Ellis (2)
Everyone knew that the Iris Guild's guild master and vice guild master were a married couple. True to their happy marriage, the vice guild master's office was right next to the guild master's. Ellis stood in front of the vice guild master's door—a place she'd frequented as a child—hesitated for a moment, then knocked.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
She opened the door and stepped inside. Her mother, deep in paperwork, didn't even look up—she hadn't noticed Ellis yet.
"...Mom."
"Oh, Ellis?"
Sophia, the vice guild master who had been waiting for a subordinate's report, jumped up in surprise at the sight of her listless daughter.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, it's not that."
"Then you just missed your mom?"
"..."
Mwah. Ellis clamped her mouth shut as her mother blew her a kiss. Having parents who stayed so eternally young was exhausting.
She'd already spent plenty of time with her mother since arriving in France. The real reason for today's visit was to seek advice on a dilemma.
"...I have a worry."
"Hmm? Something about real combat?"
"Sort of."
Ellis flopped onto the sofa, and Sophia paused her work to listen. She gazed at her daughter's face, waiting for her to speak. This was the first time she'd seen Ellis so down, and as a mother, she couldn't help but worry.
"..."
But Ellis just bit her lip, unable to open up. Sophia smiled faintly and met her eyes.
"Is it... boy trouble?"
"...Yes."
Sophia smoothly brewed some coffee and offered it to her daughter. It was the first time Ellis had come to her with a worry, so of course it had to be about a boy. Her thorough sex education from childhood had clearly worked.
If you're ever confused about whether a guy's good or not, just ask your mom.
That was the mantra Sophia had drilled into her. Coming from the woman married to France's strongest man, Ellis trusted it implicitly.
"That cadet Lee Ho-yeon you came with? I haven't seen his face yet."
"...Yes."
"Oh my, it's steaming hot. Does our little girl like him that much?"
"...I don't know. He seems like a decent guy, but he's such a bad one too."
He was decent, sure—but his flaws were too numerous. And they were flaws that defied her common sense, making it even worse. A greedy playboy who surrounded himself with multiple women and claimed to love them all, while still reaching for more. Yet, for some reason—his handsome face? His actions?—she couldn't bring herself to hate him.
Amusingly, whenever Lee Ho-yeon looked at Ellis, he thought the exact same things she did when looking at him.
"Ellis, you know who your mom married, right? You think there's a worse guy out there than our guild master?"
"..."
"Go on, explain. I'll listen and judge."
Ellis pondered for a second. If she pitted her father against Lee Ho-yeon in a contest of who was the bigger scumbag...
It'd definitely be a good fight.
Ellis slowly began describing the Lee Ho-yeon she knew. Their first meeting, and the background check afterward. The survival exam they took together. When he treated her congenital mana disorder. Their academy life. Finally, convincing her father together.
Once she finished, she saw her mother's face—mouth agape, eyes narrowed.
"Ellis. You should probably break up with him."
"Yeah, I know, but..."
Ellis hung her head. She'd been too honest. She should've mixed in some white lies for that scumbag's sake.
"Hmm. Ellis, think of it this way."
"Okay."
"That Lee Ho-yeon kid meets you even though he has other girls, right? So why don't you meet other guys while seeing him?"
"...No, I don't want that."
"Why? Ho-yeon lives however he wants."
"But... you don't either, Mom."
Even if Ho-yeon did it, she didn't want to. She didn't think it made her the winner. And she knew it would mean she'd never end up with him.
Men were selfish creatures.
Sophia nodded, looking at Ellis. Even extreme advice wouldn't sway her heart—it was serious.
"Our daughter. You say it's a worry, but your heart's already leaning, huh?"
"I don't even know that. I don't know what I want or what to do..."
Sophia tightly gripped her troubled daughter’s hand. Seeing her once-brilliant child like this called for a confidence boost.
"I get the gist. Ellis, why not just do what you want?"
"What I want?"
"Yeah. Go to that guy and do whatever you feel like. Go on a date, lie in bed together—ah, but just lying there, okay? Women can't give in easily. That's when he takes control."
"Th-that's..."
Ellis shrank back, flustered by her mom's sudden fast-forwarding. But Sophia didn't stop. She truly believed in this philosophy. Happiness was what mattered most, after all.
"Why? This seems like the best way."
"How could I? I can't just barge into Ho-yeon's room and say, 'Mind if I lie in your bed?'"
"Do that."
"...Pardon?"
"Ellis."
Sophia realized her daughter was truly, deeply in love. The once-overconfident girl had become so timid. Like a sharp tiger turning into a housecat overnight.
"I've always told you: don't chase men—bind them."
"...Yes."
She'd heard her mom's views on love a million times.
Men always come back to a good woman.
A one-night fling? Forgivable. He'll love me for real anyway.
That was probably why she wasn't even that mad at a scumbag like him.
