Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 523

523.

“Young Master?”

Knock, knock. I blankly raised my head at the sound of knocking on the table. Ifrit was looking at me with a worried expression. Confused, I followed his finger to where he was pointing. My gaze fell upon the fork in my hand, stabbed right into the center of a freshly fried shrimp. I stared at it blankly before looking around. The table, covered with a tablecloth, was laden with various kinds of food, not just shrimp.

Ah, come to think of it, I was eating. I belatedly realized I had been lost in thought during the meal. Feeling sorry for being impolite to someone who was keeping me company, Ifrit waved his hand, telling me not to worry about it.

“More importantly, what’s wrong? That’s your favorite shrimp. You’ve barely touched anything else. You haven’t been eating properly lately, have you?”

“Hmm, I guess not. I just don’t have much of an appetite.”

“Gasp, really? Let’s go get you treated by Elquines right away! No, first, drink this!”

Ifrit, startled, hurriedly pulled out a bottle from his chest. It was a recovery potion for treatment. Putting aside the fact that he assumed I was sick, wasn’t that for external injuries?

“No, I’m not sick. I just don’t have an appetite…?”

“That’s what being sick is! How can you not have an appetite?”

Well, I can see what kind of image I have in Ifrit’s eyes. I didn’t know where to begin to correct him, so I just opened my mouth and then obediently nodded. Leaving shrimp uneaten was something that could be misunderstood as being sick.

“Anyway, I’m not sick. I just…”

“It’s because you’re always digging in the dirt.”

Right, it’s because I’m digging in the dirt. I nodded without thinking, then paused. It wasn’t wrong, but it didn’t sound like something Ifrit would say. Or was it really Ifrit who said that? It wasn’t clear enough to be sure if it was an actual voice. Ifrit was waiting for me to continue speaking.

“Why did you stop talking?”

“Didn’t you say something just now?”

“I didn’t say anything?”

Ah, I must have misheard. Looking at the puzzled Ifrit, it became clear. I’ve been lost in thought so much that I’m even hearing things now. After vaguely smoothing things over, I started to focus on the meal. Ifrit, who had been carefully observing me to see if I was really sick, looked relieved when I started emptying the plates quickly. After that, it seemed like everyday life continued as usual. But while we were talking happily, Ifrit suddenly stiffened.

“…Hmm.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. But Young Master, I suddenly have something urgent to take care of, so I have to leave first. You can eat alone and go home, right?”

“Am I a child? Of course.”

“Then I’ll see you later. Sorry for leaving first.”

Waving goodbye to him as he hurriedly disappeared, I finished the remaining food. I didn’t feel like going straight home, so I decided to have a cup of tea. I went to my favorite tea shop and took a seat by the window with a good view. It was a cozy atmosphere, so I always liked the place, but it was even quieter today because there weren’t many customers, which I liked even more. But the peaceful time didn’t last long. Just as the ordered black tea came out and I took a sip, someone sat down in front of me without asking for permission.

“…”

Dumbfounded, I looked at the Crown Prince, who had taken a seat as he pleased, and he smiled. I don’t know why he’s here. I heard he had already departed from the Epen Kingdom, and the Crown Prince was the commander-in-chief of that kingdom’s army. So shouldn’t he be on the battlefield right now? Hasn’t it started yet, so he has time to come and go? All sorts of thoughts ran through my head in a short time. But no matter what situation I imagined, it didn’t explain why he appeared in front of me. Glancing around, I saw knights had already taken over the entrance. The few customers who were there were anxiously looking around.

“It’s been a while.”

“…What’s your business?”

“I’ve only just sat down; isn’t it too early to get to the point? I feel it every time I see you, but you’re always so impatient.”

Seriously, you should live as a Korean once. You wouldn’t be any different from me. No, before that, who allowed you to sit in that seat? I didn’t come here to listen to your nonsense. It’s a waste of the black tea I only took one sip of, but I’d rather leave it than endure looking at your smarmy face. Quickly making a decision, I put down the teacup and stood up.

“Yes, then enjoy your seat. This impatient person is leaving.”

“Sit back down. I can’t say anything if you leave.”

“Don’t order me around, okay?”

“Fine, please sit down. Is that better?”

