The Elf Who Wants to Be Humiliated

Chapter 4 – The Fiancée I Don’t Want to Lose

A warm, sunny morning.

Steward Habid, rising earlier than anyone else in the household, was strolling through the courtyard.

His neatly pressed tailcoat, slicked-back hair, elegant mustache, and polished shoes were his pride and trademark.

Of course, polishing his shoes and grooming himself every morning was quite inconvenient, but Habid could endure it sufficiently.

‘For the honor of the family, such efforts are nothing.’

For Habid, who had worked as a servant of the Deharm Viscounty since he was very young before securing the position of head steward, the family’s honor was equivalent to his own.

The attire and demeanor of the head steward, who helped the current family head Theorad manage the mansion’s servants, represented the face of the family. So he couldn’t neglect his grooming just because it was troublesome.

The same applied to his daily morning ritual of visiting the courtyard to pay respects to the statue of the previous family head.

Stopping in front of the statue, Habid pressed his palms together and bowed his head slightly.

“May you rest in peace there. I pray that from the high heavens, you continue to watch over the household members and your son today as well.”

As Habid was about to raise his head after finishing his respects, he paused. He had noticed that the area around the statue was different from usual.

‘The grass at the foot of the statue is flattened.’

Why would the grass, which normally stood straight, be flattened overnight? Since no animals were kept in this mansion, it couldn’t have been a dog.

‘Who on earth would have approached the previous master’s statue so closely?’

The current master? No. Theorad always paid his respects from two steps away from the statue.

The servants? Most servants didn’t pay attention to the statue. Even if they did, they had no reason to approach the previous master’s statue so closely.

Slaves? Most slaves worked outside the mansion in fields or workshops, and unless it was a special case, they weren’t allowed to enter the courtyard. They were naturally excluded from the list of suspects.

Then who could it be? Staring intently at the flattened grass, Habid knelt down and lowered his head. He thought that if he could find traces left on the grass, it would be easier to identify the culprit.

‘Besides the flattened marks, there’s nothing particularly… Hmm?’

A pungent smell brushed past his nose. It was clearly the lingering scent of something. Driven by curiosity, Habid brought his nose closer to the grass, and with difficulty, he recognized the identity of the smell.

‘…Urine?’

The faint remaining stench was definitely urine.

‘Urinated? On the previous master’s statue?’

Such an outrageous act! His teeth gritted and his cheeks trembled. Habid clenched his fists in anger and sprang to his feet.

‘Who was it! Guram? Karasin? Maltao?’

Three servants known for their poor attitudes came to mind, but he couldn’t be certain.

As much as he wanted to gather all the servants right now and berate them, when such incidents occurred, reporting to the family head Theorad came first.

‘Just wait. Whoever the culprit is, I will not let them off easily.’

He would make sure to punish whoever had tarnished the family’s honor. With a face flushed red from suppressed anger throughout winter, Habid left the courtyard.

*

The study, where sunlight poured abundantly through arched windows.

This space, with a black velvet carpet embroidered with the red-crowned crane symbolizing the family, was a special place that only the family head could use.

A sacred place where even I, as the son of my father, couldn’t enter without my father’s permission. There, I was composing a letter with refined composure.

“To the slave trader Jobila,

This is Theorad Deharm, who purchased an elf slave from you eleven days ago.

First, I apologize for my mistake.

At that time, I was deceived by the elf’s appearance and hastily paid the price, claiming ownership of the elf slave.

I do not intend to deny that the transaction was completed, as I received the slave certificate and completed the imprint contract.

However, Jobila.”

This is clearly an unfair contract. Even though you informed me about the elf’s age, you did not warn me about the dangers of an elf over two hundred and fifty years old, did you?

This is deception against me and furthermore, an insult to the entire slave market which conducts business based on trust.

As an aside, after realizing this fact, I was worried that you might have lost your parents early.

And at a very young age at that. So I decided, with a generous heart, to understand. Since you probably didn’t receive proper home education, you could make a mistake once.

However, I will not forgive a second time. I request that you come to the Deharm Viscounty in the Pelgaroin County immediately and return the elf slave.

If you refuse my request or do not reply, I will not forgive you on the honor of the Deharm Viscounty.

We shall discuss the details face to face. I will end my letter here.

Viscount Theorad, the 7th head of the Deharm Viscounty and assistant to His Excellency the Count in Pelgaroin County, sends his regards to you.”

Having finished writing the letter, I put down the quill pen and waited for the ink to dry.

‘What an eloquent piece.’

Appropriate intimidation of inferiors is a basic quality of nobility. If the slave merchant receives this, he will surely recognize the seriousness of the situation and come to apologize to me.

If I can return the elf afterward, that would be perfect. It would be like removing a time bomb planted in my family, there couldn’t be a better insight than this.

Besides, it’s good for the elf too. Rather than being with me who is selling her reluctantly, if she meets a nobleman who is genuinely rotten in character, wouldn’t she be able to lead a happy life?

This is what you call mutual benefit and killing with kindness.

I left my smirking lips alone as I folded the letter, put it in an envelope, poured sealing wax, and stamped it.

A letter stamped with the family seal. It’s a shame I won’t be able to see the slave merchant’s face contort when he receives this.

Knock knock─

While I was constantly wearing an evil smile, a knock was heard. I cleared my throat to maintain my usual dignity and opened my mouth.

