Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Elf Who Wants to Be Insulted
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‘Damn it.’
The choices available to me here boil down to two. Enter the ballroom with the elf and face the risks, or drag the elf out of here and suffer alone.
Anyone forced to pick one would go with the latter. I wasn’t any different, so I calmly lowered the hand clamped over my mouth.
“Sorry, but I just remembered some urgent business.”
“……Your Excellency the Regent?”
“That’s why I need to head out now. Proceed with the welcome reception without me.”
“But if you leave like this, Lady Essili will be disappointed. It would be rude to the other guests as well.”
“You’re not wrong, but I have to go right away. Otherwise, it’ll be a disaster—”
“Master!”
A clear voice sent a chill straight down my spine.
Creak. I forced my head toward the sound, and there was the elf, tears welling up as she ran toward me.
‘Don’t come over. Please.’
I issued a silent eviction in my mind, but of course it didn’t work. The elf closed in before I knew it, panting as she placed both hands in front of her chest. Her ample breasts pressed together naturally.
“Master said to bring refreshments to the annex, but I was so clumsy I spilled them on the way. I’m sorry, Master…….”
Her frightened expression was perfect. The servant beside me seemed to buy her act completely, gazing at the elf with pity.
More than that—what the hell was with the elf playing it so straight-faced? I held my tongue, unable to figure it out, and she spoke again.
“I won’t make any mistakes inside the annex…….”
A strange pressure emanated from her hesitant posture.
‘I see.’
This elf wanted me to take her into the annex. Whether it was revenge for me trying to ditch her or part of the plan all along, I had no idea.
Either way, I had no choices left now. Swallowing tears inside, I brushed past the elf.
“Worthless trash. If you screw up inside the annex too, I won’t let it slide.”
“Y-Yes…….”
The elf followed behind me, replying in a cowed tone. The servant hesitated for a moment before falling in step beside me. Eyeing me cautiously, he spoke up softly.
“Your Excellency the Regent. The slave’s clothes are dirty. Wouldn’t it be best to have her change?”
“No need.”
If I sent her off to change under that pretense, who knew what might happen. To dodge the immediate crisis, I couldn’t risk inviting the worst outcome. Keeping her by my side was the safest bet for now.
The servant gave me an odd look but didn’t press for reasons.
We reached the annex entrance, and the servant threw open the grand doors, bellowing loudly.
“The Seventh Head of the Viscount Deharm Family, trusted Count, His Excellency Regent Theorad enters the annex in his supreme presence!”
His voice was so booming I thought he’d used an amplification spell. Thanks to it—or whatever—as I entered with the elf, the eyes of the ballroom’s assembled nobles turned to me.
Hands paused mid-grab for food and desserts at the laden tables, gossiping noblewomen’s fans snapped shut as their chatter died down, and scholars mid-debate on the world’s proper path fell into a hush.
The silence didn’t last. They soon burst back into lively conversation, enjoying the annex party. A few smiled and waved at me, so I returned awkward grins.
‘This is suffocating.’
I didn’t relish places where I had to wear a mask and play pretend. Still, since the Felgaroin count family had set this up for me, I couldn’t show displeasure.
Plus, with the elf at my side—her thoughts a total mystery—I had to watch my every move. Best to avoid contact with others, stay quiet, and slip out……
“Theorad!”
I startled at the gruff voice and turned.
A toad-like face, bulky build, and gaudy clothes marked him as Felgaroin’s third son, Malden. I offered a courteous smile and bow.
“Long time no see, Young Master Malden.”
“Indeed. Must’ve been a rough trip from the county’s outskirts. But that slave by your side—she’s new.”
Malden licked his lips, eyeing the elf up and down. Unhappy with the gaze, refined mana rose around her like delicate threads.
‘Shit……!’
It was obvious. The elf didn’t just dislike his type—she outright loathed Malden. I got why, with him leering like that, but did she have to summon mana?
“Those pointy ears. An elf? First elf slave I’ve seen. Hm. Big tits, nice hips. She’d bear children well. Not that trash like you could ever carry a noble’s kid.”
Stop it, you lunatic! You’re done for! It won’t just be you—the whole ball’s people might die!
Screaming internally, I forced a calm smile.
“Young Master Malden. How about we drop the slave talk and discuss something more constructive?”
