"And the sword? The wolf woman's sword?"
Oh crap, the sword! I totally forgot…
"Here it is!"
Mela approached, lifting the broken blade and dropping it onto the table with a heavy thud.
"Ooooooohhh!"
Everyone crowded closer to look.
"It's huge!"
"What are you planning to do with it?"
What am I supposed to do with it?
"I, well… I don't know."
"It's a priceless trophy! You should put it on display! I bet the guild would be thrilled to have it!"
"The guild? Well… maybe…"
Violet couldn't understand all that admiration for a weapon that was broken and served no real purpose anymore.
She recalled that even Pal the merchant had shown interest in it.
"Maybe you could have it repaired and use it! After all, that sword rightfully belongs to you!"
Voices overlapped, each proposing what they thought would be the best fate for the object.
As Violet looked around, she realized it was the first time she had ever seen the inn so full.
Mela ran back and forth, refilling mugs of ale without pause, serving food, cleaning tables.
Then the idea struck her.
"Mela!"
"Yes?"
The dog-girl turned toward her, curious, her tail already beginning to wag.
"I was thinking… maybe the sword could stay here. What do you think?"
Mela's eyes widened.
"Here??? You mean—here in the inn???"
"Yes… after all, this place has become like a home for me and Nainai."
Mela gasped, bringing her fists to her chin, her eyes filling with tears.
"You've always taken care of us—more than you ever had to. I think this is the best way to thank you."
Violet didn't even finish the sentence before Mela threw herself at her.
"Oh Violet, thank you so much! I'm so happy!"
Violet hugged her back, stroking her gently.
It was true—Mela had proven herself far more than just an innkeeper. She had cared about them without judgment, accepted them exactly as they were, and helped them whenever she could. She had become, little by little, a true friend.
"We only need to decide where to put it."
Violet glanced around the room.
"How about placing it there, above the hearth?"
She pointed toward it.
The space was already occupied by some old, worn-out pans.
"Yes! That spot is perfect!"
Murmurs of agreement rose from the crowd.
"Alright! Let's do it right away!"
It became a shared effort. The women hurried to remove the pans from the wall, while several sturdy men lifted the heavy sword and carried it to the fireplace.
Meanwhile, a few townsfolk fixed brackets and supports to the stone. In a short while, everything was ready.
"Ready? Now!"
The men heaved the sword up together, settling it into place.
"It's perfect!"
Everyone in the room stared at the blade.
"A true war trophy!"
Mela stood at the center of the room, staring up at the relic with her tail wagging excitedly.
The door burst open.
"The Baron! Baron Sprunfald has arrived!!! He's asking for you, Lady Violet!"
A young lizard-boy stood framed in the doorway.
The news hit like a lightning bolt.
"M-me?" Violet felt a shiver run down her back.
"Yes, miss! For you and Master Nainai!!!"
Pandemonium erupted instantly.
Everyone shouted, running in every possible direction.
"But I… right now?"
Violet was still drowsy, her hair a mess.
"I'm not presentable—and like this… without warning?"
She glanced down at her wrinkled, disheveled clothes and shuddered.
Mela rushed to her.
"Don't worry! Leave everything to us!"
The dog-girl rolled up her sleeve, flexed an arm, and winked with determination.
"You! There's a bathtub in the back. Light the fire under it!"
Mela started barking orders everywhere.
"You two—go fetch water! And you… brushes and towels! Hurry!!!"
Within seconds everyone was in motion, scrambling to follow her commands.
"But I only wanted to eat…"
Violet didn't even finish the sentence—Mela grabbed her firmly and began dragging her away.
"Nainai, you come too!"
The dwarf stood up silently and obediently, following the two girls closely.
In no time the fire was lit and the water set to warm.
"Good! Now everyone out! Only women stay!"
"Nooooo…"
The protest of all the men echoed in perfect unison.
"Miss, what should I tell the Baron?"
Mela spun around sharply, her gaze resolute.
"Tell him Violet will come when she is ready!"
The lizard-boy nodded and dashed off down the stairs.
"You!"
Mela pointed at a human man who was retreating with the others.
"I need a favor!"
She leaned close and whispered something into his ear.
The man listened, nodding repeatedly… then his eyes widened in excitement.
"I'll take care of it right away!"
Once all the men were gone, only Violet and Nainai remained—along with Mela, an elderly woman, and two therianthrope girls whose faces stirred a distant memory.
Wait… I know them!
They were Lia—the cat-girl Violet had chased across the rooftops—and her mother.
"Good! Let's begin!"
Violet was stripped without the slightest courtesy.
"Waaah—wait!!!"
The girls paid her absolutely no mind.
Warm water was dumped over her in quick succession as they scrubbed her vigorously with rough sponges. Meanwhile, the cat-woman yanked at her hair with an old brush whose bristles felt as hard as stone, while little Lia ran back and forth filling buckets and handing them to the elderly woman. The old lady, with inhuman strength, lifted them while still full and poured their entire contents over Violet's head.
Violet was pulled, soaked, scrubbed, squeezed, rinsed, and wrung out.
"Good. I'd say we're done!"
Violet felt as though an entire cavalry regiment had just charged over her body.
Mela grabbed a large towel and wrapped it around the girl's bright-red frame, while Violet tried to cover herself as best she could.
She was helped out of the tub, and as little Lia dried her with vigorous strokes, Mela turned toward Nainai—who had remained facing the wall the whole time, perfectly still.
"Now it's your turn!"
Nainai received the same treatment. He was stripped, left only in a pair of old, heavy underpants, then scrubbed with equal brutality and thoroughly washed.
