The chestnut-haired knight, still holding his sword aloft, wore an expression of cold resolve. “My lady, no matter how hard I think about it, he’s too suspicious. Am I supposed to believe it’s a mere coincidence that a kid like him showed up to dispatch those hounds that even a high-ranking knight struggled with?”
Ignoring the blade pressing against his throat, Elric met Marcus’ unwavering gaze with his own emotionless stare.
Does he think I’m related to those Frost Hounds? Elric wondered. Fortunately, this reaction doesn’t really pose a threat to my plans.
“Even so, he still saved us,” replied Alyvia in exasperation. She stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Marcus’ arm. “Lower your sword.”
After a tense moment, Marcus reluctantly followed Alyvia’s command.
“…Yes, my lady.”
Alyvia released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, then turned to Elric. “I apologize for the late introduction. I am Alyvia of the Humes family, and this rather discourteous knight is Sir Marcus. I am deeply grateful for your assistance. May I ask for the name of the kind stranger who helped us?”
Elric inwardly scoffed. How strategic. It was a simple enough question, but he could discern she was just as suspicious as her knight.
The rude knight stands in contrast to his gentle noble counterpart, and now the kind stranger unknowingly confides in the noblewoman. Well, there’s no harm in playing along for now...
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Alyvia. My name is Elric,” he answered evenly, meeting Alyvia’s probing gaze. Her green eyes seemed to urge him to disclose more. “I am but an immature forager who traversed too far in search of rare herbs to make a living.”
The lie smoothly rolled off Elric’s tongue as he looked at the unusual flower clutched in Alyvia’s hand. She’s been holding onto that flower since I helped her stand up; surely herbs are a good enough reason for anyone to come this deep inside a forest.
Taken aback, Alyvia tightened her hold on the Mystic Orchid she had long forgotten about. “Ah... We must have thwarted your plans.”
“Not at all. I was already making my way out of the forest but was unable to ignore the distressed cry of a lady.”
A faint blush appeared on Alyvia’s cheeks. “I see... Thank you once again,” she responded sheepishly. Elric was saying all the right things, and she couldn’t help but feel foolish about her suspicions.
Inwardly seething, Marcus watched Alyvia’s reaction. Is she really falling for this?! he thought angrily. There was clearly something off about Elric. He wielded a strange purple aura, and his expression hadn’t changed once, even when a sword was aimed at his throat.
“It was no problem, my lady. I am simply glad I could be of assistance,” replied Elric with a bow. “But…” His head rose slightly. “Will it be okay?”
“Will what be okay?”
“Your safety. I wasn’t injured too badly, but your knight has lost strength in his right arm. Perhaps it would be best for me to accompany you out of the forest.”
Marcus bristled at the suggestion. “That won’t be necessary,” he snapped. “We can manage on our ow–”
“I’ll accept,” interrupted Alyvia.
Marcus’ jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Alyvia’s decision was final.
With a small sigh, Alyvia tried to conceal her exhaustion. Her venture into Feywild Forest was supposed to be simple and straightforward, but instead it had turned into a harrowing event where she now owed a stranger a great debt. However, Elric’s actions were too significant for her to skimp out on.
He deserved a proper reward.
“Elric, you have already saved our lives once; if you also protect us on our way out of the forest, I will see to it that the Humes family fairly compensates you.”
Elric’s lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. He did it.
“I would be honored.”
“Great,” replied Alyvia, pulling out a pouch. “I’m not a light mage, so I can’t heal wounds directly, but these medicinal herbs should be of help.” She placed the pouch in Elric’s hand.
Elric nodded and tightened his grip around it. “I understand.”
Suddenly, he felt the weight of a hand on his shoulder.
“It’s late, but I would also like to give you my thanks,” Marcus said stiffly. “My overprotectiveness of my lady, coupled with my injury, made me act rudely. I hope you can forgive me.” Marcus finished his statement with a firm squeeze on Elric’s shoulder.
Elric glanced at the annoying source of pain. Was this a warning? He stifled a laugh. He didn’t care if this random knight disliked him for whatever reason.
He had already achieved his goal.
“I will keep that in mind, Sir Marcus.”
Marcus deeply frowned at the vague response but dropped his hand to avoid causing a scene.
Finally, after some time, Marcus and Elric finished applying Alyvia’s medicinal herbs to their wounds, and the three of them began to make their way out of the forest. As they walked, Elric kept his senses sharp, ready to face any further dangers the forest might throw at them, all while contemplating the intricate web of plans forming in his mind.
* * *
“Welcome back, my lady.”
Elric watched as an older man with graying hair greeted Alyvia. His demeanor was calm yet authoritative, exuding the confidence of someone who had weathered many years in service to the Humes family.
“Hello, Thomas. Is father home?”
Thomas shook his head. “The viscount is currently returning from the capital and will arrive during dinnertime.”
