Temptation in the Mansion

The elf didn't say a word for the entire journey back to the mansion.

She only watched the scenery through the window, her face unreadable. That alone was strange. Normally she was forever pressing her demands on me, bending me to whatever whim had taken hold of her.

I didn't even pretend to fall asleep, afraid she might suddenly return to her usual behavior. Yet she paid me no attention at all.

I couldn't call the quiet unwelcome. Eventually, I began looking out the window myself.

By the time we reached the manor, thick clouds had gathered overhead. Havid and Beynon were waiting to greet us, each carrying an umbrella.

“Young master! Did your meeting with Her Highness go well?”

Beynon greeted me as I stepped down, grinning from ear to ear.

Six days without me had evidently treated him well. He looked healthier than ever.

So you lived comfortably while I suffered at the castle?

I felt a brief stab of resentment, but there was something disarming about that ridiculous grin. I found myself smiling back.

“It went well. Has anything happened here?”

“Nothing to speak of, except…”

“A letter arrived.”

Havid bowed and drew an envelope from inside his coat. I accepted it and examined the sealing wax. The impression stamped into it was entirely unfamiliar.

“Do you know who sent this, Chief Chamberlain?”

“I'm afraid not. It didn't come by witch courier, so I couldn't confirm its origin. You may have to read it yourself.”

If even Havid couldn't identify the seal, it was probably from a family with no dealings with House Deharem.

I broke the wax and unfolded the letter.

Dear Viscount Theorad,

Forgive me for writing without warning! My name is Branda Frederi, and my family operates a pepper plantation far to the south in the Kingdom of Agela.

You must be wondering why someone from Agela would write to a viscount of the Esteban Empire!

Before taking over the family business and expanding it in earnest, I've been traveling through the neighboring countries. Once business grows, I may never have the chance to travel so freely again. There's so much pleasure in meeting new people and hearing their stories, don't you agree?

My travels have now brought me to the County of Pelgaroin, and imagine my surprise! I heard that Viscount Theorad has a pepper plantation of his own.

I could scarcely believe it. The climate in the central Empire is ill suited to pepper trees. How on earth have you succeeded in cultivating them?

My curiosity has gotten the better of me, so I'm taking the liberty of writing. If you don't mind discussing pepper cultivation, might I pay you a visit?

I look forward to your reply!

Respectfully,

Branda Frederi, of the baronial House Frederi in the Kingdom of Agela

I folded the letter, frowning. Something about its cheerful tone had unsettled me from the first line.

House Frederi?

Was there a baronial family by that name in Agela? I couldn't remember.

Of course, being a noble didn't mean I knew every family in a foreign kingdom. Lesser houses were especially difficult to keep track of. There was nothing impossible about a little-known Baron Frederi.

Still, the message felt oddly contrived.

“For now…”

I couldn't very well turn away a foreign noble who had approached me in apparent goodwill.

I tucked the letter into my coat and turned to Havid.

“I'll reply that a visit would be welcome. Please see that we're ready to receive our guest whenever they arrive.”

“Certainly. I've been making arrangements for suitable refreshments already. We've obtained fruit syrup said to be popular on Jedo Island, and a shipment of chocolate from Balgeum arrived this morning.”

“Good. Thank you for seeing to everything while I was away. And Beynon…”

My knight hadn't expected me to address him. He turned with a start.

“Yes, young master?”

“Please don't steal the chocolate from Balgeum and eat it in secret.”

“That's unfair! I've told you, it wasn't as though I ate very much!”

“The amount isn't the point. If you want some, ask me. I'm hardly going to refuse. There's no need to sneak around.”

“Well, you see…”

Beynon stroked his chin, looking genuinely troubled.

“Unless you offer it first, young master, I feel a certain shame asking to help myself to my lord's property.”

“But you feel no shame stealing it?”

“That's different. If no one knows, it's a perfect crime…”

So that's your reasoning?

I stared at him. Beynon scratched the back of his neck and gave me an embarrassed smile.

“Only joking, of course! From now on, I'll ask your permission before taking chocolate.”

“You won't promise to stop eating it, though.”

“Well… If it troubles you that much, I could buy my own with my own money—”

Thump!

Havid's fist caught Beynon on the shoulder, cutting him short. Beynon turned to the older man with an aggrieved look.

“Grandpa! Why did you hit me?”

