The Elf Who Wants to Be Humiliated

Chapter 5 – The Fiancée I Don’t Want to Lose (2)

Bringing an elf into my mansion was clearly my karma.

I’m not sure if it’s truly evil or a sin deserving retribution, but I have no intention of blaming others.

After all, my decision to purchase an elf slave was made with my excessive lust and just a shred of reason.

Still, I cannot forgive others suffering harm because of the elf when they have nothing to do with me.

Taking responsibility for all problems caused by me—that is the duty and obligation of a nobleman.

“Lord Theorad Deharm, head of the Deharm viscounty, is entering!”

The servant announced with a raised voice to emphasize my authority as he opened the reception room door.

Maintaining my tension while staring straight ahead, I let out a sigh of relief at the scene beyond the door.

‘Nothing bad happened.’

Having imagined the worst scenarios—too embarrassing to even voice—I couldn’t help but feel relieved seeing Esili engaged in a pleasant conversation with the elf.

‘More importantly, you’re beautiful today as well.’

Her long golden hair shimmered like gold dust in the sunlight, and her blue eyes resembled the sea on a clear day, as beautiful as lapis lazuli.

If all other women were mere sand on the shore, Esili, you would be a brilliantly shining jewel.

With a personality as gracious and vast as the ocean, how could anyone not adore you?

I walked forward with a pleased smile, but when Habid tried to follow me in, I raised my hand to stop him.

“I’d like to speak with her alone.”

“Understood. I’ll make sure the servants don’t enter.”

Understanding my meaning, Habid backed away and closed the reception room door.

I desperately wished he would chase the elf away too, but since slaves were basically treated as objects, I couldn’t blame him for not including them among people.

“Ah, Lord Theorad!”

As I approached, Esili smiled brightly and raised her hand. Though it violated noble etiquette, there was no one watching now, so what did it matter? I smiled and waved back.

“It’s been a while, Lady Esili.”

Esili blushed and smiled broadly. We had seen each other just two weeks ago—could she really be that happy?

Maintaining my dignity, I pulled out a chair and sat across from Esili. The elf standing beside Esili (dressed in a maid’s uniform, probably provided by the head servant) naturally turned her gaze toward me.

If I had to define the ambiguity of that gaze in one word, it would be close to ‘displeasure.’

‘Damn it.’

I understand, so please be patient a little longer, elf. After I send Esili back quickly, I’ll give you the whipping play you want.

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. Were you bored while I was away?”

As I broke the ice, Esili glanced at the elf once and then smiled pleasantly.

“Not at all. I lost track of time seeing an elf that I’d only ever seen in fairy tales.”

“Ah, is this your first time seeing an elf, my lady?”

“Of course. Elves are basically one of the rarest species in terms of population, and they’re the ruling class of the Great Forest, aren’t they? Normally, they never step out from the depths of the Great Forest, so even if you want to meet them, you can’t.”

True. Unless slave hunters happened to capture a lost elf and bring them out of the forest, there would be no chance to see one. Though the elf in my mansion had deliberately gotten herself captured.

“But seeing that she was captured as a slave, she must be quite young, right? Even elves just over a hundred years old could toy with slave hunters as if they were dealing with children.”

“Ah, um.”

So Esili knew facts that I didn’t. Should I say Esili was knowledgeable, or that I was poorly informed…?

It seemed to be both. Acknowledging my own ignorance, I nodded.

“That’s right. Her age is… you could say she’s twenty-five.”

“Twenty-five? My goodness. I’ve been treating her condescendingly thinking she was younger than me, but she’s actually three years older. Oh dear, how pitiful a life to become a slave in the prime of her youth.”

Esili looked back at the elf with a pitying gaze. Thanks to that, veins bulged in a grid pattern on the elf’s forehead.

Though she was pretending to be expressionless, I could feel an unpleasant aura emanating from around the elf.

If Esili showed any more interest in the elf, she would die…! Sensing the situation turning dangerous, I quickly changed the subject.

“W-well, what brings Your Ladyship to my mansion? Without even giving prior notice.”

“What? Are you unhappy that I came?”

Esili puffed her cheeks with a sulky expression. The sight was so cute that the corners of my mouth involuntarily turned upward.

“Of course not. I was merely asking to check if you had any particular business.”

“Business… Well, yes. While seeing Lord Theorad’s face was my main reason, I also came to deliver a message.”

“A message?”

“It seems my father will be heading to the imperial capital soon. His Majesty the Emperor has issued a summons to the warlords scattered throughout the realm. It’s tiresome. How many times will they bring up that northern expedition or demon realm conquest without actually doing anything?”

“Lady Esili. While I understand your feelings, you should be more careful with your words…”

“If I wanted to be careful with my words, I wouldn’t have come here. Don’t you think His Majesty the Emperor is acting strange, Lord Theorad? It’s not like he’s just putting on a show to discipline the lords.”

She spoke without restraint. If I were any other nobleman, I could have been outraged at her disrespect toward His Majesty the Emperor, and she would have had no defense.

Looking at it another way, this meant Esili trusted me that much. That wasn’t bad.

“Anyway, for that reason, my father will soon entrust the county to Lord Theorad.”

“The Count wants me to serve as regent?”

