Uncomfortable Accompaniment

The morning was especially refreshing.

Birdsong filled the air in a lovely chorus. Sunlight streamed through the branches outside my window and shimmered like a curtain of light.

To borrow a phrase the minstrels were fond of, the whole world was shining.

The God of Light must be blessing me.

Even the courtyard beyond my window seemed more beautiful than ever.

The grounds, shaped by human hands but clothed in nature's colors, filled me with a pleasant sense of security. Of course, traces of the recent explosion were still visible here and there.

But that was beside the point.

Good morning, Father.

As I dressed, I offered a greeting to the statue of Father standing with such dignity in the middle of the courtyard.

Ever since I'd learned what the elf was really like, I had struggled to look that statue in the face. Today was different.

Just wait a little longer. The Church of Balance will send its knights soon.

Hamtarshin must have understood the elf's true nature by the time he left our estate. Surely he had gone straight to the diocesan bishop and reported the danger she posed.

Once the bishop knew my life was at risk, he would appeal to the Church. And once the Church learned of my predicament, it would surely consider dispatching its knights.

If the Holy Father—or even the saintess—heard my plight and took pity on me, so much the better!

With the Church's help, I'll finally be able to drive that vicious elf out of my home!

As the saying went, there was always a way out, even when the sky came crashing down.

This opportunity had to be a gift from the God of Light. Perhaps I was finally being rewarded for faithfully observing His teachings.

Knock, knock.

The sound interrupted my happy thoughts.

I rolled up the cuffs of my coat and turned toward the door.

“Speak.”

“Breakfast is ready, my lord.”

“I'll be there shortly. Let the chef know.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The servant's footsteps faded.

I finished dressing, fastened the brooch at my neck, and made my way to the dining room.

The first thing I saw when I entered was the elf on her stomach, her head lowered toward the floor.

A dog bowl sat before her, piled neatly with scraps that scarcely deserved to be called food.

I really don't understand.

Why was she so fixated on eating leftovers and refuse?

Even if being treated that way was part of the humiliation she wanted, surely it was going too far. She was the one eating it, yet I was the one whose stomach ached at the sight.

I approached with some trepidation, then forced my face into a stern expression.

Hearing my footsteps, she gave a little tremble.

“G-good morning, Master…”

“Yes. It was a good morning until a moment ago. Seeing your face has ruined it. Nothing could be more unpleasant.”

“Th-that's too cruel…”

Ignoring her faint sob, I took my seat at the table.

When I picked up my utensils, the elf began licking the scraps from the dog bowl as though this were perfectly ordinary.

“What an appetite. You even eat that greedily.”

I forced out a contemptuous laugh, turned away, and cut into my steak.

The well-seasoned meat released a buttery aroma and rich juices with the first bite. It was tender without falling apart, offering just enough resistance to be satisfying.

The chef had plainly thrown himself into improving his cooking after misunderstanding my complaint the other day.

I felt a little guilty about that.

Still, when his efforts produced a meal this delicious, it was difficult to complain.

I had eaten about half the steak when a strange whimper drew my attention.

“Ugh… hng…”

The elf's eyes were half-closed. Saliva glistened at her lips, tears gathered in her eyes, and her slender body shuddered.

Anyone watching would have thought the scraps were making her miserable.

Should I tell her to stop?

No matter what sort of humiliation she wanted, wasn't this a cruel thing to do with food?

Perhaps even the elf hated it.

I hesitated, then picked up the remaining steak and went over to her. Kneeling beside the dog bowl, I caught her gaze as she struggled with another mouthful.

“You've already been punished enough for breaking that expensive vase…”

I was about to offer her the steak.

Then I saw her expression change.

Oh, no.

I drew a sharp breath and changed course at once.

“I'll grant you a special meal as a reward.”

Tilting the plate, I let the steak slide off and fall directly onto the heap of scraps.

Only then did the elf's expression turn angry.

Thank goodness.

I breathed out in relief and tossed the empty plate aside.

“As a special favor, I'll even let you eat what was left on my plate. Far more than a vulgar creature like you deserves, wouldn't you say?”

“B-but… I'm already full. I can't eat any more…!”

“Since when have your circumstances been any concern of mine? Or would you rather be beaten again, like before?”

“Eek! I'm sorry! I'm sorry…!”

The elf recoiled and plunged her face back into the dog bowl.

“Ugh… mmph…”

An elf of the Great Forest, a member of a race spoken of with such reverence, had her face buried in a bowl of garbage.

And apparently this was what she wanted.

I stared at the miserable spectacle for a moment, then rose with a sigh.

If she insists on it, I suppose she'll be fine.

Trying to intervene out of kindness would only upset her, and upsetting her meant putting myself in danger. I clicked my tongue loudly for her benefit and left the dining room.

A clear blue sky greeted me as I crossed the corridor and stepped into the front courtyard.

A cool breeze carried the pleasant feeling of a beautiful morning.

Unfortunately, my own mood had become rather complicated.

Why…? Why would you do this?

I almost wept at the sight before me.

There stood the precious shrub whose branches the elf had hacked to pieces.

