I'll Borrow the Second-in-Command (4)
The midnight uproar did not take long to settle. The guards who arrived first turned the onlookers away, and Ru's father, coming out after them, dismissed the guards themselves. With that, we returned to the mansion and headed straight for the bedroom.
Along the way I fretted over how I was supposed to wash, but fortunately purification magic managed to solve the problem. In a way it was a relief. Of all the things I had worried about when the handcuffs went on, the awkwardness of those petty practicalities had been first on the list.
But the next morning, the awkward glances Ru and I traded across the desk were unavoidable. Over the rim of a coffee cup with steam still curling up from it, I carefully offered a morning greeting to her pale face, as wan as ever.
"Good morning, Ru."
"Yes. Did you sleep well, Claus."
"I rested fine. You seemed to have a rough night of it, though."
"..."
"...Hmm."
Maybe that was a remark better left unsaid. I'd only babbled because the silence felt awkward. My mouth really is a menace.
Still, Ru gazed into my eyes with an expression that didn't look particularly offended. Just as that stare grew burdensome and I began to turn my head away, she spoke in a heavy voice.
"First, I'll apologize. After all, I caused you to suffer an ordeal while you were under my roof. On that point there is no room for excuses."
"No, it wasn't that big a deal."
"And I believe I may have misjudged you a little. Up until midway through, I truly thought you might have bribed those demonkin. But it was my misunderstanding after all."
"Why would I do something like that, Ru."
"Because the you I know was more than the type to try it."
My type, huh. So she still thinks of me as part of those thief gangs. Only then did I somewhat understand how thoroughly those bastards had been dragging the city's image through the mud.
That was probably why Lia had never been eager to show her face in public either. While that thought was still turning over, Ru tossed me an unexpected question.
"But Claus. About how you threw yourself in for the citizens last night. That... why exactly did you do it?"
"Well... strictly speaking I didn't exactly throw myself in. I just did what needed doing."
"You did what needed doing?"
"In a situation like that, wouldn't anyone have done the same?"
"...Hmm."
Feeling somehow dismissed, I answered a little curtly this time as well. But Ru looked at me with an expression of deep impression.
"Anyone... Yes. Of course they would have. But I never expected to hear such words from your mouth."
"I'm a person too. You think I'd just stand there even at a time like that?"
"A fair point. Enough to make me wonder why I never thought of it that way until now. But understand me, Claus. Until now..."
"..."
"...I had never fought with my back entrusted to anyone."
Her voice carried even a trace of wistfulness. As if wandering through a dream, something like the regrets of a lifetime seemed to linger in her blankly clouded eyes.
Looks like she thinks I did something truly memorable yesterday. Seeing that, I deliberately cleared my throat and spoke with calculated casualness.
"Ahem. Now you know my true feelings, Ru. I'm just a person like you."
"Yes. Now I understand, Claus."
"So, you know. I won't go so far as to ask you to send me home just yet, but still, person to person, at least take the handcuffs off while we talk..."
"Ah, that won't do. After last night's events, even less so."
"Huh?"
It was such an unexpected reaction that I let a little fluster show. Ru smirked and playfully shook the arm still bound by the cuffs.
"I expected as much, but you really are strong. Handling that many demonkin without difficulty."
"Ah, that. That... um."
"I'm only saying this now, but those creatures are not ones to be dismissed lightly. Hundreds of them charging in full force, yet you didn't so much as bat an eye."
"No, that's, well—um."
"Even I found them a bit overwhelming."
"..."
What do I do. Should I just come clean with the truth? But if I say they simply didn't attack me, it'll only pile on more suspicion for no reason.
Weighing truth against lies, I ultimately decided to keep my mouth shut. Ru lightly winked one eye and spoke again.
"So I can't remove the handcuffs. You'd probably do the same if you were me."
"...Haa."
"Then shall we begin the investigation soon? There are more than one or two things I want to ask."
"Yes, well. Go ahead."
I eventually nodded in resignation, thinking I would roughly cooperate and at least get permission to send a letter.
But then a knock suddenly sounded. Before Ru could even answer, someone's urgent voice leaked through the door.
"Sir Knight! Sir Knight! Are you inside?"
"Yes. No need to raise your voice. Speak quietly."
"My apologies. But it's such an urgent matter... I believe you'll need to come out for a moment."
"It's inconvenient right now. What is this about?"
"Well..."
As if this were routine, Ru answered with perfect calm. The moment she heard the reply that followed, however, her face darkened at once.
