Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Teasing, Letters, and Looming Judgment
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The words "elf slave" made my facial muscles twitch involuntarily, against my will. He was the one having fun, not me—the elf was.
"You seem awfully curious about everything."
"Of course I am. With such large breasts, sensual hips, silky hair, and a face that could topple kingdoms. And for our young master, who always shunned women, to fall head over heels at first sight and bring her home—need I say more?"
"She is pretty, sure..."
"So, did you do it?"
"Do what?"
"This, I mean. This."
I glanced sideways, and there was Baynen pressing his palms together and pulling them apart repeatedly. Each time, the sound of air and skin meeting carried a strangely lewd undertone.
What a madman. He was doing it, but somehow I felt embarrassed.
"Shameless... Stop that!"
"You haven't done it yet?"
"I said stop!"
When I yelled again, Baynen gave an awkward smile and shrugged.
"I'm just worried about you, young master. You'll have to consummate with Miss Esilly someday. Why not practice with the slave beforehand?"
"Wh-why would I need to practice that?"
"You wouldn't know, but men usually turn into rabbits on their first time. The woman is just starting to feel the foreplay, and the man finishes first. Think she'd like that?"
"What do you... Rabbits?"
"It's a derogatory term for a man who climaxes so fast the woman doesn't even get to enjoy it. For the record, my first time was a rabbit too. Exactly 3 minutes and 48 seconds. With Tanila, a prostitute at the Red Rose Tavern."
"Wait. How do you even remember the exact time?"
"I counted in my head while thrusting. It was a milestone day."
He really is insane.
"...Enough of that nonsense. And Baynen."
"Yes, young master."
"Can't you drop the 'young master'? I'm the Family Head of the Deharm Viscounty, you know. Please show some respect in your address."
Baynen blinked in surprise, then stroked his dark stubbled chin.
"But I've called you young master for so long. I can still see the boy whose eyes lit up begging me to teach him swordsmanship..."
"I'm not asking you to forget the memories."
"Hmm. But doesn't 'young master' bring back good old times? Lately, you've been so focused on the family's prosperity, working all day—it's frustrating to watch. The late Family Head wanted your happiness, not just the family's success."
The conversation was veering off. Baynen was deliberately steering it away. Did he hate calling me Family Head that much?
I wasn't sure if he still saw me as a child or refused to acknowledge me as Family Head, but either way, it didn't sit well.
"Tch. Do as you like."
I clicked my tongue irritably, and Baynen scratched his cheek sheepishly.
After a silence, Baynen stared blankly out the window, then snapped his fingers as if remembering something.
"Oh, right. It's been a while since you went out—want to grab a meal before heading back?"
"Unnecessary expense. We can eat at the mansion."
"I see. Too bad. I wanted to introduce you to this place I know. Their cooking is amazing."
Ignore him.
"The meat bursts with juices the moment you chew, the vegetable garnishes are all fresh, and the seafood—rare around here—flops like it was just caught. Especially the shrimp pickled in sauce; its chewiness is indescribable."
I should ignore...
"Then there's the macaroni with grated cheese. Top ingredients meet a skilled chef's hands, blending in perfect harmony, swirling through your mouth in ecstatic bliss. Heavenly, I'd say."
Against my will, saliva flooded my mouth from my glands. After swallowing hard for a bit, I looked up as if helpless.
"If you're begging that much, fine, we'll check it out. Might even give our mansion's chef some inspiration."
"Heh heh. Understood."
Baynen's sly smile annoyed me, but I couldn't pass up good food.
*
After dining with Baynen and returning to the mansion, the sky was already painted with sunset.
"Good work handling the horses. Go rest. You too, Baynen."
After dismounting and sending off Baynen and the coachman, I headed into the mansion but stopped short. A woman was flying toward us on a broom against the sunset backdrop.
The wide-brimmed hat adorned with all sorts of trinkets marked her as a witch for sure.
'What business does a witch have at my mansion?'
Puzzled, I clasped my hands behind my back and waited. The witch landed lightly on the ground and picked up her broom. A "Apprentice Witch" badge gleamed on her chest.
"Hello. Perfect timing—you're here. You're Theodor, Family Head of the Deharm Viscounty, right?"
"You know me?"
"Of course. You're the one I'm delivering this letter to—how could I not?"