“To me, this is constructive. Step aside. I need to feel just how big your slave’s tits are myself.”
Malden’s short, thick hand reached for the elf. I couldn’t just watch—I shot my hand out and grabbed his wrist.
“Huh? You just…….”
Malden scowled at me, his wrist caught.
“Stopped me? You?”
“That’s right.”
“Why?”
Because I’m saving your ass from death, idiot!
“She’s not yours, Young Master. Touching another man’s slave without permission is poor etiquette.”
“Ha. Etiquette? You think you’re in a position to lecture me on that?”
“Young Master Malden. Mind your words.”
No helping it now. I narrowed my eyes fiercely, glaring at him.
“I’m here as the count’s proxy and regent. If you want to talk status, look at your own situation objectively.”
“What? This bastard……!”
Malden yanked his arm in fury, but I held firm. He twitched a few times, then gnashed his teeth in frustration.
“Let go.”
“Swear you won’t touch my slave.”
“……Fine, I swear—so let go!”
I nodded calmly and released him. Malden clutched his wrist, shot me a venomous glare, muttered something, and stormed off.
At the same time, the mana radiating from the elf subsided. Thanking my luck, I straightened my collar—only for the elf to gaze up at me with touched eyes.
“I’m sorry, Master. Because of me…….”
“Shut it. You stick to me without knowing your place, and that’s why we get hassle.”
“Hiiing…….”
“Hmph. You sicken me—get lost.”
She backed away hesitantly as I looked down coldly, then nodded.
Good riddance. I sighed low and headed to the hall’s center, then froze at the sight of a familiar woman.
‘Essili?’
Silken golden hair and blue eyes captured my gaze. Her dress slit at the thigh, paired with antique jewelry, made her far more alluring than her usual plain look.
Lost in staring, Essili strode up and eyed me with displeasure. A wine glass dangled from her hand.
“Lord Theorad. What kind of face do you have the gall to show up here?”
What the hell?
“Isn’t this welcome ball for me? Why wouldn’t I…….”
“Shameless. You actually came just because I said to? Can’t you tell jokes from the real thing?”
“Essili. I just…….”
“If you have something to say, sit. My legs hurt from standing so long.”
Essili, aura aloof, headed to a table by the window and sat. Still dazed, I followed and took the seat opposite.
Lifting my head from the chair, I spotted the elf by the annex entrance, watching us.
“Lord Theorad. Do you even know what a pathetic piece of shit you are?”
Why the harsh words? My heart crumbling, I couldn’t reply—then Essili subtly lifted her dress hem where no one could see.
“What are…….”
I panicked, but she pressed a finger to her lips, staring. Nodding at the signal to stay quiet, I looked down slowly. Papers rolled and tied with string clung to her thigh.
With natural motions, she pulled one free and opened the first page to me. Elegant handwriting filled it.
[Theorad. I want to trust you. So I wrote these questions here, where that sharp-eared elf can’t hear. From now on, answer what’s written on this paper, not what I say. Can you do that?]
Ah, so that’s why she’s pretending to insult me and sat facing away from the elf. To kill her suspicions first, then hide this. Understanding her plan, I nodded.
“Don’t just sit there silent—answer. Do you know what a pathetic piece of shit you are?”
Essili flipped to the next paper.
[Are you under the elf’s surveillance? Are you carrying some secret you can’t even tell me or anyone else?]
“Yeah.”
“You idiot…… You’re trash.”
She opened another.
[The elf isn’t twenty-five—that was a lie, right? You were watching her eyes back then too, so you threw a tantrum in front of me.]
“Pretty much.”
Essili stared blankly for a while after my reply. She should’ve been glad her hunch was right, but she wasn’t.
She was just pitying me, imagining the pain I’d endured, the suffering from all her past misconceptions. With trembling hands, she unfolded the last paper.
[As expected. You’re the Theorad I knew.]
But to ease the elf’s doubts, the act had to continue. Essili bit her lip hard, then forced a smile.
“You’re really…… an irredeemable bastard.”
Her smile, smeared with guilt and regret, gleamed brightly under the moonlight by the window.
I couldn’t hold back the surge of emotion. Knowing someone doubted my actions but tried to understand—and that it was Essili—moved me deeply.
But I couldn’t show it.
“You’ve seen enough.”
I could only meet her eyes with a mischievous smile of my own.
“Thh, hem!”