Slowly, but a Little Suddenly (3)

Theorad couldn't answer.

For a moment, time seemed to stop. The elf's request made so little sense to him that his thoughts refused to settle.

It was as though an enemy who had pursued him to the edge of a cliff had suddenly thrown down her weapon and offered him a hand.

What is she trying to accomplish?

He frowned at the elf, searching her face for some sign of a trick.

If it was one of her cruel jokes, he wanted to tell her to stop. But he could see nothing false in her eyes. Whatever the reason, she seemed sincere.

That sincerity left him more helpless than any threat.

The silence stretched.

“…You said you'd listen to anything,” the elf murmured.

“I have no intention of taking back my word. It's only…”

I can't possibly treat you the same way I treat Ashley.

The words rose to Theorad's lips, but he swallowed them. He was afraid of hurting the elf again.

He didn't know that an unfinished answer could be more painful still.

The elf bit her lower lip and lowered her eyes. When she spoke again, her voice trembled with something like anger.

“You said you'd listen to anything.”

The repetition stung Theorad's conscience.

He had wronged her. He had offered to make amends. He could hardly refuse now simply because the request was difficult.

After a long hesitation, he nodded.

“If that's what you want, I'll do my best.”

“Your best…”

The answer didn't satisfy her. But perhaps it was the most she could expect of him.

The elf rose, taking her bowl of dog food with her.

“Then I'll look forward to it. Starting tomorrow morning.”

“All right.”

She turned and walked away.

Theorad watched her go, then let out a sigh and pushed himself to his feet.

It's only for tomorrow. One day…

It wouldn't be easy. But surely he could manage that much.

---

The following morning, the elf opened her eyes to the sound of birds singing.

And immediately froze.

Theorad was sitting in a chair beside her bed, reading an open book.

His hair was neatly combed, and he was fully dressed. He must have risen early and prepared himself before coming to her room.

…What?

She had asked him to treat her like Ashley for the day. She hadn't expected him to stand watch beside her bed until she awoke.

The elf lay perfectly still, unsure what to do.

Worse, she was wearing only her underclothes. The blanket covering her was all that stood between Theorad and the greater part of her bare skin.

He had seen her naked many times before, and they had had sex. Even so, finding him beside her bed without warning while she wore little more than underwear felt entirely different.

For all her power and long life, she was still a woman. This unexpected attention made her wary in a way she couldn't explain.

“Ah?”

Theorad noticed she was awake and closed his book.

He smiled awkwardly.

“Good morning. Did you sleep we—”

His voice cracked.

Ahem.

He cleared his throat and tried again.

“Did you sleep well? I wanted to be here when you woke up, so I've been waiting.”

It was kindness, however clumsily offered.

The elf wasn't ready to accept it.

She sat up and pulled the blanket to her chest.

“…I slept well.”

“Then I'm glad. It would break my heart to hear you'd had another nightmare.”

“…Your heart would break.”

She repeated the words quietly, her ears trembling.

An unfamiliar sensation moved through her chest. Awkwardness, perhaps, was the largest part of it.

She felt as though she'd put on clothes that didn't fit.

If this is the love Ashley talks about, I don't think I need it.

She was almost ready to withdraw her request when Theorad coughed and rose.

“Now that you're awake, get dressed and come out.”

He opened the door and left before she could answer.

He, too, must have found the entire performance uncomfortable.

The elf sighed, got up, and dressed in her maid's uniform.

When she stepped into the corridor, Theorad was leaning against the wall and breathing out wearily. He looked like a servant preparing himself for another exhausting day.

“Master?”

“Ah.”

He straightened and changed his expression at once, arranging his features into a smile.

She could see how forced it was. She didn't ask him to stop. Watching him try was unexpectedly amusing.

“Come along. We ought to have breakfast.”

He held out his hand.

Compared with hers, his hand was broad and slender. Today it seemed strangely unfamiliar.

“…”

Perhaps it was the first time he had offered it with nothing but goodwill, without a harsh command or a bitter feeling to disguise.

That was what made it so difficult to accept.

An odd, ticklish feeling stirred in her chest. Even her breathing grew unsteady.

How foolish. It's only a performance…

She pushed the thought away and took his hand.

