My Bratty Wife
Chapter 43 - Forty Three

Chapter 43: Chapter Forty Three

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the dusty road. The carriage rattled on, the rhythmic clatter a lullaby against the backdrop of chirping crickets and the melancholic hooting of an owl. Hours had melted away since they had departed the castle, and both Ryan and Suzy felt the fatigue settling in.

"We should find an inn for the night," Ryan announced, his voice slightly raspy from the dry air. "We won’t make it to the palace before nightfall."

Suzy, who had been lost in a book – a borrowed romance novel that had her cheeks flushed with a mixture of amusement and scandal – looked up with a start. "An inn?" she echoed, surprised. "But won’t that delay our arrival?

"Only by a day," Ryan replied. "It wouldn’t be wise to travel in the dark, especially on these roads."

Suzy couldn’t argue with his logic. She nodded in agreement, a yawn escaping her lips. Travel, especially in such an uncomfortable carriage, was more tiring than she had anticipated.

The coachman, alerted by Ryan’s command, cast a practiced eye around. "There’s The Wandering Stag a few miles ahead, Your Grace," he announced. "A decent establishment, clean and with good food."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. The Wandering Stag wasn’t exactly renowned for its luxury, but it would have to do. "Very well," he said. "Steer us there."

The last rays of sunlight faded as they approached the inn. A two-story building with a thatched roof and a creaky wooden sign depicting a rather ungainly stag, it wasn’t imposing, but it did emanate a certain rustic charm.

The carriage came to a halt with a flourish of dust. Ryan emerged first, his tall figure silhouetted against the darkening sky. He turned and offered Suzy a hand down, a gesture that was both unexpected and oddly considerate.

"Thank you," Suzy murmured as she took his hand, her fingers brushing against his skin. A jolt of unexpected warmth shot through her, sending a blush creeping up her cheeks.

The innkeeper, a portly man with a perpetually surprised expression, greeted them with a booming voice. "Welcome, travelers! The Wandering Stag at your service!"

Ryan wasted no time. "Two rooms, if you please," he stated, handing the innkeeper a pouch of coins.

The innkeeper’s eyes widened at the sight of the gold. "Two rooms, you say, sir? Certainly, certainly! But we have a room just perfect for a couple like yourselves."

Suzy laughed at his words. "A couple?" she asked, a glance shooting at Ryan.

Ryan, however, remained unfazed. He simply nodded to the innkeeper and said, "Two rooms, please. One for myself and one for the... for her."

Suzy’s jaw dropped slightly. Her? " I have a name tho" she muttered to herself. A flicker of annoyance washed over her but it was quickly replaced by a sense of relief. Sharing a room with Ryan, even in this quaint inn, was a recipe for disaster. She might not be in love with him, but she valued her personal space (and sanity).

"We also have a lovely room on the first floor, right next to..." The innkeeper paused, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "...a charming chamber with a balcony overlooking the rose garden."

Suzy couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. Ryan’s stoic facade remained firmly in place, but she could almost swear a flicker of annoyance crossed his features.

"We don’t require adjoining rooms," he said curtly, effectively shutting down any further suggestions from the overly enthusiastic innkeeper.

The innkeeper cleared his throat, his face reddening slightly. "Ah, of course, of course, sir! My apologies for the misunderstanding. Two separate rooms, right away! We’ll have a hearty dinner sent up to your rooms shortly, and you’ll be well-rested for your journey in the morning."

Suzy offered a polite smile as the innkeeper bustled away. Following Ryan up the creaking wooden stairs, she couldn’t help but notice how tense his shoulders were. Perhaps the journey had been more tiring than he let on.

Reaching the hallway, Ryan stopped before a door and handed her a key. "Your room, Duchess," he announced, his voice devoid of warmth.

Suzy took the key from his outstretched hand, their fingers brushing briefly. She felt no particular spark, no flutter of excitement. Ryan was her husband, a duty, not a romantic prospect.