“Come in.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the door opened and an elderly man with a neat appearance entered. It was the head butler Habid, who used to serve my father but now serves me, someone I personally trust.

Habid smiled gently as soon as he saw me and bowed his head in an old-fashioned manner.

“Did you cough, sir? It seems you woke up earlier than usual today.”

I didn’t wake up early, I couldn’t sleep.

“I had a nightmare last night. But what brings the head butler to the office? Isn’t this the time when you should be managing the household staff?”

Habid’s smiling face contorted with guilt. Why is he like that? Somehow the atmosphere wasn’t good.

“Actually… I witnessed an abominable incident early this morning, so I came straight up here after attending to the guest. I thought I should inform the head of the family.”

“Guest? No, more importantly, what abominable incident?”

“Most regrettably… it seems someone urinated on the statue of the previous head of the family.”

“…Huh?”

Regardless of my will, my eyes widened and my breath caught.

What, what is this? How does he know? Who told him? Was there a witness yesterday?

“Your surprise is understandable. However, one fortunate thing is that I discovered this insane act early. If I hadn’t carefully observed the grass at the foot of the statue, the culprit would have probably continued to urinate.”

“…You’re saying there were traces of urine at the foot of the statue?”

“Yes. I confirmed it myself.”

So there wasn’t a witness. That’s somewhat fortunate.

I calmed my startled heart and regained my composure.

“Then how would the head butler like this matter to be handled?”

“Since it’s clear that the culprit is among the household staff, I believe it would be right to catch the culprit and make an example of them to root out such behavior.”

“You say the culprit is among the household staff? How can you be sure of that? Couldn’t it have been an animal?”

“Pardon? Didn’t you, concerned about the courtyard being damaged, order that no animals be kept in the mansion? Since your order, we haven’t kept even birds in the mansion, so that possibility doesn’t exist.”

Shit. Why did I say such a thing…!

My legs are trembling and I can’t put strength into my fingertips. So this is what it feels like when your mind goes blank. Not particularly pleasant.

But I was born as a child of a prestigious noble family and have learned numerous social skills. I cannot fall apart here.

“What I said isn’t wrong.”

Let me think. Although Habid noticed that someone urinated on the statue, there were no witnesses, right? Then there was no need to arouse unnecessary suspicion by saying the investigation should be stopped.

Even if Habid interrogates all the household members, he won’t be able to find the culprit. Yes. Here I needed to act like my usual self.

“I cannot let the trash who urinated on my father’s statue go unpunished. I will delegate some of my authority to you, Head Butler, so please focus on finding the culprit.”

“Yes. For the honor of both the former and current heads of the family, I will certainly catch the culprit.”

No, don’t catch them! The culprit is me! I had the elf do it…!

Calm down. There’s no way I’ll get caught.

“Thank you for your effort on my behalf. And this.”

I held out a letter. Habid approached and respectfully received it.

“Please send this letter. It’s urgent business, so entrust it to the witch for delivery.”

“You mean the witch’s daily special delivery? Understood.”

After taking the letter, Habid stepped back two paces.

As Habid was putting the letter in his breast pocket, he suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke.

“Ah. Come to think of it, I haven’t told you who the distinguished guest visiting the mansion is.”

Oh right. He did mention there was a distinguished guest.

“A distinguished guest?”

“It’s Lady Esili, the second daughter of Count Pelgaroin.”

“Esili?”

Esili is the precious connection arranged by the Count himself and my fiancée.

With her gentle temperament, dignified appearance, and willingness to bestow kindness without hesitation, she was even called a saint in some circles.

I also have infinite affection for Esili. She was a sharp woman whom I felt I could marry and build a family with.

I rose from my seat with a pleased smile.

“I’m sorry for keeping her waiting. I trust she’s been well received?”

“Yes. I ordered the finest refreshments to be served and assigned the staff to attend to her. However, the Lady…”

“However?”

“She said she liked the elf slave, so currently the elf is attending to her instead of the staff.”

Uh…?

My thoughts freeze. Why? Why of all things is the elf attending to her?

A kind disposition toward everyone was certainly praiseworthy, but not toward the elf. Wasn’t that abominable demon a crazy woman who took all kindness shown to her as an insult?

Kindness was poison to the elf. In the unlikely case that the elf grew tired of Esili’s continued kindness…

“Die.”

“Pardon?”

“I said she’ll die…!”

As I broke out in a cold sweat and trembled, Habid gave an awkward smile.

“Your joke is too much. You know well that Lady Esili is not someone who treats slaves roughly. Instead of making such nonsensical remarks, why don’t you go downstairs and enjoy the tea party yourself?”

Shit! If you don’t know, just shut up! If we’re not careful, it won’t be a tea party but a corpse party! The corpses will be duplicated, you naive fellow!

“Ahem.”

I wanted to scream, but the head butler wouldn’t believe me. I wouldn’t believe it either. An elf bought as a slave who turns out to be a powerful mage who has reached the level of archmage? Isn’t that absurd?

The fact that the elf was two hundred and fifty years old was something only I knew in the mansion, which made it even more unbelievable.

My throat itched with the desire to tell someone, but if I revealed this to the household staff, it would only cause confusion. Moreover, the elf wouldn’t leave me alone…

“Let’s go to the reception room.”

As expected. To prevent the worst-case scenario, I had no choice but to confront the elf myself.

Is this how a swordsman feels when entering the arena? I left the room, screaming internally.