But unfortunately his hopes were dashed. While no servant moved to stop him, a powerful arm grabbed hold of his waist and pulled Elric back in before he could make the jump.

It was, of course, Duke Hughesin that stopped him. He had been watching Fantasia’s thought process from the very beginning. From when she realized her predicament, when she began to scan her surroundings, when she determined the proper escape route, to when she acted upon it. It was all fascinatingly interesting for the man.

Such a calculative woman was a delight to see. Not many women in Karth could boast the keen senses Fantasia had. Hughesin would even claim that many of them had only an attention-span meant for the banquets and balls.

No, Fantasia was different. Very few women would think to move to the banisters and rush for the windows as she had done, especially those of her grace. The way she conducted herself so gracefully and spoke so eloquently before she did so—that was the mark of a highly-distinguished noble, one with an equally good education. 

And yet there was something about the way she moved that alerted Hughesin about something. She was trained. And quite masterfully too. Her speed and running motions were something Hughesin expected from a highly-trained mercenary, not a spoiled noble. 

Another mystery to solve. Why was lady Fantasia’s knowledge all over the place? He could hardly understand why a rich heiress like her was trained such a base art expected from mercenaries of all people. What kind of noble idiot would have their own child learn the mercenary way? It was a waste of time and effort and completely impractical. It’d only serve to make a mess out of Fantasia’s knowledge base, something that left Hughesin none-the-happier.

He wasn’t going to let her go, in any case. Not after all that effort of leading the helpless lamb here. Before she could break the windowpane and make her escape, Hughesin was already one step behind her.

Planting his hand around her waist, he reeled her back into his bosom for a tight embrace, much to his pleasure. It pleased him even more to see a blush appear on the lady’s cheeks as she struggled against his grasp. 

Her futile resistance only served to make him hold her even tighter to him.

But disaster struck for him before he could properly enjoy the close embrace. Before his hands could do anything else, Hughesin felt a sharp pain stab through him. Letting out a cry of pain, he relinquished his hold on Fantasia to cradle his crotch—he was hit! The delicate and loveable young lady had actually kicked him!

His servants were just as surprised as he was. Their master and this young lady hadn’t even entered the estate yet when they all thought that she’d be the next high-quality prey for their master tonight.

Several of the servants were already preparing a room for the two when they dismounted. Tonight, as per usual, was another night of pleasure. Such was the reputation of their master.

So accustomed were they to this routine that they never expected this beautiful and refined woman to be any different than the ones before.

Thus, the servants all realized this woman didn’t come here consensually. She was tricked into coming.

　　※※※

Questions arose in the servants’ minds. Had this woman never heard of their master’s reputation before? Hughesin the Gold-silver Wolf. An epithet known throughout Karth and even beyond. All foreign women dignitaries were warned about Hughesin and how dangerous he was to them. Any woman that dared to go with him back to his own estate was simply the same as willingly walking into danger.

So what was the case with her? Never had they seen anyone act like she had done. Never had they expected her to try to escape the estate. It was interesting to see it, actually. Even the most unwilling of women would stop at the door. None of them ever tried to run.

It also answered a few questions. The servants were instructed earlier to close the door after she and their master entered the lounge. Their master must’ve known this woman would act in such a way and made sure to have the doors locked before she could open it. 

This was yet another first for the servants.

Their master had always been so confident in his charming capabilities. It was something every single servant thought to be completely irresistible. There wasn’t supposed to be a single young lady capable of withstanding his charms.

Well, there was one exception. Chancellor Somiret’s younger sister. Hughesin’s charm was completely ineffective on her, but only because she held zero interest in males. A woman with intense appreciation for the fairer sex and none for the other, she was almost as well known as Hughesin. Every nation would warn their dignitaries of her as well, but only the females.

So this young woman in their master’s estate was the only true exception. It was…simply amazing and completely unexpected to see her run for the window and try to break it. It was jaw-dropping to see her ruthlessly kick their master right in the groin! The pain their master looked like they were in was a little hard for the servants to bear. The men shifted uncomfortably where they stood and the women turned away, their faces cherry-red.

Then the young lady circled around to the hunched-over Hughesin so that she was behind him. Planting a foot onto his back, she gave a mighty push to send the duke crashing into the window! 

Shards of glass flew everywhere. They clattered against the ground with disharmonic noise as the window pane came apart, broken by Hughesin’s head. The man fell backward onto the mess, injured and cut up by the glass, but ultimately alive. 

Still stunned, no servant moved to help their master. They watched helplessly as the young lady raised the hem of her skirt to step onto and over their master’s person to raise herself over the window. 

How were they supposed to react to such a scene? Who was this young woman their master brought home with him? They’ve never heard of 

any

 person act in such a jarring juxtaposition from what they expected her to act.

Elric was ecstatic that he was out from the manor, but he had yet to escape from the estate itself. The smile on his face died when he saw himself surrounded. Guards with swords in their hands stood anxiously around him while two robed magi floated intimidatingly in the night sky. 

His chances of escape were rapidly approaching nil now. How influential was this Hughesin that he’d have a security detail like this at his beck and call? A profession like the magi was highly-sought for. Why would those who managed to attain such a profession bother with being a bodyguard? 

Anyone that hoped to have a magus in their employ would need to be highly situated in power, whether that be in territory or influence. Only high-ranking nobles, consequently, would be able to have a magus in their coffers. 

Even the armed guards were of a different variety than normal. Each guard held formation in a tightly knit position so that he wouldn’t be able to weave through them. The way they composed themselves felt professional and not at all like what run-of-the-mill guards would be like. If he had to compare them to the knights back home, then they were definitely on par with a lieutenant knight, but knights of that stature would never be willing to resign themselves to being bodyguards either. Not unless it was for the right person.

What kind of power did this Hughesin have? Elric found himself curious about the man now.

But now wasn’t the time for that. He was surrounded by guards and magi alike in a very uncomfortable situation. 

Then came the furious roar.