“You little wretch! I've tolerated enough of your back talk to the head of the house! How many times have I told you to show some respect?”

“Why are you angry? I'm offering a compromise. I'll pay for it myself! You'd understand if you tasted Balgeum chocolate. Even you would end up like me!”

“Why, you—!”

Havid frowned and rolled up his sleeves. His thin wrists hardly looked threatening, but Beynon raised both hands in an extravagant show of surrender.

“All right! I'm sorry! Please calm down. I won't eat any!”

“It's the young master you should be apologizing to!”

Watching the two of them bicker, I finally felt as though I'd come home.

I laughed and stepped between them.

“Enough. I was only teasing him. It's just chocolate. House Deharem can afford a little indulgence, so eat it if you like. Just make sure we keep enough for guests.”

Their reactions couldn't have been more different. Beynon nodded happily, while Havid looked almost crestfallen before recovering himself and bowing.

“As you wish, young master,” Beynon said.

“I'll see to it, my lord,” Havid added.

I inclined my head toward the mansion.

“Go inside and rest, both of you. I'd like to look around the front grounds before I come in.”

“Very well,” Havid said. “But those clouds look threatening. Please take an umbrella.”

He offered one with both hands. I thanked him and accepted it. The two bowed and started toward the entrance.

“Listen here, boy,” Havid's voice drifted back. “A household knight owes his lord proper loyalty…”

“Are you still angry, Grandfather? The young master said it was fine!”

They were arguing even as they walked away.

I watched them for a moment, then looked into the carriage.

The elf was gone.

Where did she get to?

I searched the grounds until I spotted her crouching near a wall. A black cat I'd never seen before stood in front of her. She was swishing a foxtail back and forth, luring it closer.

Swish…

The cat's golden eyes followed every movement of the grass. It crouched with its hindquarters raised, preparing to pounce. The sight was absurdly cute.

So even the elf likes cats?

For a moment, seeing her play with the animal stirred a warmth I rarely felt toward her.

Then the cat sprang.

Just as its paws reached for the foxtail, the elf snatched the animal out of the air and pinned it to the ground.

“Mrrrow!”

The startled cat cried out and thrashed. The elf's face didn't change. She held the struggling creature down by its throat, choking it.

Her lips moved as though she were muttering something, but I couldn't make out the words.

She's going to kill it!

I hurried toward them.

“Stop!”

The elf flinched at my shout. The cat seized its chance, tore itself free, and scrambled up the wall.

For a moment she stared at the place where it had vanished. Then she looked up at me, displeasure showing in her red eyes.

I could hardly believe what I'd seen.

“Why would you torment an innocent creature?”

“…I wasn't tormenting it.”

“You weren't? Are you going to lie to me now, too? I saw you choking that cat with my own eyes. How can you deny it?”

“That's…”

She bit her lower lip. Beneath her lowered eyelids, those blood-red eyes wavered as though she were the one being wronged.

That was what I couldn't stand. A creature had approached her without fear, and she'd treated its life like a toy. Yet now she looked at me as though my accusation were unfair.

I'd had enough of pretending this was a harmless game.

“Are you angry?” I asked.

I tried to keep my voice steady.

“Is it because of me?”

I looked up at the darkening sky and sighed.

“Then take it out on me. Threaten me the way you always do. Satisfy whatever it is you want from me.”

“Master…”

“I'm begging you. Don't hurt anyone else. If someone has to suffer because of you, let it be me.”

The elf lowered her head without answering. Her fists tightened at her sides.

Pat. Pat.

Rain struck the back of my hand and landed in her hair. I opened the umbrella and moved it over her crouched figure.

“Get up. I won't leave you out in the rain.”

She didn't move.

The drops grew heavier until they became a downpour.

Hissss…

Rain drummed against the canopy. The elf's silver hair was getting wet even beneath it. Water pooled around us, and the silence seemed to deepen with every moment.

Whatever she was feeling, she kept it to herself.

“Master…”

Her voice shook above the rushing rain.

“Do you hate me?”

It sounded like a question whose answer she already knew.

What do you want me to say?

I exhaled, my breath cold in my chest, and lowered myself onto one knee to face her.

“Ask yourself the question the other way around.”

She wouldn't lift her face. Her eyes remained fixed on the muddy ground, her hands clenched tight.

I looked at her and said what I truly felt.

“Do you think I could ever like you?”