Hopelessly Devoted ~ Garroth x F!Reader

Ch 35: A New Place To Stay

Dante's Point Of View:

Garroth abandoned me to talk to ____,  so I took the moment to gather my courage. I knocked on the door to his office, mentally rehearsing what I'd say. His door swung open all too soon. There I was, staring the Lord of Scaleswind blankly in the face and gulping. This Lord was older, his facial hair completely gray. His red robes made it evident that he was someone of power.

I bowed down and started to propose Phoenix Drop's idea to him. "I'm a guard from Phoenix Drop, relaying an important message from Lord Aphmau, sir." My legs trembled as I bent my torso straight again.

"Go on," The Lord's rough voice permitted.

"Phoenix Drop was a-attacked." I took a deep breath and tried to collect my thoughts. The wound was still fresh for me and I already had a hard enough time keeping my composure as is. "We seek a safe place to stay until further notice. May half of Phoenix Drop's numbers stay here—in Scaleswind—temporarily for the time being?" I pushed my leg down to stop it from shaking.

"Scaleswind is a booming village," the Lord responded wisely. "While a few of our kind villagers will happily let some friends into their homes, I'd instead recommend our inns. We can't expect many villagers to tolerate strangers in their homes. Is this all you wish to discuss?"

I was convinced I was done negotiating and celebrated my victory far too early. Nicole, I remembered. "N-no, sir. We also have to inform you—" I paused and took a deep breath. He's not this only one this matter was personal to. "That your daughter—"

The Lord raised his eyebrows at me when my facial expression dropped. Standing at the large doorway was that familiar red-head. She looked as beautiful as ever, and she definitely didn't seem lost or in trouble. "Nicole?" I asked in shock.

She just smiled, which helped me regain stability. I ran up to her and enveloped her in a hug—which lasted longer than a friendly hug should. She rested her head over my shoulder, but was eventually forced to let go. Her dad loomed over us, judgement seeping out of his arched brow.

"I'm sorry." I held my arms behind my back, letting go of his daughter. I didn't regret my actions, though.

He grunted and gave me a look that almost said disapproval. "Anyway, please go on with what you were going to say about my daughter."

"Well, sir, you see, I was going to say—um. That she's a wonderful young lady. And she's here." I stated the obvious, adding some jazz hands.

I let a huge puff of air. That was finally out of the way.

Second Person Point Of View:

After watching the new girl jump into Dante's arms, you nudged Garroth's shoulder with yours. He sidled up next to you, peering down at you. Now that you had his attention, you waggled your eyebrows and leaned your head in Nicole and Dante's direction.

Garroth rolled his eyes, but not even a sarcastic motion could cover the smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He cast one last glance at you before resuming his attention to monitoring Dante. Meanwhile, your gaze remained fixed on Garroth.

He winced in second hand embarrassment as Dante explained himself to the Lord of Scaleswind. Garroth's body language angled towards the conversing group as if he wanted to intervene, but instead he sealed his eyes tightly before exhaling and leaving it.

Garroth bowed to the Lord before exiting, bringing you and Dante out of the office. Upon your guys' return, both groups looked to Garroth for direction, despite half of the crowd supposedly being under Dante's leadership. "Okay guys, I have good news. We're going to be staying in Scaleswind for a bit," Garroth announced.

Your fellow villagers triumphed over the accomplishment.

***

The inn Garroth chose was towering. Its wings were long and tall, but not as wide. Its sloped red roof matched the rest in the village, as did its height. The inside was decorated with red carpet and a few dark oak chairs for seating. Directly across from the door, up against the back wall, was a long dark oak desk, with an older man seated behind it. Garroth approached the man, who was ecstatic to have a guest, though a prestigious inn as this must have had many. The old worker's eyes were kind and he had barely visible dimples as he smiled.

You and the rest of the group sat down in the lobby chairs while Garroth received the kind old man's service, who looked up at Garroth from his seated position in his desk chair. "How may I help you?" the innkeeper asked with a wide grin.