Testing My Luck in the New World

Volume 2 - Chapter 17

"If it's not a room for one," Seldi said. "Then how many? We do have a few beds left in the communal room, if you'd prefer."

"No, no. Sorry. I'd like a room for three, please."

Pointing over my shoulders at the girls, I figured I might as well give in and let Mana stay with us. I already knew she'd likely prefer it and, given her overly curious nature, I thought I needed to keep an eye on her. All that trouble with Miss Bellenfort reminded me of the fact that Mana, too, had become a Thief thanks to me. Can't have someone else noticing and getting the wrong idea.

Seldi squinted at the girls, eyeing them up and down. Then she turned to me and crossed her arms.

"Sir, these two wouldn't happen to be cat-kin, would they?"

At this, a few of the patrons enjoying their drinks turned to check the girls as well. Most took a single glance, shrugged and returned to their mugs, but several looked annoyed at the mere idea of their presence. I couldn't' help but notice that some of the joyous atmosphere had gone silent.

Shrinking behind me, Mana took the hint and let her hood hide her face. Yua did the same, but I could tell her fists were clenched, almost daring for those glaring to attack.

"No, they aren't," I lied, hopeful. None of the patrons, at least none that I could see, were beast-kin, so their natural scent shouldn't be a tell.

"Mhmm, sure," Seldi tapped an inpatient finger on her bicep. "Then let's have those hoods off, yea?"

Seeing no way out, Yua started to remove her hood when I stopped her. If the jig was up, there was no point in arguing with people like this. Unfortunately, our plans meant we had to stay here. Pissing the owners off would just jeopardize that.

"Okay. They're cat-kin. Could you please make an exception for them? I'll pay extra."

"Not happening. Their kind aren't welcome here."

"... Would it change your mind if I said they were my slaves?"

Seldi scoffed, looking at Yua with a smirk that might as well have said serves you right. Using Yua's cool lack of a response as a reason to keep things peaceful, I let her answer.

"If that's the case, those two can sleep in the stables."

Happy to let her think she'd won, I turned to Yua.

"Take Mana back to the stables," I said, pretending to sound heartless, then whispered. "Just wait for me."

"Yes, Master," Yua replied with a short bow before taking Mana by the arm and dragging her outside. Thankfully, Mana at least didn't seem to catch on to the casual racism being slung at her. The drunks in the corner of the room were too interesting.

Once they were gone, I took out my purse.

"I'd like the largest bed you have to offer."

"Fine. It'll be six coppers. Eight if you want food."

I quickly set the coins for just the room on the provided tray, accepted the key she gave me and started upstairs.

"Second floor," she called, leaning over the counter. "And don't think you'll be having those two in your bed tonight. I so much at catch as peep of them in this building again and I'll kick the lot of you out. Nobody gets past Seldi's eye."

Pretending again to unbothered, I hurried upstairs.

The following the number plates posted to the side of each room, I quickly found the one matching the number etched into the key in the corner of the hall. I let myself in and locked the door.