NOVPUBLand of Perpetual Night, Small Stone City ruled by the Bear Man.
The exterior of Snow Bear Hotel looked majestic, flanked by two enormous white bear statues as if guarding this palatial building.
Entering the hotel lobby, guests were met with warm lighting and comfortable heating. Tapestries and Bear Man totems hung on the walls, and at the center of the lobby was a decorative magical fireplace, with orange light dancing within it.
After registering at the reception, Sigrid and Lanci completed their check-in process.
Out of safety and convenience, they both agreed on the apartment-style suite, which meant a two-bedroom with a living room.
"As long as someone of your distinguished status, a significant employer, doesn’t mind, someone like me who does hard labor is naturally willing to stay somewhere nicer," Sigrid said as she lifted a suitcase in each hand.
She considered this employer to be quite generous.
Even in the relatively safe Small Stone City, he was willing to let her stay close by, which made her job much easier, without the need to keep running back and forth.
Staying at the Snow Bear Palace was not cheap, and the contract stipulated that these accommodation expenses were to be borne by the employer.
"It’s fine," Lanci replied with an easy smile.
He felt that Sigrid treated him like an untouchable aristocrat, setting a clear boundary between them.
If he had to describe it, it would probably be that even if he showed obvious disdain for her, she would accept it calmly, because she inherently felt they were not from the same class.
The contract was the iron rule that governed their relationship; she was only responsible for getting the job done for the money.
So Sigrid nodded and headed towards the stairs.
Lanci sat on a sofa in the hotel’s ground floor lobby, writing on a sticky note, guarding the luggage beside the sofa, and waiting for Sigrid to finish moving the bags in two trips.
Although Sigrid was only about eleven or twelve years old, she was strong. If she wasn’t so small, she might have been able to carry all four suitcases in one go.
Soon, she returned after completing one trip.
In the grandiose lobby, Sigrid’s figure stood out as exceptionally efficient. Her small hands tightly gripped the luggage, and even though the size and weight of the bags seemed a bit much for her age, her face did not show the slightest sign of fatigue or displeasure.
Her strength was surprisingly great, each step taken steadily and forcefully; the weight of the suitcases was nothing to her.
Bystanders, seeing the small child engaged in laborious work by Lanci, couldn’t help shaking their heads and sighing at the state of the world.
Lanci didn’t pay too much mind, as he was also working.
"..."
He watched Sigrid as she went on her way again.
Against the backdrop of the hotel’s majestic hall and bright lights, Sigrid’s frame appeared even smaller.
This inevitably reminded him of how Sigrid liked to help with his luggage.
On their journey back to Herram from the northern snowfields, he would suddenly realize she had already moved the luggage and looked at him with a triumphant gaze.
However, the young Sigrid was merely following the contract, neither obligated to do more work nor less, adhering to the explicit terms written down.
Lanci sat on the sofa in the lobby, his gaze returning to the notebook in his hands.
Finally, when Sigrid finished the last trip and returned to the lobby,
Her face was expressionless, but her eyebrows carried a hint of confusion.
It was as if she didn’t understand why, on the second trip, the employer did not follow her up but was still waiting for her in the lobby.
"Good evening," said Sigrid to Lanci, who continued to write on the sticky note.
It was not out of politeness, but rather a formalized way to maintain a professional demeanor.
Lanci lifted his head, looking towards the young but extremely competent bodyguard and his eyes conveyed approval.
"Thank you, Sigrid," Lanci said, speeding up the pen in his hand slightly. After a few seconds, he stopped writing and tore off the sticky note page.
He handed this shopping list to Sigrid, then took out a wallet from his coat pocket, counted out a few bills of the local currency that his secretary had helped him exchange, and handed them to Sigrid.
"This money is for miscellaneous expenses on the road, including buying living supplies, food, and so on. If you think you need to buy anything else, don’t ask me. Just come and find me when you’re about to run out."
He added.
"Oh, thanks."
Sigrid took the money Lanci gave her and put it in her pocket.
She understood that her last task for the evening was to make a trip to the market in Small Stone City. They hadn’t even had dinner yet.
Sigrid started walking out of the hotel lobby and noticed that Lanci was following her.
But his pace was relaxed, like he was taking a stroll, apparently not planning to go out with her, just accompanying her for a short distance in case he had more to tell her.
"Tomorrow morning, before and after the repair ritual, we may come into contact with the lords of the Beastmen City-States and priests and other nobles. At that time, please be a bit mindful of your language, so as not to offend their ancestors and deities."
Lanci spoke gently about the work for tomorrow.
"Hmm, like what?"
Sigrid glanced at Lanci beside her.
Although she often visited the Beastmen City-States, she hardly ever had the chance to meet with the lord or the upper echelons of the city-states and had no idea what might be problematic to say.
"Mainly your choice of words, or more your way of thinking needs to maintain respect for things you don’t understand. A casual attitude could pose risks in tomorrow’s situation."
Lanci reminded her.
"... This is really too bothersome."
She wanted to curse but stopped herself, swallowing the harsh words back.
"I never went to school; I can’t make heads or tails of what you’re talking about."
Sigrid felt that she understood every word Lanci said, but when strung together, they gave her a headache.
"If you want to learn, I can teach you."
Lanci walked elegantly beside her, hands clasped behind his back.
"Forget it, you’re not my teacher, nor are you my parents, there’s no need for you to teach me this or that."
Sigrid waved her hand and shook her head impatiently,
"Then I might as well not say anything at all."
With that, she quickened her pace slightly.
"That’s a good compromise."
Finally, Lanci agreed with a hint of a smile.
"..."
"Have you been waiting for me to say that for a long time?"
Sigrid walked up to the Snow Bear Hotel’s door with Lanci, frowning.
She always felt like the guy was setting her up.
"No."
Lanci pursed his lips and shook his head.
"Are you treating me like a fool?"
Sigrid scrutinized Lanci’s expression intently.
"Not at all."
Lanci’s lips parted slightly, answering with a mix of surprise and slight confusion.
Seeing Lanci’s natural look, Sigrid suddenly felt her frustration boiling up.
"Heh, my mood just got worse."
Sigrid let out a cold laugh, turned her head, and walked away by herself, leaving these words behind before she passed through the hotel’s revolving doors.
