LBC Chapter 9: My Choice

Once Elysia left, I took off my clothes. The water reflected a distorted version of a thin yet tall figure. I had tanned skin, comparatively lighter than Nerys.

Speaking of Drow, almost all drow in the mainland suffered some racism for the heresy committed by their ancestors. Duke Alf’s achievements alone had hoisted the drow race’s status from the bottom, otherwise, they’d have lost their status as the guardian families.  My father had so much authority at the tip of his fingers. Yet, he was adamant about fighting on the frontlines without giving a fuck about his family. He deserved that shitty death if I must say so.

“Well…”

I let my body relax in the cold water. The upcoming days seemed tough from a glance but they were necessary for my growth. The chances of something going wrong in the palace were awfully high. Emperor Erich might have descended into madness for all I know. After all, madness was a common theme associated with emperors and dragons. This son of a bitch was both.

Shaking off the needless caution, I closed my eyes. A rustling sound broke my concentration.

“Elysia?”

Nobody answered my lazy question. Something was amiss, so I got up and looked around. Nobody could be seen in the bath. There was only one person that had this fetish for staying invisible. Crimson. She was too serious to troll me like this.

I rubbed the back of my head. “Shion, is that you?”

It had to be Shion. She was fully capable of sneaking into the Shattered Tower under Elysia’s nose.

A biting silence answered my question, making me doubt my ears and my seemingly confused mind. I wouldn’t just imagine the sound and justify it as Shion’s presence. I wasn't that far gone… right?

***

The bath was relaxing on my body, but agitating on my mind. Elysia showed up before I ‘imagined’ another scenario and passed me a towel.

“The training with Lionel worked out,” Elysia muttered as she eyed my chest with her one eye. “Young Lord looks more in shape.”

“Interested in me or what?” I wanted to yell it in her face. Being the naive person I was, I didn’t question her fetishes.

Elysia’s eye never left my chest as if she was smitten by something. “Is something the matter?”

Elysia brushed the middle section of my chest with her fingers. “How did you get this scar?”

“Scar?”

I unconsciously looked down. A peculiar triangle-shaped scar, one I never remembered getting, was on my chest line. I admit forgetting parts of me after my mind seemingly merged with this body. But I kept more of Enwyld’s memories than mine. In those memories,  this barely noticeable scar couldn't be found.

Would Enwyld forget such a tough injury? I didn't think so. The wide-open gap in my memories filled my head with more pain. What else had I overlooked that could ruin my cover?

“I’m sorry for triggering bad memories.” Elysia brushed my wet hair. “I can be insensitive at times.”

The mercenary queen showed a vulnerable side that I found amusing.

“It’s fine. We all have our bad moments.” I gave a bright smile in contrast to my trouble-filled mind. “Let’s hurry. I’m hungry.”

She looked at me as her lips curled into a delicate smile. Her thoughts were harder or near impossible to read through her facial expression.

“The breakfast is already prepared.”

She took the towel from me and began to rub me like a maniac. She deliberately avoided touching my dick. Otherwise, I’d have definitely gotten a boner. I was in a teenager’s body after all. Being a half-drow only worsened the situation with my libido.

I avoided any embarrassing moments.

***

While having breakfast in my room, I engaged in small talks with Elysia.

“Is Nerys only here as my teacher?”

Elysia rested her chin on her palm, elbow on the table, and stared at me. “Young Lord doesn’t seem to trust Nerys. I also don’t trust her.”

“Any reason for that?” I asked as I stuffed my mouth with my favorite dish. Soft meat stripes layered in honey. Dare I say, it was delicious enough to warrant a visit to this world. “She is a royal figure as far as I can see…”

“I investigated Nerys’s background after your mother brought up her name in our conversation… it wasn’t good.”

According to her research, Nerys was born in the seventeenth year of the fifth cardinal, making Nerys thirty-nine years old as of now. She studied sorcery and astrology in the Twilight Nebula Academy until her adulthood, which also meant earning the right to a Seelie contract. The day she contracted a Seelie was the very day she went missing without any notice.

She was missing for two decades.

Two whole decades.

She only returned last year and continued living an ordinary life in the town under her father’s authority, Starfall Town.

Elysia’s suspicions were completely warranted. She could even be kidnapped by a different faction and trained as their spy. Her allegiance came across as questionable.

As expected, Nerys turned out to be like everyone around me. Ordinary on the surface. But dig a little deeper and weird, shocking secrets would come drifting.

What kind of secrets Elysia hid? I was rather curious.

“Young Lord, please be careful around Nerys… I’d suggest taking the lessons from someone else. The maids of the palace are from aristocratic families. They can teach you the required etiquette and even more… If you still wish to pursue her lessons, stay on your guard. She has hidden motives for coming here. Call it a mercenary’s instinct if you may…”

I had never seen her speak so much in one turn. Just showed how much she disliked Nerys character and how much she cared about me. Quite flattering.

“Mother wouldn’t invite Nerys if that was the case.”

“The Duchess’s mind is not sane at this moment. She accepted Nerys’ request to become your teacher without casting a shadow of doubt… almost as if she wants somebody to harm you.”

Insulting the Duchess behind her back alone counted as an act of treason. Those words would never reach the Duchess’ ears though.

“I understand. I’ll steer clear of Nerys.”

Elysia narrowed her single eye, her mouth curving upwards. “I’ll be there to protect you if she or anyone tries anything funny.”

Her assuring words melted my ears in the same way Shion’s voice did. Her statement mattered more than she could imagine. It served as a perfect opportunity to toss out an offer.

I put down the fork and knife and wiped the traces of food from my face. Elysia came to grab the dishes, but I grabbed her hand instead. The former S-Rank mercenary’ pale eye froze on me.

“Young Lord?”

“Elysia, would you mind if I choose you?”