In the Land of Eternal Night, Little Stone City was ruled by the bear-folk.
The Snow Bear Hotel possessed an imposing exterior, flanked at its entrance by two colossal white bear statues that seemed to stand guard over the palace-like structure.
Stepping into the lobby, guests were greeted by warm lighting and a cozy wave of heat. Tapestries and bear-folk totems hung along the walls, while in the center of the hall, orange light danced merrily inside an ornamental magicraft fireplace.
After registering at the front desk, Xigelei and Lanqi completed their check-in.
Considering both security and convenience, they had agreed on an apartment-style suite featuring two bedrooms and a shared living room.
"As long as an esteemed, high-paying client like you doesn't mind, a laborer like me certainly won't complain about nicer lodgings," Xigelei remarked, lifting a suitcase in each hand as she spoke to Lanqi.
She actually considered her current employer to be quite the generous sort.
Even in a relatively safe place like Little Stone City, he was willing to let her stay close by. It made her job much easier, sparing her the hassle of constantly running back and forth.
Staying at the Snow Bear Hotel was by no means cheap, and according to the contract, all such accommodation expenses were covered by the employer.
"Not at all," Lanqi replied with an easygoing smile.
He sensed that Xigelei viewed him as an untouchable nobleman and kept a very clear line drawn between them.
To put it plainly, even if he were to show blatant disgust toward her, she would likely accept it without batting an eye, simply because she believed they belonged to entirely different social strata.
The contract was the ironclad rule holding their relationship together: she was paid to do a job, nothing more.
With a nod, Xigelei turned toward the stairs.
Lanqi sat on a sofa in the first-floor lobby jotting down notes, watching over the remaining luggage beside him as he waited for Xigelei to finish moving everything in two trips.
Though she was only eleven or twelve, she possessed immense strength. Were it not for her small stature, she probably could have carried all four heavy cases in a single go.
Before long, she had finished the first run and returned.
In the lavish ground-floor lobby, Xigelei moved with remarkable briskness. Her small hands gripped the suitcases firmly, and though their bulk and weight seemed a bit much for someone her age, not a trace of fatigue or displeasure showed on her face.
Her strength was astonishing. Every step was solid and steady, as if the heavy cases weighed nothing at all.
Nearby guests, watching Lanqi make such a young child do heavy lifting, could not help but shake their heads and sigh at the state of the world.
Lanqi paid them little mind, for he was working as well.
"..."
He watched her leave once more.
Under the hotel's grand hall and brilliant chandeliers, Xigelei's figure seemed smaller still.
The sight inevitably reminded him of how Sigrid had also loved carrying his luggage.
On the journey back to Herrom from the northern snowfields, whenever he snapped out of his thoughts, she would already have hauled all the luggage into place, looking back at him with a smug glint in her eyes.
Little Xigelei, however, was merely following her contract to the letter. She would not do a shred more than agreed, nor would she do a shred less; everything came down to black ink on white paper.
Sitting on the lobby sofa, Lanqi turned his attention back to the small notebook in his hands.
Eventually, Xigelei finished the final trip and returned downstairs.
Her face was blank, though a faint hint of confusion lingered in her brow.
She seemed puzzled as to why her employer hadn't simply followed her up on the second trip, choosing instead to remain waiting in the lobby.
"Good evening," Xigelei said to Lanqi, who was still scribbling on his notepad.
She spoke not out of etiquette, but strictly to maintain a professional, businesslike demeanor.
Lanqi looked up, his gaze shifting to this young yet exceedingly competent bodyguard, an appreciative warmth showing in his eyes.
"Thank you, Xigelei,"
Lanqi said. The tip of his fountain pen picked up speed, and a few seconds later he stopped, tearing off the page.
Handing the shopping list to Xigelei, he pulled a leather wallet from his coat pocket, counted out several bills of the local currency his secretary had exchanged for him, and passed them over.
"This is for miscellaneous travel expenses, including daily necessities, food, and so forth. If you think we need anything else, feel free to buy it without asking. Just let me know when it runs low," he added.
"Oh. Thanks."
Xigelei took the money and tucked it into her pocket.
She understood that her final task for the evening was to head to Little Stone City's market. Neither of them had eaten dinner yet.
As Xigelei started walking toward the lobby exit, she noticed Lanqi falling into step beside her.
His pace was relaxed, like someone taking a leisurely stroll. He clearly had no intention of going out with her, merely escorting her a short distance to brief her on a few matters.
"Tomorrow morning, around the time of the restoration ceremony, we may have to interact with the grand lord, priests, and other high-ranking figures of the orc city-states. When the time comes, please mind your phrasing. We wouldn't want them to feel you've offended their ancestors or their gods."
Lanqi spoke gently about the work ahead.
"Hmm. Like what?"
Xigelei glanced sideways at him.
Though she visited the orc city-states often, she rarely had occasion to deal with grand lords and high society, so she had little idea what kind of talk might cause trouble.
"Mainly your choice of words, or perhaps more accurately, your mindset. You need to show respect toward things you don't understand. If you maintain too casual an attitude, it might pose a risk in tomorrow's setting," Lanqi advised.
"... That's such a pain."
She bit back a curse, swallowing the vulgarity that had almost slipped out.
"I've never been to school. I haven't the faintest idea what kind of refined nonsense you're on about."
Xigelei understood every single word Lanqi said, but strung together, they gave her an awful headache.
"If you'd like to learn, I can teach you," Lanqi offered, strolling gracefully beside her with his hands behind his back.
"No thanks. You're not my teacher, and you're certainly not my parent. There's no need for you to lecture me on this and that,"
Xigelei waved her hands dismissively, shaking her head in irritation.
"Worst case, I just won't say a single word. Problem solved."
With that, she quickened her pace slightly.
"That compromise works quite well," Lanqi agreed, a faint smile finally gracing his face.
"..."
"Have you been waiting for me to say that the whole time?"
Reaching the entrance of the Snow Bear Hotel, Xigelei stopped and furrowed her brows.
She couldn't shake the feeling that this guy had set a trap for her.
"Not at all." Lanqi pursed his lips and shook his head.
"Are you treating me like a fool?" Xigelei narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing his expression.
"Of course not," Lanqi answered, his lips slightly parted in an expression of innocent surprise tinged with confusion.
Seeing that guileless look on his face, an inexplicable flare of annoyance shot through Xigelei.
"Heh. Now I'm in a bad mood."
Xigelei let out a cold scoff, turned away, and tossed those parting words over her shoulder as she pushed through the hotel's revolving doors.
Chapter 546