I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Chapter 35: Inn

Judite also jumped on the seat, clapping her hands.

"I want to go too! I want to see the new dolls that the fabric seller said she was going to bring!"

"We’ll all go." Aurora said, looking at Clavor outside with a smile on her face.

"The whole family. An outing."

Clavor seemed to hear and sighed, but he was smiling.

"We’ll all go. Now, let’s get settled into the inn first. We’re all tired from the journey."

The carriage finally stopped in front of a three-story inn called "The Silver Bird’s Rest."

The facade was made of well-maintained dark wood, with clean glass windows reflecting the light of the setting sun. A painted sign swung above the door, depicting a bird with its wings spread, perhaps a heron, perhaps a swan, with silver feathers shining beneath a crescent moon.

It wasn’t an extremely luxurious place. Lukas could see a few cracks in the wood, and the flowers in the window pots were slightly wilted, but it looked comfortable and respectable.

The crests of several minor nobles were engraved on a metal plaque beside the door, indicating that the inn was frequented by travelers of good standing.

"Here we are." Clavor announced, jumping down from his horse.

"I know the owner. He’s a good man. The accommodations are clean, and the food is decent."

Lukas, Aurora, and Judite got out of the carriage. Lukas stretched his legs, feeling his muscles ache after hours of sitting on the wooden bench. Tilbo, inside his pocket, moved slightly, as if she were tired too.

Clavor continued on a little farther, taking the carriage and horse to the adjacent stable, a stone building beside the inn, where he would arrange a stall rental and feed for the animals.

Inside the inn, the smell of hot food and burning firewood was welcoming.

The main hall was spacious, with a high ceiling and exposed wooden beams. A massive fireplace crackled along one wall, warming the room and casting dancing shadows across the dark wooden furniture.

Round tables were scattered throughout the hall, some occupied by travelers eating and drinking, others empty, waiting for new guests.

At the counter, behind a tall polished wooden desk, a middle-aged woman was organizing papers. Her brown hair was tied in a tight bun, and she wore a white apron over a simple wool dress. Her eyes were green and attentive.

Aurora approached the counter, with Lukas at her side and Judite holding her hand. She placed a silver coin on the counter and spoke naturally, her voice calm but firm.

"We would like the largest room available for two nights. For two adults and two children. Breakfast included."

The receptionist looked up from her papers, and her eyes widened slightly when she recognized Aurora.

"Lady Dmond!" she exclaimed, her voice rising a pitch.

"What an honor to welcome you again! I haven’t seen you since the last time you came with young Asmon a few years ago."

Aurora smiled politely.

"Indeed. Time flies."

"Would you like the master suite? It’s the largest room we have. It has two large beds, a sofa, a table, and a window overlooking the street. It’s the same room you stayed in last time."

"That one." Aurora confirmed.

"Is it available?"

"It is." The receptionist took an iron key hanging from a board behind the counter and handed it to Aurora.

"The room is on the third floor, number twelve. A servant will bring your luggage up."

"Thank you."

"If you need anything, just ask. Dinner is served until nine in the evening. We have vegetable soup, herb-roasted meat, fresh bread, and an apple pie for dessert."

"That sounds excellent. We’ll have it served in the room, if you don’t mind."

"Of course, Lady Dmond. At your service."

Lukas noticed the respect in the woman’s tone. It was more than simple courtesy from a merchant to a customer.

’Being a noble really does open doors.’ He thought as he followed Aurora up the stairs.

They climbed to the third floor.

The stairs were wooden, creaking lightly under their feet, but solid. The corridor walls were decorated with landscape engravings, mountains, forests, rivers, and small vases filled with fresh flowers placed on corner tables.

Room number twelve was spacious.

Lukas entered first, his violet eyes scanning every corner with insatiable curiosity. The first thing he noticed was its size, it was larger than his room at the manor. Two large beds, covered with white sheets and dark-blue wool blankets, occupied the sides of the room.

In the center, a red velvet sofa invited rest, with soft cushions scattered across it. A dark wooden table with four chairs stood against the opposite wall.

The window was large, with clean glass panes and thick linen curtains that could be closed for privacy. The view overlooked the main street. Lukas could see people passing by, carriages moving through the roads, and street vendors pushing carts loaded with goods.

He explored every corner with a huge smile on his face.

He touched the thick curtains. The fabric felt rough beneath his fingers, but it was well-sewn, without holes or tears. He sat on the soft sofa, the padding giving way beneath his weight, and he sank slightly into it, surprised by the comfort.

He opened the dresser drawers. They were empty but carried a pleasant scent of polished wood and lavender. freēwēbnovel.com

He walked to the window, pulled the curtain aside, and looked down at the street.

People hurried along carrying bags and packages. A woman sold flowers from an improvised stall on the sidewalk. A man carried a basket of fresh bread on his arm, its aroma drifting all the way up to the window. Children played tag among the adults, laughing loudly.

’I never had anything like this before...’

In his previous life, at the orphanage, his rooms had been cramped, with hard beds and thin sheets. The walls were bare, without engravings or decoration. The windows faced inner courtyards or the walls of other buildings.

Now, he was in a comfortable room at a respectable inn, with a family that loved him and a magical ant in his pocket.

’Who would have thought reincarnating could be this satisfying?’

After exploring everything, and after Judite had jumped on the bed at least five times before Aurora told her to stop before the wood broke. Lukas sat down on the sofa beside Aurora and looked at her with his curious violet eyes.

"Mother, how much is that silver coin you gave downstairs worth?" he asked, his voice serious, as if he were asking a business question.