PR: Badman
There was an awkward silence at the breakfast table.
Elric glanced at Tyria with a frown on his face.
How could she be such a bad sleeper and not realize it.
It wasnt fair of her to hold him responsible.
He tried to convey his intentions with his eyes, but apparently, they werent close enough yet.
Tyria wore her trademark expression of indifference and finished her al leisurely or rather, a little earlier than usual.
Ill be getting ready to go out, and Im sure the Milord will be ready soon too.
Understood.
He went back into his room and changed into his outfit for the day.
He didnt see her again until about twenty minutes later, when she ca out in a roughly tailored outfit.
He was slightly surprised.
Youre so casually dressed.
Why overdo it?
She wore a light coat over a gray evening dress and a furry cloak over it all.
It was an outfit appropriate for a winters outing, but one that didnt reveal much in the way of aristocratic splendor.
Todays destination was a tailors shop that specializes in banquet wear, even for the most opulent circles of the kingdom.
As far as he knew, whenever he visited such places, nobles would dress in extravagant attire, as if in competition to see who could be the most dazzling, and it was strange to see that she was different from the rest of the nobility in this regard.
Ostentatiousness is reserved for banquets, and even then, its best to avoid anything too ostentatious, as it can co across as out of place.
You an, like, taking beauty in moderation?
Thats the right phrase.
Elric nodded, then scanned his surroundings for a mont.
He was looking for Aldio, but for so reason, he couldnt see him.
What are you looking for?
I havent seen Aldio, and I was going to tell him that we were going out.
Oh, I told him to go fix the bed. I even wrote a letter for him to deliver.
Ah, yes.
Elric rembered how upset she had yesterday at the sight of the broken bed.
I understand, then. Well just have to go on our own.
Yes.
With that, the two of them left the mansion.
In the royal city of Ferdinand, there was a separate district for nobility.
It was called 1st Avenue Chteau, and it was a place where the mansions of prominent nobles were densely clustered. As a result, the comrcial district here had also developed to cater to them.
In the middle of the boulevard were rows and rows of colorful carriages.
The sidewalks on either side of it were lined with people who appeared to be noblen moving about with the help of servants, and sowhere in the middle of the street, people who appeared to be the managers of mansions were bustling about, taking care of business.
There was a certain liveliness to it.
And the awkwardness that ca to Elrics mind was due to the disparity between their lives and the lives of the Western nobility he knew.
Everyones so at peace.
It was clear from their expressions that they were living a fairly relaxed life.
And if he strained his senses, he could hear the occasional sounds of their conversations.
-You are to dine with Count Nimrud at this banquet. I assu youve been researching his tastes?
-This is my daughters debutante, so there can be no mistake.
-Ill be alone with Gillian at this banquet, so I need to get my dress in ti.
These were the conversations of those in peaceti.
Not at all like in the West.
Everywhere you looked, there were grave voices discussing aspects of the war.
Lets go in here.
Ah, were already there?
Amidst it all, Tyria led Elric to a dignified, high-class establishnt that was tucked away in a corner.
Oh, its got quite an atmosphere.
The clothes on the mannequins in the window were neat.
Of course, Elrics taste was for there to be all sorts of trinkets and chains, but it would be a mockery to wear such things to a banquet.
As far as aristocracy goes, the clothes in the window were definitely a pass.
The shop specializes in ns clothing, and its where the previous patriarch used to go when he attended banquets.
He couldnt help but cringe at the ntion of his father.
Hed have to change that habit soti soon.
Elric shrugged unnecessarily.
At least their quality is guaranteed.
Regardless of his feelings, if they were to his fathers taste, they would certainly be excellent.
Elric followed her into the tailors shop.
Welco Ah, Baroness Portman!
Long ti no see.
A voluptuous madam greeted Tyria.
Then, she turned to Elric.
This man
Is the new lord.
Oh!
Horror began to settle over her face.
Elric smiled awkwardly.
Well, its not like word hasnt gotten out.
Rumors of the Young Master Elric Portman, the runaway prodigal son, rather than Kasha, the swordswoman, must have been pretty widespread in Ferdinand.
