Clash with the Duchess
I couldn't hold back and snapped at the noblewoman blocking our path. "Excuse me, ma'am. What did you just say?"
"A-ah, a-ah, ma—ma'am…?!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief, and her hands trembled. I stepped closer, one foot at a time.
"No way, are you seriously calling me—ma'am…?"
"Then who else around here looks like a ma'am? You think I was calling the lady next door? Huh?"
"Wha—what, you…!"
I ignored her sputtering. "If you've got a problem, go complain to the lady of the house. Or do you not have the guts and can only mutter behind people's backs? Figures—there's a class difference even among nobles…."
In that instant, the woman swung her hand down. It was the clumsy strike of someone who'd never fought in her life—slow enough to track with the naked eye. I tilted my head back and dodged effortlessly. Instinct nearly had me grab her arm and flip her over my shoulder, but the last shred of reason stopped me. If I did that, there'd be no going back.
Instead, after dodging, I sneered. "My, my. What would people say if a noble lady like you had such vulgar manners? You need to keep up appearances."
"Y-you…! How dare you…! Ah, ahh, aaagh—!"
The woman shrieked and clutched her neck, pretending to collapse. That's when Anna cried out desperately.
"D-Duchess…!"
My body went ice-cold. Duchess? As in, Narcissus? The lady of the Bebel house?
The crowd murmured, and people who looked like Narcissus's servants glared at me.
"J-Judas? What do we do? We're in deep shit…?!"
Richard asked anxiously, and I answered firmly.
"We bolt."
"Bolt?"
"Yeah. Right now."
"G-get those little brats—!"
Ignoring Narcissus's scream, we ran for our lives.
We ran until bile rose in our throats. Being kids helped us weave through the crowd.
"Hah, huff… wheeze…."
"Ugh…."
We made it outside the mansion. No one seemed to be chasing us. We leaned against the walls, gasping for breath.
"Hey, you… fu—Judas, man…."
"How was I supposed to know she was the duchess…."
I didn't know what Elijah's family looked like. I'd never seen them in person—just heard the names. No way I could've guessed that lady was Elijah's mom.
She doesn't look anything like her…! The hair, eyes, facial features—nothing!
But she was her mom, right? Not even that was certain. Elijah, with her sparse dialogue events, never talked about family anyway.
As we caught our breath, someone suddenly burst out laughing.
"Pft, pfft…!"
It was Lindel. He went from panting to howling with laughter.
"Puhahaha! Ah, heh-hek!"
One by one, the others joined in. I couldn't help it either. Honestly, it was hilarious. No matter how you sliced it.
Amid the group cackling, only Dillon stayed serious, not laughing. Richard clapped my shoulder.
"Felt damn good, didn't it?"
Lindel wiped tears from his eyes. "Right? So damn refreshing. Especially that ma'am's face turning red and shaking—I won't forget that."
"Ah, ahh, aaagh—!"
Argon clutched his neck, mimicking Narcissus. It was nothing like her, which made it even funnier. Even Dillon cracked.
"Pfft…!"
He covered his mouth to stifle it, but too late. Another round of laughter exploded.
"Not even close!"
"My sides…."
Pelin clutched his stomach, and Dyke came over, offering a fist bump.
"That was badass. I admit it—you're the real deal."
"Thanks."
I bumped his fist and chuckled. A few more came up with "Yeah!" and we celebrated with bumps.
Dillon looked around at us, shaking his head. Traces of laughter lingered on his face.
"Haa… Feels like my lifespan just went up and down a few years…."
"You laughed pretty hard for someone saying that."
"Shut it…."
Richard teased, and Dillon gritted his teeth to hold back more laughs.
That's when someone ran from the mansion. We turned warily, on guard— it was Anna, our guide.
"Hah, haa… haa…."
Her face was pale as she sweated, staring at me. She pressed a hand to her chest, steadying her breath, then collapsed to her knees.
"Hic, sniff… sob…!"
"Uh… Anna? A-are you crying?"
"Sob…! Ugh—! Wh-what am I gonna do now…! The duchess definitely…!"
She hiccuped through sobs, then wailed openly. No time for laughs anymore.
Anna was in charge of us. And I'd caused a massive incident—fed the Duchess Narcissus a huge dose of humiliation. Anna might take the blame.
I fidgeted and approached her. "Uh, f-first, don't cry…."
I have no idea how to handle a crying girl…! Even in the gym, if kids cried during play, it was awkward as hell!
"Waaah…! Hic, sob…!"
"Whoa, Judas made her cry!"
"Woo~ trash kid~"
"Quiet down!"
I patted Anna's back. "S-sorry. I wasn't thinking… Yeah, I know. I'm like that—quick to flare up, act without thinking, no respect for rank or whatever. But, uh… maybe Lady Elijah will let it slide?"
"……."
"Or screw it, I'll take responsibility. If anyone asks, just say my name. Wanna go get chewed out together?"