"Thank you," she replied politely, surprised by the slight tremor in her voice. Was it the long journey, or something else entirely? She dismissed the thought quickly.

"We’ll leave at first light," Ryan stated, his voice leaving no room for argument. "We don’t want to miss our audience with the King."

Suzy nodded curtly. Bidding him a good night, she retreated into her assigned room, the door shutting behind her with a reassuring thud.

Inside, the room was simple yet comfortable. A flickering fire cast dancing shadows on the walls, and a large four-poster bed beckoned with its soft bedding. Relief washed over Suzy. She could finally shed her travel-worn clothes and unwind.

The thought of dinner arrived just then, and a warm smile spread across her face. A hot meal and a cozy bed sounded like exactly what she needed.

Unpacking her trunk, she laid out a ’simple’ gown for the morning – practical and appropriate for a Duchess on a formal visit. With a sigh of contentment, she settled down by the fire, pulling the book she was engrossed in when she was in the carriage.

Exhaustion finally caught up to Suzy. Her muscles ached from the hours spent on the bumpy carriage ride, and her eyelids drooped with a growing weariness. With a sigh, she rose from the armchair and headed towards the small bathroom attached to her room.

The bath, though simple, was exactly what she needed. The hot water soothed her tired limbs, washing away the grime of travel. Emerging from the steamy haven, she donned her nightgown, a soft silk ensemble in a delicate lavender hue that complemented her auburn tresses. The flowing gown draped elegantly across her curves, its intricate lace trim whispering against her skin as she moved. Her feet were tucked into matching slippers, their gentle warmth a comforting embrace on a chilly evening.

Returning to the armchair, she settled in with her book once more. The flickering firelight cast a warm glow on the pages, creating a cozy atmosphere that soothed her soul. Lost in the world of the story, she barely noticed when a soft knock sounded on her door.

"Come in," she called out, marking her place with a finger.

The door creaked open, and a young servant boy entered, holding a tray laden with steaming food. "Your dinner, My lady," he announced with a respectful bow.

Suzy smiled warmly. "Thank you," she said, her stomach growling in appreciation. "That looks delicious."

The boy set the tray down on a small table beside her chair. A roasted chicken, golden brown and crispy, sat as the centerpiece, surrounded by roasted vegetables – plump carrots, tender green beans, and quartered potatoes glistening with butter. A basket of warm bread completed the meal, along with a small flagon of what looked like apple cider.

"Enjoy your meal, My lady," the boy said before backing out of the room and closing the door softly behind him.

Suzy wasted no time. She attacked the food with gusto, the savory chicken and roasted vegetables a welcome change from the dry biscuits and cheese that had sustained her on the road. The bread, crusty and warm, soaked up the delicious juices from the chicken, and the apple cider, sweet and refreshing, was the perfect accompaniment.

As she ate, she couldn’t help but compare the simple meal to the elaborate feasts she usually attended. While those were impressive displays of culinary artistry, there was something undeniably comforting about this rustic fare. It felt... homey.

With a contented sigh, she finished the last bite, feeling a pleasant drowsiness settling over her. Placing the empty tray on the floor, she picked up her book once more. The story beckoned her back, and she happily surrendered to its embrace.

"Oh, this is so good!" she exclaimed to herself. "I can’t put it down!"

As she read, her eyes widened with excitement. "Wow, I can’t believe what’s happening! Why did he do that?" she whispered.

She turned the page, her heart racing with anticipation. "Come on, come on! Tell me what happens next!"

The room grew darker, but Suzy didn’t notice. She was too busy reading. "Just one more Chapter," she told herself. "Okay, maybe just one more page... Oh no, it’s getting late! I need to sleep so that I can wake up early. I don’t have the strength to argue with Ryan in the morning. But I can’t stop now! It’s so good."

She read until her eyelids grew heavy, the words blurring on the page. Finally, with a satisfied smile playing on her lips, she closed the book went to the bed and allowed sleep to claim her.