The lively chatter of the inn buzzed in the background, but for a moment, Alex's world slowed as he lifted his gaze.
Standing before him was a stunning woman, her presence commanding attention even in a crowded place.
She appeared to be in her late twenties, with soft cyan hair cascading over her shoulders like silken threads. Her azure eyes gleamed beneath the light, radiating an almost hypnotic charm. Though she wore a veil and a crystal-white hat, attempting to conceal her face, it was futile—her beauty was undeniable.
Her milky-white skin glowed with an ethereal radiance, and even with most of her face covered, Alex could tell she was breathtaking.
For a brief moment, Alex was in daze.
("Holy… if she existed in my old world, she'd be an international top model.")
But years of reading novels and playing RPGs had taught him one valuable lesson—
"If a mysterious beauty approaches you without reason, danger follows right behind."
So, without changing his expression, he ignored her and continued eating.
the veiled woman, seemed taken aback.
Most men would have been tripping over themselves just to exchange a few words with her. Yet, this young man, whose handsome features were impossible to hide even behind a cloth, had simply brushed her off.
Her eyes gleamed with amusement.
"May I sit here?" she asked, her voice smooth like flowing water.
Alex glanced at her but gave no response, focusing instead on his food.
Seeing his lack of reaction, she let out a soft chuckle before gracefully taking the seat across from him.
"Am I not your type? How sad."
Her tone was playful, almost teasing.
Alex sighed inwardly.
("And here we go… another woman with trouble written all over her.")
Still, he knew how to play along. Without looking up, he replied dryly,
"If you're going to sit anyway, why ask? "
She laughed softly, her veil slightly shifting as her lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"Fair point. You're interesting."
She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. "What's your name?"
Alex finally looked at her, his expression calm but firm.
"Isn't it rude to ask someone's name before introducing yourself?"
Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh my, did I forget? How improper of me."
She tilted her head slightly, her voice carrying an elegant charm as she said,
"My name is Freya. And you are?"
Alex took a brief pause before replying, "Alex."
And with that, he resumed eating, giving her no further attention.
Freya, instead of being offended, seemed even more entertained.
She rested her elbow on the table, watching him with open curiosity.
Then, suddenly, she spoke again.
"There's something on your face."
Before Alex could react, she leaned forward, her fingers brushing gently against the corner of his lips.
Alex froze.
With a small, delicate movement, she plucked a single grain of rice from beside his mouth.
Then—
She popped it into her mouth.
"Mmm~" Freya smiled. "Delicious."
Alex stared at her, his mind momentarily blank.
A woman had just taken food off his face and eaten it like it was the most casual thing in the world.
"You're my type."
Her voice carried a playful yet serious undertone.
Then, as if testing him, she added,
"Wanna go on a date?"
Alex's instinctive reaction was to say yes.
("Why would I ever refuse a date with an absolute beauty?")
However—
A single thought stopped him.
His mother.
If he stayed out too long, Ava would definitely notice his absence.
And given how worried she was about him already, disappearing into the night without telling her would not end well.
Taking a deep breath, he sat back and gave Freya a polite yet firm smile.
"Sorry, but I have some business to attend to."
Freya tilted her head, intrigued.
"Oh?"
She tapped her fingers against the wooden table. "You're rejecting me? You must be quite busy, then."
Alex shrugged. "Something like that."
Freya's smile didn't fade.
Instead, she leaned in slightly, her azure eyes locking onto his.
"Alright, Alex. Let's see if fate brings us together again."
With that, she stood up gracefully, her long robes flowing elegantly behind her.
Alex watched as she walked away, her crystal-white veil shimmering under the inn's dim lights.
Even though he had rejected her invitation, he had a strong feeling—
This wouldn't be the last time they met.
As the inn returned to its normal atmosphere, Alex sighed, rubbing his temple.
He had read too many stories to know that this woman was not ordinary.
"Just my luck," he muttered under his breath, finishing the last of his meal.
The mystery of Freya would have to wait—because right now, he needed to return home before his mother found out he was missing.
As he stepped out of the inn, the cool night air greeted him.
And somewhere, in the distance, Freya was still watching him, smiling behind her veil.