𝙱𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚘𝚢𝚊𝚕 𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚕

CHAPTER 28

Nancine intervenes at the right time, her expression stern. "Is everything alright here?" she asks, her eyes flickering from you to Hencely.

Hencely looks up at Nancine, his expression quickly losing some of its bravado. "Just having a friendly conversation, miss Nancine," he says, forcing a smile onto his face.

Nancine raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying his act. "Seems more like you're bothering this young lady while she's trying to eat." She glances at you, a silent question in her eyes.

You give Nancine a grateful look, silently thanking her for coming to your defense. "It's fine." you say, although the quiver in your tone betrays your nerves. "I was just finishing up, anyway."

Nancine nods, understanding your subtle cue to get you out of this situation. "Very well," she says, fixing Hencely with a steely glare. "I do hope you'll be on your way, then. I don't like to see my patrons being harassed while they're enjoying their meal."

Hencely grumbles, clearly not happy about the interruption. He gives you one last look, a mixture of frustrated desire and anger in his gaze, before standing up and lumbering off towards the bar.

Nancine watches him go, making sure he's gone before turning her attention back to you. "Are you alright, dear?" she asks, concern etched on her face.

You manage a small nod, still a bit shaken by the encounter. "I'm fine, thank you," you say, trying to keep your voice steady. "He was... persistent, that's all." you stand up, taking the bowl in hand. "I think I'll turn in for tonight. Thank you Nancine."

Nancine gives you a warm smile. "Of course, dear. You get a good night's sleep. And if that man gives you any more trouble, you let me know, alright?"

Nancine takes the bowl from you, her smile still in place. "I'll take care of that for you. You go on up to your room." she gives you a gentle nudge.

"Thank you," you murmur, feeling a sense of relief. You bid Nancine goodnight and make your way back down the hall to your room, grateful to have escaped Hencely's unwanted attention.

Once you're safely back in your room, you close and lock the door behind you, letting out a long sigh. Your hands clench into fists as the adrenaline coursing through your body starts to subside, leaving you feeling shaken.

You decide to take a seat on the bed, your legs feeling a bit shaky. Your thoughts race, your mind still trying to process what just happened. You can't help but feel a pang of fear at the realization that you're alone in this inn, with no one to turn to if something were to happen.

You sit there for a while, listening to the sounds of the inn settling down for the night. Muffled voices and footsteps echo down the hall, along with the occasional drunken laugh or slurred word. Despite the relative stillness of your own room, the sense of solitude feels oppressive, loneliness and homesickness swirling in your chest.

You finally lay down in the bed, the fatigue of the day catching up with you. The sheets are cool and crisp, but the comfort they provide does little to ease your troubled mind. You stare up at the ceiling, your thoughts still racing, unable to find peace or rest.

The silence of the room seems to magnify the sound of your own breathing, each inhale and exhale feeling ragged and forced. You shift on the bed, trying to get comfortable, but the unease gnawing at your stomach makes it hard to find a position that doesn't feel wrong.

Despite the exhaustion and the quiet of the room, sleep eludes you. Every creak of the floorboards or muffled conversation from the common room outside your door makes you jump, your senses on high alert. The longer you lay there, the more the shadows around the room seem to take on ominous shapes, making your imagination run wild.