A Surprise Guest II

"Marco, stop sticking to Rome, and go help Uncle Rod in the kitchen."

"Okay."

With a shrug of his shoulders, Marco got up and went to the kitchen like Mila said.

"Hey Mila. Getting as grumpy as your mum everyday, huh?"

"I'll take that as a compliment. Ma's still asleep so she can't talk to you right now, and we have a dinner rush to prepare for, so I'll need you to give up that seat unless you wanna keep ordering."

"So unfriendly to an old regular. Will you really be able to keep this place running like that?"

"Tch."

Without making a response, Mila clicked her tongue and went into the entrance passage. This was the first time Carolyn had seen Mila back down against someone other than Margaret in a battle of words, so she had to improve her evaluation of her boss.

"Have a seat, Carol. You too, Kanna. Let me hear what's happened over the last two days."

Unlike Kanna's previous managers and supervisors, Rome possessed the type of charisma that only true leaders had. Although he wasn't her superior, Kanna followed Carolyn in taking a seat at Rome's table because it seemed natural to go along with him.

"So after I left the office yesterday..."

As Carolyn went through the events since she last met Rome, he listened attentively without interruption until the end.

"I see. I did hear about it, but it seems Mila really turned things around."

"Yes. Did you know she was so creative?"

"Well, she was always an ambitious brat. She used to come to my office sometimes to watch me work. Ah, she was so cute back then. Don't tell her I told you this, but there was one time she got lost in the building and when I finally found her, she burst into tears and jumped right into my arms."

"Ah, she certainly sounds precious. Though I'm sure she would be embarrassed if she heard it," Kanna added.

"Yea, she might kick me out if she catches me saying any more, so I'll tell you another time. By the way, that drunk customer...?"

"Hmm? What about him, Mr. Rome?"

"Ah, never mind. It sounds like Mila's got the business under control, but tell her to reach out if she needs help renovating or hiring more hands."

"Okay, will do. Are you sure you don't want to say anything to everyone else?"

"It's fine. I can always come again."

After finishing the rest of his drink in one gulp, Rome left a few coins on the table and then exited the tavern. Carolyn had the feeling that he was at the tavern for more than just checking on the family, but it was a vague thought, so she didn't pay it much attention. Kanna had to take care of other matters, so with a promise that she would return in time for the dinner rush, she left the inn as well.

With Kanna gone, Carolyn soon found herself wiping tables with Mila, and realised that this was her chance to air the thoughts that had been troubling her since her meeting with Benedict.

"Ms. Mila, there's something I have to tell you."

"What is it?"

"You see, the reason I chose to stay at this inn, is because, I-"

She was determined to confess, but the final few words felt stuck in her throat like a fishbone. Though she wanted to find the truth behind the destruction of her village, she would never harm innocents to do that. However, that wasn't the reason she was reluctant to use her current position the way Benedict said to. If she really thought she was harming the inn family, then she wouldn't be okay with staying at the inn after accomplishing her task. She knew her thinking was naïve, but the reason she was unwilling to use the family's trust for her personal gain was very simple.

'To be entrusted is a great privilege, so one must not act in a way that would betray that trust.' That was a line Carolyn had found in a book her mother read to her. Her mother hadn't made special mention of this line, but the moment she heard it, it resonated in her heart.

Seeing Carolyn start talking only to suddenly stop, Mila raised her head to look at her. Carolyn's face was dark, as if she was pondering a decision of grave importance. Mila didn't know what was on her mind, so she simply spoke her thoughts.

"Look, I don't know what's bothering you, but if you don't have to say it, then you don't need to."

"No, I need to say this."

"Maybe you feel you need to say it, but do I need to hear? Or do you even want to say it?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Then it's fine. I know Ma would probably have you crying out your life story by now, but I'm different. I don't want to sound stand-offish, but we're not so close that you need to pour your heart out to me. Naturally, I'm grateful for all your help, but I wouldn't stop you if you wanted to leave and you don't need to force yourself into staying, either. At the end of the day, even before being a waitress, you're a tenant here, so your first priority should be to make yourself comfortable. You're the one paying, so you have the responsibility to make sure that it's money well spent."

"Ah..."

'So that's it. I thought I was facing my fear by telling her everything, but was I even considering how she would feel? Or what would happen after I told her? This is her job, but Ms. Mila was thinking about whether I was comfortable, yet I couldn't even do the same for her. I'm so...'

Looking at Carolyn's dazed expression, Mila scratched her head as she tried to figure out a better way to express herself.

"Anyways, what I'm trying to say is, do whatever makes you comfortable. If you want to quit then-"

"Hehe."

At the sound of her chuckle, Mila's concerned look turned into an embarrassed glare.

"What are you laughing for? I'm trying to be serious here."

"I know, I'm laughing at myself. You're right. Despite making such a big deal about it, I was still being selfish. It's alright, Mila. I won't quit while you need me. But not because I think I have to. I just feel most comfortable when I'm helping those I care about."

"I feel like we're not on the same page, but as long as you get it."

Mila then went back to wiping tables with her cheeks still flushed. Carolyn hadn't overcome the guilt she felt towards the family, but confessing everything would just be for her own self-satisfaction. If she tried to blend into the city by just being honest, then she would likely fail to gain the connections she needed to find the truth, but if she betrayed the trust of others for her own gain, she would eventually lose her way. So if she didn't want to sacrifice her goal or her conscience, then there was only one path left to her.

'In a perfect world, I would make my confession, then they would help me in my search for the truth of that night and we would have a happy ending. But this isn't a perfect world. Even knowing that I'm hiding some things and maybe if I told them everything, they would help me, but I can't get them involved in this. Mr. Benedict's right, I'll be putting everyone in danger if I try to be honest, but I can't live like this either.

I've made my decision. It's selfish of me, but if staying here means lying to them, then I...'

As she promised, Kanna returned before the dinner rush so they were able to get through it much easier compared to the previous night. At closing time, Mila announced Kanna would be temporarily joining the inn as a waitress until they found a permanent addition. Carolyn was surprised, but she knew Kanna wanted to get advice from Mila and Margaret, so it made sense.

...

It was so late at night that even the red-light district was dark, but a certain boy found himself rudely awakened.

"Wakey, wakey, my little spy."

"Ugh, who is it? Geh."

His room only allowed scant traces of moonlight, so nothing but the figure of this intruder could be seen, but that was enough for him to confirm her identity.

"What was that 'Geh' for? And after I went through the trouble of being gentle."

"It's already bad enough that you're barging into my room at night. Don't expect me to be happy to see you."

"My my, what a problem. If you keep being so disobedient, then I'll have to think of other methods to have you listen."

A chill ran down the boy's spine once he heard her words, and so he immediately sat up straight. He wanted nothing to do with this old lady, but resisting her wouldn't do him any good.

"Good. I'm in a bit of a rush, so just give me a summary regarding what I asked you to do."

"The newbie seems fine. Hasn't acted suspicious, and the family likes her. There's an issue with the innkeeper's health, but she'll be fine with rest. The tavern's managing without her for the time being with the newbie and her friend's help."

"I see. I heard what happened to Big Sis Marg, but I couldn't find the time to visit until now. I'll have to get something for her once she's recovered. So, did anything strange happen?"

"Yeah, there was definitely something like that, but I think this would be more in your territory."

"Hmm, what do you mean?"

"There was a drunk customer last night. I thought he was acting strange, so I kept an eye on him. I lost him inside the slums, but he was strangely determined to get to wherever he was headed. He seemed less like a drunk, and more like an addict."

"An addict, hmm. Looks like I'll need to have a good chat with our new neighbour."