I packed up my things in a rush and used the magic scroll to teleport back to the royal capital. My family sent me off, and in a flash, I appeared within Garden Plant. I was strolling through the garden, the sheer number of flowers overwhelming me, when I spotted Professor Whipp in a straw hat, tending the garden.
“Ah, Misha,” the elf said in a languid tone. “You were quick.”
“It’s already been a week, ma’am,” I informed her.
“Has it, now?”
Elves were known for their lengthy lifespans; perhaps a week went by in the blink of an eye for them.
“Oh, and the building you were supposed to live in is under some repairs,” Professor Whipp remarked. “The previous private instructor who fled left such a mess. I mean, really, it’s awful! I’m having a few cleaning pros take care of that.”
A few leaks also needed to be fixed, and the dangerous beasts prowling about had to be dealt with. It’d be quite a while until I was allowed to live there.
“Could you live in a hotel until then?” She handed me a hotel key.
“Um, may I ask which hotel this leads to?” I asked.
“It’s in the nobles’ district,” she replied. “The owner of that hotel offered me a room. I’m allowed to use it whenever I wish, so you can use it as you please.”
“I-I see…” I muttered. “Thank you.”
Apparently, if I showed this key, I could also use the hotel’s restaurant as I pleased.
“Work is from eight to five in the evening,” Professor Whipp said. “You can eat in the cafeteria, too.” She even prepared an ID for me that was usually handed out to private instructors. “Give that back when you get your student ID made, okay?”
“Y-You’re giving me everything I need!” I gasped.
“Hee hee. In exchange, I’ll have you work your money’s worth!”
“I’ll do my best!”
She told me that I could start work tomorrow, giving me today to myself. I took her kind offer and headed to the hotel. Right outside the back entrance of the Garden Plant was a carriage stop that made its rounds within the royal capital. It only took around ten minutes for me to reach the hotel.
Hotel Flubeart was the place I’d be staying. During the carriage ride, other passengers mentioned that it was the most expensive hotel in the royal capital and that reservations were made up to three years in advance. The exterior of this opulent building was reminiscent of a magnificent mansion from Greek mythology, and the lobby floor was lined with marble, while a massive chandelier glimmered and dangled from the ceiling.
A hotel concierge walked up to me, and when I showed him the key I had received from Professor Whipp, he promptly guided me to my room. Needless to say, the guest room was lavish and extravagant, with mahogany tables and chairs dotting the space. An expensive tea set was prepared for me along with an antique, wooden dresser filled with numerous sets of silk pajamas. The bed was large enough to easily fit three adults, and the bathroom had a large bathtub with cabriole legs and an enormous dresser. It honestly felt like a room straight out of a picture-perfect book.
I was in a daze, enamored by the luxury. A complimentary drink and some snacks were served for me when I snapped back to my senses. I didn’t have time to laze around. I had to meet Marquess Leviathan, my future guardian. I was told that a letter was sent post-haste using the fastest delivery method possible, and the marquess must’ve read it already. All that was left was for me to muster up my courage and meet him.
“I can do this!”
I amped myself up to head to the marquess’s manor. I was told that he lived on the outskirts of the royal capital. When I asked a concierge how to get there, a carriage was swiftly prepared for me. It seemed VIP guests were given premium treatment. Grateful for the arrangement, I rode the hotel’s carriage.
I decided to prepare a set of potions as a gift for the marquess. I considered bringing some snacks from my hometown as well, but food in Lawlife was meant to have a long shelf life, and frankly, they didn’t taste all that good. Potions felt more useful, convenient, and practical.
The carriage clattered along for an hour and a half when I finally rolled up in front of the marquess’s manor. A dense forest surrounded the estate, and the lush verdure made the area a bit dim and gloomy, blocking the sunlight. The manor was also built from blackened bricks, and an overall air of darkness surrounded the area, reminiscent of a haunted house. Had the hotel’s carriage not brought me here, I would’ve assumed that the coachman was an accomplice of the marquess and I was delivered into the terrifying jaws of this manor.
When the vehicle arrived at the enchanted gates, they automatically opened with a loud creak, further adding to my fear. The estate was vast, and the carriage was allowed to reach the entrance of the manor. I glanced out the window, curious what kind of fabulous garden they had, but I was at a loss for words when I saw the thorny vines of black roses dancing about as mandrakes ran around in the garden.
I rubbed my eyes and tried to get a better look, believing that my eyes must be playing tricks on me, but I was wrong. The carriage would wait outside for me, and I was extremely relieved to hear that. I gave the coachman some snacks I couldn’t finish at the hotel, and he happily accepted the gift. I grabbed the ogre-shaped door knocker and rapped it against the marquess’s door.
“Yes?” a voice called immediately.
The butler had a knife in his right hand, with eyes sunken like a skeleton. Someone should praise me for not screaming at the sight of him, I thought.
“And? Who might you be?” the butler asked.
“U-Um, I’m Misha of House Ritual,” I replied.
“Ah, yes, yes! We’ve heard of you! Do come in!”
I was relieved that my father’s letter had arrived safely. The interior of the manor was lined with black carpet and wallpaper—the overall darkness creeped me out a fair bit. I couldn’t understand what kind of taste the marquess had. I was guided toward the drawing room when I heard voices from inside. The butler, however, didn’t mind that he was possibly intruding on a conversation and opened the door.