(okie dokie! also this turned out a lot longer than I meant sorry)
[Day Six]
After an entire day of traveling, occasionally switching carriages, and some walking, they finally arrived at the inn. It was a large, three story building out of sight of the main path. The roof was covered with red shingles and sprinkled with gold. Climbing up the creamy stone walls were luscious red blossoms that dripped with honey and melted dew from the snow. Every window was covered by heavy crimson curtains, though many were faintly lit by candles inside. The letters on the sign above the main door were painted a similar shade of red. They read ‘The Cecilia Rouge’ in swooping cursive.
The entry room was small, cozy, and lined with very plush carpeting. Arquis made sure to thoroughly wipe his shoes off on the doormat outside before entering. Inside, a woman in her late twenties was reading a book with a very graphic cover. Her blonde curls spilled out around her blush pink half-mask.
“Good evening!” she sang, leaning over the desk and waving excitedly. She was wearing a silky feather robe that wasn’t fully opaque. “Welcome to The Cecilia Rouge! My name is Lovey. How can I help you?”
“I was told we could get a discreet honeymoon suite here?” Arquis asked. He was keeping his voice low. Though the odds of him being recognized from so many years ago were slim, he wanted to be careful.
“Yes, of course! For how long?”
“A week to start out, though that might change.”
She swooned, placing her hand above her heart. “How romantic! Would you like the honeymoon package?”
“Surprise us,” he said, winking.
Lovey blushed, hopped out of her chair, and set her book down. On her feet were soft-looking slippers decorated with flowers. She walked over to take payment for a week, then showed them through a door down a long hallway. Before they came in, she ducked inside to arrange some things in private. When she came out, she handed Arquis two room keys with a radiant grin.
“Have fun, you two!” She started to hurry away, then stopped. “Oh, by the way, there’ll be a brochure on the desk with all of the inn’s amenities, but there are some basics you should know. Cleaning services always come by at nine in the morning unless you hang a sign on the door. That’ll be on the desk as well. There are also complementary meals and extra services, like our spa. The brochure will tell you bunches more, but you can also come get me if you need anything!”
“Thank you, Lovey,” he said, finding that he actually meant it. She seemed like a genuinely sweet, bubbly person. He watched as she bounced off down the hall, then stopped to look at Rin.
“This place is stranger than I recall.”
