Bad Guy Theorad (3)
Following Esilly's lead, I headed toward the carriage waiting in the front courtyard of the mansion. Two Pelgaroin knights flanked me on either side, but since it was presented as proper escort protocol, none of the servants suspected any discord between Esilly and me. Only the Elf, trailing along at a dutiful distance, betrayed her displeasure.
"Get in."
Esilly jerked her chin toward the open carriage door. The faint trace of dissatisfaction on her noble features was impressively subtle. Even I, who thought I'd grown numb to acting after dealing with the Elf, had to concede a point to her.
"Right."
I climbed inside and took a seat. Esilly followed a moment later, settling beside me. The knights assigned to her protection mounted their horses and prepared to depart.
"We'll make it comfortable for you."
The coachman gave a carefree grin before closing the door. I peered out the window at the Elf's expression. Dressed in her maid uniform with her hands politely clasped, the fury shadowing her face was still intimidating. For some reason, her gaze seemed fixed not on me, but on Esilly….
"We're off!"
With the coachman's booming call, the horses snorted and surged forward. The Elf vanished from view, and as the distance from the mansion grew, Esilly finally relaxed, letting out a long, weary sigh.
"Haa… I thought I was going to die from the stress."
Snapping back to my senses, I patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"You did great. I'm sorry I couldn't help more when you went to such lengths."
"Lord Theorad, don't apologize. That's not what I want to hear."
"Ah… right. I get it. As head of the Deharm family, I'll make it up to you. If there's anything you want—items, treasures—just say the word."
"Wrong again."
Esilly crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks. It was an exaggerated gesture meant to ease my tension, no doubt.
But what am I supposed to do when you're the one shaking more?
Her fingertips trembled faintly. The aftershocks of conversing with a 250-year-old Elf still lingered. It was admirable—and heartbreaking—how she'd kept up the act without a single slip in front of her. I reached out and gently caressed the cheek I'd struck earlier.
"Such a pretty face. So beautiful."
"Eek, Lord Theorad…?"
"Even if it was just acting, the fact that I hurt you doesn't change. So tell me what you want. I don't like owing you."
Esilly swallowed hard. Her cheeks flushed ever so slightly, though I couldn't say why.
"W-well, what I want is… um…."
Stammering, she took a deep breath, then lightly grasped the back of my hand. Her warm palm enveloped both sides.
"Just… stay like this a little longer."
"I don't get it. You'd be satisfied with something so simple?"
"It's not simple."
Leaning her cheek against my hand, she beamed up at me.
"It's everything to me."
I didn't quite grasp her meaning, but I didn't press. Seeing her so happy filled me with warmth too, so I decided to indulge her wish for a while.
Thud!
The brief peace was interrupted as the carriage arrived at the courthouse. I withdrew my hand and waited; the coachman opened the door.
"We've arrived. Any luggage to carry?"
"No luggage, that's fine. But could you wait nearby?"
"Of course, miss. Happy to."
"Thanks. Now, Lord Theorad, follow me."
It felt a bit odd.
"You're really going inside the courthouse?"
"Of course. Didn't I say I had business there?"
Ah, right. She was even fooling the coachman. Nodding, I stepped down after her. The Pelgaroin knights stayed at the entrance, guarding it, while I followed Esilly up the steps and into the building.
The clean hall, with its striking marble columns, was crowded yet eerily quiet—a space that oddly soothed the mind.
"Miss! Lord Theorad!"
Amid the bustling legal aides, two neatly dressed servants approached with bright greetings. Each carried a set of crisp clothes. Curious, I glanced over; the one heading my way bowed deeply.
"An honor to meet you, Lord Theorad. I'm Norman, the miss's attendant."
"Pleasure to meet you. But those clothes…?"
"To change into."
It was Esilly speaking. Turning, I saw her gazing up at me with a serious expression.
"No harm in being cautious."
"True enough. You're right."
"Thank you for understanding. Meet at the back door after you change. Norman will show you the way."
Esilly, you've prepared so much for me. And I've done nothing in return.
A bittersweet pang hit me as I nodded.
"I'll change quickly."
