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Chapter 26
Caron’s cold gaze pierced the viscount. He was one of those lackeys that the old retainers had forced upon him not long ago.
“He’s assisting me with my work.”
“In what way?”
“Do I really need to explain that as well?”
At Caron’s frigid question, the air froze.
“N-no, of course not.”
Crushed by Caron’s overwhelming presence, the viscount bowed his head in a subdued, servile manner.
Yet, his eyes still burned with hostility. Should I kill him here? Caron briefly considered.
“Kyahhh!”
A shriek erupted from the side where the ladies were gathered. Every gaze, including Caron’s, turned in that direction.
There stood El, looking flustered, and a noblewoman with her face twisted in anger. The noblewoman’s dress was drenched in red wine.
“I-I’m sorry…”
“Sorry? Do you think you could possibly pay for something this valuable? Or perhaps you’re planning to curry favor with your oh-so-great master?”
“N-no, that’s not it…”
El froze in place, utterly flustered. Just moments ago, the atmosphere had been cheerful. She had thought she was handling their probing questions rather well.
‘Does the baron reside at the duke’s mansion?’
‘Yes. I work there while staying in the mansion.’
‘Oh my. Your parents must miss you dearly, sending their young daughter away so soon. They must worry for you.’
She knew. Rationally, she knew this too was all part of their little game, just acting to test her. And yet—she fell for it.
‘My parents have passed away. The Duke was gracious enough to extend his kindness and allow me to stay in the mansion.’
It was just that one sentence. Just one.
But the moment she said it, the ladies’ eyes changed. Having no parents meant, in truth, she had no protector.
Like a puppy on the street, abandoned and crying for its mother.
Normally, people might pity such a thing. But if that “puppy” were a person trying to integrate into noble society?
That changed everything.
And so, the current situation unfolded.
‘No wonder your manners are lacking. We’ll just be understanding about it.’
“W-what do you mean by that?”
‘Would you pour the tea for us?’
“……”
‘We wouldn’t want to trouble the Duke. Brewing tea so poorly, honestly.’
‘Well, perhaps you and your master share a bond in having no roots.’
“What do you mean by that?”
‘Didn’t you know? The one who owns the bed you so diligently warm—he doesn’t even know who his mother is.’
“Are you insulting the Duke?”
‘Oh, look at that. Baring your fangs for your master? Go on, bark a little louder. Or will you even try biting?’
Unable to endure their crude, blatant insults, El shot to her feet, ready to snap back. Just then, the table shook and wine spilled—right onto the noblewoman’s dress.
Seeing the stained dress, El reflexively bowed and apologized over and over again. It was a habit ingrained deep in her bones, a survival instinct.
Especially since the noblewoman’s appearance and age reminded her too much of the orphanage’s headmistress. From the start, El was fighting a losing battle.
That was when—
“What’s going on here?”
The voice was leisurely, languid.
Even in this tense moment, Caron was every inch the noble. El bit her lip hard.
She didn’t want to make a mistake. But she couldn’t bear to let Caron be insulted like this.
And yet, who would believe her? All the witnesses here were in league with one another. El closed her eyes, resignation heavy in her chest.
I’ll bear it. That’s the only conclusion.
“D-Duke! Baroness Olf spilled wine on me…!”
The noblewoman, seizing the opportunity, hurried to Caron and displayed her wet dress.
“Silence.”
At Caron’s frigid gaze, her face drained of color.
The killing intent he radiated was not something easily endured.
He had cut down countless necks—both in war and to secure his dukedom.
Just as pigs and cattle tremble instinctively before the butcher, so too did humans lose their reason and shake before Caron. Just like this noblewoman now.
“El. Speak.”
“I’m sorry.”
El lowered her head deeply in apology. Caron’s expression grew darker, more vicious.
“Not an apology. Explain the situation.”
His words, spat out like ground glass, made everyone tense and shrink back.
“I spilled wine and dirtied the lady’s dress.”
“Haa… And what outcome do you expect from this?”
Caron let out a quiet sigh and posed the question.
Holding back tears that threatened to spill, El bit her lip until the taste of iron spread in her mouth.
“I will pay for her dress with my wages, and return to the mansion to reflect.”
