Unfortunate Love; Married to the Devil Prince

The Inn.

Finally, they could rest. As the carriage came to a halt, the door was opened by the coachman Leo. Nyx blinked, trying to steady herself as Alaric stepped out first, then turned to offer her his hand. His grip was firm when she took it, grounding her slightly as she stepped down.

She lifted her gaze to the building before them.

The inn stood quietly, blending into its surroundings. It was a simple one-story structure, its wooden exterior slightly worn not very old. The paint had faded in places, and the roof showed signs of age, but there was something about it that felt… welcoming.

Above the entrance hung a wooden sign, gently swaying in the evening breeze.

‘Your Peaceful Place.’

Nyx found herself staring at it for a moment longer, the place in deed seemed like peace.

It wasn’t grand. Like what she had imagined it to be, but somehow, it felt right.

Alaric didn’t hesitate. He led the way inside, still holding her hand, his pace steady but not rushed. The other carriage and horses began to move into the building, as his men followed in.

The moment they stepped in, a soft warmth greeted them.

The inside of the inn was just as simple as the outside, yet it carried a quiet charm. Wooden tables were arranged neatly across the room, each one polished just enough to reflect the soft glow of the lanterns hanging from above.

The walls were plain, decorated only with a few modest frames and woven fabrics, but the atmosphere was calm and soothing. The place felt like home.

A low murmur of voices filled the air, people speaking in hushed tones, as though everyone understood that this was a place meant for peace. Nobody wanted to spoil the atmosphere.

Nyx’s eyes moved slowly around the room, taking everything in.

Then something caught her attention. The people.

As Alaric walked further in, a few of them noticed him. One by one, they stood not in panic, not in fear but in quiet acknowledgment. They bowed their heads slightly, their expressions soft, almost familiar, and some of them even smiled.

It wasn’t the kind of respect Nyx had seen in the palace. There was no tension, no stiffness. It felt… genuine. Like they knew him. Like he belonged here.

Nyx frowned slightly, her curiosity growing, but she said nothing. Her husband would not answer if she asked anything now and she did not want to be embarrassed here.

An older man approached them likely the innkeeper. His face lit up the moment he saw Alaric.

“You’ve returned,” he said warmly.

Alaric gave a small nod. “We need a place to eat.”

The innkeeper’s gaze briefly shifted to Nyx, taking in her condition, and his expression softened further.

“Of course,” he said. “Please, sit.”

They were led to a table near the corner, away from most of the noise. Nyx sat down slowly, her body grateful for the rest, even if her mind was still unsettled.

Moments later, a bowl of warm soup was placed in front of her.

The scent alone was comforting.

“Eat,” Alaric said simply.

Nyx was already salivating. She picked up the spoon, her hands still slightly unsteady, and took a small sip.

Warmth spread through her almost instantly. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was till she started eating.

As she ate, she could feel her body slowly relaxing, the strange heaviness easing just a little. The soup was simple, perfectly made light, soothing, and filling in a way that didn’t overwhelm her.

Across from her, Alaric sat in silence. He wasn’t eating, he wasn’t speaking, he was just… watching.

Not in a way that made her uncomfortable, but not in a comforting way either. His gaze would shift occasionally from her, to the window, to the people around them as though his mind was elsewhere entirely.

Nyx found it strange.

He didn’t seem bothered by anything.

Not the journey. Not even the fact that they had stopped. It was like this was normal for him.

When she finally finished, she set the spoon down gently, letting out a quiet breath. But she still felt a bit uneasy in her stomach.

“I need…” she paused, swallowing. “The restroom.”

Alaric nodded, signalling to the innkeeper who came quickly.

A room was prepared for them upstairs, and Nyx made her way there with careful steps. The moment she entered, she felt like jumping on the bed, and she felt a bit dizzy.

She quickly made her way to the washroom, taking her time to steady herself.

By the time she was done, she lingered for a moment, staring at her reflection in the mirror in front of her. Her eyes seemed heavier. Her movements slower.

“Get it together,” she whispered.

When she stepped out of the room, the world tilted slightly.

Nyx reached for the wall, catching herself before she could stumble. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stand straight.

She couldn’t afford to look weak. Not here, especially not in front of him.

But the moment she took another step, she felt that overwhelming wave of exhaustion again.

Before she could react, a hand caught her arm.

Alaric.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly, trying to pull away slightly.

“You’re not,” he replied calmly.

There was no accusation in his tone. Just a quiet certainty.

Nyx hesitated. How could she look this weak? uhhg.

“We’ll stay here tonight,” he continued.

Before she could respond, the innkeeper appeared at the doorway.

“My lord,” he said carefully, “there is only one room left. The others are fully occupied.”

He paused, then continued.

“I can have someone leave if…”

“Do it,” Alaric said without hesitation.

“No.”

Nyx’s voice was firm, surprising even herself. Why did she have to talk?. But she had already said it no going back.

Both men looked at her. So she continued…

“You shouldn’t chase people away because of us,” she added, her tone softer now. “We’ll manage.”

Looking at her husband with pleading eyes.

Alaric studied her for a moment.

Then, without another word, he nodded.

The innkeeper smiled slightly and stepped away, leaving them alone.

Nyx was surprised he agreed to her suggestion, she never expected it.

The room was simple just a bed, a small table, and a window that let in the cool night breeze.

Nyx didn’t waste time. The moment she reached the bed, she lay down, her body sinking into the softness as if it had been waiting for it all day. The relief was immediate.

Alaric sat at the edge of the bed, his back slightly turned to her, his gaze fixed on the window. The breeze moved through his hair gently, and for a moment, he looked almost… untouchable. He looked more like a god, not just an ordinary human.

Nyx watched him quietly.

Then, before she could stop herself, she spoke.

“You seem to be lonely.”

Alaric didn’t respond.

Nyx waited, nothing as usual.

After a moment, she turned her head away, facing the wall instead.

Maybe she shouldn’t have said that.

Her thoughts drifted, slowly, as sleep began to pull at her. Images of home filled her mind with laughter, of quiet moments, and Abigail. Her chest tightened slightly. She missed her.

More than she expected. It was just a day apart and it felt like years apart.

She was just beginning to slip into sleep when…

“I’ve been lonely all my life.”

Nyx’s eyes opened slowly.

She didn’t turn to look at him.

For a moment, she thought she had imagined it. But his voice had been real.

She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word…

“Sleep,” he said.

His tone was back to normal now, distant.

“Tomorrow is another long journey.”

Nyx closed her mouth.

She lay there quietly, staring into nothing, her thoughts swirling.

Lonely all his life. She didn’t understand him. But somehow… she wanted to.

Her eyes grew heavier.

The room fell silent once more, filled only with the soft sound of the wind brushing against the window.

And slowly, without realizing it—

Nyx drifted into sleep.