Chapter 217
Chapter 217
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 217
Chapter Title: Welcome to the Estate! (3)
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“...Patriarch.”
Bella cleared her throat and interjected.
It seemed even she found it a bit odd to suddenly talk about killing someone she'd just met.
Surely, no matter how much it was the Tristan Ducal House, justice and common sense were still alive and well—
“What is it, Bella.”
“I understand your feelings completely, but surely the young lady...”
Then, the two of them began whispering to each other at a decibel just low enough that I couldn't hear.
“...”
She understood completely, huh.
Being somewhat close to Elnor was a crime in their eyes that warranted immediate execution without question.
“...Hmph.”
As I pondered how the world had become such a harsh place, Bella and Leonida finished their hushed conversation and turned to me with a snort.
His face was full of displeasure, but since a guest had arrived, he had to fulfill his duties as patriarch.
Just from the way he opened a drawer and took something out.
“Here.”
It was a room key.
“...To be frank, I can't bring myself to like you, knight.”
“...”
The blunt statement hit me straight in the face.
He'd been showing his distaste openly since the moment he saw me, but hearing it outright like this made me have to ask.
“...May I ask the reason?”
Leonida scoffed loudly at my words.
“Why don't you cut down the number of women trailing after you by half and then ask.”
“...”
“No need for personal investigation. Your reputation at Elpante is already infamous.”
“...”
“Imagine your one and only granddaughter bringing home a notorious playboy like you. How would that look from a family member's perspective?”
[No way to argue against that...]
“...”
Caliban.
Whose side are you on?
‘...Well, whatever.’
This was actually a more understandable reason than I'd expected.
I'd thought maybe I'd earned his hatred for some bizarre reason I didn't know about.
‘...This guy's a total granddaughter doting grandpa.’
For various reasons, he's the kind of person who wouldn't mind getting dust in his eyes for Elnor's sake.
The fact that Elnor, who was harshly ignored by Gideon from childhood, grew up without becoming too twisted was thanks to his devoted care.
That's why I'd been so worried when he called for me.
What if he planned to screw me over in some outrageous way? But this was just normal grandfatherly concern for his granddaughter.
As I thought that, Leonida jingled the key in front of me, urging me to take it.
“Your quarters are over there. It won't be as comfortable as your own home, but try to make yourself at ease.”
I agreed it wouldn't be comfortable.
From the moment we entered the Tristan territory, the air had been thick with the sense that things wouldn't be easy.
“...Thank you.”
As I reached out to take the key without protest.
The door to the study burst open.
It was someone familiar. Familiar enough that I let out a dazed voice without thinking.
“...Elnor?”
Her outfit was so different at first that I almost didn't recognize her. The Elnor I remembered always wore her uniform complete with hat, prim and proper.
A black off-shoulder dress adorned with layers of frills. Long hair elegantly pinned up with hair accessories. From head to toe, the epitome of a noble lady. Nothing on her wasn't high-end.
And the reason it didn't feel extravagant.
Was because the person wearing it exuded an aura that turned all those things into mere daytime 'adornments.'
As if these items were necessary to decorate the 'most noble being.' The difference in caliber that made even such luxuries seem merely 'fitting.'
“...”
To the point where I could feel a chill of intimidation. My spine tingled.
Beautiful.
I found myself staring blankly at Elnor.
[...Are you lost in thought right now?]
“...”
Caliban's voice, almost tinged with horror, snapped me out of it.
No, why again.
If she's that pretty, it's only natural for someone to lose their composure.
[No, you felt that kind of emotion looking at a woman...?]
“...”
[So you're not impotent after all, our Dawood...!]
This guy must have some illness where he has to spout nonsense periodically.
As I scratched my cheek thinking that, Elnor approached me with firm steps and grabbed my wrist.
The moment they saw that, Bella and Leonida both twitched. Like they'd been caught doing something they shouldn't.
Elnor's eyes gleamed coldly.
She was clearly furious.
“Grandfather.”
Then, a voice like frostbitten wind flowed out.
The kind that could bring frost even in the fifth lunar month.
“This is the key to the annex, isn't it.”
“...Child.”
“The building near the knight order's garrison in the territory.”
“...”
“It's the perfect place to lock someone up and keep them from contacting anyone, isn't it, Grandfather.”
“...”
Leonida and Bella fell silent at the same time.
In the meantime, Elnor snatched the key from my hand and marched up to Leonida, slamming it down on the desk.
The cold aura emanating from her entire body was no joke.
“Grandfather.”
Her eyes fixed on Leonida. Her red irises gleamed with a dangerous light that almost looked blood-red.
“No matter what you do, you're free to do it, but I've asked you countless times not to interfere with Dawood and me being together.”
“...Elnor. I have things to say about that man too—”
“I won't hear it.”
Leonida tried to speak, but Elnor cut him off first.
As if there was no room for rebuttal.
“Grandfather. Bella.”
Then.
Elnor declared in a solemn voice.
“I hate you.”
“...”
“I'm not going to see you for a while.”
“...”
