Chapter 42 – An Invitation
After finishing their business at the guild — handing over their spoils at reception with plans to collect payment tomorrow — Ethan and Lirael stepped out into the evening air.
The sun was dipping low, spilling long shadows across the cobblestone street. Lanterns were just beginning to flicker to life, their soft glow mixing with the last streaks of gold in the sky. The scent of roasting meat and spiced bread drifted from a nearby stall, making the quiet between them feel less like silence and more like an easy pause.
"So? Where will you be going? Back to your old party members?" Ethan asked, shooting her a sideways glance.
Lirael gave a slight shrug. "Yeah… probably. Nowhere else to go."
"Well, I'll head to the place where I stay then."
"Where's your inn? Just for information," she asked, trying to sound casual but failing to hide the faint uptick in her tone.
"I don't live in an inn," Ethan replied with a faint grin. "I stay at someone's house. The atmosphere's good… better to call it a home."
"Home, you say?" She tilted her head. After a moment, she asked — a little hesitantly — "That… problematic child you mentioned earlier… she's there too?"
It's just for information, she told herself firmly.
Ethan chuckled. "Ah, her. Yeah… she's a real handful. Honestly, it's tough to handle her alone. Even her mother can't stop her."
"Now I'm curious about this child," Lirael admitted.
"Then why don't you come over and see for yourself? If you like it, you could move in. There's an extra room."
"So… it's not your home?" she asked, giving him a suspicious look.
"What are you talking about? I just liked the place. The mother cooks good food too, so I asked if I could stay. She said yes."
Lirael released a slow breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"And if you do stay there," Ethan said with an easy grin, "I'll pay for you. We're party members, after all. What do you say?"
"I'll see it for myself first," she replied evenly. "And I can pay my own way."
"Come on, don't be so stiff," he teased, giving her a playful nudge with his elbow.
She arched an eyebrow. "Is this how you treat all your party members?"
"I only had a party with one person till now and it looks like they might bite if I'm not careful," he said with a smirk.
Lirael looked away quickly, but not before the corner of her mouth betrayed a small, unwilling smile. The faint warmth of the street lamps, the smell of fresh bread, and his quiet laughter followed her steps — lighter now than when they'd left the guild.
"Will Aina and Maya won't be worried about you?" He asked
"They saw me with you...so its fine" She added.
As they walked, their conversation meandered from idle banter to quiet pauses filled by the rhythm of their steps. The streets thinned, stone giving way to packed earth, and the hum of the city faded behind them. Fireflies blinked lazily in the fields beyond, and the air grew cooler, scented faintly with grass and woodsmoke.
Lirael never once asked where they were heading. She didn't need to — there was a calm certainty in her stride beside him.
Before long, a modest two-story home came into view, its windows spilling a warm amber glow into the deepening dusk. Out front, a small figure stood as if on watch, arms folded, eyes scanning the road.
The instant she spotted Ethan, her whole face lit up. She bolted toward him, bare feet pattering against the packed dirt.
"Big Brother!!!" she called out, voice bright and clear. "Why are you so late? I heard you arrived at noon — now it's almost night!"
Ethan laughed, bracing as she skidded to a stop in front of him. "What, were you standing here the whole time? Trying to turn into a scarecrow?"
Mary puffed her cheeks. "Hmph! Maybe I would've if you'd taken any longer. I wanted to see if you brought me something."
"Oh, I did," Ethan said with mock seriousness. "I brought myself back alive. You're welcome."
She narrowed her eyes, lips twitching as if she wanted to laugh but refused to give him the satisfaction. "Fine. I'll let you off… this time."
Then her gaze slid past him — and locked onto Lirael. Her head tilted slightly, curiosity sparking. "Ooooh… and who's this?"
Lirael chuckled softly. "Just as you described," she murmured to Ethan before crouching slightly to meet the girl's eyes. "I'm Lirael, your brother's party member."
"I'm Mary," the girl replied brightly. Then, with a sly smile, she added, "And I am definitely not like Big Brother described me!"
Lirael's laughter was genuine this time. "You are right about that."
A woman's voice floated from the doorway. "You've arrived."
A figure stepped out — tall, with soft brown hair tied loosely back, the scent of something savory clinging to her clothes. Her gaze lingered briefly on Lirael, measuring, before softening into a small smile.
Lirael stepped forward with a polite nod. "I'm Lirael. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Amelia," the woman replied warmly. "Come in, both of you."
They started toward the house, but Mary wasn't done. She pointed at Ethan with mock accusation. "You're always dirty when you come home, Big Brother… but today's the worst! You even got Big Sister caught up in your bad habits!"
"Eh?"
Lirael blinked and looked down. Dust streaked her boots, dirt smudged her armor, dried blood on her clothing, and there was even a faint scrape along her forearm. Her cheeks reddened instantly.
I've been like this with him the whole time?!
Amelia glanced at Lirael with a gentle smile. "If you like, you can take a bath right away. I knew he would arrive, so I prepared one. There are also some spare clothes — I'll bring them for you." She knew how much value a girlgave to her appearance.
At the words, Lirael's mood lifted instantly. Abath! Finally! she thought, a small laugh escaping her lips. "Please, if you allow me."
Amelia chuckled softly, the sound warm and comforting. "Of course. Follow me, I'll show you the way."
Meanwhile, Ethan set down his pack and began unequipping his armor and weapons. The soft clink of metal echoed lightly in the hall as he prepared to wash off the day's grime. He moved to the other bath, the warm steam rising around him as he scrubbed away dust and sweat.
Lirael had emerged some time before, stepping into the hall in the fresh clothes Amelia had provided — a simple yet elegant dress in soft cream with light embroidery along the collar and sleeves. The fabric flowed gently with her movements, and the faint scent of soap and lavender lingered in the air around her. Her hair, still slightly damp, gleamed under the warm lamplight, curling softly around her shoulders.
She was laughing now, crouched beside Mary on the wooden floor, showing her how to fold a small piece of cloth into a doll. The sight was so unguarded, so alive, that it caught Ethan completely off guard.
He paused at the doorway, leaning slightly on the frame, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Lirael… you look…" he trailed off, momentarily lost for words, as the sight of her, simple and radiant, filled the room.
Lirael noticed him watching and gave a small, teasing smile, her cheeks just barely tinged with pink. "What? Something wrong?" she asked lightly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"No… nothing," Ethan replied quickly, clearing his throat. "Just… didn't expect…" He waved vaguely, shaking his head, though his eyes stayed fixed on her.
Mary, ever perceptive, grinned mischievously. "Big Brother, are you staring again?"
"Shhh! Mary…" Lirael whispered, her face growing red. "Don't encourage him."
Amelia, standing nearby with a basket of fresh towels, shook her head with an amused sigh. "It's nice to see both of you relaxing. You've had quite a journey today."
The warm glow of the hall, the scent of lavender from the baths, and the soft laughter of the girls made the room feel safe, peaceful — a quiet contrast to the dust and danger of the outside world. For a moment, even Ethan let himself relax, watching Lirael's easy movements, the way her dress swayed gently as she laughed with Mary, and the faint sparkle in her eyes.
He was feeling something which he couldn't describe for now...