Nobles, after all, were a gossipy bunch who liked to talk about other people.
And the tale of Portmans late induction into the nobility must have amused them.
He felt ashad, but he couldnt show it.
Whatever it was, it was a judgnt hed brought upon himself, and hed have to face it.
Elric held out his hand to shake hers.
Ive heard a lot about your skills. I ca to buy clothes for the banquet today, and seeing the clothes at the entrance, it seems that I can trust your skill.
The art of lifting soones spirits was sothing hed learned from Elvus Grayman.
And, to her credit, the Mada seed to take great pleasure in the complint, and smiled.
Oh, youre welco.
He could hear her chuckle.
The Madas disposition was becoming quite clear.
Lets see
The Madas eyes swept Elric up and down.
As they did, however, a hint of embarrassnt began to cross her face.
Tyria asked, puzzled.
Whats the problem?
Youre quite large.
Is that a problem?
I dont think youll be able to fit into the clothes Ive made for you.
Elric broke out in a cold sweat.
It was a natural crisis.
His body was built for battle after all.
Furthermore, as he had mastered martial skills and developed his mana to the point of altering his skeletal structure, his physique was no longer the sa as that of a peaceful Eastern noblemans.
In the streets of the city, he stood at least a head taller than everyone else.
Elric recalled the asurents hed taken with the help of Elvus when hed attended a previous Imperial Banquet.
I recall that I was about six feet four inches tall. As for the rest of
No. No, please.
Hmm?
Well, Ill have to asure your numbers again myself, because Id hate for it to be different from what you rember.
The Madas eyes lit up.
There was a strange passion in them.
The joy of craftsmanship, perhaps.
Elric looked at Tyria.
Tyria nodded and said.
Take your ti in asuring. This is the only thing on our morning schedule, so you can do it at your leisure.
She sat down on a couch.
Elric was a little embarrassed.
Uhm
He didnt like showing his body to others.
Or, more accurately.
I hope that this madam doesnt have a loose mouth.
It was extrely uncomfortable for Elric Portman to show this body to others.
Mada Seri, the tailor, stepped into the workroom and ushered Elric in.
You may stand here. Oh, and would you mind taking off your top? Itll be hard to take your asurents with it on.
It was a bit of an excuse.
Seris real purpose was to satisfy her professional curiosity and enthusiasm.
Hes a beautiful specin!
And she didnt an his face.
The body of the prodigal son, Elric Portman, had taken on the form of the most idealized god in her mind.
Even through his clothes, she was left stunned.
She wanted to strip him down.
She couldnt resist the urge to see the muscles etched into his body.
She couldnt help but have a glazed look in her eyes.
Elric looked a little frightened of her, but she never noticed.
About this
Yes?
Can you promise one thing?
The tailors head snapped up at that.
Elric gave her a wry smile, as if he were embarrassed.
I wouldnt want to hear any rumors about my body, and I have a feeling you wouldnt be happy to talk about it to others anyway.
She wondered what kind of embarrassing secret he was talking about.
If only she had known.
My nature isnt suited to being one who speaks and associates with the nobility. If it were, I probably couldnt have been in this line of work for 30 years.
Of course, he hadnt been a nobleman long enough to know this.
As she spoke, Elric relaxed and slowly began to unbutton his top.
Gulp, a dry swallow ran down the back of his throat.
He felt unnecessarily hot as his overcoat disappeared and his tie ca undone. When the buttons of his shirt began to loosen, there was a sensation of fireworks bursting inside his head.
And then,
Huh?
Seri stiffened at the sight of his shirtless body.
Im going to have to ask you to keep this a secret again.
A thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
Was he tortured?
Elrics body was covered in horrific scars.
It was beyond her imagination how he could still be alive with such disfigurents.
She suddenly beca afraid of him.
It was extrely clear that he had lived a life beyond the norm.
This was what her instincts spoke.
Ho, if this ever gets out
Would Elric Portman co to tear out her throat?
Seris fingertips began to tremble.
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