It somehow felt like it would fit perfectly if she added a 'huff!' at the end.
[...Is that for real?]
It was such a cute declaration coming from someone who'd been building up such a tense atmosphere that even Caliban asked in disbelief.
But the reaction was dramatic.
Leonida and Bella's faces remained the same, but my expert eye, honed from spending time with Elnor, could see it clearly.
The twitching cheek muscles from the shock. The uncontrollable trembling of their hands and arms.
Even his mustache seemed to droop more than before.
“...Child. What on earth—”
“Exactly as I said, Grandfather.”
Her tone was much lighter now compared to when she'd been formal earlier.
But seeing that, the color was slowly draining from Bella and Leonida's faces.
As if Elnor in this mode left no room for negotiation.
“It's punishment for trying to take Dawood away from me.”
And in truth.
Elnor's expression as she said it was utterly resolute, leaving no gap for argument.
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“...My apologies, sir.”
As we stepped into the hallway, Elnor cleared her throat and said that.
“My grandfather gets overly intense about anything involving me.”
“...No, it's fine.”
I scratched my cheek awkwardly in response.
I'd roughly known Leonida was like that. This incident didn't stir any particular feelings.
But apparently unsatisfied with my answer, Elnor let out a sigh and offered an excuse-like explanation.
“Especially lately, with the elders constantly picking fights with the Tristan Ducal House over every little thing. With the current duke absent, Grandfather's on edge trying to handle it all—”
Then, mid-sentence, Elnor stopped.
She tilted her head and took a few steps toward me.
“Isn't your face a bit flushed? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Ah, no, it's nothing. I'm perfectly fine.”
I waved my hands dismissively. Even stepped back a few paces.
To hide the blood rushing even more to my face.
“...If you say so.”
Elnor tilted her head again and stepped back a few paces.
I let out a breath of relief in response.
‘No, why am I like this?’
It wasn't my first or second time seeing Elnor, and just because she dressed up a bit, my heart was pounding like some puberty-stricken boy's. This wasn't right.
‘...Seriously, why?’
Even I couldn't understand my own state.
As I stood there puzzled, Elnor, who had been walking ahead, stopped.
“We're here. This is where you'll be staying.”
Snapping to attention at her words, I looked ahead.
A massive annex. The size was enormous, like an entire academy building from Elpante transplanted here.
Imagine a 60-story building laid on its side—that might give you an idea.
And it wasn't just big; it was so lavishly ornate that it could pass for a building inside the imperial palace.
It screamed 'one of the most expensive buildings in the Tristan territory.'
“...Please give me the smallest room possible.”
I said with a wry smile.
Even at a glance, a room in such a luxurious building would feel burdensome to someone with my commoner sensibilities—I probably wouldn't be able to sleep.
But at my words, Elnor tilted her head instead.
“What are you talking about?”
“Yes?”
“The entire building is yours.”
“...”
I looked at the building, then at Elnor.
Then back at the building, then at Elnor.
“Yes?”
“I've already spoken to the servants. Treat it as your own and use it freely. As long as you don't do anything awful to the female servants, I'll overlook anything.”
“...”
“Get used to it. It's likely to be yours from now on too.”
At a loss for words, standing there frozen, Caliban chuckled from within the soul linker.
[She's got big ambitions. Already preparing the trousseau.]
‘...’
[Congrats, kid. You can live off being the pillar husband alone—]
‘Shut up already.’
Giving him a retort, I followed Elnor as she started walking again.
When we reached what looked like the entrance to the annex, a large portrait of who seemed to be the building's former owner hung beside it.
“...”
Elnor paused and looked up at the painting.
Longing. Affection. Regret. Remorse.
Her tender gaze could fit any of those descriptions.
‘...This.’
I silently looked up at it too.
Though for slightly different reasons.
‘Feels familiar.’
The woman in the painting resembled her so closely that the term came to mind unbidden.
If there's a commonality, both looked like more mature versions of Elnor.
“...Iris Linea la Tristan.”
Reading the name inscribed below the painting, Elnor spoke in a slightly husky voice.
“My mother. This was the building she lived in.”
“...Is it alright to house me in your mother's birthplace?”
When I asked seriously, Elnor turned to face me fully.
Her immediate answer came.
“Of course.”
Elnor lifted the corner of her mouth slightly as she said it.
“You're that precious to me.”
“...”
The words struck right to the heart.
This woman really had nerves of steel.
How could she say something so embarrassingly straightforward without batting an eye?
“And soon, you'll be even more precious.”
“...Yes?”
“Dawood.”
Elnor stepped up to me again and poked my nose with her fingertip.
Then.
She giggled, poking repeatedly.
An innocent laugh like a child's.
“Change clothes and come out. Let's have a meal together.”
“...”
“Just the two of us.”
“...”
Before I could respond.
Elnor winked and continued.
“We have a lot to talk about, don't we? The night is still young.”
Right after those words.
A scream-like shout erupted from the soul linker.
[Let's gooooooo---!!!]
“...”
I don't even know how many times I've said this now.
Mister.
Please, just shut up.
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