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THEWLIS Estate was a gorgeous, stately manor. Artwork from around the world adorned the hallways and the parlor. Yuuri understood that it was all valuable, but none of it was anywhere near her tastes. Next to a contemporary piece by a popular artist was a bronze statue from a southern nation and a Hinomotoese ink painting in a gilded frame. There seemed to be no unifying motif or taste behind the artwork.
The baron had paid off his employee’s debts, so Yuuri figured he must be a nice man. But a nice man with horrible taste in art.
She felt apprehensive as they sipped tea in the parlor. The employee, his fiancée, and Yuuri, the odd one out.
There, someone (likely a steward, Yuuri thought) was explaining the matter of the promissory note. The promissory note itself was fairly straightforward. Naturally, it spelled out just how much would be deducted from his current monthly pay, as well as what would happen should he need to leave the position, or how unexpected illness or death would be handled.
She explained the contents of the note to them, ensuring there were no discrepancies or disputes, and took the time to look everything over. Finally, Dan signed the note and the task was completed without incident.
“Yuuri Watoh. I apologize that one of our employees has caused you so much trouble. My lord would like to express his apologies in person, so please wait here for a moment.”
“No, that isn’t necessary,” Yuuri declined, but the steward had already gone to summon the baron.
A few moments later, the baron appeared with two male servants. Just like everything else in the manor, they were overdressed for a midday tea.
Finally getting a good look at his face, Yuuri’s eyes grew wide.
Baron Thewlis was the man who had tried to pick a fight with Yuuri when she was disguised as a page at the gentlemen’s club.
“You’re still here? You’re dismissed. The only one I have business with is that Eastern girl over there,” the baron said coolly to Dan and Rosie.
Yuuri broke out in a cold sweat. There was no way this was pure coincidence.
“Heh heh, so it is you. I’ve searched high and low for you. …Never did I think to look for a young woman.” The baron approached Yuuri, a lascivious grin creeping onto his face.
His interest in her hadn’t waned since that day at the club, and he’d been searching for her ever since.
“What’s going on?”
“Huh…? Do you two know each other? My Lord, did you fall in love with her in town somewhere? Is that why you wanted us to arrange a meeting? I mean, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but—”
Dan and Rosie had absolutely no idea what was happening. The baron shot Dan a look as he rambled incoherently.
“Keep your incessant thoughts to yourself! Or I’ll cancel my promise to pay your debt! Now get lost!”
“Then I’ll just be taking my leave as well. I’ve completed my business on Dan’s behalf,” Yuuri said, offering the baron a small bow before nonchalantly taking a step toward the door. The baron took a step toward her, blocking her path.
“You Eastern women are so frigid. So Yuuri is your name, is it? It sounds rather masculine, but it does have a certain ring to it. Yuuri…Yuuri… Bahaha!”
“The only ones who may call me by that name are my family and Ernest. I really will be leaving now!”
When Ernest first called her name without formality, it had filled her heart and tickled her ears. She was happier than she had ever been. But when the man before her did the same, it rotted on his tongue, polluting the sound she had previously cherished.
She became increasingly angrier, her tone grew tenser. She kept chanting, “calm down, calm down” in her mind.
“Ernest? …Ahh, Count Selden? Well, I regret to inform you that, though I am only a baron, my father is a duke! I outrank your sweet count. I can drape you in finery that fool could only dream of.”
Yuuri immediately realized he must be the “duke’s son” her mother had mentioned.
“I despise cowards like you. And I can buy my own finery, thank you.”
There was no point in trying to reason with this man. From what he was saying, this sounded like retaliation. Retaliation against her, Ernest, and Major Conquest.
“I do relish that defiant look in your eyes. Taming you promises to be a most amusing challenge…”
He had never intended for Yuuri to stand on equal footing with him. His one goal with her was always subjugation.
“I pray that your father is the just sort of man who would punish such an insolent son. I would never waste my time on some sniveling child who thought social ranking granted him the right to do as he pleases.” Yuuri emphasized the phrase “insolent son”. She knew angering him was dangerous, but he repulsed her so much, she couldn’t keep her mouth shut.
Baron Thewlis’ eyes bulged on hearing a girl younger than him mock him so. He grabbed her by the wrist.
“Impudent wench! I can see it’s time to teach you your place!”
