Hopelessly Devoted ~ Garroth x F!Reader

Ch 36: Anagram Inn

Garroth approached the front desk. "Hello, I'd like to pay for a group of eleven to stay for at least two nights."

The old innkeeper adjusted his semicircular glasses, squinting to make out the group behind Garroth. His words came in a raspy drawl. "I'm afraid we only have three rooms available at the moment. Will that be enough space for you lot?"

Garroth hesitated in pensive thought, analyzed the group over his shoulder, then made his own executive decision with a tentative expression. "Of course, we'll take it. How much will that be?" Garroth swung his backpack around one shoulder, shuffling through the pouch for his allotted allowance of diamonds from Phoenix Drop.

"Each room will be one diamond per night," the old man replied, counting the math out on his fingers.

"Perfect, here you are." Garroth placed the amount on the table before the cheap price settled in fully. He paused without pocketing the keys, hesitant to practically steal service from such an old, innocent soul. "Are you sure that'll only be six diamonds?"

The innkeeper's unkempt brows furrowed in calculation. "Two nights for three rooms . . . Six diamonds," he confirmed. "Though, I'll have to double check that math with my wife. I'm getting old and she always knows best." He chuckled, a loving grin lingering on his dimples.

"I bet, although you're still sharp yourself," Garroth responded with a crooked grin. "If that's your final price, then here. As a tip." He placed an additional, neatly stacked pile of diamonds on the wooden desktop, then made his way towards the group with their room keys.

***

Upstairs above the lobby, the three rooms awaited. You stayed with Kawaii~Chan, Donna, and Katelyn. Aaron, Brendan, Garroth and Dante shared the second room, which was located directly behind the door next to yours. The last available room Garroth rented was on the other side of the long corridor, housing Logan, Yip, and a guy whose name you didn't recall.

The guys disappeared behind their door as you trudged across the red carpet that paved the vast, narrow stretches of the suites' hallway.

Inside your suite, you sat on the edge of one queen-sized mattress, drowsily avoiding conversation with the other girls. The room was a medium size, holding two red beds, separated in the middle by a nightstand with a small vanity desk nestled in the corner. Your rigid posture sat unable to relax into the stiffness of your dirt-soiled pajamas. They'd been clean and new a few days ago, at least. Your instinct was to leave such an immaculately dusted and folded room, to get off the clean pressed sheets.

You opened the door and stepped into the narrow hallway. You walked down the single, winding flight of stairs at the end of it and approached the man at the desk. "Excuse me. Is there anywhere I could wash my clothes?"

He pointed at a door to his left. "In the kitchen, there's a wash room. My wife is in there, she'll be happy to help you."

You entered the door the man had pointed to, peeking in cautiously. A woman was hunched over the sink and scrubbing dishes. She wore a simple light blue dress that fit her slender body nicely. Her long dark hair showed streaks of gray. When she looked up, you noticed her deep blue eyes, shining in invitation. You could tell she had once been a beautiful young woman, and was a stunning mature adult.

"What can I do for you?" she asked kindly, her voice light and jovial.

"Hi! Could you show me to the wash room so that I can do some laundry?"

"Don't worry about washing your clothes, I can do it." The woman patted the counter next to her. "If you come back with the clothes you need washed, you can set them right here."

Your mouth gaped in shock. "No, no, I can do it. Besides, I haven't bought the extra pair of clothes yet. All I have is this set I'm wearing, and I don't think the merchants will be too fond of selling to an unclothed customer."

"These are your only clothes? Here, I've got an extra set of pajamas in the gift shop." The woman set aside her sponge and stood up, drying her hands on her apron.

"How much does it cost?" you inquired, feeling around for any currency in your backpack.

"Nothing, dear. It's a gift."

"Oh no, I couldn't," you continued your dig for cash.

"You remind me of my granddaughter. I insist." She disappeared around the corner before you could object, returning with a package of brand new pajamas.

"Thank you," you told the woman endearingly before ducking away to change.

***

You stepped out of the small washroom beside the kitchen, wearing a breezy, light blue button-up paired with long, wide-ankled pants. You handed the woman the dirty pajamas you changed out of. She gingerly placed the folded mound into her bucket, soaking it in the suds.

"They'll be all clean and dry in the morning. For now, take this, too." The woman handed you a small box, and in it was a one piece, short-sleeved adventuring outfit. "It's from my days of exploring." She gazed off, recalling old memories. "I want you to keep it. You shouldn't have to walk around in pajamas."

Your heart melted with joy, though you had little idea why it was so intense. Maybe this was the attention you longed for. The attention you'd never gotten from family. "No, really. I couldn't. It seems special to you and you've already done so much for me."

"I don't fit in it or use it anymore. It'd be silly for me to keep it around." She gestured towards the box and smiled, her eyes crinkling around the corners. "I insist you keep it."

"How much do you want for this outfit?"

"I've had it lying around for so long, I don't need to be paid." The lady sat on a stool and rolled your clothes up and twisted them in the basin of water.

You caught her gaze in yours. There was something comforting about her eyes. They held the calmness of a still sea. "What's your name?" you asked.

"Delamere. You can call me Dela," she replied with chimes in her voice.

"I'm ____. Thank you for everything. I'll be back again soon!" You called over your shoulder as you walked out of the kitchen and into the waiting room.

You approached Dela's husband, who still sat stationed at the lobby desk. "I didn't expect your wife to do the laundry for me! How much do you want for her service?" you urged, hoping he'd at least accept some monetary compensation.

The man smiled, a warm feeling of familiarity washing over you. "You needn't worry, the price is included with your stay." He paused. "It also covers the continental breakfast we serve in the mornings."

"Thank you," you read his name tag, "Elias."

You couldn't shake the smile even after arriving back upstairs. You passed your door and headed straight to the boys' room, lightly knocking on their door. Garroth needed to know about the included benefits of your stay.

Aaron answered, ushering you inside.