Chapter 4: Ellie Michelle (3)

I told her to wait in the room without fully unpacking her luggage, then went downstairs to ask if I could change rooms, but was told that rooms with two beds were currently unavailable for long-term rental.

I’d have to inform her about this problem.

So, I ordered lunch to be brought to the room and paid for the meal.

When asked about the race, I answered, “One human and… one rabbit beastman.”

Honestly, there was a lot of hesitation when I said that, but the attendant at the counter simply took down the order without any change in demeanor, then charged me the amount.

One silver coin for two people.

It was certainly expensive, but… it must be worth the price.

I went upstairs and was about to open the door when I suddenly realized I hadn’t brought the key, so I had no choice but to knock on the door.

Then, the door opened slightly, and her red eyes were just visible through the crack.

“Ah, you’re here. Come in.”

I gave a light nod to her, who had opened the door and stepped aside to make way, then closed the door and locked it.

The duster coat she had been wearing was neatly hung on the coat rack.

Mine too, as a bonus.

Had she even organized my luggage for me?

“Um… you’ve organized the luggage well? Thank you. Then, let’s see, first about the room problem—should we sit and talk?”

“Yes, please.”

I headed towards the desk by the window, pulled out a chair, and leaned back as I sat down.

Suddenly, I noticed she wasn’t in front of me and turned my head.

She was kneeling.

On the floor.

Her hands clasped together on her lap.

“What… are you doi—”

“A slave cannot sit in the same place as the master without permission. It is part of basic etiquette…”

“I haven’t seen people like that outside.”

“Few people take slaves out with them. Unless it’s for display.”

Hearing that, I could only hold my head in my hands.

I couldn’t understand her acting so naturally.

I was slowly beginning to realize that the common sense of this world had quite a few parts that didn’t align with my values.

But since the conversation was meant to change that, I needed to calm down first.

“Sit on the chair. And from now on, you don’t need to ask for permission to sit.”

“Ah… Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”

Now that she was sitting across from me, there was a lot I needed to tell her.

First, let’s clarify her position.

Yes, let’s start with that.

“Um, Elli Michel? How should I address you?”

“My first name is Elli, and my family name is Michel. I would be grateful if you called me by my first name.”

“Then, should I call you Ms. Elli?”

“You can just call me by my first name—”

“No, Ms. Elli. I will call you that. First, regarding that, I have no intention of treating you as a slave.”

“…Yes?”

She blinked her eyes wide, slightly surprised, and her ears perked up.

Perhaps perking up her ears was a reaction that occurred in various situations.

“The way things turned out… I think the situation got quite twisted.

I suppose I feel sorry that you had such bad luck for this to happen.

Ms. Elli’s recommendation of that person stemmed from a simple act of goodwill.”

But hearing that, she paused for a moment, then eventually lowered her head.

At the same time, her ears drooped heavily.

“No, this is my fault.”

“Why do you say it’s your fault?”

Her fingers, neatly placed on the desk, rubbed against each other for a moment, then interlocked tightly.

“I… that is, I had actually heard her story before.

In fact, when I meet and deal with adventurers, I hear various stories, and the story of the ‘novice adventurer killer’ was one of them.

Stories of ‘novice adventurers’ recently being brutally murdered and robbed.

In dungeons, no less.

When that woman in the hood asked me to introduce her to a novice adventurer, I politely refused.

But then she handed me a gold coin.

She asked for an introduction out of sincerity, saying it was her ‘delight’ in life.

…My family’s financial situation wasn’t good.

My earnings were my family’s daily bread.

Therefore, one gold coin was a stroke of luck for me.

Of course… this is how it turned out.

If I had warned you more clearly that day, perhaps this wouldn’t have happened.

But I didn’t.

So you almost died and suffered severe injuries.

I heard.

That you truly almost died.

That you lost consciousness with severe injuries.

You don’t know how sorry I was when I heard that.

After being fired from the inn, compensation for damages was demanded.

The crime I committed only resulted in a verbal warning, but a penalty was charged for damaging the inn’s prestige.

I couldn’t afford to pay it all back.

The money I earned was sent to my family, and the rest was all spent on my room rent and daily food.

I gave up on everything.

I haven’t slept peacefully, guilty that I almost killed someone, and thinking that a customer who smiled at me ended up that way.

When my status was downgraded to a slave because I couldn’t repay the money, I even thought that perhaps suffering unpleasant things as a slave was the atonement I had to make.

Just three silver coins, I was confident I could endure anything if I just had three silver coins.

That’s the money I send to my family.

So… would you grant me one request?

I ask for three silver coins for my family, every month.

If you do that, I’ll do anything.

