Chapter 7 - I - Kuro's will

 

After our talk, the Rubinforth siblings led me out of the prison room of their manor’s dungeon and into another room, a more opulent and formal one compared to the first.  There, they handed me some clean clothes; it was then that I noticed I was already dirty because of my stay in the cell.

 

“Big sister has requested me to give you some new clothes.” Sophia explained as she watched me try some shirts, “Actually, she wanted to be the one to come and free you, but our old man didn’t permit her.  So, she passed on to me her intentions.”

 

“Oh, thanks.”

 

“It’s better than that weird clothing you wear.” William commented, looking at my ‘Earth’ clothes, “If you’re done, come outside.  Our big sister wants to see you.”

 

I nodded and waited for them to get out of the changing room before I started sorting the clothes they gave me.  Honestly, I didn’t know what I should wear or how to wear them.  But I guess I needed to show myself before Her Holiness got worried sick about me.  It took me a while before I could make sense of some pieces of clothing I received.  I mean, man, the people of this world sure had a lot of things to wear on their bodies…

 

Now that I think about it, the clothes of Lily’s brother she gave to me are quite easy to wear.  I wonder if these dresses are just the preference of this place…

 

When I finally got out of the room, William had his arms already crossed on his chest, and he was already tapping his feet impatiently.  Sophia was nowhere to be seen.

 

“She went ahead of me and told me to wait for you, you slowpoke.”

 

“Well, as you said, I’m a commoner.  I know little about how you wear clothes here.”

 

“Ugh, just wear something that pleases you.  You don’t have to wear everything we gave you.” William snapped, stomping his foot, “Tch.  Just how stupid are these commoners, for goodness’ sake?”

 

You know, it will be good for our ‘working’ relationship if you just keep your ugly thoughts to yourself, you shitty brat.   But of course, this was his turf, so I won’t dare say it aloud.

 

William led me to a hallway that eventually ended in a grand doorway.  The gilded doorframes showed that this wasn’t your normal reception room.  The boy then knocked two times before the doors were opened for him.

 

Wow…such a splendid place!

 

Well, I knew I’ve read a lot of books and stories about an aristocrat’s house before, but seeing it firsthand was a completely new experience.  Gilded statues and carved lacquered wooden furniture, velvet carpets on the shiny marble floor, pure white tablecloths with aquamarine trimmings…

 

This is a far cry from the hall where we were received earlier; this one reeks of opulence.

 

At the middle of the room was a long, ornamented dining table, covered with quilted tablecloths and with equally ornamented rows of chairs lined neatly to each side.  On the table were various dishes—served on golden platters, some of which were completely unknown to me.  The Duke sat at the middle, with his guests to his flanks.  Strangely enough, his holy daughter was placed on the other middle-end.

 

Must be because he’s so stupidly averted to big chests…

 

I’d rather keep my thoughts to myself.  I nearly forgot that there were people here who could read minds.

 

“…”

 

Yep, they noticed.  The Human Saint and the Beastman Saint were both staring at me, with their lips drawing a mischievous grin.

 

“Ahem…” the Duke made known that he wanted everyone’s attention, “Here is the commoner, just as I promised.  All safe and sound.  I even had him clothed just like what you told me too, my daughter.”

 

“I’m in deep gratitude for your benevolence, father.” Her Holiness coolly replied.  However, I couldn’t help but feel that she’s sarcastic with her answer.

 

Well, affectionately, she calls him ‘Papa’…

 

Anyway, I guess they’re in the middle of their meal.  Dinner or lunch, I didn’t have an idea.  I spent a good deal of time inside that dungeon, so I eventually lost track of whatever time-reckoning I had.  Plus, that random talk with the Saint’s siblings further disrupted my body-clock patterns.

 

“…”

 

I wondered why everyone’s looking at me.  I thought they’re busy eating?

 

“Well, what are you standing there for?” the Duke didn’t hide his irritation, “The dungeon has made you dumb, you fool of a commoner!”

 

“Oh…sorry.” I headed for the door to let myself out.  They’re nobles, and of course, a commoner like me wasn’t accepted into that exclusive circle.  It was common sense that I should get out of here as soon as possible.  I don’t like it here either.

 

“Are you still in your senses, boy?” I heard the old man speak again, “Who told you to get out of the dining hall?  Your table is over there.”

 

I turned and look in the direction he showed.  A small and simple wooden table and a chair were put up a few distances away from the long dining table.  It had food on it, and well, I could tell that somehow, I’m being treated with dignity.

 

“Hmph!  Be thankful that I raised my daughter well enough to care for lowly people like you!”

 

“Papa!” the Human Saint could not keep back from showing her indignation because of his statement.  The Duke immediately became silent.

 

Seriously, this old dude will not shut up?  If you want me to be thankful to you, then why don’t you become like how you raised your daughter?

 

 

Well, I ate in silence as the aristocrats at the other table kept on dining while telling their tales to each other.  I felt completely out of place, so I just went to make myself as inconspicuous as possible.

 

“…”

 

Though, if I may say something, I don’t think that’s the ‘noble’ way of eating.

 

Seriously dude, these nobles were eating in the way I won’t consider an ‘aristocratic’ way of dining.  They’re noisy, food was being tossed around, and, what the hell?  Did that orange-looking fruit peel just got thrown on the floor?

 

“…”

 

What the fuck am I watching?  Monkeys eating their food?  In contrast, I tried my best to maintain my silent dignity and ate like I was taught to.

 

“Look at the commoner!” it’s the old geezer once again.  He’s slightly drunk, “You wouldn’t see such a barbaric way of eating food once in your lifetime, eh?”

 

Excuse me?  This is barbaric?  What do you call yourselves then?