"Act with confidence. Men are weirdly generous with pretty girls."
"..."
But it wasn't enough. Her heart had tilted, but she craved firm reassurance. Knowing that feeling, Sophia gave it straight.
"No man in the world would turn down a date from our daughter. So go—right now."
"...Got it, Mom. I'll do what I want."
"Yes. Always with confidence. Okay?"
"Yes."
Right. She'd try it and think later. If it flopped, she'd figure it out then. If it worked, same. He'd done so much to her—he wouldn't get mad, would he?
With her dilemma resolved, Ellis left the office, eyes full of determination. Watching her confident exit, Sophia curled her lips seductively.
"Phew. At least she looked good at the end. For a second there, I thought she'd seen through my expression. Right, darling?"
"Urk... Hnng... Sniff..."
Slither.
A moment later, a blond hunk emerged from the wall, fist in mouth, tears streaming. He'd blended into the wall without Ellis noticing. Ellis's father—and Iris Guild's guild master—Isaac.
"Stop crying, Isaac. Ellis is an adult now."
"I-I know. But I wanted to keep her forever... and to that guy of all people. Urk."
Sophia stood, grabbed his shoulders, and pulled him into a hug.
"Where else are you gonna find a guy like that? Talented, good personality, handsome enough to leech off for life. The best males always claim the most beautiful females. Just like... you?"
"...Honey."
"Darling... Shall we finish what Ellis interrupted?"
That was how Ellis ended up at Lee Ho-yeon's lodging.
*
I swallowed hard, staring at Ellis. There was something different about her today—more intense, and it stirred me up. A girl already pretty, now fully dolled up... she was insanely gorgeous.
"Uh, Ellis? Give me a sec. I'll get ready and come out."
"No. I want to talk inside."
"...It's kinda messy in there. You sure?"
"Yeah. Fine by me."
"Alright. Come in."
I turned and headed inside. Wait—something was off with Ellis's vibe. Her assertiveness was off the charts. Normally, she'd read the room and back off politely—that was her sharp side. But today? It felt like...
...more confident? Nah, bolder? Composed?
Whatever it was, the atmosphere had totally shifted.
"...Pardon the intrusion."
Ellis followed me in. Speaking loudly outside had worked—my plan. The bundled-up blanket on the bed was still there, but Liliana was gone, leaving just a necklace dangling. Scarlett had vanished too, naturally. Those two were quick on the uptake.
"Sorry, nothing to drink. Sit there? I'll grab some water."
"So this is where you've been staying."
Ellis pulled out a chair, sat, and scanned my lodging.
"Yeah. About dorm-sized."
"I'll get you upgraded somewhere nicer."
She was too nice. I meant it as a compliment, but she hit me with something burdensome.
"No, no need. It's fine."
"But it's smaller than your place, right?"
"Not staying long. This works."
"Really?"
"..."
Girls raised rich from childhood really think different. Ellis went quiet, and with no conversation flowing, I seized the chance to fetch cool water.
"Here, have some."
"Thanks."
Gulp gulp.
Watching her drink refreshingly, I spoke up.
"...No secretary with you?"
"Nah. Guild grounds are safe."
"..."
"..."
Awkward silence. I eyed Ellis. She drank casually, gazing into space, totally at ease.
Wait, didn't you come here to say something?
Why was I the one starting topics? Was she just visiting for fun? What now? I'd hooked up plenty, but never brought a girlfriend home. Different territory.
I racked my brain—then realized I didn't need to.
Current Status: Definitely, Mom was right. He's a guy too. He doesn't seem upset.
...Mom?
This didn't reveal what Ellis wanted. She seemed uninterested in talking, so I'd have to lead.
I sat across from her casually.
"Ellis. Eaten yet?"
"No."
"Wanna grab food? My treat—you pick a good spot."
Nice. I fist-pumped internally. That was smooth. Cool enough to replay in bed later: Damn, I was suave today.
But Ellis's reply was different.
"Sure. But one favor?"
"Of course."
"Can you lie in bed?"
"Huh?"
Without waiting, Ellis perched on the bed.
"Here. Lie down like you're sleeping."
"...Uh, okay."
She pointed matter-of-factly to one side. I followed without thinking. Not like an order—just playing with a pretty friend?
Then it hit me as I lay down.
Has Ellis reached the realm of 100% weaponizing her looks?
Since entering, everything flowed her way. Zero resistance. This was dangerous. Brainwashing me to death? Nah, she wouldn't.
Of course not. She just lay beside me, same position.
"Mmm..."
Ellis closed her eyes, pressing her back to my chest. Her fragrant hair and skin scent tickled my nose; her hips brushed my lower abs. In that pose, she asked,
"Warm enough? How about you?"
"...Huh? What?"
This feels weirder than telling me to die.
I thought, eyeing her slightly flushed ears.