Chapter 17
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Sariel did not care how much Beval threw a tantrum.
No, it almost seemed as if he were deliberately pretending not to care just to make Beval even angrier.
[And you have no manners, either.]
"If you two feel like fighting again, could I ask you to do it in the training grounds instead?"
You’ve already ruined two sofas.
I emphasized my words, and Beval, who had been posturing to flip the tea table, froze.
Whether he cared or not, Sariel, sitting with his legs elegantly crossed, looked as if he were leisurely enjoying his tea.
"Grand Duchess?"
"Yes?"
"Would you like me to... bring more tea?"
Giselle, who had been glancing at the tea level dropping in real-time, asked with a sour expression.
It was understandable.
Giselle couldn't see the angel or the demon.
However, thanks to the heads-up I had given her, she was at least aware that two invisible entities were present in the room.
"Please do. And bring some tea snacks as well."
"Understood."
[Drinking tea all day long, are we?]
[And you’ve been doing nothing but vulgar things all day long.]
'They're fighting again.'
I didn't have any regrets when I was busy weighing my options with those two just a few days ago...
But now, I have a few.
'I’m going to get sick of this soon. I need to find a way to achieve my goal and send them back as quickly as possible.'
If I keep dragging my feet, all my precious furniture is going to end up smashed to pieces.
"It is a fruit-blended black tea."
Or worse, I’ll run out of the high-quality tea leaves reserved for guests.
I watched as Giselle politely brewed tea for the invisible guests, then rose to my feet.
[Idir, where are you going?]
"I just remembered something I need to do."
[I’m coming too, I’m coming.]
"You two stay here..."
I was about to stop Beval, who had dropped the chair he was going to throw at Sariel and was now trotting after me, but I hesitated.
'If I leave those two alone...'
The mansion might collapse.
"Fine, do as you please."
[I shall stay here. This black tea is actually quite decent.]
Accompanied by Beval and Giselle, the first place I headed was the room where Holdin was staying.
After a brief knock, I opened the door to find Holdin enjoying a meal at a leisurely pace, and he jumped in surprise.
"Eek!"
He then curled his body up as much as he could, hiding behind the back of his chair.
His wary gaze darted toward Giselle.
'Looks like he got a taste of her strength, doesn't it?'
"Giselle. Could you step out for a moment?"
"Yes, understood."
She bowed her head neatly and left the room.
Only then did Holdin crawl out, looking around cautiously, beads of cold sweat clinging to his forehead.
I walked past him, having thoroughly terrified him, and calmly pulled out a chair to sit.
"Shall we have a little chat?"
When I gestured toward the empty chair in front of me, Holdin’s expression twisted openly.
His eyes seemed to ask what kind of conversation we could possibly have at this point.
"If you don't sit down immediately, I’ll call Giselle back."
"I was just about to sit."
He jumped up and took a seat in front of me.
[Idir. You really should be the one to contract with me. To think that pathetic guy is my contractor.]
Beval, who had been watching Holdin’s fidgeting with disdain, whined while resting his cheek on my shoulder.
[I’m too embarrassed to even mention it to anyone.]
"I believe I’m aware that double contracts are impossible."
[She never lets a single word slide, not one.]
"Sir Holdin. How is your condition?"
Beval’s petty complaints were now easy enough to ignore.
At my nonchalant question, Holdin’s face twisted instantly.
"Do you think I’m fine? After you tried to kill me?"
"But you didn't die, did you?"
When I retorted shamelessly, he let out a dry laugh and sat back in his chair.
His neck was wrapped in bandages.
I didn't remember it being serious enough to warrant such a fuss, but whether it was intentional or just his nature, he seemed to be the type to exaggerate his pain significantly.
"Ah, yes! Of course. Should I thank you for not killing me when you tried to?"
"Would you like me to make you beg to be killed instead?"
As soon as I asked with a bright smile, his face turned as pale as a sheet.
"I beg your pardon...?"
"It seems you don't quite understand your current situation."
"I trust you haven't forgotten who I am contracted with, Grand Duchess."
"Of course I haven't. That’s why I’m asking, isn't it?"
