Chapter 19 – The Shivering Ball
Was it possible to feel someone’s gaze with such a poignant sense?
I don’t know when the elf got off the wagon, but I felt a tingling sensation in my back.
There was no need to react. If I show rudeness in front of Essilly again, my position will fall to the point of absurdity.
Besides, I really like Esily. I don’t know if this is a feeling of love, but every time I met Esily, I felt fulfilled and happy every day.
So I didn’t want to lose. It means that I will not let the elf ruin my relationship anymore. I looked up at Essilly, trying to calm her down.
“Long time no see. Lady Esily.”
“Yes. By the way…”
Esily, who gave an awkward answer, stared at the elf behind me. She slipped beside her and glanced at the elf, who also did not avoid Essilly’s gaze.
“Hey…….”
She was acting frightened by shrinking her body and lowering her mouth, but only her eyes were looking straight at Esily.
“…….”
An icy silence follows. She had no idea what Essilie was thinking as she looked down at her elf with a utterly emotionless expression.
“Sir Theorard.”
The blue eyes that had been watching the elf for a while turned to me this time. As I stared at her in surprise, Seeley spoke to her in a low tone.
“You brought the elven slave I saw before.”
I didn’t bring you here, Esily!
I wanted to shout, but I couldn’t, so I just kept quiet inside.
“Yeah, that’s right. Did I do anything disrespectful?”
“No. I’m OK. I’m not in a position to argue about Lord Theorard’s carrying a slave. I didn’t even hold the ceremony, but I don’t want to do anything presumptuous.”
The grave tone makes my heart ache. It would be really nice to be able to vomit the truth.
As I suppressed my resentment and kept my smile all winter, Fred burst into laughter and clapped his hands cheerfully. It was a way to evoke the awkward atmosphere.
“Haha! No matter how pretty that slave is, stop being jealous, Esily. Not only does it make it difficult for the brother-in-law, but it also goes against your body system.”
“I am not jealous. Brother, why are you so narrow-minded?”
“No. If you’re going to tell a lie, take a hand mirror out of your pocket and look at her face first. The bitterness on your face is not the only one.”
“No, that…….”
Both of Eshili’s cheeks blushed slightly. She seemed to be looking at me on the air, and then she covered her mouth with her hand and let out a low cough.
“Anyway, Sir Theorard. There is going to be a ball at the annex this evening, so I would like to ask you to attend if you don’t mind.”
“Ah. I heard from Prince Fred. Unless there’s something special, I’ll be sure to attend.”
“Like. Brother?”
Unknowingly, Essilie bumped Fred’s arm with her elbow. Fred seemed to have recognized that as a signal, and let out a smirk.
“It seems that Esily is embarrassed because she is in front of you. We’re going to finish taking a walk, so go inside the castle first and be briefed on the basics of your duties.”
“Yes? Wasn’t Young master taking care of the house like me?”
“I’m sorry. I am a man with no talent for government. If it’s hunting, I want to keep my distance from the troublesome things in my family. Don’t worry though. Mar Han, who was in charge of escorting the brother-in-law, will faithfully convey the words of his father.”
“If that’s the case, then I understand.”
Fred nodded his head as I politely put my hand on his chest his.
“Then see you later.”
Fred kicked his horse in the side. The horse, with a light tour, passes the wagon and crosses the drawbridge. Esily also rode along with Fred.
Unlike Fred’s rough and reckless horseback riding, Essilly was riding her horse her calmly and gracefully.
“Oh, my brother—! Don’t play around, slow down!”
…… It seemed that Fred had the upper hand in terms of skill.
“Your Excellency the Regent.”
As she was staring at Seely in dismay, Marhan approached and bowed her head.
“I will take you to the castle now.”
“I will.”
I glanced at the elf and climbed back into the carriage. The elf comes in after me and takes the seat next to me. Seeing the elf staring straight ahead without a word gave me goosebumps.
“…….”
If you’re curious because you didn’t know what Esily was thinking, the elf was scared because you didn’t know what she was thinking…….
*
The count’s office.
“While staying in the castle, you can look at the office here.”
I arrived at the office under Marhan’s guidance and looked around.
‘It’s amazing.’
The room was very spacious and antique, probably because it was the office used by the head of the county Pelgaroin who ruled the county.
One thing that stood out in particular was the huge tabletop standing on either side of the desk.
The one on the left is a tabletop that the Count received directly from His Majesty the Emperor for participating in the Orc Conquest War eight years ago.
On the right is a tabletop with the design of Count Pelgarin engraved on it. Tradition and luxury ooze out.
A space where the status of the family stands out. Seeing my work in a place like this just makes my heart feel grand.
“Can I work in a place like this?”
When I conveyed the words with emotion, Marhan humbly nodded.
“Because he is the Count’s deputy. It is a right you deserve.”
“No. It’s not right. Originally, it was normal for Prince Fred to take care of the main duties and for me to be the assistant. No matter how regent I am, this is my first time.”
“That is…”
I turned my head and looked at the hesitant Marhan.
“I heard that Prince Fred let go of family affairs eight years ago. Is it because of the influence of Prince Veneller, who passed away during the Orc Conquest War?”
As if caught off guard, Marhan hesitates.
Judging by his hesitant lips of hers, he seemed to be careful of his words of hers. I also sighed lowly because I had no intention of asking further than this.
“You must have gone to a good place. If Prince Beneller can’t enter heaven, then heaven is worse than nonexistence.”