"Count Gramont has come to call."
"What? Why of all times..."
"I was told he has something urgent to discuss regarding yesterday's events. He said it was a very pressing matter."
"Can you send him away saying I'm unwell today."
"That... seems impossible. You know how stubborn he is. I barely stopped him from barging into the room itself."
"Hmm..."
Count Gramont, huh. I've heard that name somewhere before.
But that hardly mattered to me right now. There was no way she could receive a guest of a count's rank while still handcuffed to me. The instant the thought struck, I spoke up at once.
"Then there's no choice, Ru. I'll wait quietly in the room, so please take these off. I promise I won't pull anything."
"That isn't the problem right now. Anyone else is one thing, but I cannot let Count Gramont discover my true appearance."
"What's the big deal. You're pretty enough."
"...I'm grateful, but as you know I don't exactly look healthy. Count Gramont is the sort of man who can pick any fault he likes with that. A sickly girl who can't even see the sun, playing at being a knight—he'll call it nonsense."
"Then wear a helmet."
"I have a spare helmet, but the armor is still being made. If I wear something that isn't mine he'll raise questions about that too, and if I go out without armor and they learn I'm a woman, that's a problem of its own..."
"How about dressing thickly to hide it?"
"Just hide it with clothes?"
She flung her chest open wide as if the suggestion were absurd. At that utterly defenseless gesture I lost all sense of where to put my eyes and blankly stared at the ceiling.
Having deployed overwhelming force of an entirely different kind, Ru let out a deep sigh and finally spoke the true feelings she had been holding back.
"And more than anything, I simply hate talking with that man."
"So that was the real reason."
"Count Gramont is skilled at finding and digging into my openings. Should I say his very nature simply doesn't match mine. If only someone could step forward in my place..."
"...?"
"...Yes. That would work."
Then Ru suddenly looked at my face as if a brilliant idea had struck her. That gaze alone was enough for me to foresee the trouble ahead, and I shook my head in advance.
"I refuse, Ru."
"Pretend to be me and speak with him."
"I said I refuse."
"Didn't he say he came to discuss yesterday's events. And the one who wore that helmet yesterday was not me but you. So it's only right that you take responsibility."
"What kind of nonsense is that..."
"I'll help with the important parts from the side, so just this once, please. Deceiving people is your specialty, isn't it. Hmm?"
Who does she take for a complete con artist. At first I meant to refuse out of wounded pride, but then it occurred to me that I could use this to demand compensation. Transactions are give and take at the root, after all.
"Then let me write a letter. Today. Right away."
"You'll do it? Then of course I'll allow it. Though I'll have to inspect the contents to some extent..."
"And take the handcuffs off too."
"The handcuffs...?"
"If you do that, I'll grant your request. How about it?"
"...Ugh."
A troubled breath escaped her. But I made it clear with my expression that I would yield no further.
Outside the door the servant was still stamping their feet, waiting for her answer. At that point, the only reply she could choose was one.
"It's been a while, White Knight. Have you been well?"
"Yes."
"Somehow your voice seems a bit changed. You must have been through more hardship than you look."
"Yes."
"...You're more taciturn than usual. Do you intend to keep this up?"
...
"Yes."
The third identical answer. Even if it was a promised performance, the fidelity was excessive. Only then did Ru swallow the regret of whether she ought to have given more specific instructions.
But it was already too late. All he could say now were three phrases: yes, I understand, and that cannot be. Everything else fell to Ru, who had appointed herself the White Knight's temporary secretary.
"So who might that be over there?"
"Yes. I am serving as Sir Everdeen's secretary..."
"Ah, never mind. You always bring someone I don't know, so roughly some person you dragged along. Even so, what's a woman doing in men's affairs. Tsk."
"..."
"Anyway, I'll get to the point. You the White Knight also seem quite busy. Hmm?"
Even allowing for his rank as a count, the arrogance and insolence of his manner were extreme. Had Ru possessed even a slightly less upright temperament, she would already have resorted to force.
But Count Gramont was a man who knew precisely how to exploit the White Knight's upright nature to the fullest. That was why, this time as well, he meant to harass her with a matter of utter triviality.
"I heard you had another ruckus in the streets yesterday. That you repelled demonkin who invaded the capital. Well, first I offer my sincere praise for that valor."
"I understand."
"But merits and demerits must be clearly distinguished. Because you overpowered one of the demonkin rather excessively yesterday, my buildings and roads suffered considerable damage. You're aware of that as well, I assume?"
