Theorad Dreams (2)

The silence that followed Beynon's unexpected confession lasted far longer than it should have. None of us knew how to respond.

Professor Roylen was the first to regain his composure. As the Princess's trusted subordinate, this matter was his responsibility.

“...Sir Beynon. Please listen carefully and don't misunderstand me. I assure you, what I'm about to say is no joke.”

By then, even Beynon had sensed something was wrong. He lowered the towel he'd been using to wipe his face.

“Professor? Why do you look so frightened? Have I done something wrong?”

“Yes. To put it plainly, you have.”

“I have…?”

Beynon swallowed. Visibly rattled, he turned toward me and raised his right hand as if swearing an oath.

“I'll confess! I've been secretly eating those expensive chocolates from the drawing room. I was curious about the taste, but once I tried one, I couldn't stop. I didn't eat very many, though! About three—”

“What?”

So that was why the chocolates in the drawing room kept disappearing. I'd suspected the elf. I had never imagined the culprit was Beynon.

I stared at him, speechless. He clasped his hands, his face crumpling into a pitiable expression.

“I'm sorry, young master! I'll never eat another chocolate! Deduct the cost from my wages if you like! But summoning members of the imperial family just to catch me? Isn't that going a little too far?”

Where was I even supposed to begin? The entire situation was a disaster. I sighed at him.

“That's not why the imperial family is here. They've brought my reward for completing the artificial-rain spell.”

“Really? Then what have I done wrong…?”

“Allow me to explain,” Roylen said, smiling awkwardly. “Her Highness read Secret Tryst with a Princess, which you wrote. When she discovered you hadn't released a new volume in three years, she was so angry that she ordered your arrest.”

“What? The Princess herself read my book? But more to the point…”

Beynon frowned in bafflement.

“Why would she arrest someone for not writing the next volume?”

“Sir Beynon. Please mind how you speak about Her Highness.”

“Ah, forgive me. But I truly don't understand. If I'm arrested, will I be punished?”

“Well… The Princess said she'd kill the author, but I'm sure those were only words. In reality, the punishment would be comparatively light.”

“How light?”

“Perhaps a whipping, followed by solitary confinement until you finish writing the next volume.”

He called that light? Beating a man, then locking him alone and forcing him to write a book! What sort of inhuman treatment was that?

Beynon had turned pale. At that sight, I decided I had to intervene. I couldn't allow the only knight sworn to House Deharem to be mistreated over something so ridiculous.

“Professor Roylen.”

“Yes, Lord Theorad?”

“Even if the order comes from Her Highness, it's unjust to arrest my vassal knight merely because he hasn't finished a novel. I'd be grateful if you would ask the Princess to reconsider.”

“Hmm. If that's your wish…”

Roylen was about to nod when Beynon abruptly interrupted him.

“Wait a moment. Professor, I've been thinking. What if I can persuade Her Highness that I had a good reason for stopping the series?”

“If you persuade her, that would be ideal. There would be no trouble between the imperial court and House Deharem, and Her Highness would surely receive you as an honored guest.”

“An honored guest? What exactly would that entail?”

“While you're staying in the capital, you could have almost anything you wanted.”

Something strange kindled in Beynon's eyes.

“Even beautiful women?”

“If that's what you want. There are plenty of elegant women in the imperial capital.”

This conversation was taking a very troubling turn.

Beynon, what the hell are you doing? I just offered to get you out of this!

Beynon rubbed his rough chin, weighing his chances, then nodded with sudden resolve.

“Good. I'll go to the capital.”

I stared at him.

“Beynon! What are you talking about?”

“Her Highness has ordered my arrest. Shouldn't I go?”

“Didn't you hear the professor? They might whip you!”

“Not if I manage to convince the Princess.”

“And if you fail, you could face worse than a light punishment!”

“Young master.”

Beynon patted my shoulder. He wore the smug smile of a middle-aged man preparing to lecture someone much younger about life.

“This is a gamble worth taking. Don't worry. I'll win, and I'll protect both my own safety and the dignity of our house.”

I was at a loss for words. Who gambled his life on such a thing?

Worse, I had the distinct impression that the thought of frolicking with the capital's women mattered more to him than the family's standing—or his own life.

“I've told you before. I was a mercenary before I became a knight.”

He gave my shoulder another couple of pats and looked toward the sky with a self-satisfied air.

“That's why danger isn't enough to frighten me away. They say every ordeal that doesn't kill you makes you stronger. A man has to climb over such walls in life.”

“...I see.”

Any desire I had to save him drained away.