Ah, someone sent me a letter via witch express. I nodded, and the witch smiled brightly as she handed over an envelope.
"Here you go."
"Thank you. Must have been a hassle—appreciate it."
As I thanked her and took the letter, my breath caught for a moment.
The seal depicted a sharp-eyed swan with wings spread wide.
'The Pelgaroin Count family...'
The sharp-eyed swan with outstretched wings was the symbol of the Pelgaroin Count family. A letter from them? The reason was obvious.
'Probably to reprimand me for my disgraceful behavior toward Esilly.'
It made sense if Esilly had returned to the castle and told the Count everything. Disappointed by my antics, His Excellency had sent this to scold me.
I tore open the seal with a heavy heart and read the contents.
『To my dear Theodor.
I hope you're well. Forgive me for not visiting the mansion lately amid all my busy affairs.
I'm writing because my sister Esilly has been acting strangely since meeting you, and I wondered what happened.
Usually, after seeing you, she'd come back beaming, chattering away—mostly about your virtues, embarrassingly enough.
But this time, no. She seemed lost in thought, brooding over something.
When I asked why, she just brushed it off vaguely.
Did something bad happen between you two? If there's any way I can help your relationship, I'd be glad to—just say the word.
With affection, Fred.』
It wasn't from the Count after all. Relief washed over me once I finished reading.
Fortunately, Esilly had kept my disgrace quiet. Truly grateful.
"All done reading?"
The witch asked brightly. I nodded, and she mounted her broom in midair.
"Anything to send back? I'll stop by the Count's on my way home."
"Ah, in that case, I'll write a reply in my study and..."
"No can do. Sunset already. Witches handle errands only until the moon rises. It's a binding pact from Walpurgis Night—even His Imperial Majesty can't break it."
Fussy witch. No choice then.
I paused, then spoke.
"Tell them there was a small misunderstanding. I'll explain everything to Esilly when I visit the castle soon."
"Got it."
The witch smiled and kicked off the ground. Whoosh! Her broom soared high, carrying her away into the distance.
As she faded, swallowed by the sunset, I snapped out of my daze and started walking.
'I can't keep getting pushed around.'
The mishap with the elf was still just a minor misunderstanding, but it could grow into a massive scandal threatening the family's reputation.
'I have to stop it first.'
Unless I uprooted the root cause—that elf—I'd keep facing dangerous situations.
So tonight, I would definitely hunt that elf...
No, that demon.
Entering the mansion, Harbid rushed over hurriedly. He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, then clasped his hands politely and bowed.
"You're back, Family Head."
"Yes."
"I'm sorry I couldn't greet you at the gate. I was tied up with some matters..."
Apologizing profusely for a late welcome. His work ethic was admirable, but his excessive deference sometimes felt burdensome.
I gently grasped Harbid's shoulder to reassure him.
"No worries. I've long known how hard you work for the family."
"Family Head..."
His eyes glistened with emotion. Was the reaction too intense? Feeling awkward, I cleared my throat and walked on.
Harbid fell in step beside me. I glanced at him sideways and continued.
"More importantly, what matters? Something wrong at the mansion?"
"Oh, nothing to worry about. I was just coming back from requesting a heretic inquisitor from the local parish cathedral."
"...Heretic inquisitor?"
Why?
Seeing my feigned surprise, Harbid smiled steadily.
"Didn't you say you'd take responsibility for finding who desecrated the late Family Head's statue? You even said we could use some family authority."
"True."
"So I invoked the family name with the cathedral priests. That someone violating the Light God's precepts in the human world was at our mansion, and you wished for an inquisitor to be dispatched."
Are you mad?! That culprit is standing right in front of you, Harbid!
I wanted to scream, but couldn't show it. Composing myself, I steadied my voice.
"What did the priest say?"
"The bishop said he'd pass it along after mass. He added that the bishop himself wanted to repay the Deharm Viscouty's generosity."
"So high chance the inquisitor visits my mansion."
"Indeed. A joyous occasion."
"Joyous, huh."
Not wrong. The problem was it was joyous turning into joyous-death .
I'd lived devoutly, never breaking the faith's doctrines—or so I thought. Now, accidentally labeled a heretic, I faced punishment.
Worse, heretic inquisitors were zealots who revered only the Light God, regardless of status.
'If the inquisitor uncovers my lie...'