Married To Darkness-Chapter 375: Into Wyfhaven, The Welcome

The group packed up quickly, gathering their belongings and making their way downstairs.

The innkeeper, a plump woman with graying hair, waved them off, wishing them safe travels.

Manni was already waiting outside with the carriage, the horses snorting impatiently, eager to move.

When Salviana and Jean climbed in, they were met with an unexpected sight.

Alaric and Lucius sat inside, each holding a piece of cotton under their noses, their expressions stoic but their posture stiff.

Jean burst into laughter. "Oh my gods—what is this?!"

Salviana’s brows furrowed. "Are you two seriously—"

Alaric cleared his throat. "We came up with a solution to a certain problem."

Lucius grunted. "Her blood scent is... distracting." replying Jeans question.

Jean doubled over, clutching her stomach. "You two look ridiculous!"

Salviana stared at them in disbelief, then scoffed. "So let me get this straight. You’d rather shove scented cotton under your noses than just deal with it?"

Lucius narrowed his eyes. "Yes."

"Isn’t it like us humans perceiving the aroma of food? Get over it guys" Jean said

"No, pumpkin it’s not, it far more demanding and dangerous," Lucius replied her.

Alaric smirked. "My wife smells divine,"

"Weird," Salviana mumbled while Jean bursted laughing.

Jean wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling. "And what scent did you go for?"

Alaric sighed. "Lavender and cedarwood."

Jean lost it again, laughing so hard she nearly fell out of the seat.

Salviana rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the tiny smile tugging at her lips. "You two are ridiculous."

Alaric shrugged, adjusting the cotton. "Better ridiculous than tempted."

Lucius just crossed his arms and looked out the window, muttering under his breath.

And with that, the carriage rolled forward, carrying them deeper into the unknown

Soon they were in another part of Wyfn-Garde.

The salty scent of the sea filled the air, mingling with the crisp morning breeze as the carriage rolled over the cobbled streets of Wyfhaven. The sounds of bustling merchants, squawking seagulls, and distant waves crashing against the docks created a symphony of life.

Alaric peered out the window, his sharp blue eyes scanning the city. The last time he had been here, it was smaller, quieter.

Now, it was thriving. Wyfhaven – The Seaside City had grown into a major trade hub, its streets filled with travelers, sailors, and merchants hawking their wares.

"This is it," he murmured. "We’ve arrived."

Jean, who had been rubbing her sore knees, sighed in relief. "Finally. My legs are about to fall off."

Salviana stretched her arms above her head, rolling her stiff shoulders. "Let’s find a place to park the carriage. I need to stretch my legs."

Lucius, who had remained silent most of the journey, simply nodded. "And eat," he added dryly.

Jean smirked. "I thought you already ate enough last night." she was talking about the wild animal they caught.

Lucius shot her a look, but she only grinned wider.

They continued riding through the city until they spotted a stable near the marketplace. The building was large, with sturdy wooden fences and a few workers tending to horses in the yard. As the carriage pulled in, a stable keeper stepped forward to greet them.

He was a young man, no older than twenty, with dark curls that fell over his forehead and sharp brown eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. His gaze lingered on the group a little too long, curiosity flickering across his face, but he said nothing.

Alaric was the first to speak. "We need a place to keep our carriage and horses for a few days. How much?"

The stable keeper folded his arms, glancing at the well-groomed horses and the elegant carriage. His eyes flickered back to Alaric and then to Salviana, who was adjusting her cloak. There was an unmistakable glint of calculation in his gaze.

"A few days?" He clicked his tongue. "That’ll be... twenty gold wyfin."

Jean let out a snort. "Twenty? For two horses and a carriage?"

Lucius raised a brow. "Are we buying the stable as well?"

The stable keeper smirked. "It’s Wyfhaven, my lords and ladies. Space isn’t cheap, and neither is security. You want your horses well-fed and your carriage untouched?" He shrugged. "That’s the price."

Salviana sighed and rubbed her temples. "I am too tired for this."

Alaric, however, merely smiled. A slow, knowing smile.

He stepped forward, clasping the young man’s shoulder in a friendly but firm grip. "Listen," he said in a low, commanding tone. "I’ve traveled through Wyfhaven before, and I know for a fact that the standard price for keeping two horses and a carriage is no more than ten silver. Silver, not even gold. So either you’re trying to rob me, or you’re very bad at your job."

The stable keeper swallowed, his confidence faltering for a split second. "I—"

Alaric squeezed his shoulder ever so slightly. "So here’s what we’ll do," he continued, voice smooth as silk but sharp as a blade. "I’ll give you eight silver now, and if our horses are well-fed and the carriage untouched when we return, I might be generous enough to give you two more."

Silence.

Jean bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. Salviana raised a brow, amused. Lucius simply watched, unimpressed but entertained nonetheless. Manni however was proud and smiling.

The stable keeper hesitated, then finally exhaled. "Fine. Eight now, two later."

Alaric clapped him on the back. "Smart choice."

Manni handed over the coins, still smirking as the stable keeper led their horses away.

As they walked away from the stable, Salviana glanced up at Alaric. "That was impressive."

Alaric chuckled. "You’d be surprised how much people overcharge when they think you’re rich."

"They know you are, you look it and lady Salviana here looked ready to pay that amount earlier,"Lucius let out with a shake of his head.

Alaric chuckled, "Don’t pick on my wife," he warned.

Jean stretched her arms. "Alright! Now that we’re free of the carriage, let’s find an inn, eat, and then—"

"Figure out where we’re actually going," Salviana finished.

Lucius sighed. "I was hoping we had a plan."

"We did have a plan," Salviana said. "Until someone left the map back at the castle."

Alaric huffed. "It wasn’t completely my fault." he said and even Salviana’s brows raised.

Lucius snickered. "It kind of was."

Manni and Jean found their eyes holding each other before he waved and turned away, the wizard had other places to be always.

Alaric groaned. "I will strangle you in your sleep." threatening his vampire friend.

Lucius grinned. "I’d like to see you try."

Salviana exhaled loudly. "If you two are done bickering, can we move before we draw too much attention?"

With that, they set off into the heart of Wyfhaven, the city alive with possibilities and dangers lurking just beneath the surface.

"Vampires should be brooding and mysterious" Jean muttered.

"But we got these." Salviana giggled while the men ignored them.

They had barely stepped away from the stable when they found themselves in a narrow but lively alley. The path was flanked by old stone buildings, some with hanging cloth banners advertising seafood, spices, and tools.

The air smelled of salt, grilled fish, and damp wood. Vendors shouted prices, children ran between carts, and the occasional musician strummed a tune for passing customers.

Despite the lively energy, Alaric, Salviana, Jean, and Lucius remained alert. Wyfhaven was a trade city, which meant it was filled with both opportunity and danger.

Then, as they stepped deeper into the alley, three men stepped forward, blocking their path.

The one in the middle—clearly the leader—was tall with sharp, angular features, his dark hair tied back into a rough ponytail. He wore a mix of fine and rugged clothing, as if trying to project power while still looking dangerous. His narrowed eyes held an edge of arrogance as he scanned them, assessing.

His companions, one burly and bald, the other wiry with a dagger strapped to his thigh, stood at his sides like obedient dogs.

The leader feigning composure, arms crossed. "Well, well. What do we have here?"

Alaric, confident and comfortable chuckled lightly at the rather stupid question.

The leader lifted a rough brow. "Something amusing?"

"Your faces," Alaric retorted.

The leader smirked. "I don’t recall seeing your faces in my city before." He tilted his head. "Who are you, and what business do you have in Wyfhaven?"

Jean scoffed, muttering under her breath, "Your city?"