant and Tavern Master

Refreshed Morning

Thanks to my fiancée's gentle caresses throughout the night, I woke up feeling considerably lighter. I was genuinely surprised to find her sleeping face so close to mine, our lips almost touching. I had almost forgotten that in this spacious room I had booked, the other girls were still sleeping. So, I gently pushed away her embrace, got up from the bed, and tucked the blanket around her once more. I softly ran my fingers through her hair, being careful not to wake her. As I observed her peaceful sleeping face, I couldn't help but find Sofia incredibly endearing. The thought of waking up to her face so intimately close every morning after we get married filled me with excitement. I leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you, Sofia."

Guinevere, Isabelle, and Amanda were still sound asleep, each in her own bed. I realized that after keeping them up all night, they must have been thoroughly exhausted. It dawned on me that these girls were still teenagers, and I shouldn't have imposed my concerns on them. Yet, thinking it over, I knew they would have insisted on helping me, even if I hadn't allowed it. I silently vowed to myself that I would take care of them for their unwavering support last night.

Now that I was awake and had decided what needed to be done today, I busied myself with preparations while waiting for the girls to rise. Before waking them, I stepped out of our chamber and headed to the inn's reception. There, I arranged for the most lavish breakfast set to be served to the girls in an hour. During that time, I went to the bathing room, as usual for a morning bath. After spending some time there and refreshing myself, I returned and found Sofia and Isabelle already awake.

"Good morning, Sofia, Isabelle. You're up quite early," I greeted them.

"Not as early as you, though. Were you just in the bath?" Sofia guessed.

"That's right."

"You really enjoy bathing, Takahiko. I noticed on our previous travels, you always made a stop at the bathing chamber," Isabelle remarked.

"I can't help it. Maybe it runs in my family. My brothers and my parents all love taking baths, especially now that public baths are available everywhere, unlike in our village."

"There's no public bath in your village?" Isabelle asked.

"Yes, we had to take baths in a very traditional way, using a bucket and a towel. You experienced that when you visited, didn't you, Sofia?"

"That's right. It was quite enjoyable, actually."

"I hope that when we return, the lord has built proper facilities there."

"Oh, you've visited his village before, Sofia?" Isabelle inquired, seeming curious.

"If you're thinking of visiting there, Isabelle, I won't let you go alone with Takahiko, alright?" Sofia interjected.

"I... I wasn't thinking about that!" Isabelle responded, slightly panicked.

"But if we go together, I'd approve it. You should try the ramen there; it's incredibly delicious. I already miss the taste," Sofia added.

"Okay, after we finish everything here, let's find a good time to visit my village again. Together," I suggested, a sense of camaraderie filling the air.

We chatted nonstop, and not long after, a knock on the door echoed through the room, indicating that our breakfast was ready. Sofia opened the door, and the attendant brought the food inside. Guin and Amanda still showed no signs of waking up. Once the attendant left, Sofia woke up Guin, while Isabelle took care of Amanda.

"Uh, wow.. What a delicious smell.." Guin who just now half sleep now fully awoken by the tantalizingly fragrant aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries.