Mero is escorted back to the inn. The pirate lord, though a ruthless man of power, demonstrates an unexpected sense of honor. In a heavy silence, the return journey unfolds, but a strange feeling of relief fills Mero. The pirate lord, adhering to what seems to be his own code of honor, allows him to leave the house without violence, honoring the tacit agreement they had negotiated. This rare ounce of honor in such a chaotic world leaves Mero both perplexed and relieved.

  At the inn, an odd calm reigns, as if the atmosphere of the outside world has left a mark on this place meant to be a refuge. Upon entering, Mero spots Master Antonin and Leila, who appear to be conversing quietly. Their eyes turn to him with concern. The silence, once again, seems to echo, as if everyone is waiting for the other to speak. But it is now clear that what transpired in the shadow of the pirate lord is merely the beginning of a much more complex series of events.

  Master Antonin, in a calm but concerned voice, speaks as soon as Mero arrives. "What happened? Where were you taken? Did they harm you?" The questions weigh heavily in the air.

  Mero stares at Master Antonin before turning his gaze toward his nurse. A heavy burden rests on his shoulders. He knows he must reveal the full extent of the situation to them. In a grave voice, he says, "I have extremely important things to tell you. Let’s go to the room."

  Master Antonin and Leila exchange a discreet yet questioning glance. A heavy silence settles between them, each understanding that what Mero has to say goes far beyond the scope of a mere daily adventure. Master Antonin slowly nods, his face hardened by an anxiety he doesn’t try to hide. "Alright, let’s go to the room. We’ll talk there." Leila remains silent, her face marked by palpable concern.

  The walk to Mero's room is done in tense silence, an almost tangible tension. Once the door is closed behind them, the air seems to grow even heavier, as if the room itself absorbs the events that have unfolded. The room, once a simple place for rest, now becomes a sanctuary of uncertainties and secrets. Mero feels watched, weighed, and every word to come will carry considerable weight.

  Master Antonin fixes Mero with an unusual intensity, his gaze penetrating. "Speak," he says, his voice firm but filled with worried curiosity. "It’s clear something serious has happened."

  The silence extends, heavy, and it is the words of Mero's nurse that finally break the tension, although her voice struggles to mask her concern. "What happened?" The words hang in the air, suspended, and Mero realizes that this moment marks a crucial turning point. He must now reveal the whole truth.

  "During the day, I received gifts from children," he begins, his voice deep. "Out of politeness, I accepted them. However, these gifts came from the daughter of the local pirate lord. At the bookstore, I was taken by his men. They made it clear that accepting gifts from a young girl was an acceptance of marriage. They wanted to force me to marry this girl. I managed to get out of it by promising to be engaged to her, but I insisted on getting your approval."

  The silence that follows these revelations is almost unbearable. Master Antonin, arms crossed, watches Mero with a scrutinizing gaze, his face dark with both perplexity and intense concentration, trying to understand how such a situation could have developed.

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  Leila, clearly shocked, sits in a corner, her hands clenched on her knees. She seems both relieved and worried, aware that this revelation only opens the door to even greater dangers.

  Master Antonin takes a deep breath, straightening slowly. "You did well not to accept immediately. It’s an age-old trap. Gifts from a girl, especially one from that family, are a strong sign in their culture. A promise of commitment." He pauses, and his face darkens even further. "What you did, invoking your age and the need for my consent, was smart. You played it well. But that doesn’t mean the situation is resolved."

  He fixes Mero with a gaze now full of gravity. "If the pirate lord accepts your argument, that will be a victory for you. But... be careful not to provoke this family too much. They have their own codes of honor, and if you cross them too roughly, there could be consequences."

  Master Antonin pauses, scanning Mero one last time as if to probe his intentions. "For now, you must remain calm and follow protocol. We must secure an official meeting, either with the pirate lord or with a representative. And above all, never underestimate the weight of local customs. If a marriage of this nature were to take place, it must be under conditions that preserve your dignity and ours."

  Leila, in a soft voice tinged with concern, speaks up. "Don’t worry. We’ll handle this."

  Master Antonin nods and turns back to Mero, his gaze still grave. "You’ve taken an important step. Now, we must decide the best way to manage this situation. We must take the initiative, but with caution. No rushing. Understood?"

  The tension is palpable, but through his words, Mero senses that he is no longer alone in this trial. Yet despite Master Antonin’s and Leila’s support, he knows that the next chapter of his journey is more uncertain than ever.

  Mero nods slowly, his mind swirling with thoughts. "Yes, master, I understand."

  Master Antonin stares at him for a moment, a light sigh of acceptance escaping his lips. The look of satisfaction on his face only adds to the weight of the situation. "Good. It’s crucial that we remain cautious in the coming days. Every move must be measured. We must carefully evaluate our options. If this engagement promise is to come to fruition, everything must align with our customs, never losing sight of our priorities."

  He then turns to Leila, before focusing once again on Mero. "We must also think about how to consolidate our position here. It won’t be easy, but I trust in your ability to navigate this sea of troubles, as long as you remain calm and rational."

  Leila, whose concern has slightly faded, nods, a semblance of serenity returning to her gaze. "We will overcome this challenge, like all the others."

  Master Antonin straightens up, his imposing posture filling the room with palpable authority. "It’s still early, but we must find a way to meet this pirate lord. In the meantime, it is imperative that you be less visible in public. And above all... no more accepting gifts without thinking."

  He fixes Mero one last time, his gaze carrying a special seriousness, then makes a gesture, signaling that it’s time to prepare to leave. "Always move forward, but with discretion."

  The weight of these words hangs in the air. The situation is fragile, but Mero can feel, through his master’s authority and Leila’s care, that he is not alone. The road ahead is fraught with obstacles, but a path is gradually taking shape beneath his cautious steps.

  The next day, the atmosphere at the inn is thick with palpable tension. The pirate lord’s men have taken positions around the building, their imposing presence felt. Mero is the only one not permitted to leave. His footsteps echo in the deserted inn, a heavy solitude stretching into every corner.

  His master and nurse left at dawn, their destination unknown, with only one goal in mind: to meet the pirate lord. The silence hanging over the inn feels almost suffocating. Mero cannot help but feel trapped, like a bird whose wings have been reduced to the impossibility of flight. Each passing minute seems to stretch like an eternity. What will they do? What will be the outcome of this meeting? The uncertainty is even heavier than the day before.