A merchant I'd long been friendly with had given it to me on the day I became head of House Deharem. It had been brought all the way from the southern archipelago and was beautiful as well as expensive.

Or it had been.

That damned elf…

Now it looked utterly pitiful.

I'd tended the plant with particular care. I'd even named it Theorad II.

One bout of the elf's careless pruning, and all that beauty was gone.

Looking at its mangled branches made my heart ache. The poor thing seemed to be suffering the same fate I was.

I'm sorry I couldn't protect you.

But hold on a little longer. Once the Church's knights arrive, that wicked elf will get what she deserves.

I wasn't sure whether I was consoling the tree or myself.

Then I heard wheels rattling in the distance.

I turned toward the sound.

A four-wheeled carriage was approaching the estate. At first I thought it might merely be passing along the road, but it came straight toward our gate.

“Whoa! Whoa!”

At the driver's call, the horses slowed and the carriage came to a neat stop.

I glanced at its side—and blinked.

The Count of Pelgaroin's family.

A swan with outstretched wings was embossed on the carriage. There was no mistaking that crest.

I swallowed, straightened my clothes, and approached.

The figure in the driver's seat leaped down and bowed.

“It is an honor to meet you, Lord Theorad Deharem.”

Broad shoulders, a sturdy back, and a powerful build suggested someone who had undergone years of hard training.

At first glance, the driver could have been mistaken for a man.

But the armor and the woman's figure beneath it made clear that she was a female knight. A blue-banner insignia marked the shoulder of her breastplate, identifying her with a knightly order.

For a woman to have earned a place among knights…

Either her family's influence was substantial or her own ability was exceptional.

Then again, His Excellency the Count would hardly have sent an incompetent escort.

“A pleasure to meet you. What should I call you?”

“Marhan, my lord.”

“Very well, Marhan. Why has His Excellency sent you?”

“To escort you to the castle, Your Excellency, so that you may act as regent in the Count's absence.”

Regent.

It was a pleasing title to hear.

“Then His Excellency has already departed for the imperial capital?”

“Yes. His departure came sooner than expected. I hope you'll forgive us for being unable to send advance notice.”

“Of course. A vassal ought to put duty ahead of personal convenience. I'll fetch my luggage and come at once. Please wait here.”

Marhan looked faintly surprised.

“Your Excellency, there's no need to rush.”

“I'm in a hurry because I wish to be. It won't take more than an hour.”

“Ah… Very well.”

“I'll return shortly.”

I gave her a pleasant smile and turned away.

I could hardly keep the grin off my face. There was a spring in my step.

I'll be able to get away from the elf for a while!

What greater cause for happiness could there be?

---

Just as I'd promised, I returned to the carriage less than an hour later, luggage in hand.

On the way out I'd been a little afraid of running into the elf while she carried out her usual morning cleaning.

At least I had seen no sign of her on the way.

“Allow me to take your luggage.”

“Thank you.”

Marhan accepted my things, hurried back to the carriage, and secured them before moving to open the door.

I watched with quiet delight.

My thoughts had become a garden full of flowers.

Once I'm at the castle, I won't have to worry about that elf watching me.

I can finally tell Ashley what's been happening.

Surely she would understand once we could speak freely. We would resolve the misunderstanding between us and recover our old affection.

The thought of spending pleasant time at the castle with Ashley, once she'd forgiven me, was enough to make my heart soar.

And while I was away, the Church would have time to consider sending its knights to deal with the elf.

Two problems solved at once.

Wasn't everything finally working out?

Am I really allowed to be this happy?

People said that happiness came after hardship.

I'd endured more than enough hardship at the hands of that wicked elf. Surely the time had come for me to rest and begin again.

I've suffered so much…

My eyes grew damp. I wiped away the tears and stepped toward the open carriage door.

“Thank you.”

Still smiling, I looked up to board.

And froze.

“M-Master…”

There was an elf sitting inside the carriage.

Why…?

Why was she in there?

Why was she already sitting in the carriage before me?

Every thought in my head vanished.

The little version of myself that had been skipping happily through a flower garden was swallowed whole by a dragon with the elf's face.

An absolute catastrophe.

Cold sweat ran down my back, and my eyes trembled.

Marhan came closer, apparently eager to explain her thoughtfulness.

“I heard this was Your Excellency's favorite slave, so I brought her along. I'm a woman, but I do understand that men have certain needs. You'll be staying at the castle for at least a week, won't you? I thought you'd want some way to satisfy your desires from time to time.”

She laughed heartily.

A vein seemed to tighten at the back of my neck.

What are you laughing at, you idiot?!

Who told you to do something I never asked for? Why? Why would you do this?!

I wanted to scream.

My legs gave way, and I sank toward the ground. Somehow I managed to draw myself upright again and reach for the brooch at my throat. My anger trembled through my fingers.

“Marhan. While I act as regent, am I empowered to stand in the Count's place?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. You are.”

“Then I shall issue my first order as his representative.”

I raised a hand that shook with rage and fixed her with a furious stare.

“You are hereby sentenced to death. Without exception.”