Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Unwelcome Passenger
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"I'll specially let you dispose of the food I was eating. For a lowly bitch like you, this is more than you deserve, isn't it?"
"H-Huh, but... I'm full, I can't eat anymore...!"
"Should I care about your situation? Or do you want to get beaten like before?"
"Eek! S-Sorry...!"
The elf plunged her face into the dog bowl in a panic.
"Hic... Sniff..."
A noble elf of the Great Forest, burying her face in a dog bowl and eating food scraps. And she had chosen to do it herself.
I watched the bizarre scene for a while, then let out a sigh and stood up.
'She wants it this way, so it should be fine.'
If I interfered unnecessarily and upset the elf, I'd only make trouble for myself. To avoid arousing her suspicion, I deliberately clicked my tongue and left the dining hall.
Crossing the corridor to the front yard, a clear blue sky greeted me. The cool breeze blowing in brought happiness to the world, but my mood was complicated.
'No, why this...'
Seeing the white osmanthus shrub that the elf had butchered right before my eyes nearly brought tears to mine.
It was a precious gift from a merchant friend on the day I became head of the Deharm family. A beautiful shrub airlifted from the southern archipelago of islands—its value went without saying.
'Damn elf...'
Now it had devolved into a pathetic bush. The tree I'd named Theodrad II and cherished had lost its beauty in one of the elf's pranks.
Looking at its ravaged canopy, a pang hit my heart. They say shared misery draws sympathy. This tree seemed to represent my current situation, stirring unexpected emotions.
'I couldn't protect you, I'm sorry. But hang in there. The moment the Order's knights arrive at this estate, that wicked elf will get her due.'
As I offered comfort—to the tree or myself, I wasn't sure—a rumbling sound of carriage wheels came from afar.
Wondering what it was, I turned to see a four-wheeled carriage approaching the estate's main gate. At first, I thought it was just passing by, but no.
— Whoa! Whoa!
With the coachman's command, the carriage came to a neat stop at the gate. Staring blankly at its side, I was quite startled.
'Pelgaroin County.'
The spread wings of a swan embossed on the side made it clear this was a carriage from the count.
Gulping, I straightened my attire and approached. The knight from the coachman's seat jumped down and saluted me.
"Lord Theorad Deharm, Family Head. It's an honor to meet you."
His broad shoulders and burly build screamed warrior. He looked the epitome of a rugged man—except he wasn't one.
The chest of his breastplate protruded noticeably, marking her as a female knight. And the blue banner etched on the shoulder pauldron showed she was from the knight order.
'A woman who rose through the knight order to knighthood.'
Her family must wield great influence, or her skills exceptional. Naturally—the count wouldn't send just anyone to escort me.
"Pleased to meet you. What should I call you?"
"Marhan, at your convenience."
"Right, Marhan. Why has the count dispatched you?"
"To escort Family Head Theorad Deharm to the capital as Regent Excellency."
Regent Excellency. A title that inexplicably lifted my spirits.
"So the count has gone to the imperial capital?"
"Yes. It happened sooner than expected, so we couldn't send word ahead. Please understand."
"Of course. As a vassal fulfilling my duties, I can't put personal matters first. I'll grab my things right away—wait here."
Marhan looked a bit surprised.
"Regent Excellency, there's no need to rush like this."
"I'm eager to go. It won't take more than an hour, so stand by."
"Well... Understood."
"Be right back."
I flashed Marhan a smile and turned to head inside. My lips twitched upward, my steps light with mischief.
'It means I can escape the elf for a while!'
That was reason enough to rejoice.
*
Less than an hour later, I returned to the carriage with my luggage. I'd been on pins and needles, hoping not to run into the elf during her morning chore of cleaning the estate.
"Give me your luggage."
"Sure."
Marhan took it from me as she approached. She quickly secured it on the carriage, then prepared to open the door.
I strolled leisurely, enjoying the sight. My mind was a field of flowers.
'Once I'm at the capital, no need to watch the elf. I can tell Esili everything.'
That would clear up the misunderstanding and restore our old relationship. Then, spending sweet times with a now-favorable Esili at the palace—my mood soared just thinking about it.
Plus, while I'm staying at the capital, the Order would deliberate sending their knights. Two birds with one stone. Was everything going too perfectly?
