Leaving the Knights of Favonius headquarters, Eve and her companions found an inn not far from Angel’s Share tavern.
The moment they stepped through the front door, the innkeeper immediately called out.
“Welcome to Morning Glory Inn!
Are you folks looking for a place to eat or a room for the night?”
“We’re here for a room, obviously,” Paimon said, immediately zipping to the front.
“Oh-ho, excellent!
And what tier of room might you be looking for, young ladies?” The innkeeper flashed an unmistakably sly, profiteering grin.
Though slightly taken aback by this peculiar trio, the proprietor was a merchant first and foremost, so he smoothly transitioned into business mode.
“I highly recommend our luxury suite!
Not only is the environment simply exquisite, but we also include complimentary meals!” the innkeeper pitched eagerly.
“Complimentary meals?!” Paimon was instantly hooked by those four magic words.
“We’ll take the luxury suite!” Paimon blurted out.
“Wait, hang on a second, Paimon…” Eve and Lumine said in unison.
Even though Acting Grand Master Jean had given Lumine a fair amount of Mora, they were certainly nowhere near the point of throwing it around recklessly.
They really ought to check the price range of this place first.
“Alrighty!
That’ll be three people for the luxury suite, coming to a total of 60,000 Mora.
Thank you kindly,” the innkeeper rattled off, rapidly clicking away on his abacus.
“What?!
60,000 Mora?!” Lumine felt as though she’d been struck by a bolt from the blue.
“Why don’t you just go rob someone!” Eve chimed in right behind her.
You had to understand that Lumine currently had less than 30,000 Mora to her name in total.
“Ah, well, you young ladies might not realize, but that’s just how prices are here in Mondstadt!
Compared to that bustling Liyue Harbor, our rates are actually quite reasonable.”
“Besides, things have already gotten a fair bit cheaper lately because of the dragon crisis.
Otherwise, it’d cost you even more,” the innkeeper babbled smoothly, singing his own praises.
The longer Eve looked at him, the more wrong it felt—and the more she wanted to smash the place to smithereens.
Was this guy not openly fleecing an honest traveler?
“In that case, we’ll—” Paimon started to say, before being yanked back by the collar and having her mouth muffled.
“Ahem…
Never mind, never mind.
How much for a standard room?” Lumine asked cautiously.
“Eh? Get faster updates on g.com.
A standard room?
That’ll be 5,000 Mora a night!” Hearing Lumine ask that, the innkeeper’s attitude shifted instantly.
Ah, right.
Looks like they’re just a bunch of broke paupers.
“We’ll take a standard room, then,” Lumine continued.
“And how many standard rooms will that be?” The innkeeper didn’t even bother lifting his head as he went right back to clacking his abacus.
“Um…
Paimon and Eve are both girls, so the three of us can just share one room!” Lumine looked between Eve and Paimon as she spoke.
“Mm-hm!” Paimon nodded emphatically.
“Works for me,” Eve agreed as well.
“Here you go, your key.
Room number two on the left, second floor.
That’ll be 5,000 Mora total.” The innkeeper tossed a brass key onto the counter with a clatter.
Lumine pulled out her pouch of Mora, carefully counted out 5,000 coins, and handed them across the counter.
After that, Lumine picked up the key, leading Eve and Paimon up the stairs.
“Hmph…
A bunch of penniless freeloaders,” the innkeeper muttered, casting a disdainful sideways glance at Lumine’s departing back.
“Tch.
Though…
that golden-haired girl still seemed to have a fair bit of cash on her, and she looks like an outlander to boot.
Looks like I might make a tidy little profit tonight after all…”
Back at the counter, the innkeeper wore an immensely sinister grin.
…
The key turned in the lock, and the door swung open.
Lumine stepped into the room first and switched on the overhead light.
Eve and Paimon followed closely behind, sweeping their gazes over the interior.
“Not bad,” Eve remarked flatly.
It was a standard room in every sense of the word, with absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.
Lumine threw herself face-first onto the large bed in the center of the room, bouncing up and down repeatedly across the soft mattress.
“Ahhh, I’m alive again!
I’m finally alive!” Lumine buried her face in the quilt and took a deep, blissful breath.
The exhaustion of the day’s journey seemed to melt away in that single moment.
“Hey, Lumine, you’re too sly!
Paimon wants in on that too!” Paimon bolted onto the mattress without a second thought and started bouncing right alongside Lumine.
Though the mattress wasn’t exactly top-tier luxury, it was still a thousand times better than sleeping out in the wilderness.
Once the bouncing frenzy finally died down, Lumine began pondering matters of grave importance.
“Mmm…
Decided!
Let’s go take a bath!” Lumine declared, scooping up Eve and Paimon in her arms.
“We’ve picked up way too much dust and grime today, and there happens to be a bathroom right here.”
“Yay, yay!
Paimon wants a bath too!” Paimon cheered happily.
“Oh?
A bath, you say?” Eve was still busy enjoying the lingering softness of the bed when the words registered.
“Wait…
a bath?
Together?!” Eve suddenly snapped to attention.
“Of course.
We’re all girls, after all,” Lumine said offhandedly.
“Oh-oh, right, right, all girls…” Eve’s voice cracked just a fraction.
Ah, truly, being turned into a girl had its absolute perks.
“Let’s go~” Lumine hopped off the large bed and strode straight into the bathroom.
In a state of extreme agitation and blushing anticipation, Eve hopped and skipped her way in right behind her.
Lumine turned the faucet, and steaming, crystal-clear water quickly filled the tub.
Right before Eve’s very eyes, Lumine casually shed her white dress armor, standing there completely bare.
The young woman’s porcelain-smooth, tender skin made Eve’s heart flutter and her face flush crimson.
*Splash…*
Lumine slowly stepped down into the bath.
“Alright, Eve, Paimon, come on in!” Lumine called out to the two of them.
“Coming!” Paimon was already prepped and ready, executing a textbook belly flop straight into the tub and sending a flurry of water droplets flying everywhere.
“Hey!
No fair, Paimon!” Lumine puffed out her cheeks in mock annoyance.
Watching the young woman splash playfully in the water, Eve felt as though she had ascended straight to heaven.
“My, my, how could I possibly decline an invitation like this?”
“Lumine, cuddle time!” Eve launched herself forward with an energetic leap straight toward Lumine.
That night, the bathroom was wreathed in drifting mist, brimming with radiant, springtime scenery.