“Yes. Although you haven’t been the head of your household for long, Lord Theorad, you are still the rightful master of the Deharm Viscounty and the Vice Count. It seems my father wants to test your governing abilities with this opportunity.”

This was unexpected. I had thought that someday I would govern the county with the title of Acting Count. My father had occasionally done so whenever the Count wished.

But this soon? Wasn’t this too great a responsibility when I wasn’t even accustomed to running my own household yet?

No, this might actually be a good opportunity. If I performed the role of regent perfectly and gained various support from the Count, our family would become more splendid…

“Master.”

The cutting voice broke my train of thought.

When I turned my gaze, the elf was looking at me with emotionless eyes.

“Is there anything else you need?”

The hint of hatred within that emotionlessness made my body tremble.

No matter what, I couldn’t behave shamefully in front of my fiancée.

“I don’t need anything…”

I stopped mid-sentence and closed my mouth. It was because the elf’s eyebrows twitched subtly.

She might be trying her best not to show it, but it was quite visible to my eyes.

Gulp.

Fear slid down my throat.

That was clearly a danger sign. I shouldn’t be careless just because she was maintaining a docile attitude. Like still water about to boil, the elf’s anger seemed to have reached its limit.

Somehow, I needed to fulfill my quota of abuse right here. Otherwise, the moment we left the reception room, not only Esili’s neck but mine would be cut off.

“…On second thought, there is something I need. Come here.”

As I raised my hand and beckoned, the elf approached in one bound.

I called her over, but how should I abuse her? Should I slap her cheek? No. A masochistic elf who wasn’t satisfied even with a naked walk wouldn’t be content with such a situation.

Then there’s only this method left.

“I don’t like how a lowly slave like you stands upright on two feet.”

“Lord Theorad…?”

Esili looked at me with a puzzled expression, but I couldn’t back down. Holding back tears inside, I picked up my teacup and stood up from my seat.

“I don’t like you looking me in the eyes either. It seems you haven’t learned your lesson despite my admonishment yesterday.”

I slowly tilted the teacup. The red tea inside sloshed around before pouring down in a stream onto the elf’s head.

“Hyaak!?”

As steam rose, the elf flinched and hunched her shoulders in surprise.

“I’m… I’m sorryyy…”

Moisture gathered in those red eyes pretending innocence. To an outsider, her pitiful expression might elicit immediate comfort, but knowing what I know, I see it differently.

That wasn’t a silent plea to stop, but rather an expression of anticipation, hoping for more abuse.

“Do my words mean nothing to you? You’re still standing on two feet. Insolent wench!”

I threw the teacup I was holding onto the floor. Crash! The cup shattered, pieces scattering everywhere.

“Lord Theorad!”

Esili cried out in a voice close to a scream, but I deliberately ignored her.

Damn it! I’m not doing this because I want to, Esili! Please, I beg you, just stay quiet!

“Crawl on all fours and pick up the fragments. That’s fitting work for someone like you, isn’t it?”

“But, but master…”

“Don’t talk back. You disgusting thing.”

When I frowned, the elf sat down with a whimper.

Looking down at the silver hair now soaked with tea, my heart ached. Even if the elf wasn’t in her right mind, I couldn’t escape the guilt for what I had done.

“If you pick up glass fragments with bare hands, you’ll hurt yourself…”

As I took out a handkerchief from my pocket, the elf looked up at me. For a moment, I flinched at the shadow that crossed the elf’s face and quickly put the handkerchief back.

“…This is perfect work for someone as vulgar as you.”

I quickly changed my words and sat down in the chair. Esili’s gaze was so piercing that I couldn’t bring myself to look up, focusing only on the refreshments on the table.

A cold silence fell over the room. Only the occasional sound of the elf gathering glass fragments could be heard.

While neither Esili nor I knew what to do, the elf began to plead with me, dropping tears.

“Please forgive me, master. If this continues, my hands will be cut by the glass fragments…”

Don’t tell me not to give you the handkerchief, you crazy woman!

“Ah! I got cut. Blood is… blood is… Even though it’s not my period, I’m bleeding, masterrr…”

Don’t say such indecent things in front of Esili! How am I supposed to react to this?!

“Lord Theorad.”

The cool tone made the back of my neck stiffen. Gathering courage to look up, I saw Esili glaring at me with contempt.

“I seem to have misjudged you. I thought you were born with virtue and righteousness, but in reality, you’re no different from a ruffian.”

I’m scared. It was doubly frightening to see someone usually so kind being so harsh…

But if I keep my mouth shut now, my terrible character will become an established fact. I need to explain somehow. Somehow!

“Esili. You misunderstand. I’m not doing this without reason.”

“Huh? Then let’s hear this great reason of yours.”

“Well… I have a disease where I die if I’m kind to slaves.”

After blurting it out, I belatedly gasped. Hey, you absolute idiot! What kind of disease is that?!

Esili seemed to share my thoughts, adding confusion to her contempt. After a moment of silence, she moved her lips, pressing down with disgust.

“What kind of sophistry is that?”

Hearing Esili’s condemnation, I felt all strength leave my body.

Ah. Is this really happening?

Perhaps I’m having a nightmare right now.

“Juiiiing… My fingers hurt so muuuch…!”

And a particularly terrible nightmare at that…