CH 176

During the first playthrough, I wore a stiff cotton dress, the best I could afford at the time. How much money could a mage from the countryside who had only joined the expedition corps for about a year save? That cotton dress I bought with all my money wasn’t such a bad choice for the member of an ordinary, middle-level expedition corps. It was just enough to save face and keep up appearances. It also happened to be just right to draw the mockery of others. With a past like that, Mayer could literally give me any dress and I would look much better than how I did back then. Considering how the man didn’t even spare money on artifacts, there was no way he would be frugal on my dress.

I was the vice-captain, and the dignity of the Dark Knights hung on my appearance. I could understand why Mayer was concerned with what I would wear. It was somewhat within my expectations. But I didn’t expect that he would ask a favor of the emperor to have my dress tailored, even making some time to go with me.

“S-still, there’s no need for you to go so far for me, Captain. I could’ve handled it well on my own if you just called the tailor for me…”

“You will be attending the banquet as my partner, are you not? It is natural to care about the dress of a partner.”

“Wait. Partner?” I cried, jumping in surprise at this sudden revelation. Why was he so smooth when he was dropping a bombshell on me?

Mayer didn’t even blink, wearing an unabashed face as he replied, “I will be your escort, so is it not natural?”

“No. I thought we’d be going in separately?”

“Why?”

“Why, you ask… But you don’t normally do something like being an escort, Captain.”

“Well, that is because I had no one to escort until now.”

“I don’t think I’m exactly worthy of being escorted, though?” I shot, with a rather sharp tone. I worried that Mayer had forgotten the promise about keeping our relationship clear. While I was grateful for his consideration, I felt it was necessary to give him a reminder at this point. I had forgotten for a moment that talking in a roundabout fashion wasn’t very effective on the man.

Mayer asserted bluntly, “When the captain and vice-captain of a corps are of opposite genders, it is common to escort one another.”

“Well, that’s…” It was quite awkward and strange that Mayer Knox would give such an ordinary and common example.

“And you must have your dress made anyway, do you not? As there is a banquet to attend.”

“But there’s no need to go so…” I covered my face. We had been parroting the same words for a while now.

Mayer tapped at the reception table with his fingers, seeming a little frustrated. Raising a brow, he said, “No need to go so far? Of course there is a need. It is your debutante, and your dress is your pride.”

He shuddered then as if feeling chilled by the thought of me being belittled by others. The man’s overreaction made me falter. “…I didn’t know you cared so much about what other people think, Captain.”

“I care not for the opinions of others.” Mayer turned his body toward me, his golden eyes gleaming like the rising sun. I almost felt like his gaze was burning me—and in the instant I thought that he took hold of my arm. I couldn’t move an inch, but the fact that my arm was intact alone was enough for me to tell that he was as gentle as he could possibly be. Then Mayer whispered softly, “But I am interested in crushing the pride of those who had ridiculed and ignored me.”

His lips curved upwards in mirth, but I couldn’t tell if it was borne of scorn or exhilaration. Who would ridicule Mayer of all people, though? If I had to say, it was more plausible that people kept their distance from him.

But then, a memory flashed to the surface of my mind to mock my thoughts. A memory of Butler Vince telling me of Mayer’s past. A young heir of a grand duke, persecuted by his own parents… He might have become an object of despise without knowing it. At the very least, I didn’t think it likely that anyone who ignored Mayer back then would have gotten off scot-free. In any case, since the person who would be paying the money insisted, it wouldn’t do to maintain a stand any longer. “Fine… Since you say so, then I’ll do as you say, Captain.”

“Good.” Mayer nodded in satisfaction. Still, I couldn’t let myself be swayed around at Mayer’s will. Since things had come to this, I beamed as I began, “By the way… Now that I think about it, I didn’t get to go over what the special unit would wear. Even though those kids will be making their debut too.”

“That lot can call a tailor in the capital,” Mayer replied, disinterested. His tone was completely different from when he was talking about my dress. Look at this rogue talk!