Will you shut up and cooperate nicely, or shall I make you wish you were dead?
When I offered a smile that implied as much, Holdin’s attitude became instantly polite.
"The... the reason you came to visit... No, to think you would grace me with your presence... Haha! I should have come to see you first to ask what you needed me to do..."
"It’s fine. You’re currently under house arrest, so you can't step a single foot outside this room anyway."
"It is my pleasure to serve you from today on, Grand Duchess. Ha! Hahaha..."
Holdin poured tea into the single teacup with trembling hands and offered it to me.
I sipped the freshly brewed tea at my leisure.
'Hmm. Well-brewed.'
For all his faults, he was a noble.
His tea-brewing skills were quite excellent.
[This is delicious. Give me some too, Idir.]
Beside me, Beval, who had snatched only the bacon from the sandwich served for Holdin, smacked his lips.
Holdin glanced at him and asked in a lowered voice.
"I ask just in case, but what happened to that angel? Did he just disappear?"
I tilted my head, looking at him as he appeared anxious.
'Why is the person who should be wary of the angel looking for him?'
What kind of petty scheme is he cooking up now?
I pondered for a moment before answering honestly.
I wanted to see how Holdin would react.
"No. He is in my office."
"Whew. That’s a relief."
"Why are you relieved? The angel won't interfere in our affairs anyway."
"Still, it’s different having someone... no, some entity capable of controlling this hooligan, compared to not having one."
[What? Hooligan?]
"Hey! What kind of demon harms their own contractor!"
Holdin shouted at the top of his lungs, pointing at Beval’s clenched fist.
'Indeed.'
Seeing that he naturally knew a demon couldn't harm him, it seemed his knowledge about demons and contracts wasn't a lie.
Though I would have to find out later how much he had shared with me and what he had hidden.
I had someone bring in fresh food.
Simple refreshments and tea were placed before Holdin and me, and the thick bacon for Beval gave off a savory aroma.
"We have a lot to talk about, don't we?"
"May I start by clearing up my grievances?"
"I am a very busy person. I’ll listen to unimportant matters when I have some free time."
I smiled brightly and reached for my teacup.
Holdin smiled back at me as well.
Without a word, we both sipped our tea at almost the same time.
In the suffocating silence.
[You two are having quite the psychological battle.]
Beval, munching on his bacon, chimed in.
In the end, it was Holdin who spoke first.
"I would like to know the condition of His Excellency."
'I won.'
I maintained my victor’s smile and answered leisurely.
"I am nursing him back to health with the utmost care, so do not worry."
"Weren't there many things you wanted to ask me?"
"That depends on your cooperation, though."
It was a warning not to try any cheap tricks.
Even if we had formed a sort of alliance out of necessity, this was a game I had set up.
Therefore, I was the master of the board. They had to move exactly according to my will.
'To ensure that, I need to establish discipline from the start.'
So that he wouldn't even dare to think of pulling any nonsense.
"Haa."
However, it seemed Holdin was not very good at reading the room.
"Yes. What are you curious about?"
"I’ll start by asking why you were at the border adjacent to Cordi."
"I apologize, but I am a simpleton. I cannot disclose the Imperial decree issued directly by His Majesty to outsiders."
Holdin added indifferently.
"If you are that curious, you should ask His Excellency yourself."
"Just because you won't tell me doesn't mean I don't have ways to find out. I just wanted to choose the easy path."
I let out a faint laugh and rang the bell placed at the end of the table.
*Cling.*
Immediately after the clear sound rang out.
The door opened and Giselle appeared.
"Did you call, Grand Duchess?"
"Eek!"
"Force him to his knees."
"Aaaah!"
With a clatter, the chair tumbled to the floor.
Holdin, who had sprung up as if startled, scrambled around like a flea, struggling to escape Giselle’s grasp.
[...He’s annoying, that one.]
The moment Beval, who was watching the scene, left that brief comment.
Giselle pulled out a finger-length hidden weapon from her sleeve and threw it.
"Hiiik!"
A hole was punched through the trousers Holdin was wearing.
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