'Is it okay to be this happy?'
Life's ups and downs, as they say. Bliss after hardship does come. After all, how much had I endured the elf's antics? Time for a well-deserved vacation.
'You earned it.'
Wiping a tear from my eye, I approached as Marhan opened the carriage door.
"Thanks."
I smiled in thanks and lifted my head to board—then froze solid.
"Maaaster..."
The elf.
The elf was sitting in the carriage seat.
'Why...?'
Why the hell was the elf already in the carriage before me? My mind went blank, uncomprehending. The version of me frolicking in my mental flower field got devoured by the elf in dragon form.
Total disaster. Cold sweat dripped, my pupils quivering, as Marhan sidled up with a grin.
"I heard she's a slave you cherish, so I brought her along. I'm a woman, but I know men's needs inside out. You'll be staying at the capital at least a week—gotta relieve some urges now and then, right?"
Haha! Watching Marhan guffaw heartily made my nape crick.
'What the hell are you grinning about, you idiot...!'
Why do something I didn't ask for! Why! Just why! I wanted to yell, but that would ruin my dignity.
Suppressing my rage all winter, I fiddled with the brooch at my throat.
"Marhan. Am I correctly acting as the count's proxy?"
"Yes? Indeed."
"Then, as his proxy, here's my first order."
Raising a trembling hand in fury, I glared at Marhan and ground my teeth.
"You're sentenced to death. No exceptions."
"...Pardon?"
Marhan blinked in confusion. She'd only meant well, yet suddenly 'you're dead'—cognitive dissonance hit hard.
But unsolicited goodwill can be rude. Marhan's unasked action forcing me to travel with the elf was a prime example.
"Uh, um. That's sudden, but..."
Her thick brows slanted as she pondered, then snapped her fingers in realization.
"Ah! Is this some trendy salon prank? I'm hopeless with that stuff, so sorry for not catching on."
Seeing Marhan scratch her nape sheepishly, my anger deflated a bit.
Fair enough—death for bringing a slave? Absurd, even from her unaware perspective. She'd naturally take it as a joke.
"A joke..."
Lowering my shaking hand, I forced calm.
"Yes, a joke. But remember this one thing."
"What might that be?"
"Don't act on your own initiative from now on. Especially while I'm proxy for the count."
"Ah, yes. Duly noted."
Marhan saluted crisply, hand to chest. I acknowledged it casually and entered the carriage.
"Closing the door, Regent Excellency."
Creak—clunk.
The door shut.
"Then, we're off!"
Marhan's booming voice rang out as the horses neighed and bolted. Through the small side window, the scenery shifted rapidly—she was driving fast.
'...Can't she go faster?'
Fast enough, but unsatisfying. A great mage-turned-self-proclaimed slave elf sat right beside me.
Alone in the sealed space, my mouth went dry. No escape route amps psychological pressure plenty.
Still, no showing it. I glanced at the elf as naturally as possible.
"..."
The elf was primly dressed in a frilled maid outfit. Her hair neatly groomed, a red ribbon on the right side—she could pass for a pampered housemaid, not a slave.
A far cry from her usual ragtag attire. When Marhan planned to take the slave, Habid must've fussed over her to preserve my dignity.
'Definitely... pretty.'
In rags and crude acts, beauty was hard to see. But lightly dolled up, she exuded allure to ignite any man's possessiveness.
If only her personality were milder. Sighing softly, I straightened my clothes and leaned back.
The breeze from outside was chilly. Closing the window, I cleared my throat to get the elf's attention.
"It'll take quite a while to reach the capital, so get some shut-eye."
"Master? No need to worry about me..."
"It's not worry for you—it's for me. I'm going to the Pelgaroin count's household. If you act disgraceful there, what happens to my reputation?"
One of the elf's eyebrows twitched. My words basically declared no abuse in the carriage—reason enough to irk her.
But I wouldn't back down. With regency duties, no more letting the elf toy with me. At least not while proxy for the count.
"Reputation..."
The elf muttered softly, then nodded.
"Understood, Master."
Surprisingly compliant. I'd worried about hassle, but relief washed over me.
Feeling at ease, I closed my eyes. As I'd said, plenty of time to the capital—a nap was in order.