The Fiancé I Don’t Want to Lose (2)

Bringing an elf into the mansion had been entirely my own doing.

Maybe the disaster I was facing was punishment for my wickedness. If so, I had no intention of blaming anyone else. I had decided to purchase an elven sex slave while driven by an excess of lust and a pitiful amount of reason.

Even so, I couldn't bear the thought of innocent people getting hurt because of my mistake.

I had to take responsibility for the problems I'd caused. That was my duty as a nobleman.

“Lord Theorad, head of House Deharem, has arrived!”

The servant announced me in a voice loud enough to preserve my dignity, then opened the drawing-room door.

I kept my gaze straight ahead as I entered. At the sight beyond the doorway, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Nothing's happened.

I'd been imagining a worst-case scenario too dreadful to put into words. Instead, Ashley and the elf were chatting pleasantly.

And you're as beautiful as ever.

Ashley's long blond hair glimmered like gold in the sunlight, and her lapis-blue eyes were as lovely as a clear summer sea.

If other women were pebbles scattered along a beach, Ashley was a brilliant jewel. Her heart was as generous and open as the ocean, too. How could anyone look at her and not fall in love?

Smiling, I walked toward her, but lifted a hand to stop Havid from following.

“I'd like to speak with her alone.”

“Of course. I'll make sure no one disturbs you.”

Havid understood and stepped back, shutting the drawing-room door behind him.

I would have liked him to take the elf out as well. Unfortunately, slaves were generally treated as possessions rather than people. I couldn't fault him for failing to count her when I'd asked to be left alone.

“Ah! Lord Theorad!”

As I approached, Ashley broke into a bright smile and waved.

It was hardly proper etiquette for a noble lady, but no one was watching now. What did it matter?

I smiled and waved back.

“It's been a while, Lady Ashley.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she laughed shyly. We'd seen each other only two weeks ago. Could that really be called a long separation?

I pulled out a chair and seated myself opposite her, keeping my composure. That was when my gaze naturally shifted to the elf standing at Ashley's side.

She wore a maid's uniform, probably provided by Havid. If I had to describe the look she gave me in one word, it would be displeasure.

Damn it.

Just hold on a little longer, elf. Once I get Ashley safely out of here, I'll give you all the verbal abuse you want.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting. Weren't you bored while I was away?”

At my question, Ashley glanced at the elf and smiled with obvious delight.

“Not at all. I was so happy to meet an elf I'd only ever seen in fairy tales that I lost track of time.”

“Oh? Is this your first time meeting one?”

“Of course. Elves are among the rarest races to encounter. They rule the Great Forest and almost never come out of its depths. You couldn't meet one even if you wanted to.”

That was true. Unless slave hunters happened upon a lost elf and captured her, people almost never saw one outside the forest.

If the merchant was right, the one in my mansion had let herself be captured on purpose.

“But if she was caught by slave hunters, she must be quite young, right? An elf more than a hundred years old could probably play with those hunters as though they were children.”

“Ah… well…”

I hadn't realized Ashley knew so much about elves.

Was she exceptionally knowledgeable, or was I exceptionally ignorant?

Probably both.

I nodded, admitting defeat.

“Right. As for her age… I suppose you could say she's twenty-five.”

“Twenty-five? Good heavens! I thought she was younger than me, and I've been treating her that way. She's actually three years older! How pitiful, to have become a slave at such a lovely age.”

Ashley turned to the elf with a sympathetic gaze.

Veins stood out on the elf's forehead.

She was keeping her expression blank, but I could practically feel the displeasure radiating from her.

I was certain that if Ashley showed this elf any more affectionate interest, she would be killed!

I hurried to change the subject.

“M-more importantly, what brings you to my mansion, my lady? You didn't send word ahead.”

“What? Are you unhappy to see me?”

Ashley puffed out her cheeks in a sulk. The corners of my mouth rose despite myself. Even that expression was adorable.

“Of course not. I only wondered whether something special had happened.”

“Well, if you mean business… I see. The main reason was that I wanted to see your face, Lord Theorad, but I also came to deliver a message.”

“A message?”

“It seems my father will have to go to the imperial capital soon. His Majesty has summoned the lords from across the country again. Honestly, I'm sick of it. How many times is he going to talk about a northern expedition to conquer the demon realm? It's not as though he'll actually set out!”

“Lady Ashley. I understand your frustration, but you should be careful what you say…”

“If I couldn't speak freely with you, I wouldn't have come. Don't you think His Majesty has been acting rather strangely, Lord Theorad? It's almost as if these summons are just a display of power to keep the lords in line.”

She didn't hesitate at all.

Had she spoken like that to another noble, she might have been accused of insulting His Majesty. But she trusted me enough to be candid.

I couldn't say I disliked that.

“Anyway, that's why Father will soon ask you to take charge of the county.”

“His Excellency the Count wants me to act as regent?”

“Yes. You've only recently become head of your family, but you're still the rightful Viscount Deharem. I think Father intends to use this chance to test your ability to govern.”

