The Innkeeper

*****

At the Noel manor, Bertram was preparing all the staff so that everyone knew what to say and what not to say. News of Pvarti being in town absolutely could not be allowed to spread. In fact, any news about Pvarti was best not mentioned at all.

He was ready to host his incoming guests, and promptly escort them away from the town as quickly as possible. He knew that they wouldn\'t be able to harm Pvarti at the tavern. What he was worried about was them venting their frustrations on the town once they discovered that.

*****

Pvarti was not one who was easily frightened, yet the way Lex was smiling at him made him feel uncomfortable. That in itself was extremely unusual. Although Pvarti may seem very non-serious, no one could deny his guts. He had broken off his engagement with a very notorious family without regard for how they might feel based on his principals, and had faced his father\'s wrath directly for going against what he wanted. Even when he was kicked out of the Noel family, he had not shown any disgruntlement.

So how was it that a mere smile from Lex had him on edge?

"You said you think some trouble is coming to find me," said Pvarti as he looked at Lex. "What kind of trouble are you referring to? Is it from my ex? I don\'t think they should be able to cause the tavern any problems."

"If anyone dares to act inappropriately within the tavern premises, they will not be allowed to do as they please - of that I can assure you. But have you considered the situation where someone can cause you issues without breaking any of the tavern\'s rules? In that case, there\'s not much I can do."

This time, Pvarti was genuinely confused. What kind of threat could someone pose if they were not trying to beat him up? Surely they wouldn\'t kill him over a broken engagement? But even if it were that, the tavern would intervene. So then what was it?

Lex did not say more, and instead gave him a supporting pat on the back, before he began talking to the other guests in the tavern. Although his projection had often appeared at the tavern, he didn\'t pay much attention to it besides just keeping it running. Now that he was back, for however brief a time, he should look into what the locals thought of the tavern.

After all, it would take Fenrir some time to attract the opportunity- eh, no, he meant, attract the lady towards the tavern.

But Fenrir\'s return did not take long at all. The pup, which had maintained its small size for stealth purposes, arrived at the tavern only five minutes later, a rather opulent necklace hanging around its tiny neck.

A bob of his head and a wink was all Lex needed to do before Fenrir hopped up onto Pvarti\'s table, and just lay down on it. The little pup let out a low \'woof\' before yawning and falling asleep right on the table.

Pvarti, who was especially sensitive to everything due to Lex\'s warning, eyed the pup warily. As if its arrival was not suspicious enough, it actually wore a necklace filled with valuable jewels.

"Wait a minute…" he murmured as the necklace suddenly sparked a memory. He had seen it before, around the neck of that woman…

The doors to the tavern slammed open, attracting everyone\'s attention. Lex did not appreciate the way his property was being treated, but considering that he was the one who attracted these people here, he let it slide. For now.

Over a dozen people walked in, with two ladies leading the way. The lady who had been tinged in blue, at least to Fenrir, suddenly locked eyes with Pvarti, stunning both of them. Although Pvarti already knew they were coming, and might even arrive at the tavern to find him, he was still taken aback at the visage that was gracing him.

So caught up in the moment was he that he did not even notice as Fenrir suddenly shifted from the table, to sleeping on his shoulder. Now, no one would believe Fenrir had no relation to Pvarti.

The room fell silent as everyone focused on the lady and Pvarti staring at onr another, an invisible tension filling the air.

It was not the tension of being caught in between a dangerous situation, but rather it was the tension built by the flutist who had immediately read the room. As for the crowd, they were completely enraptured by the possibility of some drama. Not to mention, drama involving the extremely popular Pvarti and and an enchanting maiden surrounded by burly guards.

The lady\'s sight changed subtly from the stunned lad to the pup sleeping on its shoulder.

"So you\'re the miscreant daring enough to steal from little Jasmine. It seems you\'re developing a knack for messing with our family," said the lady with the orange tinge.

Pvarti looked at the pup sleeping on his shoulder and immediately understood something, yet he did not even try to deny his involvement. Instead he rubbed Fenrir\'s back, as if approving of its actions.

"My life\'s been just too good lately," he said, revealing a charming smile. "I thought I should do something to make it interesting."

"Maybe I can do something about that," said one of the surrounding men aggressively, but the miss \'Jasmine\' stopped him.

With a soft smile she slowly approached Pvarti. Just as she reached him, and was about to speak, the sound of a shattering dish attracted everyone\'s attention.

Nani, one of the triplets, was silently mouthing the word \'sorry\'. Too focused and distracted by the excitement, she had walked with a tray full of dishes into the counter.

Undeterred by the interruption, Jasmine sat across Pvarti and said, "I heard you were kicked from your family."

"Tch. I wasn\'t kicked out, I left out on my own. I can\'t play by others rules, I want to follow my own path."

"And you thought the darkness was the best time to do that?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" He asked, maintaining is cool.

"And it never occurred to you that without your family\'s protection, you might get into trouble with mine? You know I have eleven big brothers who are all immortals!"

"Miss Jasmine, I am a free man and who I marry is my own prerogative. One should not be so overbearing."

Eleven auras immediately erupted in the hall, and Jasmine\'s brother were staring daggers at while emotions started to build up in Jasmine\'s eyes.

Pvarti hid it well, but he was feeling extremely nervous. If only he could have seen the anticipation in Lex\'s eyes. He could feel his opportunity coming.

Finally Jasmine couldn\'t hold it in any longer, and slapped the table.

"SEE MOTHER, I TOLD YOU! HE\'S A REAL MAN! HE FORSOOK HIS ENTIRE FAMILY AND RISKED THE THREAT OF PROVOKING POPS JUST TO HONOR MY WISH NOT TO GET MARRIED! I\'VE DECIDED! I\'M ONLY MARRYING HIM!"

For some odd reasons, Jasmine\'s announcement further aggravated her brothers, whose aura became even more fearsome.

Pvarti was thoroughly startled, and finally lost his composure while the flutist immediately transitioned into a celebratory tune.

Looking at the scene Lex couldn\'t help but recall a novel he read. Its title was \'My father-in-law is a gangster.\' In the novel, the main character was forced to get married to the daughter of a gangster who had 9 brothers who were also all gangsters. In the novel, the daughter had fallen in love with the main character due to a misunderstanding.

The entire novel just revolved around the hilarious situations the main character found himself in due to various misunderstandings, until eventually the book ended with the main character becoming the gangster boss.

In Lex\'s eyes, Pvarti and the main character were beginning to overlap.

"Mi- miss Jasmine, I think you\'re jumping to conclusions. You cannot just simply rush into things."

"Oh come now, Pvarti. After you told me you\'d reject the wedding and take the blame if I said so, I suddenly felt like testing you. I haven\'t seen many men with the guts to reject my father to his face. I can still recall the moment when you boldly rejected the engagement, suffering all the fallout on your own. I thought you\'d buckle under the pressure and reveal I asked you to do so, but who knew you\'d keep the secret to the end, even going as far as being removed from your family. Only true love can make a man so bold, I know it! And I feel it too, Pvarti! I love you, I know it! Oh, I can\'t wait. Our wedding will be so grand."