“No.”
“…?”
Caron reached out, pressing his thumb against her lips. Red stained his skin.
“I asked what punishment would be fitting for someone who insulted House Pheros.”
“…What?”
His voice was unbearably low and cold, as if he might draw his blade and kill someone then and there.
“What punishment do you think this person deserves? Speak, El.”
“I-I don’t dare…”
“Why think yourself unworthy? You are my adjutant. You have more than enough right to pass judgment. …Damn it, stop biting your lips.”
With a blank, icy expression, Caron drew a handkerchief from his breast and firmly pressed it against El’s lips.
“Then… I want an apology.”
“…That’s all?”
“I want her to kneel before you and apologize—for insulting the House of Pheros.”
“How dull.”
“……”
The banquet hall fell into heavy silence.
Caron’s black eyes slowly shifted toward the noblewoman.
“Well? Or shall I cut off those stiff knees of yours so you can kneel properly?”
“I-I’ve committed a grave sin! Please, just spare my life! How dare I… I must have lost my mind, Your Grace!”
“Yes. You have lost it.”
“P-pardon?”
“Leave. At once.”
His voice was so soft, almost tender—but it only heightened the terror.
“……”
“Before I slaughter your entire household.”
“Y-yes! At once! Thank you for sparing me, Your Grace! Mercy, such mercy…”
“Get out.”
At his words, several nobles hurriedly fled with their wives from the hall.
The host, desperate to lighten the atmosphere, quickly signaled the musicians.
Music resumed, and the nobles, though watching Caron nervously, forced themselves to enjoy the party.
Caron only released El once he confirmed that her lips had stopped bleeding.
“Y-your Grace…”
“I gave you the outcome you asked for. So why are you still harping on ‘Your Grace’?”
Caron furrowed his brow deeply, and El quickly ducked her head, flustered.
“I-it just felt like I should…”
“Enough. I’m not angry with you, so stop treading on eggshells. When you act like that, it makes me want to hunt those bastards down myself.”
“You mustn’t!”
“That’s why I’m holding back.”
Caron’s reply was curt as he picked up a glass of wine. Seizing the chance, El carefully spoke up.
“Um… may I take a short walk? I’d like to clear my head.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“N-no! I’ll be fine on my own.”
She quickly waved her hands. What she needed right now was time alone.
Fortunately, Caron let her go without much reaction.
El left the hall pretending to be composed, but once she was out of sight she ran, hurried and stumbling, toward a secluded spot.
She didn’t want to let those nobles see her tear-stained face.
Though no tears fell, the lump in her throat surged upward with every step.
“Ugh… hic…”
A mistake. She shouldn’t have said it.
She should have shamelessly invented parents, laughed it off, whether truth or lie.
Because of her, the banquet’s mood was ruined, and Caron had to step in to fix her blunder.
Again. Always, she was the one taking the hand Caron extended—never the one extending a hand to him. Never.
A suffocating helplessness wrapped around her entire body.
“I tried… I really tried…”
Her steps halted in the middle of the dark, lamp-less garden maze.
Never before had she felt so small. As though she could do nothing, utterly powerless.
Would she live her whole life leeching off Caron, never once truly helping him? The fear of it rose in her throat, burning.
Her eyes brimmed red when—
“There you are.”
“Wh-who’s there…”
Startled, El stumbled back, widening the distance.
In the pale moonlight appeared a young nobleman.
“I am Viscount Trevel.”
“Ah… hello. Forgive me, but I—”
“Don’t mind the nobles’ hazing. It’s nothing new.”
What? Was there actually a noble who bore her goodwill?
Maintaining her composure, El smiled politely and gave a courteous greeting.
“Thank you.”
“More importantly—are you aware of the rumors?”
“Ah…”
El’s face immediately stiffened. Of course. That’s why he had come.
“They say it’s all out of jealousy—because you’re too beautiful.”
But Trevel’s words caught her off guard. El’s eyes widened in surprise before she quickly composed herself.
“I appreciate you saying so, but I doubt that’s the real reason behind those rumors.”
“What are you talking about? You’re the most alluring of all.”
Alluring? What on earth did he mean by that?
To be continued…