Of course, it wasn’t better at all. Do you think I’ll grant any request? I tried to ignore him and just pass by, but my wrist was grabbed. Thinking it was a talent to only do rude things, I stared at the hand holding me.

“Let go when I’m asking nicely, okay?”

“Now you’re even omitting the minimum level of politeness? You’re the only one who can treat me like that and still have your head attached.”

“Why don’t you consider that you’re the one who survived?”

“That’s also true. I certainly survived thanks to you.”

The Crown Prince smirked. I wondered what kind of absurd response that was, but he was talking about the incident at the last banquet. He had a face as if he was reminiscing about good times, which made me a little dumbfounded. Someone’s dark history that makes them kick the blanket every night must be a very meaningful memory for this guy.

“Why did you help me back then?”

“I didn’t help you; I just drove out the demons.”

“Still, as a result, you saved me.”

“That’s not it.”

What’s wrong with this guy? How can his thoughts flow in this direction? Did I underestimate the brain structure of a villain too much? I should have pretended to deflect his sword and inflicted a serious injury on him. Then he wouldn’t be indulging in the absurd delusion that I saved him.

“If you don’t let go right now, I’ll take it as you wanting your arm broken. Is that okay?”

As soon as I warned him, the Crown Prince quickly let go of my hand. He still doesn’t want his arm broken. But he still wasn’t in his right mind. I was about to move when unexpected words followed from behind.

“Become my person.”

“…What?”

Dumbfounded, I couldn’t help but turn around. I gave him a chance to correct his nonsense, but the Crown Prince, who received my gaze, went even further.

“Isn’t it a waste to remain a mere hunter? Use that powerful ability for me.”

“…Excuse me, but where does it hurt?”

I politely asked if he was crazy. The Crown Prince smirked, as if he wasn’t even tickled by such remarks anymore. It would be easier in many ways if he was angry, but he’s building resistance in unnecessary areas.

“At first, I only saw you as a disruptive element trying to interfere with my work. But you saved me. Thinking about it again, my perspective changed.”

“How many times do I have to say that’s not it…?”

“That’s right. You didn’t report the fact that you met me at the merchant guild. Even though you recognized the power I had, you didn’t reveal it to anyone.”

“Are you even listening to me?”

“If you’re not on either side yet, it’s not a bad idea to bring you over to my side. No, it’s the best possible outcome.”

Yeah, he’s not listening at all. I looked at the air once and let out a deep sigh. It seems that the incident at that banquet properly triggered some strange device in this guy’s mind. His head might be broken from the humiliation and shame he’s never felt before.

“I wish you’d consider why I did that. Don’t you think it was a desperate effort to avoid getting involved in complicated matters?”

“Of course, I judged it that way. That’s why I liked it even more.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t feel the same way. And now that you’ve changed your attitude, I’m not going to hang out with someone who tries to secretly drug my drink.”

“Oh, did you already know?”

“You think you can play with water in front of a water elementalist and not get caught? You should fire the person who advised you on that. If it was your own idea, you should cut off some of your own hair.”

“…I want you more and more.”

I wish you’d realize that I hate you more and more. Are you a pervert? Why do you want me more after hearing me tell you to cut off your own hair? I stepped back in disgust, but it was useless because the Crown Prince came closer.

“If you become my person, I’ll give you everything. You’ll be able to live in a completely different world than you do now. I promise that things you couldn’t even imagine will come true.”

“I don’t need…”

“Ah, don’t decide right now. I’m not as impatient as you, so I’ll give you plenty of time to think. I’ll wait, even if it takes months. But I hope you don’t refuse. That ability of yours is too dangerous. If you’re not going to use it for me, it’s better to get rid of it.”

Ah, in short, you’re threatening to kill me if I don’t become your ally? I still can’t understand this guy’s head at all. Does he think he can kill me if he wants to? No, putting aside everything else, I wish he would stop making that fatal expression as if he’s controlling every situation. I want to yell at him for having prince syndrome [a belief that one is entitled to special treatment] at his age, but he’s actually a prince, so I have nothing to say.

“What’s with this guy who seems to have a blood vessel missing in his brain?”

Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying. I unconsciously agreed, then paused. Who said that just now? I looked around, but there was no one nearby except the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince looked puzzled as I looked around.

“What’s wrong?”