With a rueful smile, I turned to Roylen.

“Please, take him to the capital. A whipping may be the only thing that knocks some sense into him.”

“I find myself inclined to agree,” Roylen murmured, quiet enough for only me to hear.

Then he smiled brightly at Beynon and began guiding him toward the mansion gates.

“Splendid! What courage you have, Sir Beynon. Come with me. We can reach the capital at once through the warp gate in the square.”

“Aren't those gates expensive?”

“Ha ha. Don't worry. The imperial family will cover the cost.”

I watched them leave with a head full of uneasy thoughts. Most of them were worries about Beynon. Shaking my head, I approached the wagons. The imperial knights had followed Roylen, so the courtyard was quiet now.

“Chief Chamberlain, have you checked exactly what was delivered?”

Havid caught up with me and answered at once.

“Two wagons of gold and silver treasures, one wagon of fine silk, and one of books. We were also given fifteen horses.”

Even hearing the list again, I could scarcely believe the amount. There was much I could do with it, but it was safest to put everything away for now.

What if the imperial family changed its mind about the reward and demanded everything back after I'd spent it? With public feeling toward the court so hostile lately, caution seemed wise.

“Store the goods in the house warehouse for the time being. We may find uses for them later. Have clothes made from the silk for each of the servants and slaves. As for the horses, take five of the stronger ones to the horse market for sale. And put the books wherever there's space in the mansion library.”

“As you wish. But are you certain you want to use the silk for our clothing?”

“Of course. Haven't you worn the same clothes for eight years? I should have paid more attention. I'm sorry I didn't.”

“My lord…”

Havid's eyes shone. Getting moved over the smallest kindness was one of his bad habits. I patted his shoulder before he could start crying and inspected the wagons with him.

“They really did send a great deal.”

After checking the last load—the wagon full of books—I brushed my hands together and stepped back.

“Now call the servants and slaves and tell them to carry everything into the warehouse—”

I broke off. A woman was running toward the mansion as though something dreadful was pursuing her.

Her unusual hair, pink with a trace of black, stood out even at a distance. I watched in confusion as she passed through the mansion entrance and rushed straight toward me.

When she reached me, she dropped to her knees, struggling for breath.

“P-please… save me…”

Tears gathered in eyes the same pink as her hair. Her clothes had been torn nearly to shreds, leaving her half naked. What fabric remained scarcely covered her nipples, and part of her areolas was exposed.

She was clearly an attractive woman, but that could hardly matter now.

I knelt in front of her and put my hands on her shoulders.

“First, calm down. What happened to you?”

“I don't know… I don't know… Slave hunters captured me. They injected me with some strange drug… I barely escaped, but I don't even know where I am…”

Slave hunters? In the County of Pelgaroin, a place known for its safety? That was strange. But I couldn't simply accuse an apparent victim of lying.

“Take a slow breath first. In and out.”

“Y-yes… Haa… haa…”

“Feeling a little better?”

“A little…”

“Then tell me your name and where you live. I'll see what I can do to help.”

“My name is Seredi—no! My name is Petrad. As for where I live… I don't know. I can't remember.”

“You can't remember?”

“No… Maybe it was the drug the slave hunters gave me…”

A drug capable of erasing memories. I'd never heard of one, but slave hunters might well possess such a thing. There were pills that made breasts produce milk, after all.

Still, how was I supposed to help a woman who remembered nothing but her name?

As I struggled with that question, she suddenly threw her arms around me.

“Please, even if it's only for a few days, let me stay in your mansion! You can violate my body if you want—ah!”

Her breasts pressed against me. The sensation was distressingly difficult to ignore.

“A-all right, I understand, but first—!”

“Please let me stay! You can violate me as many times as you please!”

“That's enough!”

No matter how I tried to pull away, she clung to me, weeping. She seemed quite determined not to let go, and I couldn't force her away with my own strength.

I turned to Havid to ask for help—and froze.

The elf was standing nearby, watching me with an icy expression.

“Who is that?”

When had she appeared? She must have seen us through the window she'd been cleaning and come down to investigate. What a dreadful misunderstanding!

“I swear I've never seen this woman in my life! She just came running up and asked me for help—”

“I see.”

The elf cut me off and looked at the woman clasped around me. I couldn't read the emotion in her red eyes.

“Would you please remove yourself from my master immediately?”

The woman's sobbing stopped. She looked up at the elf with obvious displeasure.

The elf smiled.

“I told you to get away from him.”

Her voice was perfectly courteous, almost businesslike. For some reason, though, it sounded to me like the growl of a wild beast.