“Yes. The God of Light must have given you a place in heaven.”
A belated solemnity descends between me and Marhan. I had no intention of gaining weight like this.
I took a deep breath and let out a cough.
“Rather than that, I want to take over. Is there anything I should be particularly concerned about?”
“Ah. The management of the estate is going back to normal, so you don’t have to worry too much about it. There won’t be any problems in a week. But…….”
“But?”
“For the past month or so, the’ten bandits’have been rampant, and His Excellency has been in trouble.”
If you are the enemy of the Ten……. It seemed like I had never heard of it.
“Aren’t they the ones who target the nobles of the county and commit robbery?”
“Yes. However, since some of the property these guys robbed is distributed to the people of the territory, it is not the only one that is in trouble.”
“I understand. It must be difficult to ask for cooperation from the local people. Even if you try to figure out their base, the locals won’t tell you easily.”
“Yes? Oh yes. The investigation is not going smoothly as some of the villagers who were favored by them are spreading rumors that they are bandits. No matter what I ask, I consistently answer ‘I don’t know’. ….”
It’s a simple story. A mysterious group that robbed nobles of money scattered some of the money to the local people, making the investigation difficult. Because the title of ‘Royal Enemy’ will hold a place like a hero in the hearts of the people of the province. The locals will not cooperate with the investigation without knowing it.
However, this is a crime anyway. It is an evil act that can never be tolerated, and it is a selfish and premeditated good deed. It had to be rooted out before things got bigger.
“I will find out once. If you have a map showing the area where the crime took place and a collection of testimonies from the villagers, bring it to me. And…….”
“Your Excellency the Regent.”
Marhan cuts him off just as he is about to say a few more documents. When I looked at him wondering why, Marhan said with a troubled expression.
“I know you are in a hurry, but I think it would be better for you to ignore your duties for today. If you are going to attend the welcome party in the evening, you will have to dress up and get ready for departure by now.”
“Oh, um.”
Come to think of it, it’s not wrong. I even said that Esily was waiting for me at the prom. After thinking for a moment, I nodded.
“Okay. However, I will not accompany the slave, so please do not tell this to the slave I brought.”
“I honor you. Then I will tell you to prepare the wagon.”
Chuck. Marhan, who raised a military rite, opened the door of the office and went out. Left alone, I scratched my cheek for no reason.
‘It’s a welcome party.’
I wasn’t too fond of noisy spaces, but if I made good use of this opportunity, I might be able to explain my innocence to Essilly.
Having made up my mind, I stood in front of the mirror and adjusted my clothes.
‘I need to look good for Essilly.’
I am so nervous that my hands keep shaking.
*
When I came out of the castle at the beginning of the sunset, a coachman was waiting for me accompanied by a four-wheeled carriage. Because it was to move a short distance, there was no escort.
“I will serve you comfortably. Be the regent.”
“Thank you.”
I greeted the coachman and boarded the carriage. Sitting on the seat and shaking off the sleeves, the coachman closes the door.
I checked my outfit one more time and then leaned back in my seat with confidence.
‘With no elves, I can tell Esily the truth.’
How much trouble had he suffered from noticing the elf? This time, I secretly prepared a carriage to prevent the elves from following me, so everything should go smoothly.
‘…… But why don’t they start?’
Feeling puzzled, I tapped on the coachman’s seat.
“Hey. Why don’t you start and stay still?”
“Yes? My master’s slave is coming this way…….”
“What?”
What kind of bullshit is that? Embarrassed, I opened the window and showed my face. Looking back, the elf was eagerly running, just like the coachman said. Even with refreshments prepared on a silver tray in her hand.
‘Crazy…… !’
Is it Marhan? No, it can’t be. You wouldn’t have ignored my words twice.
‘Then who?’
Maybe that elf waited until I left the castle? I knocked on the carriage in fear as goosebumps came up.
“Let’s go, let’s go!”
“Yes? Hasn’t the slave arrived yet?”
“It doesn’t matter, just leave!”
The coachman, bewildered by my intimidation, hit the reins violently.
“Hey!”
The rough-to-reel horses run forward. Shocked by the sight, the elf accelerated his running speed and stumbled upon a rock.
“Hee!”
Wow Jangchang! The teacup hits the floor and breaks, causing the black tea to explode. Luxurious sweets were covered with dust, and the elf’s clothes were dirty in an instant.
“Heh, hehe…….”
The elf sobbed low in a pitiful manner, then reached out to me and begged.
“Please wait, my master…… !”
Bitch waiting. Rather than waiting for you, I will go to the Seven Hells of the Demon Realm and wait for the Demon King to come. The moment I clicked my tongue and tried to be relieved, the movement of the carriage slowly began to slow down.
When I looked back at the coachman in a curious wind, he was looking at the elf with a dim complexion.
“Good. I’m not going to say anything, but since you’re pitiful, wouldn’t it be better to just give me a ride?”
What a crazy sound!
“Stop talking nonsense! I’m more pitiful!”
“Yes? What is that……?”
“Shut up and stop talking! Right now!”
When I threatened again, the coachman was taken aback and drove the horse again. Only then did I feel relieved and pushed myself into the carriage.
‘Thank god.’
I’m afraid of the aftermath, but what can I do? I’d rather die than lose Esily to the elves.
No matter what happens today, I won’t be fooled by the elves.
Having made up my mind, I slowly put my beating heart to rest.
