Chapter 182: [182] He Knows

A few hours before the elven lord’s departure…

Artie was walking through one of the halls of the Baron’s mansion when she heard someone call her from behind.

“Artie…”

She paused, heaving a sigh then slowly turned to meet Eliron’s gaze.

Artie tried to pull out her signature smile, but no matter how much she did, it would not come out.

It didn’t matter after all, Eliron would see right through it.

“Yes? Shouldn’t you be getting ready to leave?”

“Eh, most of my things are in the spatial storage, I’m good to go at any time.”

“I see. So how can I help you?” Artie asked, holding her elbow as she stared at him.

Outside the Baron’s mansion, dark clouds had begun to form, a promise of rain within the hour.

Eliron took a few seconds to answer.

“Are you alright?” His voice was softer than usual, and even though he tried to act a little nonchalant, knowing she hated being a cause for concern, Artie could still sense it.

Artie sighed and raised her hands, doing a quick twirl.

“As you can see my lord, I am in perfect health.”

Eliron stared at her, clearly not satisfied with her answer.

She frowned and sighed. “Actually…”

’I shouldn’t be doing this.’ Artie thought.

She had decided to put him at a distance, to pull back. But the look he was giving her… it was too much to bear.

He looked so teasable! How was she to pull back if he kept offering himself to her like this?

Technically, if resisting ended up costing her even more time, wasn’t that in itself a distraction to her goals?

’Yes, yes…’

Maybe pulling back completely wasn’t the solution.

Artie formed up a little argument in her head, convincing herself of why teasing Eliron was actually beneficial to her goals.

She took a step closer to Eliron. She was not smiling, but her forest green eyes searched his.

“Actually… You did a number on me last night did you not?” She held her hands behind her back.

“I have to say, I could barely sleep after you touched me so inappropriately, my lord. I’m love sick, if you would call it that.”

“…?”

Eliron blinked. He stared at her for a moment longer, no words leaving his lips, then he coughed and took a step back.

“Uhum! I see you are in perfect health.”

Artie smiled, to her own surprise. Seeing him flustered was like the most potent healing potion in existence!

“I told you. You worry too much, or is it that you crave my teasi—”

Artie suddnely froze as a silhouette of her sister appeared right beside Eliron, a cold look on her face as she stared at her.

Then she smiled…

She swallowed, her hands were beginning to shake behind her back, thankfully away from Eliron’s gaze.

Clasp!

Eliron placed a hand on her shoulder. His grip firm but tender at the same time.

Badump—

Artie felt her heart racing at his touch. To her surprise, her sister’s ghost immediately vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind.

She took in a deep breath and stared at the hand, her eyes slowly moving to his.

“I understand that we all have something we like to keep to ourselves. But remember, you always have us, there is never a need to fight alone.”

He smiled. “Also, you may try to avoid me for as long as you want. But like I said last night, I will never let go, no matter how hard you try.”

“You say that. But there are crimes that are simply unforgivable.” Artie replied, her stoic facade slowly cracking.

“I’ll be the one to decide that.” Eliron smiled.

“There are many other pure, innocent girls in Artaris…”

“I guess I am the problem, I never seem to fall for those types.”

Artie stared at him for a little longer, before Eliron pulled back.

“I am getting late, I should go…” he turned to leave then paused. “Oh, and good luck with breaking the curse.”

“?!”

Artie’s eyes suddenly widened.

’Was it Yennefer??’ No, it was unlikely.

Although she didn’t seem like the type to keep a secret, when it came to things like this, she was very reliable.

How then did he know??

“How did you—” she tried to ask, but Eliron had already vanished.

<•••>

The present time…

’I’m such a fool.’ Artie thought.

“Lady Artie, are you alright? You been staring at one spot for some time now.” Ash said, pulling her out of her thoughts.

“I’m fine.” She answered plainly.

They were outside the main building of the estate, waiting for the knights on the porch.

The rain had begun, heavy gales of wind cut through the compound, howling like enraged demons. Just from being close, Artie could feel the chilling temperature of the winds.

“I apologize for my tardiness, there were matters to attend to.” David, the head knight, walked up to them from behind, interrupting her thoughts.

He was dressed up in his full knight armour, and had his sword strapped to his back, while a row of daggers lined his belt.

The junior knight, Samuel was dressed in the same manner.

He gave Artie a look, before turning in the other direction.

’Hmm?’

Strangely, he did not seem at all annoyed by her presence.

Considering their unsavory interaction, she had expected a much colder reception.

“No problems at all, we did not have to wait long.” Ash took his hand in a firm handshake. “We will be in your care.”

From the friendly tone Ash took with him, it seemed that had met at a different time other than today.

David nodded. “Shall we?”

The four of them walked into the rain, heading towards the building that acted as an entrance for the catacombs.

<•••>

“Ugh!! Why do I have to do so much work?!”

Yen was seated in one of the many offices in the estate. The room was warmed by a magic lamp which casted golden hues over the entire space.

Outside, the rain was pounding against the glass, leaving trails that glided dowm the mirror in long streaks, just before merging with the water on the windowsill.

In front of Yennefer was a sight that nearly made her nauseous.

Stacks of paper that went as high as the ceiling, a quil, and black ink sitting next to it.

Finding out who the leaker was was just a charade, why then did Eliron have to make it so elaborate??

’It’s probably because I didn’t tell him isn’t it?’

Eliron had asked what was bothering Artie, but it was a secret that was not hers to share, so she declined.

His simple response then was ’okay’ with a smile. And now, she had to draw magic circles on all this papers…

“I’m going to die doing this work~”

Creak!

As the door was pushed open, Yen immediately put up a dignified look and began sketching a rune on the first parchment.

The butler, Cornelius walked in with a cup filled with a steaming hot liquid.

“I see you are hard at work, lady Yennefer.” He said with a smile.

Yen nodded. “The spell is a complex one, I must make sure to avoid any and all forms of error.”

Cornelius nodded. “I see…”

Then he stared at the stack of papers, and exasperated look on his face. “But still, this is quite a lot…”

’Tell me about it!’ Yen screamed internally.

He placed the cup next to her, a sweet fragrance reaching her nose.

Yen kept up her dignified look, barely sparing it a glance. “What is it? Hot chocolate?”

The butler shook his head. “Coffee, it will help you fight the exhaustion.”

Yennefer nodded. “Thank you Mr Cornelius.”

He smiled and turned around to leave. “Inform me if you need anything else.” He glanced over his shoulder.

Yennefer picked up the cup and brought it to her lips, taking in a large gulp, then letting out a satisfied sigh.

Cornelius stared at her for a second longer before walking out of the room.

The moment the door was shut, a wide grin appeared on his face.

’Perfect, simply perfect…’

He adjusted his suit. ’I wonder if the party has started below?’

The butler began whistling a merry tune as he walked down the hall. His footsteps echoing through the area.

’It’s about time I finished my assignment…’

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