Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: A Desperate Display of Cruelty
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“B-By the way, Lady, what brings you to my mansion? Without even sending word ahead.”
“What? Are you unhappy that I came?”
Esilly puffed out her cheeks with a sulky expression. It was so adorable that my lips curled up despite myself.
“Of course not. I was just checking if you had some special business.”
“If it’s business… well, yes. The biggest reason is that I wanted to see Lord Theorad’s face, but I also came with a message.”
“A message?”
“My father’s heading up to the capital soon. His Majesty the Emperor has issued a summons to all the warlords scattered across the provinces. It’s so tiresome. How many times have they brought up that nonsense about northern expeditions or conquering the demon realm? They’re not even going to do it.”
“Lady Esilly. I understand how you feel, but you should watch your words…”
“If I were going to watch my words, I wouldn’t have come here. Don’t you think His Majesty the Emperor is acting a bit strange too, Lord Theorad? It’s not like he’s just putting on a show to discipline the lords or anything.”
Her words had no filter. If I weren’t the one listening, any other noble would have every right to fly into a rage and accuse her of slandering the Emperor.
On the flip side, it meant she trusted me that much. Not a bad feeling.
“Anyway, that’s why Father’s going to entrust the earldom to you soon.”
“The Earl wants me to act as regent?”
“Yes. You may not have been Family Head for long, but you’re still the master of the de Harm viscountcy and a vice-count in your own right. It seems like Father wants to test your administrative skills this time around.”
That was unexpected. I’d always figured the day would come when I’d govern the earldom as deputy earl someday. My own father had done it often enough whenever the Earl requested.
But this soon? I wasn’t even comfortable managing my own house yet, and now this massive responsibility?
No. This could actually be a golden opportunity. If I performed the regency flawlessly and earned the Earl’s full support, our house could shine even brighter…
“Master.”
A sharp voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I turned to see the elf staring at me with blank eyes.
“Is there anything else you need?”
A flicker of hatred in that blankness sent a shiver through my body.
No matter what, I couldn’t afford to make a fool of myself in front of my fiancée.
“There’s nothing I need…”
I trailed off and clamped my mouth shut. The elf’s eyebrow had twitched ever so slightly.
She was trying her best not to show it, but it was plain as day to me.
Gulp.
Fear slid down my throat.
That was the peak. I couldn’t let my guard down just because she was keeping up a docile front. Her rage was like water on the verge of boiling—calm on the surface, but at its limit.
I had to fill her daily quota of abuse right here and now. Otherwise, the moment we left this parlor, Esilly—and my own head—would roll.
“…Actually, there is something. Come here.”
I crooked a finger at her, and the elf hurried over in an instant.
I’d called her, but how should I go about it? Slap her cheek? No. A masochistic elf who wasn’t satisfied even by nude walks wouldn’t settle for something that tame.
There was only one way.
“I don’t like a lowly slave like you standing there upright on two legs.”
“Lord Theorad…?”
Esilly gave me a puzzled look, but I couldn’t back down now. Swallowing tears inside, I picked up my teacup and stood.
“And staring me in the eyes? I lectured you about that yesterday, and you still haven’t learned.”
I tilted the teacup slowly. The black tea sloshed, then poured out in a stream onto the elf’s head.
“Hyaaak!?”
Hot steam rose as she flinched and hunched her shoulders.
“S-Sorry… I’m sorryyy…”
Her innocent act brought a glint of moisture to her red eyes. To an outsider, it might look heartbreaking enough to comfort her on the spot. But knowing the truth, it looked different to me.
That wasn’t a silent plea to stop. It was anticipation, begging for more abuse.
“Are my words not clear enough? You’re still on two legs. Insolent bitch!”
I hurled the teacup to the floor. It shattered with a crash, shards flying everywhere.
“Lord Theorad!”
Esilly let out a near-scream, but I forced myself to ignore it.
Damn it! I’m not doing this because I want to, Esilly! Please, just stay quiet!
“Crawl on all fours and pick up the pieces. Isn’t that exactly the kind of thing for a wretch like you?”
“B-But, Master…”
“No excuses. You repulsive thing.”
I scowled, and the elf plopped down sniffling.
Gazing down at her silver hair soaked in black tea made my heart ache for no reason. Even if she was out of her mind, this was my doing—I couldn’t escape the pangs of conscience.
“Picking up glass shards with your bare hands will cut you, so…”
I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket, and the elf looked up at me. For a split second, the shadow on her face made me flinch and stuff it back.
“…It’s perfect for a vulgar thing like you.”
I quickly changed tack and sat back down. Esilly’s piercing gaze kept me from looking up; I just stared at the pastries on the table.
An icy silence blanketed the room. The only sounds were the elf’s faint rustling as she gathered the shards.
Neither Esilly nor I knew what to do when the elf started tearfully pleading with me, tears plopping down.
“Please forgive me, Master. At this rate, the glass will cut my hands…”
You’re the one who didn’t want the handkerchief, you lunatic!