"Yes."
"So I shall need to receive repair costs for the portions Duke Everdeen damaged. After all, I lost a portion of my property overnight. Then—may I bill you at once?"
"..."
Is this the part where I'm supposed to say "That cannot be"? Claus subtly turned his gaze toward Ru. She opened her mouth in a voice that suppressed emotion as tightly as she could.
"First, I express deep regret for the damage suffered in last night's events, Count Gramont. However, according to kingdom law, regarding damage that occurs in situations of serious threat or disaster..."
"Yes, yes. I know that law well enough myself. But was yesterday's event truly a situation of serious threat? Didn't the demonkin target only the Everdeen mansion?"
"But it is also true that one of the monsters flew toward the citizens. Regarding this there are witnesses as well..."
"Ah, I know that too. But the method of suppressing that one. Wasn't it a bit excessive? With the illustrious White Knight's skills, I believe you could have sufficiently minimized the damage?"
"Even so, in such an emergency situation..."
"Or were you not of that level of ability after all? Hey, White Knight. That woman seems to be trying to damage your honor—are you content to leave her like that?"
Cutting people off when at a disadvantage, needlessly grating on their nerves—the count's signature manner of speech. Because of it she had lost her composure and suffered losses more times than she could count. Each time, Ru had simply ended the conversation by saying if he needed money that badly, he could just take it.
Of course the count did not need such pocket change either. He merely wished to harass the White Knight, who was a thorn in his eye, by any means available. He was a disgusting gadfly clinging under a cow's belly and sucking blood for no reason at all.
"And I thought the way of speaking was frustrating, but it exactly resembles the usual White Knight's speech. If you want counsel, use another woman. Hmm?"
"..."
"So what will you do, White Knight. If you truly insist, you may stand in court. Or, like last time, crudely challenge me to a duel."
"..."
"I am a busy man as well. Won't you give an answer soon?"
Already sick of it. Just a few exchanges and the anger is rising. This is exactly why I didn't want to face this man.
And wasn't that the reason she had put Claus forward in her place? Perhaps at this point simply handing over a few coins and sending him away was the profitable trade. Having reached that conclusion, Ru tapped Claus's knee to give the signal.
"...I understand."
"Understanding means I may bill you, correct? Is that it?"
"Yes."
"Good. I've brought the bill, so this will go quickly. First, the amount is here, and I'll roughly explain the contents."
Petty talk could have been handled by a proxy, but the count shoved the bill forward himself for the sole reason of wanting to bother the White Knight further. The sum was not particularly large, as always, yet neither was it a level one could simply ignore.
No—this time it was a bit excessive. While she had been away, the count's petulance seemed to have grown worse. Even so, he continued explaining the costs in his slow, deliberate speech.
"So this is the cost to restore the damaged roads, and this is for the damage inflicted on the building exterior walls. Details you wouldn't understand even if I explained them, so I'll skip..."
"..."
"The second page is the detailed billing for the restoration work. Roughly speaking: building materials, labor costs. And painting costs and so on. Ah, painting means that business of painting buildings. And next..."
"..."
"With this, the total comes to about this much. Read it carefully later, and the deadline is next Monday at the latest, so as much as possible without delay..."
...
"...Wait."
But then, suddenly, Claus seized the count's wrist. At the unexpected action both Ru and the count looked at him with flustered expressions.
"Wh-what is this all of a sudden? Let go of this first."
"Something's strange."
"Claus. What's wrong?"
In the sudden turn of events Ru even forgot to keep her stiff register and whispered to him in a small voice. But Claus paid her question no mind at all and stared fixedly at the bill the count had held out.
After a long silence, he opened his mouth in his characteristic carefree voice.
"Something's very, very strange. Count—you seem to have made some mistakes somewhere."
"Th-that's nonsense. Are you saying you can't pay compensation now?"
"No. Anyway, since things were broken they need to be fixed—that's correct. But the costs are very wrong. Especially, does painting a building cost this much?"
"You the White Knight wouldn't know well. But this much is originally normal. Labor costs and... that thing... if you calculate everything..."
"I think the one who doesn't know is you, Count. I've done this myself, so I know very well. Painting, building restoration, road improvement work—all of it."
At the White Knight's suddenly changed manner of speech, the count unconsciously gulped. Claus sent him a sharp gaze through the helmet and spoke again.
"Then—shall we go through them one by one?"