Anything… I’ll do whatever you want, any—”

Having uttered her last words, she was trembling violently.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Her shoulders heaved greatly.

The rain continued to beat heavily against the window.

It was a gloomy sight, as gloomy as the weather.

I comforted her, who had been crying for a long time.

I felt I lacked the courage to stroke her or hug her, so I simply quietly handed her a handkerchief.

The drumming rain continued to beat against the window, and the occasional rattling sound of the window quietly enveloped her sorrow.

Knock, knock, the sound of a knock on the door.

I quietly got up from my seat and opened the door.

There was a waiter carrying two portions of food.

A faint sniffle still came from behind me, so I put a finger to my lips and quietly accepted the meal.

Fortunately, perhaps understanding the situation, the waiter also carefully handed over the cutlery and dishes, then bowed and left.

I placed a fork, knife, and spoon in front of her, who was constantly wiping her eyes with the handkerchief I had given her, and pushed the large wooden tray with the meal towards her.

She, with belatedly reddened eyes, tried to get up from her seat, but I shook my head quickly twice, making her remain seated.

The meal looked quite satisfying.

In front of her was a generous salad, overflowing in a wooden bowl.

Various well-sliced vegetables and fruits were mixed together, and judging by the subtle sour aroma, it seemed to have been drizzled with dressing.

And small, cube-shaped pieces of something with a meat-like texture were sprinkled evenly over her food.

Thinking of Paul, who occasionally ate meat, I thought this was the kind of food she needed.

In front of me were two well-fried sunny-side-up eggs, boiled beans thoroughly mixed in red sauce, a wide steak, and a small tossed salad, all placed on a large glass plate.

She silently stared at her bowl, then looked at me with a very puzzled expression.

“…Eat. Aren’t you hungry?”

“I-is this the food I’m supposed to eat?”

“Yes, is there something wrong?”

“Ah, no…”

Her eyes widened, and she stared blankly at me, then at the bowl.

She nibbled at her lips slightly, but surprisingly, she didn’t say anything more.

Perhaps ‘she gave up’ would be a more accurate description.

Her hands twitched, but she couldn’t bring herself to pick up the utensils.

I sighed once and continued to speak to her.

“Eat, and listen to what I have to say while you eat.

If you don’t particularly feel like listening, it’s fine if you eat later.

First, they said we can’t change rooms.

All the rooms with two beds are occupied, so I was told it’s impossible to move to one of those rooms.

Secondly, I won’t blame you for anything.

It’s just, it’s a bit difficult to explain.

I don’t think it’s your fault.

The bad person is that woman who tried to kill me, and who killed many people.

I think it’s hard to say it’s your fault for introducing her without knowing.”

“That’s—”

I put a finger to my lips, cutting her off as she tried to interrupt, and looked at her, stopping her from speaking.

She still had a lot to hear.

“That’s what I think.

So don’t feel guilty and say things like you’ll let me do whatever I want; that’s ridiculous.

I have no intention of doing that.

Of course, you are beautiful, but I have no desire to forcefully make you do things you don’t want to do.

I won’t make you do anything I don’t like myself, so listen carefully.

And… you said three silver coins, right?

Did you send this month’s payment?”

“…I sent one gold coin, so I think it will be fine for a while… I think so.

Letters will come addressed to me.

From now on, they will be addressed to the Master—”

“Marcus Ahn. You know my name, right?”

“Yes, I do. Ahn is the family name, Marcus is the given name.”

“Call me Marcus. You don’t need to use the title ‘Master’.

I said earlier that I wouldn’t see you as a slave, right?”

“But…”

“If I asked you to, would you?”

After a long hesitation, she finally nodded.

Fortunately, she wasn’t that stubborn.

“And those letters, can’t you continue to receive them yourself?”

“My debt was—no, Marcus—”

“Marcus. Or… you can call me Mr. Marcus, it’s fine.”

“N-yes. Um, so… since Mr. Marcus paid all my debts, all my property and rights will be attributed to Mr. Marcus.

My previous room and belongings were sold to reduce the debt, so my clothes, my… body, and any bills or letters sent to me will all be redirected to Mr. Marcus.

You can check the contents if you want, but…”

“I won’t. For now… if your family needs money, you can tell me, and I have something I need help with.

Can you do it?”

“Anything—”

Grumble.

“…Uh, ugh…”

A loud stomach rumbling sound was heard in the middle of her sentence.

Judging by her appearance, with her ears drooping forward and her face bright red, burying her head, she seemed to be the culprit.

“Let’s eat first, and then continue our conversation, shall we?”

Seeing her, with every reaction so cute, a smile naturally appeared on my face.