“Didn’t you hear something just now?”

“Sound? What sound are you talking about?”

“Someone definitely said…”

“That seems like too obvious of an attempt to avoid the situation.”

The Crown Prince shrugged with a condescending look. He thought I was deliberately trying to change the subject. He should realize that he’s not valuable enough for me to go to such trouble before he dies. Anyway, I was more concerned about the hallucination from earlier than the delusional Crown Prince. Even if I mistook it once, it’s a problem to hear nonsense in a row, isn’t it? Am I really sick somewhere? I should ask Ellyuen to heal me when I get back today.

“Did you understand what I said?”

Even in this serious situation, the Crown Prince’s voice, which I didn’t want to hear, continued. It seemed like the distance was closer than before. It wasn’t just a simple delusion; he was actually leaning in so close that his face was almost touching mine. I’ve already confirmed several times that seduction doesn’t work on me, so I wondered what he was up to this time and tried to push him away roughly. But someone came striding over and pushed him away from me before I could.

“Isn’t that too threatening of a posture for a conversation? It doesn’t look good.”

A cheerful voice flowed like a song. I was flustered and turned around, then stopped breathing.

…Huh?

“Who are you?”

“Just a passerby.”

The person who answered the question carelessly looked straight at me.

“Do you need help?”

I knew he was asking me, but I couldn’t answer. The red color that was visible from the front was too intensely chilling for that. Could it be? I blinked several times, but I wasn’t mistaken. It was really real.

“Lapis…?”

No.

Even as I said it, I already knew it wasn’t him. It wasn’t just because the other person was female. I know what Lapis looks like when he’s female. Even compared to that appearance, I couldn’t say it was him.

But it was similar enough to mistake him for a moment. Especially the hair color was exactly the same. If Ifrit’s red seemed to contain flames, Lapis’s red was reminiscent of high-quality rubies. It was a colorful and vivid color, as if the whole thing was made of jewels. I’ve seen other Red Dragons, but the color he had was more unique than any of them. So it was a color that I thought I would never see again. But there was someone else who had that sparkling red color.

“I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

The woman who tilted her head smiled brightly. Even looking at her again, it wasn’t Lapis. But I think I knew who this person was.

“Perhaps… Lantasha?”

The dazzlingly beautiful woman with bright red hair widened her eyes. She scanned me with a curious look, then raised the corners of her lips.

“That’s strange. Lily wouldn’t have described my appearance to you. How did you recognize me?”

The eyes that resembled rubies, the same color as her hair, curved into crescent shapes. It was the moment when my guess came true, but my complicated feelings still didn’t get better. No, it felt like I was trembling even more. The sound of my pounding heartbeat was too fast to keep up with. I tried to calm my breathing to calm it down.

Red Dragon Lantasha.

Lapis’s mother.

* * *

I think I was out of my mind for quite a while. When I became aware of the surrounding situation, I was already out of the store and heading to the accommodation with Lantasha. Ifrit, who had returned earlier, greeted me with a smiling face, but froze when he saw Lantasha following behind.

“Ew.”

“Hehe, what does that reaction mean?”

As Lantasha tilted her head with a bright face, Ifrit, who had turned pale, stepped back hesitantly.

“What, what is it? Why are you coming in with El?”

“I happened to run into her at a store I went into.”

“No way. I deliberately lured her to another road to shake her off?”

“I thought so, so I just ignored your presence. It was too obvious to fall for.”

“Ugh! My meticulous plan!”

Ah, was that why he left earlier? I suddenly wondered if he had some urgent business, but I didn’t think it was to shake off Lantasha. But why shake her off? Aren’t they contracted? Is it okay to treat a contractor like that? As I blankly watched the two of them, Ifrit strode over and pulled me into his arms as if to protect me.

“Young Master, are you okay? Did she do anything to you?”

“What do you mean do anything! I helped her out when she looked like she was in trouble, didn’t I?”

“Is that true?”

“Ah, uh? Yeah.”

It wasn’t wrong, so I nodded. I was too surprised by her unexpected appearance, but I definitely received help. Anyway, that persistent Crown Prince couldn’t bother me anymore and backed down. It ended there, but I almost became a wanted criminal for killing royalty. If I had stayed there any longer, I would have definitely done something.