 

“Hah!  This is why I hate commoners; they reek of uncivilized manners!”

 

Uncivilized?  There’s something fucked up in the standards of this world.  If you guys would come to Earth, I guess you’ll be the ones to get scoffed at.  I didn’t want any trouble, so I just kept my mouth shut.  However, the Duke’s foul-mouth was getting to my nerves.  I mean, come on, I’m just human.  Being treated like I’m some kind of oddity and throwing insults at me would make me explode anytime.  

 

My hands are shaking in anger…

 

I guess Her Holiness could see my thoughts, that’s why she had that concerned look.

 

“Anyway, Papa, how’s the work at the capital going?” I heard she brought up another topic.  Maybe it’s to take his attention away from me?  I need to thank Her Holiness later on.

 

“Hmm?” the Duke said in a gruff voice; he’s slowly being drowned in alcohol, “Well, everything’s fine just as it is!  The King was a bit of an airhead, but he’s a good person!”

 

“…”

 

Man, this guy just can’t keep his mouth shut.  I could feel the awkward tension coming out from those present at the table when he said that.  After all, no one dared to say anything weird about the king, even if it was someone like Rambo.  And the royal princess, Lilyhaven, was with them too…

 

“That reminds me, Maddie!” he kept on talking, “About the tournament I called, I think a lot of candidates will come this time!  Hahahahahahaha!”

 

Honestly, I didn’t like this old guy’s laugh; it’s pretty annoying.  I didn’t know if it was because we started on rough terms, or because he’s just an obnoxious man.

 

“Papa, I think we made it clear before that our big sister won’t partake in this foolishness?” it was Sophia who spoke up, though gently, “Our big sister is only here for a vacation and nothing else!”

 

“Yes, Papa!” Her Holiness reiterated her little sister’s point, “I’d like to put that matter aside for now; my duties as the Saint comes first.”

 

“Pah!  Stop with your rubbish!” the Duke stubbornly countered, “You’re already at an age where you should marry someone of equal or greater stature!  A wise, powerful husband would ensure the dominance of our house for generations to come!”

 

“No!  Our big sister won’t marry!” William cried out, slamming his hands on the table.

 

“William!” the Human Saint was indignant, “Keep your table manners!  And who said that you should decide for me?”

 

Yeah, brats, who told you to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for Her Holiness?  Aren’t you meddling too much in her private affairs?

 

“Big sister!” Sophia countered, “Please focus on your duties as the Saint; we’ll take over from here.”

 

“If Maddie doesn’t get married, she’ll end up a holy spinster!” the Duke rebuked them all, “Do you want your big sister to end up a wretched old woman?”

 

The atmosphere around the main dining table was getting heavier the more they argued about their points.  The others were getting awkward; I could see their ‘weirded-out’ looks being exchanged across the table.  And I’m also was unnerved by what I was hearing…

 

I mean come on, it’s not like getting married was something that should be rushed.  A lot of arranged or fast-tracked unions end up in unhappiness and psychologically damaged children; something that those very children themselves carry over to the next generation.  

 

And worse, this tragic cycle continues…

 

I could tell that Her Holiness didn’t want this kind of talk.  The more her father and siblings said anything, the angrier she gets.  Honestly, I didn’t like being in here; it’s as if they would explode anytime…

 

“Ah, that reminds me, the second son of Duke Millshawn is good-looking and he’s starting his career in the Royal Guards Corps as well!  When I invited him, he’s more than enthusiastic to join!”

 

“!!!”

 

Everyone, including me, almost jumped from our seats when we heard a loud crash coming from the Saint’s direction.  She couldn’t take his words anymore and bang on the table.  She’s fuming with anger now.

 

This is bad.

 

“Why are you so angry, my daughter?” the Duke asked in a flimsy, insensitive manner.  It seemed the wine had already got into his head, “Are you trying to go against your father?”

 

“Big sister’s is right!” Sophia was quick to back her sister, “She won’t marry for now!  Not until we’re old enough to discern her potential partner!”

 

“Enough of this!  You’re always rambling about my marriage!” Her Holiness’ voice was quivering, her eyes looked like she’s about to cry, “Why can’t you guys just listen to a word I say?”

 

Fuck, this is bad.  

 

Of course, no one wanted to end up in some strange pervert’s family.  If you remember, that Millshawn guy was the one who tried to rob the panties of Her Holiness when I was summoned.  Naturally, the Saint would get mad.

 

Damn, now I understand the hardships of those women from the earlier part of my world’s history, that ended up being the wife of someone they don’t know, or worse, someone they hate.

 

And another reason for my concern was, Her Holiness’ appearance right now was because of her magic disguise, which she needed to maintain constantly—and with conscious effort.  The downside of such a spell was that the moment she gets distracted was the time that spell wore off.  With her getting angry, of course, the disguise was disappearing.  

 

Now everyone would see her true image!

 

I needed to distract them somehow.

 

“…”

 

Hey, Your Fluffy Holiness!

 

“…”

 

Miss Ruro!

 

“…”  Good lord, the disguise was about to come off!

 

Hey Holy Pug!

 

The Beastman Saint immediately glared at me.

 

Please tell Her Holiness that her magic is almost gone!

 

Her Fluffy Holiness then had a terrible expression on her face as she realized the severity of the situation.  As she was sitting beside the Human Saint, she quickly tried to make her settle down, but it’s all in vain.

 

Damn it, I guess this calls for desperate measures!

 

“!!!”

 

Everyone’s eyes fell on me as the entire dining hall was filled with sounds of crashing plates and glasses.

 

“What are you doing, you insolent peasant?” the Duke roared in anger.

 

“Comfort room, Your Excellency!” I replied, “I need to take a dump!”