How the Useless Me Became the Beloved of the Devilish Duke Knight - Chapter 3
Chapter 3 : Nonhuman and Human
Hesitating and desperately trying to answer as honestly as possible, Elma was caught off guard by these unexpected words. Did this man just ask her if he was beautiful? A man with perfect good looks, who could not come up with a bad word to say no matter how hard he tried.
‘Is he making fun of me ?’
He still has a straight face. There is no hint of sarcasm. He is speaking genuinely and earnestly. And then he goes on to say more.
“I won’t get angry no matter what you say, so be honest. How do you see me in your eyes ?”
‘Honestly……’
Elma was at a loss, but the man didn’t seem to be in any hurry and seemed to be just waiting for a reply. In the end, she opened her lips slightly.
“I think you’re a beautiful person.”
A repetition of the earlier sentiment. Although the words may sound cliché and ordinary, in the end, that was the most sincere impression. He was an exceptionally beautiful person, unlike anything she had ever seen. In response, the man’s expression became indescribable.
“Beautiful.”
Elma’s shoulders twitched, and she shrank her body. However, despite merely repeating the words, he seemed a bit different from someone who was angry. Yet, it wasn’t as if he was expressing joy either. Fearfully, she asked a small question.
“Do you dislike being told things like that?”
“I used to dislike it, but… now, it might be a little different.”
He looked as if he were hesitating, much like someone tasting a new ingredient for the first time. After a moment of contemplation with his eyes flickering, he turned his gaze back to Elma.
“….In your eyes, do I look like a human ?”
He’s a strange man. And he keeps asking strange things.
‘I wonder if he’s asking me a riddle…’
It’s unusual not to be interrupted and to be continuously spoken to in such a calm manner. Even though the anxiety remains, she can’t help but keep responding. Elma looks at his face, allowing her gaze to wander from head to toe. Then, once again, she gazes into his softly shimmering silver eyes.
“Am I wrong ? It seems like there are no horns, fangs, wings, or tails…”
Though his features are unusually refined, if asked whether he’s human, there’s no doubt he’s nothing but human. At least that’s how it appeared and felt to Elma. Then, the moment she answered, his expression gently blossomed.
“…..I see. In that case, I’m definitely a human.”
His composed expression was like ice, freezing everything in its path. On the other hand, the fleeting smile he momentarily revealed was like the warm radiance that peeks through the clouds, long-awaited after a gloomy day. Elma, feeling her body warming up again, hastily pressed her chest and took a deep breath. While regaining her composure, she looked around, and the man who had tilted his head raised his voice.
“So, what are you doing here ? This is the famous haunted house, isn’t it ? You don’t look like you’re here to play. You’re not going to tell me you’re the ghost I’ve heard so much about, are you ?”
“Huh? Um… well…”
The atmosphere seems somewhat more relaxed than before. For now, it seems she’s managed not to cause any discomfort, but being asked about her home isn’t particularly pleasant.
Elma is the family’s possession. She can’t act on her own. Besides, if her father found out she was talking to someone, he would likely scold her again for not knowing her place. However, the two of them are not here and are fast asleep.
‘What should I do ?….I just wanted to quietly leave without causing any trouble, but…’
She knew it was all a mistake to show up. No, perhaps it was the rumbling stomach. However, regretting the past will not get her through this situation. Elma, whose gaze had been wandering, suddenly caught sight of the man’s hand. There, in his hand, was the remnant of the cloth that had just been torn by the sword. This is it ! An idea popped into Elma’s head.
“Um, that fabric…”
“…What’s wrong with this?”
“Wouldn’t it be inconvenient to leave it torn like that ?”
“Well… yeah, it is.”
“I can fix it right away.”
Taking a deep breath and summoning courage, when she spoke, the man widened his eyes. Then, suddenly, he playfully curved his lips. Just that alone exuded an overwhelming charm, and Elma couldn’t help but squint.
“It’s not just ordinary fabric. It’s woven with magic. Can you still fix it?”
“I think I can handle it.… Maybe.”
Elma felt the probing gaze, and the pressure nearly caused her to falter. She somehow held herself back, clenching her hands tightly and casting her eyes downward. Despite this, she continued with her words.
“Well, …… I know this may sound impolite, but I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Favor ?”
“Yes. If I can repair that fabric right here, could we perhaps pretend that our conversation earlier and our meeting here never happened?”
When considering the optimal solution as Talcoza’s possession, there is no other choice but to “ask him to forget he ever met Elma and leave”. But it would be difficult to turn him away without a reason. So Elma decided to try to solve the other man’s problem with a proposal that would make use of the skills she knew a little bit about. The man was silent. No, he was stunned. His mouth was open.
‘As expected… I’m only doing something unnecessary…’
She immediately regretted her words and was about to retract them when an unexpected noise made her jump. Nervously looking at the man, he was covering his mouth with his hand!
‘Did he just… laugh out loud…?’
“Don’t people often say that you’re different?”
“…..Please, forgive me.”
It felt like her heart had frozen solid. “You lack common sense, why can’t you act normally?” For Elma, being called “different” was a reproach. Seeing her sudden stiffening, the man changed his smile to a troubled expression. He seemed to be searching for words but couldn’t find them. Ultimately, he awkwardly averted his gaze and offered the fabric in his hands.
“Um… Anyway, if you say you want to do it, I won’t stop you. If you can really fix it… I’ll consider your request.”
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Translated by : Cutae30