“Ahh! It cut me. Blood… blood’s coming from my hand… It’s not even my period, but blood’s flowing, Masteeeer…”
Don’t say crap like that in front of Esilly! How the hell am I supposed to react?!
“Lord Theorad.”
Her icy tone made the back of my neck stiffen. Steeling myself, I looked up to find Esilly glaring at me with contempt.
“I must have misjudged you. I thought you were a man of benevolence and propriety, but you’re no different from a tyrant.”
Terrifying. Seeing her usual gentle self turn this cold doubled the fear…
But if I stayed silent now, it’d be taken as fact that I was inhuman scum. I had to make an excuse. Somehow!
“Esilly. You’re misunderstanding. I’m not doing this for no reason.”
“Hah? Then enlighten me with your brilliant reason.”
“Well… I have a condition where I die if I’m kind to slaves.”
I blurted it out and belatedly gasped. What the hell, you idiot! As if such a disease exists!
Esilly’s contempt deepened with confusion, mirroring my own thoughts. She stayed quiet for a moment, then moved her lips as if crushing me with disgust.
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Hearing her condemnation sapped the strength from my body.
Ahh. Is this really happening?
Maybe I was trapped in a nightmare.
“Masteeer… My finger hurts so muuuch…!”
A particularly vicious nightmare…
My life was over.
At this point, hoping for a miracle was just wishful thinking from a thief.
“Lord Theorad, say something in your defense!”
Sorry, but I already tried, Esilly. Just hate me freely now. I’m used to playing the villain…
As I let out a groan without responding, Esilly clicked her tongue and stood.
She shot me one last glare, lifted her skirt, and knelt beside the elf.
“Stop picking up the glass. No matter how much of a slave you are, you don’t have to obey unjust orders.”
“N-No, don’t…”
“I know you’re not doing this because you want to. Don’t put yourself in danger out of needless fear.”
She wasn’t wrong. If only she’d said that to me instead of the slave, it would’ve been perfect.
Contrary to Esilly’s assumptions, the elf was doing this of her own volition.
Even now, with Esilly clinging to her, her eyebrow twitched in irritation—a blunt signal to back off. Of course, Esilly couldn’t read that.
“How can such a pitiful, wretched life even be called living? Does the God of Light, who looks upon all people with mercy, discriminate by race? It’s utterly heartbreaking.”
That was definitely aimed at me. She wanted to accuse me of defying the God of Light’s teachings. Even so, this felt unfair!
“That’s blasphemy, Esilly.”
“Be quiet, Lord Theorad.”
Zing. Her venomous glare was scary. I coughed awkwardly and grabbed a pastry. Despite trying to play it cool, my hand trembled.
Who wouldn’t shrink under repeated looks of contempt from the girl he likes? If there was a button for painless death, I’d smash it.
“This won’t do. Elf. What’s your name?”
“Eh? I’m Master’s sex slave…”
“I’m not asking for that dehumanizing title. I mean the noble name bestowed by your parents in the god’s stead at your birth.”
“I-I don’t know… Slaves like me don’t need names.”
“You don’t even remember your own name?”
Esilly looked incredulous and tried to pull the elf up by the wrist.
“But that doesn’t matter now. Come with me to the castle. There, you can live comfortably…”
No. That won’t work!
Passing off the bomb sounded good, but handing it to the Earl’s house would be turning the problem upside down!
I shot up, kicking my chair back.
“Esilly! That’s going too far! This slave is mine—I bought her!”
“Hah? You think a pathetic slave contract lets you own a sentient being?”
“I can’t own her, but I can claim ownership. Let go of my slave nicely!”
“Lord Theorad. You’re truly…”
Grinding her teeth, Esilly released the elf’s arm and stood. Her face a storm of emotions, she held her breath, let out a deep sigh, and looked at me.
“Fine. Then let’s do it this way. Whoever this elf chooses—”
“I-I…”
Before Esilly could finish, the elf grabbed my pant leg.
“I’ve sworn my body and soul to Master. Even if he impregnates me and tosses me to the streets, I’ll accept it. So I don’t want to serve another master now…”
Thanks for sealing the deal that I’m trash to Esilly. You damn bitch.
“What…”
Esilly stared at us in stunned disbelief, then turned and walked out. Every noble step seemed laced with disappointment.
The servants opened the door at her footsteps, and she vanished through it without a backward glance. She must be furious.
“Hic. S-Sorry, Masteer… Because of meee…”
Meanwhile, I didn’t even have the energy to get mad.
I slumped into my chair, and Harbid hurried over, sensing something was wrong.
“Family Head. What in the world…”
He spotted the elf sitting on the floor, gathering glass into her maid outfit’s apron, and me with my head bowed like a soulless corpse. Sweat beaded on his brow.
“Why is the teacup broken…? More importantly, are you hurt, Family Head?”
“…I’m fine.”
My body wasn’t injured.
It was just my heart…
My heart that had shattered.