Cassian gave a short nod. "Alright." Downstairs, the smell of hot food filled the air. The innkeeper couple and the two girls were sitting together, eating quietly. All four of them were bundled up in thick coats that looked scavenged from abandoned closets. Each held a steaming bowl of oatmeal in their hands. The meal wasn't much, but compared to the harsh world outside, it looked almost rich. There were sausages and oatmeal, a luxury no one could take for granted anymore. The innkeeper's husband finished his bowl first. With a grin that made the girls' skin crawl, he leaned back in his chair and started pawing at his wife. He didn't even care that Guinevere and Selina were sitting right there. The innkeeper didn't react. She just smiled softly, her tone gentle as she reached over to serve the girls. "You two haven't eaten much. My husband and I already took most of the sausages. Go on, eat up. You'll need food to stay warm in this cold." "Thank you," both girls said, smiling weakly as they picked up the food. Guinevere's stomach twisted with disgust. What is wrong with that guy? Every time they sat down to eat, he had to make a show of touching his wife. It was gross beyond words. She stabbed at her oatmeal, clenching her jaw. The innkeeper was beautiful and kind. She didn't deserve to be stuck with that pig. Selina stayed quiet but her eyes flicked away, the sight killing her appetite. Then came the sound of footsteps. Wood creaked on the staircase, slow and deliberate. The inn was old, after all. All four turned their heads at once. Natalie appeared at the top of the stairs. She moved down one step at a time, wearing a long white mink coat that shimmered faintly under the light. Her hair fell loose over her shoulders, smooth and dark. The coat brushed her calves as she walked, showing a flash of toned skin with each step. She looked calm, composed, untouchable. Her expression was cold, her beauty sharp enough to make the whole room quiet. Guinevere scoffed under her breath and went back to her bowl. Selina, always the polite one, gave a friendly nod. Natalie gave her a passing glance but didn't respond. She set the tray and the empty water kettle she carried onto the other table. Guinevere shot her a glare and muttered to Selina, "Why bother being nice to her? Look at her acting like she's above everyone else." Natalie heard her but didn't react. She watched the innkeeper and her husband instead. The man saw the empty kettle and smirked, a spark of satisfaction glinting in his eyes. The innkeeper, on the other hand, smiled warmly. "You're awake! Come sit and eat with us. I'll get you a bowl of oatmeal." She glanced behind Natalie. "And where's your husband? Still sleeping?" Natalie didn't answer. She raised an eyebrow. "You serve meals here?" Before the innkeeper could reply, the man jumped in, puffing up his chest. "Of course! I told you yesterday, didn't I? You're getting a bargain here!" He grinned proudly. "These sausages? People would kill for them. We throw them in free for our guests."Natalie thought, You might eat them, but I sure won't. She waved a hand at the woman who had already stood up. "Don't bother. I've already eaten." The lady innkeeper froze for a second, then chuckled softly. "Oh, I must've forgotten to tell you meals were included. My memory's not what it used to be. Never mind. We'll eat together tonight." Natalie didn't say anything. Her eyes slid toward the girls. Their friend had vanished, yet they sat there calm and smiling, eating breakfast like nothing had happened. If they'd found him, there'd be an extra bowl, but there wasn't. Something felt wrong. Her silence made the others uneasy. The air grew thick. The innkeeper mistook it for boredom and gave a friendly laugh. "Why don't you sit down and chat with us?" Natalie nodded. "Alright." The room went still. None of them expected her to agree so easily. They thought she was the temperamental kind. The innkeeper nudged her husband and gestured toward a spare chair. The man grabbed one and started to place it next to his wife, but Natalie pointed to the spot between Guinevere and Selina. "Put it there." He hesitated but obeyed, sliding the chair where she wanted it. The innkeeper's smile didn't fade, but her eyes lingered on Natalie, studying her quietly.