“Hmm… alright,” muttered Alyvia. “Please inform the staff to prepare a bath and a change of clothes for our guest. He will be joining father and I for dinner.”
“Yes, my lady,” Thomas responded. He briefly excused himself to attend to Alyvia’s instructions, his keen gaze discreetly assessing Elric before he departed.
Left with just Alyvia, Elric took a moment to think about the prior events. Fortunately, as they escaped the forest, they didn’t encounter any mana beasts that were stronger than those mutated Frost Hounds, and Alyvia was able to remain safe. Once they reached the forest’s edge, a carriage bearing the Humes family crest awaited them, and Alyvia formally invited Elric to the Humes Estate.
Now he stood in the manor’s entryway.
“I hope Sir Marcus heals quickly,” said Alyvia, breaking the silence. She had wasted no time in ordering him to receive proper treatment upon their arrival at the estate, as he was the most seriously injured of the three.
“It seems my lady cares a lot about her knights,” remarked Elric.
Alyvia turned to him and let out a sigh. “Well, it’s truly unfortunate when loyalty is met with indifference from the one it serves.”
Elric raised a brow in surprise. She’s the complete opposite of Leonard, he thought.
Before their conversation could continue, Thomas arrived with a young maid by his side.
“My lady, your quarters are prepared, and the bath is being drawn for our guest. Mina here will guide him.”
“Thank you, Thomas,” replied Alyvia. “Mina, please see to it that Elric’s stay is comfortable.”
“Of course, my lady.” Mina turned to Elric, her eyes full of curiosity but respectful. “This way, Sir Elric.”
As the maid escorted Elric farther into the manor, he took a look back.
Alyvia was speaking with Thomas, her face solemn.
*
Mina led Elric to a spacious room on the manor’s second floor. In the room was an adjoining chamber, where his steaming bath awaited him.
“Is there anything else you need, Sir Elric?” asked Mina.
Elric took a deep breath. “I’m fine. You may leave.”
With a small bow, Mina left him to his own privacy.
After removing his tattered pieces of clothing, Elric eased into the warm water, the weariness of the past few days ebbing away.
“I can’t believe I’ve made it this far,” he sighed. It was his first time in a noble’s manor and his first time being surrounded by luxury.
“If I were to forget about my revenge, I could live the rest of my life without worrying about money…”
Such a path was desirable for many, but for Elric, it did nothing to quench the flames of bitterness within him. He knew his chosen path would be bloody and dangerous, but for now, he had survived.
And revenge is what he lived for.
“Haa…” Elric sank deeper into the water. His dark hair had grown to a considerable length and now tickled his shoulders.
“...”
“I need a haircut.”
* * *
Taking a short break from their duties, a small group of maids gathered in a secluded corner of the Humes Manor. Huddled together, they exchanged whispers, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected guest who had arrived with Lady Alyvia.
“Did you see him?” asked one of the maids, her eyes wide with intrigue. “The man Lady Alyvia brought home?”
Another maid nodded eagerly. “I managed to catch a glimpse of him. He appeared as though he’d been through a battlefield!”
“He looks rather young, doesn’t he?” remarked a third maid with a mischievous grin. “Perhaps the lady has a penchant for younger men.”
The group erupted in giggles at the playful suggestion, and Mina joined in with a slight chuckle. She knew better than to indulge in idle gossip, yet even she couldn’t help but wonder about the bedraggled guest.
Greta, a maid who was a bit older and more serious, let out a sigh. “Don’t be ridiculous, Carmen,” she said, shaking her head. “I doubt Lady Alyvia brought him here for such reasons. He must be someone important, or perhaps he helped her in some way.”
“Yeah, even Sir Marcus arrived in bad shape,” added one of the younger maids.
Carmen shrugged, still grinning. “You never know. Maybe he’s got some hidden charm under all that grime.”
“There you all are!”
The maids’ conversation came to an abrupt halt with the arrival of Anne, the head maid of the Humes Manor. “Enough gossiping, all of you,” she said sternly. “There’s still work to be done. The manor doesn’t run itself.”
The maids quickly scattered, their laughter fading into nervous smiles as they resumed their chores. Mina, too, began to move, but was stopped by Anne’s firm voice.
“Mina.”
“Yes?"
“The lady’s guest must have finished his bath by now. Go and guide him to the dining room.”
Mina nodded in compliance and watched as Anne strode away to return to her own duties. Releasing a quiet sigh, Mina began to make her way towards the guest wing of the manor. As she approached Elric’s room and prepared to knock, the door was suddenly pulled open.
“...?!”
Mina stared at Elric in pure shock.
His dark hair, which previously hid his face, was now gently swept back, revealing an undeniably handsome visage. His nose and mouth were beautifully curved, and his piercing violet eyes possessed a depth that completely captivated her.
Was this really the same boy she had escorted prior?!
**Need something to read while you wait for the next episode? Check out these other contest entries! Links are below!**
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