The carriage finally stopped in front of an inn. The wheels slowed, then scraped softly against the dirt as the guards pulled the reins. Berryanna did not wait for assistance. She stepped down the moment the door opened, her boots hitting the ground with purpose.
The signboard glowed light blue like neon lights, reading Bam Bam's Inn. The glow cast a faint tint on her skin, cold and artificial, nothing like the warm torchlight of the palace. It suited the night too well.
The moment Berryanna entered the compound, she looked around and noticed some familiar faces.
Her eyes moved quickly, trained to recognize danger and hypocrisy in the same breath. She did not pause. She never did.
They were nobles, arms wrapped around women, some half-naked, laughing loudly.
Their voices clashed with one another, too loud, too careless. Coins exchanged hands openly. Promises were whispered without shame.
She even spotted the Lord of Faith surrounded by women at his table, lavishly spending on expensive liquor and food.
Berryanna's jaw tightened for a brief second. The sight was almost amusing in its predictability.
She pretended to look away. Not because she cared, but because attention was a currency here, and she refused to spend it on them. She was not here for them anyways.
"Princess," Levi said the moment he spotted her.
He appeared from her side, posture stiff, eyes alert. He had changed clothes, stripped himself of any obvious symbol of rank.
His attire was plain, not as fancy as what the nobles wore.
It made him invisible. That was the point. Berryanna turned to him.
Her gaze sharpened the instant she heard the word.
"Don't call me princess in a situation like this. You don't want wolves turning into sheep, do you?" she said immediately.
Her voice was low but firm, the kind that did not invite debate. Levi swallowed. He nodded once.
"Apologies."
"Where is Greyhouse Jr.?"
Berryanna did not waste time. Her eyes were already scanning again, counting exits, counting faces.
"He was here a moment ago, but he said he wanted to relieve himself in a corner nearby," Levi explained. There was a faint hesitation in his tone, as if he already regretted answering.
Berryanna exhaled slowly through her nose.
"After tonight, cut the nobles' salaries by forty percent," Berryanna instructed as they waited for Greyhouse Jr.
Her tone remained casual, as though she had commented on the weather.
Levi's eyes widened. His mouth opened before his thoughts caught up.
"But they have families to feed. How will they survive with such..."
"You can give your salary to them if you insist," Berryanna said.
She did not look at him when she said it.
The words landed hard. Levi immediately shut up. His shoulders stiffened, and whatever argument he had prepared died on his tongue.
He glanced around, staring at the nobles with a different expression now.
What once looked like laughter now resembled gluttony. What once seemed harmless now felt rotten.
"You are here, Princess," Greyhouse Jr. said the moment he arrived.
He came in slightly out of breath, his steps uneven.
"Don't say princess in a situation like this," Levi said immediately.
The warning was sharp, almost panicked.
"Oh, sorry, my lady," Greyhouse Jr. said as he moved to kiss her hand. His movement was automatic, trained into him since birth.
Berryanna shifted her hand away from him.
The motion was small, but deliberate.
"I know it is part of your family tradition to kiss a royal hand as a sign of respect, but I don't like it when someone uses their piss hand to touch me." Her voice was calm, almost polite, which made the words hit harder.
Greyhouse Jr. froze, embarrassed.
His face flushed instantly. He tried wiping his hands on his clothes, laughing awkwardly.
The laugh did nothing to ease the tension.
Even Levi struggled to hold back his laughter. He turned his head slightly, biting down on the inside of his cheek.
"Go find a place to wash your hands," Berryanna said. It was not a suggestion.
Greyhouse Jr. nodded awkwardly and hurried off.
His steps were quick, almost clumsy, as he disappeared into the crowd.
Levi glanced around again, clearly searching for someone. His eyes lingered at the entrance, then shifted to the surrounding tables.
"My lady, is the.. prince going to join us? I thought he was coming too."
There was caution in his voice now.
"Oh, he will be here," Berryanna said.
Her lips curved slightly, but there was no warmth in it.
"Later on."
Just as she finished speaking, Vinegario entered, surprising Berryanna, who had assumed he would arrive late.
Her eyes flicked toward him instantly, irritation flashing before she masked it.
He scanned the area, spotted her easily, and walked over.
His steps were unhurried, confident, as if the entire inn belonged to him.
"Oh, did I miss the fun?" he said.
His voice carried amusement.
Even though Berryanna could not see his face beneath the mask, she knew he was smirking. She always did.
"If I may ask, did you dash your way here?"
Her tone was flat, unimpressed.
"Oh, come on, niece. I have my ways of being on time. You know how charming ladies love a mysterious man standing alone in the middle of the road. I asked politely for a lift, and in an instant, they did. Unlike you, who kills people to get what you want, I use my charming, charismatic voice," Vinegario said. He spread his hands slightly as if presenting an undeniable truth.
Berryanna ignored him. She turned away, already done with the conversation.
"Okay, let's go inside. You know how it goes," Berryanna said. She did not wait for agreement.
Vinegario glanced around again. His eyes lingered longer this time.
"Where is the moustache son? And is that not the Lord of Faith? Wow, he is really faithful. Look at how deeply he is tonguing that whore."
His tone dripped with mockery. He continued staring until he realized Berryanna and Levi had already gone through the main entrance.
With a click of his tongue, he followed.
Inside the inn was no different from the outside. The noise pressed in from all sides, heavy and constant. Berryanna and the others entered a private room.
The door shut behind them, muting the chaos slightly.
Inside was a woman who looked to be in her 40s, though at a glance, one might think she was in her 20s.
Her skin was smooth, her posture relaxed, practiced. Two shirtless men were busy pleasuring her.
Neither seemed bothered by the sudden intrusion.
She looked toward the entrance, saw Berryanna and the three men behind her, and smiled. It was slow, knowing.
"What can I do for you, customers?" she said smoothly.
Her voice carried confidence, not surprise.
"Welcome to Bam Bam's Inn, where all desires are welcome."