Aegon stood, his posture slouched, his mind too sluggish to conjure up words or even decide what to say. He just loitered in front of her.
He'd heard countless stories that sounded just as accidental as his own, and none of them ended well.
She also gazed at him, her eyes weighed down with fatigue. She struggled to recognize the figure before her.
In the tales Aegon had heard, men always had a tough time when women screamed in fear and shock.
Was she going to react like that too?
Aegon had to figure something out; it might really happen in his situation as well.
He hurriedly retrieved his robe from where it hung on a nearby pole, his movements quick and efficient as she attempted to sit up in bed.
"Get dressed," Aegon instructed, his voice firm yet urgent, as he tossed the robe over her, covering her from her chest down to her knees.
The weight of his words sunk in as she realized her own state of undress. Aegon's tone may have been cold, but beneath the surface, concern gnawed at him. If she screamed, as he feared she might, it would spell trouble for him. The room felt full of anticipation, as Aegon waited for her reaction, hoping desperately that she would remain calm.
She noticed she had been bare, and her face reddened with embarrassment. Nonetheless, she quickly wrapped the robe around herself, ensuring it covered her bosom, then bowed to Aegon after rising to a sitting position on the bed.
"Thank you," she murmured, her head bent forward in a gesture of appreciation toward the figure who had rescued her the day before.
"Huh?" Aegon's anticipation of her reaction was contrary to what he had expected, leaving him dumbfounded.
She was slightly embarrassed as she raised her head, but she asked a question nonetheless. "You're the man that saved me last night, aren't you?" Her eyes were eager to discover the truth.
A delayed nod from Aegon confirmed her thoughts, and she bowed again. "Thank you for saving me last night."
Aegon couldn't afford to react the same way this time, but it was still slightly embarrassing for him.
"It was nothing serious," he finally replied, his voice carrying a hint of modesty as he rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. "I don't think I have clothes that'll fit you that well, but I think these should do."
As he spoke, he conjured his inventory again, the shimmering magic swirling around his fingers before he pulled out a pair of loose shirt and pants. With a careful hand, he placed them beside the bed, ensuring they were within easy reach for the lady.
Suddenly, his confidence returned, and he asked, his tone more assured, "What's your name?" His eyes held a curious glint as he awaited her response, eager to know more about the person he had rescued.
"Talia," she answered without a moment of hesitation. "Talia Rowen."
Aegon nodded, acknowledging her name, and pointed to the clothes. "Get dressed in those while I go out for a while. I don't have footwear your size, but that shouldn't be a problem to get." His gaze flickered briefly to her leg before he looked away.
He didn't wait for a response before walking out of the room. Stepping back into town, he navigated the bustling streets, his mind set on finding somewhere to get footwear for Talia.
He couldn't shake off the feeling that something felt familiar about her name.
When he finally found a shop that sold such, he was taken aback as no one was there. The shop was empty, and so was the one next to it. And the next. And the next as well.
"Oh!" Aegon slapped his head in realization. It had barely been thirty minutes since the Dark Wolves rampaging in the town were destroyed. Those who had run away were yet to return. The desolation of the empty streets served as a stark reminder of the recent chaos.
Searching through the different pairs displayed for selection, Aegon spotted one that looked both beautiful and plain. It was a shoe made from smooth black leather, with a flower-shaped design made from gray leather adorning the top.
It was without a doubt her size. Luckily, the price of the shoe was displayed just underneath it: Forty silver coins. Forty pieces of the smallest denomination of the currency. It wasn't much, but it definitely wasn't small either.
Well, it didn't bother Aegon at all. He hated walking around with silver coins. They weren't as easy to handle as gold coins, but it would require carrying a lot of them to spend as one wanted. The more he had, the heavier his purse would be.
On the other hand, one gold coin was worth a hundred silver coins. So carrying just ten gold coins was the equivalent of carrying a thousand silver.
Aegon summoned one gold coin from his inventory and placed it where the pair of shoes sat, then retrieved the shoes. "You can keep the change," he said as he walked out of the shop, his words directed at no one in particular.
He continued his stroll through town, searching for other items to acquire. Spotting a jewelry store, he walked in. After purchasing a matching trio of earrings, necklace, and a hairpin, he exited the shop.
He had been fortunate to meet the seller this time, as it was further away from where the attack took place.
After spending three gold coins to purchase those four items, he returned to the inn he stayed at. Despite barely spending thirty minutes outside, he was surprised to see that the receptionist was back.
"Welcome back," the chubby, tall man who looked only a few years older than Aegon said with a smile on his face.
Aegon smiled back and waved at him. "Thank you, and welcome back as well."
When he arrived in his room, he found Talia sitting on one of the chairs by the window. She had cleaned up and was dressed in the clothes he had provided.
Contrary to his belief that the clothes might have been a little too big, they fit her properly. Aegon was relieved he had provided a shirt with such thick material, or his eyes would have been fixated on her beautifully rounded chest for a very long time.
She noticed his arrival, and her blue eyes scanned him with a soft smile. "Welcome."
Aegon nodded in acknowledgment, walking closer to her. He could smell something in the air. No, he could smell a lot. "Did you use my cologne as well as my hair gel?" His eyes squinted as he gazed at her.
Now, she couldn't dare to look at him anymore. Her eyes wandered around the ground, afraid to meet his gaze.
Aegon noticed that his question might have felt too interrogative and sighed. "It's fine. Here," he placed the small bag he held on the table, "try them on," he said with a look that radiated anticipation.