He slapped Yuuri across the cheek. Unable to pull away from his grip, Yuuri took the brunt of the blow. There was pain, then the taste of blood in her mouth.
Yuuri could do nothing, save fighting back tears and vowing never to forgive this man. Using her vampirism to her advantage at this point would be too dangerous.
“Aaaah!” Dan screamed, leaping at the baron. The baron released his hold on Yuuri as he and Dan toppled to the ground.
“How dare you attack your betters!”
“Run! Both of you, go! Rosie, hurry, I can’t let anyone else—ungh!”
The steward and the two servants leapt in, pulling Dan off the baron. They dragged him off and punched him in the stomach over and over.
Yuuri crumpled to the ground, unable to watch the violent spectacle any longer.
“Let’s go!”
“After them!”
Rosie yanked Yuuri up off the floor, desperately trying to steady her on her feet. They darted for the door. However, the servants and the steward were faster, stopping them in their tracks.
“Ugh, let us go! It’s illegal to keep us here…”
Yuuri had been knocked onto the cold, hard floor and was being held facedown by one of the servants.
Baron Thewlis’ cackle as he closed in on her made her skin prickle. She was so terrified and felt so ill that tears began to flow down her cheeks. She had to stop herself from giving in to her vampiric instincts and attacking him, for fear of how that would end for both of them.
“That’s enough!”
The door burst open and a cold voice cast a chill over the room.
Yuuri tried to lift her head just high enough to see who the voice belonged to. It was someone she knew very well, yet never expected to see here.
“Lord…Ern…st?”
It was definitely Ernest who stood before her. And at his back, Major Conquest and several men who were likely members of the military police.
“Get off of her.”
That deep growl was one Yuuri had never heard before. The servants, terrified of Ernest’s white hot rage, released Yuuri immediately.
“Who ordered this?”
“…Baron Thewlis.”
“Ohh. Did you hear that, Major? Catching him in the act means you can arrest him, doesn’t it?”
“Unlawful imprisonment and assault are serious crimes. Seize him. …And see to that man’s wounds.”
On Conquest’s orders, his subordinates rushed the room and took the baron and his men into custody. Dan was clearly in pain, holding his stomach as he tried to talk to the soldier attending to him.
“F-Fools! How dare you trespass upon my estate?!” Baron Thewlis shouted, kicking and trying in vain to break free.
“I announced myself at your door, so I see no problem here. But I have no interest in arguing with criminals. So butt out. Yuuri, let me see your wounds.”
“Ohh…I’m so sorry.”
Ernest loomed over Yuuri, who was still on the ground. He was so frightening, so different from the Ernest she knew, that she couldn’t help but apologize.
But as she got a closer look at him, she could see beads of sweat glistening on his forehead and his strained, uneven breaths.
She still wasn’t completely sure what was going on, but it was enough knowing that he had come to her rescue.
“Doesn’t look like you’ve got any broken bones or lost teeth. How did you manage to give my guards the slip?”
“Guards…?”
“It’s so stuffy here. We’ll talk more once we’re back at my manor.”
“Those two tried to help me too!”
Rosie and Dan hadn’t known what Baron Thewlis was planning, nor had they intended to lure her into a trap. Once they figured out the baron’s plot, they had tried to help her escape.
“But they’re the reason you were caught up in this mess. You’re far too trusting.”
“…But…”
Ernest was so different from his usual self. While his words and tone weren’t any harsher than usual, it was clear that he was upset. Yuuri found it difficult to argue with him like this. She couldn’t be selfish in the face of all he had done for her.
“All right. Major Conquest, we’d like to be going, is that all right?”
“I’ll need to hear her testimony later. But until then, I leave her in your care. We’ll take this man with us and see to it he gets the optimal medical care.”
“Let’s get out of here. A gentleman like myself can scarcely stand to breathe the same air as this degenerate,” Ernest said, scooping Yuuri into his arms.
Yuuri was used to always seeing Ernest smile. But now he was expressionless. His steel blue eyes were emotionless and cold.
“I’m so sorry…”
“I’m not upset with you.” Sensing Yuuri’s fear, Ernest flashed her a brief smile. His smile was fake and did little to calm her apprehension.
Yuuri couldn’t help but feel guilty for making him worry and causing him to wear such an expression.