•Inn's First Floor•
Ovelia's POV
The warm aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon enveloped us as we stepped into the inn's bustling dining area. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden patterns on the wooden floorboards. Villagers looked up from their meals, their faces brightening as they greeted us with cheerful "Good mornings" that we returned in kind - Ann with her usual polite smile, Ace with a curt nod, and me with perhaps too much enthusiasm, still buzzing from our rooftop morning.
My eyes scanned the room, searching for Mrs. Melinda and Chief Gareth but they were nowhere to be seen. The clatter of pots from the kitchen suggested they were busy preparing more food. The thought made my stomach growl in anticipation.
