Forever in Shadows

They finally passed the section that sold raw food and Camelia could breathe freely again.

Then there was the smell of freshly baked bread, and it made Camelia very hungry.

"Atherion, I'm hungry..." she said, holding the hem of Atherion's sleeve.

Atherion glanced at Camelia who was showing a very hungry expression. He dismounted and asked Camelia to stay on the horse. 

"Wait here," he said to Camelia. Camelia, who was wearing the cloak given by Atherion, nodded.

He went to the bread stall, bought some bread, and gave her a slice. Camelia ate it with delight.

"Ummm... This world bread is delicious." She said while licking her fingers. Atherion who saw it just shook his head and walked back towards the jewelry shop while leading his horse.

In front of the shop, Atherion tethered his horse to the crossbar and helped Camelia dismount.

They went into the shop.

The shopkeeper greeted them "How can I help you?"

Atherion placed the jewelry on the table: two rings, a pair of earrings, and a necklace.

"We want to sell them." Atherion said.

The shopkeeper took the necklace and muttered. "Good job. Where did you get it?"

Atherion replied in his usual flat tone. "Family heirloom. Hard times."

The shopkeeper nodded. "I see." He put down the necklace and began examining the rings.

"What is your offer?"

The shopkeeper did not answer immediately. He took the ring and placed them over in his hand. "Three thousand zol," he said finally.

Atherion's jaw hardened. "Is that all?"

"That's all." The shopkeeper crossed his arms. "Take it or leave it."

Atherion glanced at Camelia, who stood silently beside him. Her fingers twisted the ends of her sleeves despite her calm face.

"Very well," Atherion said. "We'll take it."

The shopkeeper nodded and began counting the coins. Ten gold Kor, one hundred and ninety silver Dezol, and one hundred copper Zol. He placed the coin pouch across the counter.

Atherion took the bag of coins and turned to leave, Camelia following behind him.

"You're not going to check?" asked the shopkeeper.

"I trust you," Atherion said without turning around.

The shopkeeper laughed softly. "Smart move. Don't trust anyone here."

Atherion did not respond and walked to the door.

"One more thing," the shopkeeper called after them.

Atherion stopped with his hand on the door.

"Be careful," the shopkeeper said. "Duke Valois' men don't like foreigners selling valuables."

Atherion looked back, but his expression was unreadable. "We will keep that in mind."

They closed the door until it sounded click.

"Interesting couple," the shopkeeper muttered to himself and returned to his work. The jewelry was already neatly put away.

Atherion has explained the currency system in that world to Camelia, Copper Zol: 1 Zol, copper coin, Silver Dezol: 10 Zol, silver coin, Golden Kor: 100 Zol, gold coin, Aurion: 1,000 Zol, a rare gold coin.

As a result, the shop owner gave Atherion 10 gold coins, 190 silver coins, and 100 copper coins.

They left the shop and went straight to a clothing store.

The shopkeeper greeted them with a smile. "Good day! What can I help you with?"

Camelia pointed in a certain direction. "This one," she said, holding it up for Atherion to see. He gave a small nod. She set them aside and moved on to the trousers, picking up two pairs. The shopkeeper raised his eyebrows but said nothing.

"And this," Camelia added, placing it on the table. She hesitated, then glanced at the shopkeeper. "Long pants for riding. Skirts will only get in the way."

The shopkeeper nodded slowly, his gaze turning to Atherion, who was standing silently by the door. "Not many women wear long pants," he said. "But for riding... I understand."

Atherion shifted slightly. He didn't speak and just watched their conversation. The man glanced at him and quickly finished wrapping the clothes and handed them to Camelia.

"Thank you," she said. She glanced at Atherion, who had already turned towards the door.

Once all was done, Atherion and Camelia headed to the small inn. They had agreed to pretend to be husband and wife to avoid the pursuit of Camelia's real father, Duke Valois, the King's cousin.

"We will rent a room in that town," Atherion said while they had dinner outside the town.

Camelia was almost choked by the meat she was eating. It's only been four nights since Camelia transmigrated, and a man she just met has offered to sleep with her. 

"Did you say 'a'? Did you mean one room? Not two rooms?" she blurted.

"Yes. We need to avoid the Duke's people." Atherion answered lightly. "We'll pretend to be husband and wife."

"Phew..."

Camelia took a long breath. She was already thinking the wrong things.

***

The innkeeper, a fat middle-aged woman, watched the two of them from head to toe. Camelia, who was still wearing a robe, hurried to hide behind Atherion's body, while Atherion was just indifferent. He just hugged Camelia's shoulder casually.

The innkeeper gave the key and said, "Third room from the stairs."

Atherion took the key and said a short thank you. They then headed to the room. It was a small room with one bed but it was clean enough.

Camelia sat on the edge of the bed. Her hands were shaking. Atherion, who saw this, remained silent and locked the door, then placed their luggage on the edge of the bed.

"You just sleep on the bed," he said.

Camelia turned to Atherion and asked, "Where will you sleep then?"

"I'm sleeping on the floor. You said you don't usually sleep on the ground, so just sleep on the bed." He replied.

Atherion took some clothes from his cloth bag and gave a set of clothes to Camelia. "Change your clothes." He said as he pointed towards the partition on the other side of the room.

Camelia took the clothes from Atherion's hand and changed. Atherion also changed his upper clothes into clean ones to sleep in.

They lay down in their spots in silence. For Camelia, this silence was more soothing than when she was still in her world, where she had to live in a small apartment and very noisy neighbors.

Before long, they fell asleep.