"No… It's my fault for not managing you properly… It was nice meeting you all. I'll just…."
"Hey, no giving up on life at your age. Come on, up you get."
Anna sighed and stood, brushing her knees. She looked at me and facepalmed. I averted my eyes guiltily. She seemed older than this body, but still just a kid—maybe 16. Felt bad for no reason. The others realized the gravity too and stopped teasing.
"Haa… What can we do? It's done. It'll work out somehow."
Anna smiled wryly. Quick to shake it off, that one.
"It's about time for the lady to arrive. Shall we head in?"
"Y-yeah…."
"Once in a lifetime is enough for crap like earlier."
"Yessir!"
She eyed me dubiously and shook her head. I followed her meekly, as did the rest of the 13th room crew.
Anna led us to the central hall. As she'd hoped, no more incidents. No one picked fights, my temper didn't flare, and Duchess Narcissus didn't come demanding accountability. Thank the heavens.
The hall's vast space felt majestic—sky-high ceiling, dazzling chandeliers. A red carpet stretched from the main doors to the central dais, the path for tonight's star, Elijah.
Guests packed the surroundings. Same fancy types as outside. That's when I spotted something utterly out of place yet familiar.
"Moon Deer?"
The straight red carpet split at the flanking stairs. In the wide space between, fenced in, stood a Moon Deer. Guests crowded around, gawking.
"That's the one the lady tamed…."
"Look at those eyes and that shimmering horn. How is it that beautiful?"
"Definitely a direct Bebel—something otherworldly about her…."
"Wonder how the Moon Church will take this…."
"It's not evil, though. The bad blood was ages ago…."
"Should we be glad they didn't come?"
The Moon Deer roamed calmly inside the fence, unbothered. Too many people to approach, but it suddenly perked up, locking eyes with me and flicking its ears. I grinned and waved. Too crowded to get close, though.
We gathered off the carpet, at an awkward distance.
"Hope she spots us when she enters," Lindel grumbled. True—prime spots near the carpet were taken by early birds or VIP nobles. We were Elijah's guests, but not that level. Being here made everyone feel their place anew.
"Hey, Judas, what about your gift? Can't give it now."
"It's fine. I didn't buy it expecting to hand it over. Just didn't wanna show up empty-handed."
Too flashy for me anyway. No one at camp to give it to—all boys. Maybe to Anna as an apology? Eh, something would work out.
I scanned the nobles, curious about Elijah's family. Bebel members from the game, known only by name. Spotting the neck-clutcher Narcissus made it easy. Pinned-up golden hair, blue eyes.
Those around her must be the Bebel family.
Unlike her contempt for us, her gaze on her family was tender. Her expression soft. Almost like a different person.
But… no one looks like Elijah?
Black hair, red eyes—that combo was nowhere. There are red eyes, but…
Narcissus had blue. Her family all had red eyes like Elijah, but all sported flashy golden locks.
Elijah's hair is pitch black….
As I observed, the doorman bellowed.
"Lady Elijah di Bebel enters!"
The murmurs died. Everyone shifted toward the red carpet, staring at one spot—the main doors. We peeked through the crowd too. I got curious despite myself. Short, I found gaps between legs and bodies.
Right on cue, the grand doors eased open.
Step, step.
Small feet padded softly on the carpet. Black leather shoes gleamed under the chandeliers. Black hair in elaborate twin tails. Red eyes stared straight ahead impassively. The dress, matching that red, suited her perfectly.
He's heavier makeup than usual.
Her cheeks especially rosy. Heavy for a kid. Nobles had it rough.
Polite applause followed as Elijah walked the carpet. She ignored the guests, gliding gracefully. Was she blanker than usual, or just my imagination?
She halted mid-stride. Her soft scan of the room fixed on something. The applause faded as people followed her gaze, murmuring.
Elijah stepped forward—toward a cluster of guests. Off the carpet. Without a word, they parted. She walked through as if expected.
Her target: me.
She'd zeroed in on me amid the throng. No clue how. No room to back up as she approached. The other candidates knelt swiftly; I followed.
"Judas."
Elijah stood before me. "Yes… my lady."
"Look up."
I did. Her big eyes blinked, flicking between the box at my side and my face.
"That a gift? For me?"
"…Yes. It is."
"Hand it over."
I hesitated, then offered the box carefully.
"Thanks."
Elijah smiled brightly. "Haircut? Looks good."
"Ah, y-yes? No, thank you…."
She hugged the box and turned back to the carpet like nothing happened. I stared blankly.
What just happened…?
It was meant for her originally. I'd given up, thinking no chance. The butler refused, and Elijah personally fetching it? Unthinkable, even if I piqued her curiosity.
Anyway, the gift found its owner. Fine. All good.
But why here, in front of everyone, so flashily?
Did it have to be like this…?
Richard patted my shoulder. "Dude… you're screwed."
He was right. Hundreds of nobles stared right at me.
"…Ah."
Something kept going wrong.