* * *
Once changed, I followed Norman to the courthouse's back door. The only discomfort was how awkward the outfit felt. Sleek and refined, it must have been the suit popular in the duchy, but after years in family attire, it felt foreign.
"My lord."
His whisper drew my gaze; Norman flashed a sly grin.
"No worries. You look dashing. Even I, as a man, can see you're handsome."
"Handsome, huh? No need to flatter—save the empty words."
"Pardon? I mean it. Never heard it before?"
"I've heard it, but it's never sincere. Social pleasantries in high society? How much truth is in those? Even my late father and the head butler called my face ordinary."
"Uh… Lord Theorad? Are you joking…?"
His flustered act was flawless. Skilled at lies and expressions alike—he'd thrive in society. Still, excessive flattery could backfire.
"Lord Theorad!"
As I opened my mouth to chide him, a bright voice called from the opposite side. I turned—and couldn't hide my surprise.
Esilly wore a short skirt baring her knees and a flowing blouse, looking more out of place than I did. Thank goodness for the thin overcoat; without it, I wouldn't know where to look. Yet she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her hidden legs kept stealing my gaze, leaving me flustered.
"What do you think? Is it okay?"
As she approached, I averted my eyes and cleared my throat.
"Sensual… precarious. I wouldn't want others seeing you like this."
"That much…? If it's uncomfortable, I can change. I brought spares."
It didn't seem that revealing. Glancing at the others for opinions, both Norman and her maidservant shook their heads vigorously. Gauging the consensus, I cleared my throat.
"I won't deny your beauty just because it makes me uneasy. No need to change."
"Lord Theorad…."
Esilly feigned deep emotion; behind her, the maidservant flashed a thumbs-up. I gave a subtle nod in approval. Grateful bunch.
"Oh, right. Something to wear before we go."
"Wear?"
Her maidservant stepped forward, carrying a cushion topped with two headbands mimicking animal ears.
"What in the world…."
"Items enchanted with perception-disruption magic. I aimed for accessories, but stock was low on short notice… Sorry."
"No need to apologize. But perception-disruption… you mean it…."
She caught my drift and signaled the servants. Norman and the maid bowed and retreated. Confirming no eavesdroppers with a quick scan, I whispered in her ear.
"No guarantee it fools the Elf, right?"
"You're right, Lord Theorad. But it'll greatly lower the odds. To dispel it, one must first realize they're affected—and with our disguises, she won't suspect we're inside."
She added one more thing, donning her headband. Golden ears matching her hair twitched playfully, cat-like on closer inspection.
"Entering the front and exiting the back will make her think we're still in here. With the carriage and knights in plain sight, even more so. Unless she drops her slave act and causes a scene inside, she'll have to wait at the entrance."
"Impressive…."
It made sense. I nodded, and she held out the other headband—black, matched to my hair.
"Your turn now, Lord Theorad."
Her sparkling eyes betrayed excitement. Maybe the accessory shortage wasn't a total lie after all. Shaking off the suspicion, I put it on. No one around, yet I felt oddly embarrassed and coughed.
"How's it look?"
"Pfft."
Laughter was her reply. Covering her mouth, she giggled and wiped her eyes.
"Sorry. You and that headband just don't match—it's cute."
Not my choice, and she calls it cute? It stung a bit. Frowning, I shot her a flat look.
"Cute, huh. Me, head of the Deharm family."
Her laughter faded. Staring blankly for a moment, she averted her eyes, mumbling. Her flushed face breathed quicker, a hint of thrill in it.
"Now that you mention it… it kinda looks cool too…."
Her voice trembled with shyness. These glimpses she showed were too endearing to keep to myself.
"Esilly, maybe you're the cute one."
"Ah, um…."
Her face reddened further—like a balloon ready to pop at a pinprick. Her frozen, malfunctioning demeanor was amusing. I wanted to watch longer, but I wouldn't waste this rare time alone strolling the streets.
"Shall we go? You came out here with me to talk about the Elf, right?"
"R-right. From what I found out…."
Later for that. I wasn't eager to hear about the Elf just yet. Gently taking her hand, I smiled brightly.
"Elf talk can wait. Right now, I just want to walk the streets with you, Esilly."
She fell silent. She simply followed my lead, her trembling steps falling in rhythm with mine.