Chapter 145: The Pirate Queen

Chapter 145: The Pirate Queen

Mid Evening - Early Spring : Springarrow City, Elynnor

I rubbed my stomach as I leaned back in my chair.

The musicians had long since left, leaving just me and a small group of adventurers that were dead asleep in the silent room.

"Did you enjoy the food?" The mighty pirate queen, Emelia, sat on the edge of the table. We got fairly familiar with each other as the night passed.

"Well of course I did! I wouldn't have eaten 3 whole specials if I didn't." I gave her a satisfied smile.

"I was starting to get worried that we were gonna run out of food. The cook in the back told me that he refused to cook anything else." She showed her pearly white teeth with a comfortable smile.

"Haha, you know what? I'll take another!" I raised my dented wood mug into the air as I looked back towards the door to the kitchen with a smug look.

"NO!" *Crash* I heard a wild cry from the back. "PLEASE NO!" *Crash* *Thud*

There was a serious racket coming from the kitchen until I saw a middle aged man's head pop out around the corner.

"I'm so tired.." He looked at me with desperate eyes.

"Pfft-Haha, I was joking man. Come here and let me give you a tip before you leave though." He had already started cleaning up the kitchen earlier so he was about to leave.

"A.. tip?" He looked a bit confused.

"Here.." I nonchalantly pulled out a gold coin and tossed it to him.

"Huh?" As he caught it, he just stared at the coin in disbelief.

"Think of it like a bonus reward for all of your effort." I held up my mug and looked over at Emelia. "I will take one last refill though."

She gave a little pout. "How are you gonna let him leave but not me?"

"Are you not the owner of this place?" I propped my feet up onto the table.

"Haha, making money is just good business. Nothing to be guilty of." I set down my mug and put my ID in my pocket.

We sat in silence for a moment before she laid back across the table.

"Are you alright?"

"Of course!" She responded with conviction but her body lacked her previous confidence.

"Is there something on your mind?"

"Haah.." She thought to herself for a moment before blandly responding. "No.."

Everything about her response made me want to leave. My gut told me I'd get wrapped into something troublesome if I stuck around any longer.

Finishing my drink, I pulled my feet off the table. "Well, it seems like I've gotten too comfortable." I casually tidied my clothes and got ready to leave. "I'll get out of your hair."

But as soon as I went to stand up she pressed her hand on my shoulder. "Could you.. stay a bit longer?" She wore a forced smile as her face lost a bit of color.

-She's scared of something?- It was the last kind of reaction I would have expected. "Is there something you need me for?"

She quickly jerked her hand back and sat up. "It's nothing like that.."

"So? Why do you look scared?" I looked her up and down. Her entire demeanor of being a strong willed and untouchable woman from earlier had completely disappeared. She looked like a dog with its tail tucked under it.

"I know it's probably too much to ask for.. but.." She reluctantly glanced over at me. "Can you stay here for just a bit lo-"

*Creak*

The door to the tavern creaked open making her face completely drain of color.

At this point, I had given up on trying to escape whatever trouble was coming. I was more curious about what could make her iron will crumble. -She's strong physically and mentally, and is the daughter of a ridiculously influential pirate captain..-

As the door opened, a tempered aura easily surpassing Lawtons flowed into the room. -Who the..-