That was surprising.

I'd always assumed the day would come when I'd administer the county on the count's behalf. My father had often done so whenever the count requested it.

But wasn't this too soon? I was still getting used to managing my own household, and now I'd be expected to govern an entire county.

Then again, perhaps it was an opportunity. If I performed the duties of regent well and won the count's support, House Deharem could grow in standing and prosperity—

“Master.”

A sharp voice cut through my thoughts.

I turned. The elf was staring at me with vacant eyes.

“Is there anything else you require?”

Fear and resentment sent a shiver through me.

I couldn't start treating her the way she wanted while my fiancée was sitting right in front of me.

“No, I don't need—”

I fell silent.

The elf's eyebrows had twitched ever so slightly.

She was doing her best to conceal it, but I'd learned to recognize the signs.

Gulp.

My throat tightened.

That was it. Her breaking point.

I couldn't assume that her obedient posture meant she was calm. Water was still just before it boiled, and the elf seemed moments away from boiling over.

I had to satisfy her need for abuse here and now. Otherwise, the moment I left the drawing room, both Ashley's head and mine might come off.

“…On second thought, there is something. Come here.”

I beckoned with a finger. The elf approached at once.

Now that I'd called her over, what was I supposed to do? Slap her?

No. This masochistic elf hadn't been satisfied even with a naked walk. A mere slap wouldn't be enough.

That left only one option.

“I don't like a lowly slave standing on two legs in front of me.”

“Lord Theorad…?”

Ashley looked at me, baffled.

I couldn't help it.

With tears threatening to gather in my own eyes, I picked up my teacup and rose.

“And I don't like you looking me in the eye, either. I thought I'd taught you your place yesterday, but apparently you still haven't learned.”

I slowly tipped the cup.

The black tea swayed near its rim, then poured in a stream over the elf's head.

“Ah!”

Steam rose from the hot tea. The elf flinched in surprise.

“I-I'm sorry… I've sinned…”

Tears welled in those red eyes, which were doing such a convincing imitation of innocence.

Anyone who didn't know her would probably be moved to comfort her at once. But I knew what lay beneath that miserable expression.

To my terrified eyes, those tears weren't asking me to stop. They were asking for more.

“Do my words mean nothing to you? You're still standing on your own two feet, you insolent wench!”

I hurled the empty teacup to the floor.

Crash!

Fragments scattered in every direction.

“Lord Theorad!”

Ashley's voice was almost a scream, but I did my best to ignore it.

Fuck! I'm not doing this because I want to, Ashley! Please, just stay quiet!

“Get down on all fours and pick up the pieces. A task fit for a wretch like you.”

“B-but, Master…”

“No backtalk. Disgusting.”

I frowned. The elf sank to the floor, crying.

Looking down at her tea-soaked silver hair made my heart ache for reasons I wished I could ignore. As deranged as she might be, I'd brought her here. I couldn't escape the guilt of what I was making her do.

“If you pick up broken glass with your bare hands, you'll hurt yourself…”

I reached into my pocket for a handkerchief.

The elf looked up at me.

The change in her face made me hastily stuff the handkerchief away again.

“…Which makes it the perfect work for someone as vulgar as you.”

I hurriedly corrected myself and sat down.

Ashley's gaze stung so badly that I had no choice but to stare at the refreshments on the table.

A cold silence settled over the drawing room. Only the occasional clink of the elf collecting broken pieces could be heard.

Neither Ashley nor I knew what to do. The elf, on the other hand, began begging through her tears.

“Please forgive me, Master. If I keep doing this, I'll cut my hand on a piece of glass…”

You're the one who wouldn't let me give you a handkerchief, you bitch!

“Ah! I cut myself! There's blood on my hand… Blood… I'm not even on my period, and I'm bleeding, Master…”

Don't say something so indecent in front of Ashley! How the hell am I supposed to respond to that?

“Lord Theorad.”

The coolness of that voice made the back of my neck go rigid.

I summoned the courage to look up.

Ashley was staring at me with open contempt.

“I must have judged you wrongly. I thought you were a man blessed with human decency and wisdom. It seems you're little better than a fool.”

Terrifying.

Seeing someone who was normally so gentle turn so cold was truly frightening.

If I stayed silent, she would conclude once and for all that I was a complete piece of trash.

I had to explain myself.

Somehow!

“Ashley, you've misunderstood! I have a reason for doing this!”

“Oh? Then let's hear this wonderful reason.”

“It's… I have a disease that will kill me if I'm kind to my slaves.”

The moment the words were out, I drew a sharp breath.

You idiot! What kind of disease is that?!

Ashley appeared to be thinking exactly the same thing. If anything, her contempt deepened.

She stared at me for a long while, then pressed her lips together as though struggling to suppress her disgust.

“What kind of sophistry is that?”

At her accusation, exhaustion washed over me from head to toe.

Ah.

Could this really be happening?

Maybe I was trapped in a nightmare.

“M-Master… My finger hurts so much…!”

A truly terrible nightmare.