Hopefully, at Your Mercy - Chapter 31

Chapter 16.2

After sizing up the situation, Delinda sidled up to the mage, Carlot Eisha.

“Hello, Master Mage. I’m Delinda Schultz. You mentioned your name was Carlot Eisha, correct? That thing you did earlier in the air was quite impressive.”

It was like watching fireworks over the Han River, sparkling like the feathers of a magnificent peacock.

Carlot was very pleased by the compliment.

“Thank you, my lady. I take great pride in my introductions. Establishing dominance is important, after all. Especially since I look young, I always have to flaunt my abilities.”

“You’re right. First impressions are crucial.”

“I’m Carlot Eisha, His Highness the Prince’s loyal servant.”

As they spoke, Iskan brushed past them, completely uninterested in their conversation and acting as though they weren’t even there.

Delinda watched his cloak fade into the distance.

“I appreciate your help earlier. I was in a tough spot, but thanks to you, everything worked out,” she whispered.

“Hm. You’re too quick to thank me. You should be cautious about unconditional favors. Especially for someone like you, my lady. As a noble of high standing, bad people are more likely to latch onto you.”

His words could have come off as condescending, but Delinda didn’t take offense. Instead, it sounded more like concern.

“I know. I should always question excessive kindness or suspiciously convenient coincidences. But this time, everything turned out to be completely in my favor, so I’m accepting it without suspicion.” Delinda shrugged.

She wasn’t worried. Even if Carlot didn’t provide further magical assistance, she figured she could develop her own magic and handle things one way or another.

“Anyhow, Master Carlot, do you know why His Highness is assisting my family? He’s providing us funds and even introduced us to someone as talented as yourself.”

“Nope. I truly have no idea.”

Carlot shrugged as his eyes followed Iskan’s figure walking ahead. He was just as confused by the whole situation.

Carlot was aware that his master, His Highness, wanted to take possession of Duke Schultz’s grand mansion. It was to send a message. Acquiring a residence so close to the imperial palace would make things visibly uncomfortable for the emperor and the crown prince.

However, he couldn’t quite grasp the purpose of what was happening now.

What does any of this have to do with that?

As Carlot leaned in, Delinda followed suit. With their heads nearly touching, the two started whispering in a manner that anyone watching would find suspicious.

“I’m really curious. I don’t know His Highness that well yet, but… he doesn’t seem like the kind of person who goes around meddling in everything.”

“Exactly. I’m dying of curiosity myself! I simply follow orders because, well, I have to do what His Highness tells me to do, but…”

Carlot paused, giving Delinda a once-over before continuing.

“Though you are beautiful, my lady… he isn’t the type to do all of this just because he fancies someone.”

“I agree. It doesn’t seem to fit his character. Especially since he’s so handsome himself, he doesn’t need any other beauty to compliment him. He probably admires himself every time he looks into a mirror.”

“To be honest, I thought His Highness was a eunuch. He never shows any interest in anyone. It takes great effort to be that cold.”

“Oh my! Yes, I kinda got a similar feeling from His Highness. Not that he’s a eun… but more so inhuman? As if he’s a statue with no emotions.”

Delinda couldn’t bring herself to say the word “eunuch,” so she opted for a more tactful expression, comparing him to something inanimate.

Carlot’s face lit up with joy, as if he’d finally heard the words he wanted to hear.

“That’s right! He’s incredibly handsome but so cold, and honestly, somewhat scary.”

“Exactly! He’s even scarier because he’s so handsome. I’d rather he just looked outright mean.”

“Well, in a way, he does look kind of mean. Think about that icy stare of his. It’s like His Highness’ entire face is broadcasting, ‘I have a horrible personality.’”

“Yes, especially when he glares at someone with that contemptuous look in his eyes… it’s so cold and terrifying…”

“Yeah, super terrifying…”

Even though neither of them seemed remotely afraid of Iskan, they both agreed he was terrifying in perfect unison, then burst into laughter.

“Oh my lady, you’re so easy to talk to!”

“I know, right? We really are on the same page, Master Carlot!”

Carlot and Delinda continued their lively chat. Unlike the ever-terseous Iskan who always gave one-word answers, or Rowton who only seemed more interested in teasing him, he found Delinda very easy to talk to.

Despite the rumors that painted her as a foolish noble lady, Delinda seemed anything but stupid in person. Carlot decided the rumors must have been blown out of proportion.

Meanwhile, Rowton shook his head as he watched the two of them gossiping.

Though they were whispering, the occasional mention of “His Highness” and the sound of their giggles made it obvious what they were talking about.

“Your Highness, it seems those two are openly criticizing you.”

“I’m aware.”

His indifference suggested he couldn’t care less.

“Ah, you noticed. In that case, I’ll leave them to it.”

Rowton noticed Iskan clearly wasn’t the least bit bothered by his comment, and he bowed, falling a step behind as they left the area.

Rowton tilted his head, puzzled.

Did I hear them say the word eunuch… or something else…?

His gaze instinctively drifted down to the lower half of Iskan’s body.

…Hmm… I’ve never taken a close look, but… judging by the usual outline of it, it seems he far exceeds the average man in that department.