Once finished, the women dried him as they giggled among themselves. Violet watched the scene, noticing that unlike her, the dwarf didn't seem the least bit embarrassed. In fact—his expression was satisfied. Even slightly amused.
Was… was he really that comfortable!?
Once both of them were dry and dressed again, they were led back into the main building and up to their rooms.
Knock knock.
"Come in!"
Mela let the visitor step inside. It was the man she had whispered to earlier.
"It's here!"
Mela nodded at him, eyes gleaming.
"Good. Bring it in!"
Violet looked toward the door, curious—and wary—about whatever new absurdity awaited her this time.
A man stepped in.
"Pal…? What are you doing here?"
"Me? Mela called me."
The merchant entered with a bright smile, stroking his moustache.
"Sorry I'm a bit late, Mela—came as fast as I could…"
"It's fine. But now hurry! We don't have any time to waste!"
The merchant stepped aside as several young men followed him in, each carrying large trunks.
"Did you bring everything?"
Mela shot her friend a sharp, almost threatening stare.
"But of course!"
Pal clapped his hands, and his helpers immediately moved. Without waiting for instructions, they set the large trunks on the floor and threw them open.
The moment the lids rose and their contents were revealed, all the women instinctively leaned forward with wide eyes and dreamy expressions.
Inside the two trunks lay an endless assortment of fabrics, dresses, shoes, and jewelry—enough to outfit an entire army of women.
"Let's see…" Pal gave Violet a quick glance, then approached one of the trunks and pulled out a few garments.
They were beautiful, bright, and colorful.
"So? What do you think?" the merchant asked, looking from the clothes to Violet.
"No, no, and absolutely not!"
Mela stepped forward, eyeing the outfits Pal had chosen.
"They're pretty, yes… but they're not right for Violet!"
Behind her, the gathered women nodded with eyes closed and arms crossed in solemn agreement.
"This one is too formal, that one looks like it's meant for a royal banquet… Don't you have anything else?"
Pal blinked, perplexed, then quickly inspected his merchandise, pausing a moment to think.
"By all means…"
He stepped aside and gestured toward the open trunks.
The moment those words left his lips, the women pounced like hawks on their prey.
They dove into the trunks and began rummaging through them with wild fury, tossing clothes and shoes in every direction and turning the entire room into total chaos.
After a long, chaotic selection process, each woman ended up holding a dress and matching accessories.
"For me, this one would be perfect for you, Miss Violet…"
The elderly woman stepped forward first, smiling proudly as she presented the dress she had chosen.
"What? That one?"
Lia's mother stared at the garment in horror.
"…It's awful!!!"
Offended, the old woman turned sharply toward the therian.
"And what would you know? Since when are cat-women experts in fashion?"
The old lady's snappy retort made the atmosphere in the room instantly heat up.
The feline woman stepped forward, locking eyes with the elder.
"Oh really? And you want to send Violet to the baron dressed like that?"
"And why not, may I ask? What's wrong with this dress?"
The old woman held it up proudly for everyone to see.
"It's traditional, modest, and very elegant…"
The cat-woman made a sound of pure disgust.
"That's what you call traditional? It looks ancient! It looks like something my grandmother used to wear!!!"
"Good one, Mom! Tell her!!!"
Even little Lia had joined the argument, sticking her tongue out at the elderly lady and making faces at her.
In an instant, chaos exploded.
All the women began arguing heatedly over which dress was best, or which shoes matched it better. A brawl was moments away.
Pal watched the scene unfold, weighing each woman's arguments without finding the courage to intervene. Behind him, his terrified assistants slowly inched toward the door, trying to escape unnoticed.
"Ladies…"
The women ignored him and continued yelling and debating with increasing intensity.
"Ladies, please…"
Again, they didn't even look at him.
Pal sighed, then raised his voice.
"LADIES!!!"
"WHAT DO YOU WANT!?!?"
The women whirled around simultaneously, shouting in unison, their eyes blazing as they glared at the merchant.
Pal stroked his mustache, attempting a smile while his legs trembled. His assistants froze behind him, snapping to attention like rigid statues.
"If you would allow me…"
The women kept staring daggers at him.
"Each of you has her own valid point…" Pal chose his words carefully.
"If you grant me just a moment, I believe I may have a solution that will satisfy everyone."
The women paused, calming—if only slightly—waiting in silence.
mfmfmfmfmf psssssss
"Well?" Mela pressed him impatiently.
"Yes, well… here."
Pal approached one of the open trunks.
He opened a small zipper revealing a hidden compartment and pulled out a snow-white dress, spreading it open with a soft rustle for all to see.
The dress was as white as snow, made of silk, with a small trailing train behind it.
The women widened their eyes, completely enchanted.
Violet stared at the garment, feeling her heart pound.
"Miss Violet has unique features," Pal said as he approached her with a gentle smile.
"Her eyes, her hair… that pale, delicate skin…"
He held the dress against her, comparing colors.
"Considering all that, I believe this may truly be the perfect choice."
Violet, who had been left out of the argument until now, could only stare at the beautiful gown with her mouth slightly open.
It's… gorgeous…
"Good! Then let's move on!"
Mela stepped forward, snatching the dress from the merchant's hands.
"Now out! All of you! We women have work to do!"
At Mela's words, the women began pushing the merchant, his assistants, and the dwarf out of the room.
The men resisted a little, but were ultimately shoved out, watching the door slam shut in their faces with a dull thud.
Once Violet was helped to her feet, the women assisted her in putting on the dress, then chose the accessories that suited her best.