His fingers closed gently around hers. She found that she didn't dislike their warmth.

“Follow me.”

He set off, his voice outwardly matter-of-fact.

She followed, then looked up with a question.

“I didn't bring my bowl.”

“It doesn't matter. You asked me to treat you like Ashley today, didn't you? I don't feed Ashley dog food.”

That was only natural.

The elf nodded and let him lead her to the dining room.

Creeeak.

Inside, a generous spread of food waited on the large table. It was more elaborate than the household's usual breakfast.

As she followed Theorad into the room, she happened to catch the chef's eye through the kitchen doorway.

He smiled broadly and gave her a thumbs-up.

He must have been told.

Theorad had evidently asked the cook to make something special so she could have proper food for once instead of eating from her usual bowl.

It was difficult to understand.

Does the head of a house really influence everyone who lives there? Why are there so many kind people in this mansion…?

“Sit here.”

Theorad drew out a chair for her.

All this unexpected courtesy felt oppressive, but the elf kept her expression composed and sat down.

Theorad took his own seat and picked up his knife and fork. His gaze softened as it met hers.

“The chef has worked harder than usual today. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.”

“Thank you.”

Anything would be better than dog food.

She picked up her utensils and began cutting her steak.

To Theorad, the sight was unfamiliar, yet she handled the knife and fork with practiced elegance. Every movement, from slicing the meat to lifting a bite to her lips, carried an ease that suggested long familiarity with formal meals.

Theorad watched, momentarily distracted.

He remembered something Ashley had once said about elves. There were those who differed from the others, and a privileged few whose standing and bearing set them apart.

He had assumed the elf must be one of the unusual ones. How else could a noble creature willingly call herself a sex slave? Yet now, watching her eat, he began to suspect the latter possibility.

But why?

Why would someone with such an air of refinement come to House Deharem and insist on being treated as a slave?

The elf noticed him staring and turned her clear red eyes toward him.

“Master? Is something wrong?”

“Ah…”

Theorad jerked back, caught off guard.

“I was just thinking how beautiful you are.”

He had spoken hastily to conceal his suspicion about her identity.

The elf, unaware of his thoughts, was taken aback.

Had Theorad called her beautiful before? Perhaps. But she couldn't remember him saying it with such unguarded admiration, without the smallest trace of an insult.

Maybe he's using this chance to say what he truly thinks. I did ask him to treat me like Ashley…

Satisfied with her explanation, she raised her chin and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

Lerazie had said that men were drawn to the back of a woman's neck. She tried the advice now.

Theorad didn't react. He simply looked down at his plate.

The elf lowered her hand as though nothing had happened. Her expression stayed calm, but the tips of her ears had turned red.

“Do you like the food?” Theorad asked.

His innocent question irritated her more than it should have.

“…It's good.”

“I'm glad. Although you've got a little something here.”

He drew out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. For an instant his fingers brushed her lips through the cloth before withdrawing.

“You seem familiar with table manners, but you've forgotten one thing. When you eat rich or heavily seasoned food, cut it into small enough pieces that it won't stain your lips.”

“I know that.”

“Then why didn't you?”

“It's been a long time since I've had a proper meal, Master.”

“That's no excuse. From now on…”

“…No. There won't be a next time.”

Theorad let the words trail off and took a sip from his wineglass.

The elf's fingertips trembled.

There would be no next time. His kindness was only for this one day. The thought left her feelings more tangled than before.

Theorad didn't notice.

He set down his glass and spoke as casually as if making a suggestion to Ashley.

“When we've finished eating, how about a walk toward the county square? It's close to the busy part of town. There should be plenty to see.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I'm not certain I can treat you exactly as I treat Ashley, but I'll do my best.”

Ashley again.

Why did he keep bringing her up when she wasn't even here?

Of course, the elf herself had asked to be treated like Ashley. Still…

He doesn't have to remind me every time.

Something like jealousy rose inside her. She tried to steady her breathing, then looked sideways at Theorad.

“Master. Don't talk about Lady Ashley.”

“What? But you were the one who said yesterday—”

“I told you not to.”

After a brief hesitation, Theorad nodded.

He didn't understand what he'd done wrong, but she looked angry.