Saludy was again prepared for such a statement. As Hughesin’s mother, she was deeply aware of what reputation her son had. She could, therefore, sympathize with Kebrilio’s ‘misgivings’. It was also to be expected given the fact that Kebrilio and her son were political opponents.

She quickly began to explain her son to Kebrilio and his situation. There wasn’t anyone else that knew Hughesin better than her.

Her words were lost on Kebrilio. The man listened, but the words simply went in one ear and out the other. Most of this information was completely irrelevant to him. Elric was neither his niece and Hughesin’s affection had no bearing on the matter. The magus didn’t even care if those feelings were real or fake. Him still listening to Saludy was only a formality.

The only time he spoke was when he saw the older woman start to run out of steam. In the end, he decided to pass the buck onto his dear ‘brother’, Elric’s father. His brother, he explained, would absolutely refuse to have his daughter wed to anyone. It was a great excuse Kebrilio could make use of.

Saludy wasn’t about to stand down so easily, however. She was the type of person to push as long as she could. True love, she argued, was something parents shouldn’t try to control. The happiness of their children should be what every parent should strive for! Perhaps Kebrilio could forward the message to his brother and reconsider?

She was pulling out every reason she could think of. Stories of folklore where lovers were separated and reunited were cited one after another. Anything she could think of was immediately listed off in hopes of convincing Kebrilio.

The man’s head was starting to hurt. He thanked his lucky stars once again at how fortunate it was Saludy never waded into the field of politics. Someone as argumentative as her would surely be a dangerous opponent to go against. Kebrilio was sure that even Hughesin wasn’t so bad in comparison to his mother.

　　※※※

At some point, Kebrilio figured it was time he stopped. He didn’t actually want Elric returned to him, how was he to enjoy the fun in that case? Enjoyment like this happened once in a blue moon, what reason had he to ruin his own pleasure?

Drawing back his shoulders, Kebrilio gave Saludy a neutral stare. “Madame, you’ve made your point. I would like to speak with my niece, if you don’t mind?”

She did mind. Letting Kebrilio meet with his niece would make the situation even more difficult than it already was. A young woman, when isolated in a strange new place, would easily latch onto hope when it is given. Fear makes a person delicate. She knew that better than anyone else. 

Hope, in this case, would keep Fantasia strong. Knowing someone on the outside could save her would fill her with determination. It was vital, therefore, that Fantasia be bereft of hope. 

And yet Saludy was of two minds. Holding a young woman kidnapped like this was repulsive to her, given her own intimate experiences on the matter, but it was for her son! Even as she was reasoning with Kebrilio, her mind recalled the traumatic memories of her past.

Her shoulders felt heavier, today. She never thought the day would come when she would employ the very same methods she herself fell victim to. 

Despite her internal objections, Saludy nodded. She would allow Kebrilio to see his niece. And so she led the magus personally to the room Fantasia slept in.

Opening the door to the room, Kebrilio strode in. He was followed by a hesitant Saludy; there was no way she’d let the two meet alone. Her allowing Kebrilio to meet with Fantasia was already a tremendous setback. The last thing she wanted would be to let these two alone to freely discuss the matter. No, she’d have to keep watch on their conversation.

Kebrilio froze the moment he stepped foot into the room. Seated right next to a curtained window was a peaceful-looking Elric. Today, he was wearing a pure-white priestess robe complete with a golden sash tied at the waist. There was also a golden ribbon keeping his hair tied up behind him. He looked completely at ease with the limited sunlight splattered across his face in what was nearly a picture perfect example of a refined lady enjoying the peace.

Kebrilio stifled the smile threatening to break out on his face. This fellow was really suited to being a woman! He was doing an outstanding performance so far! 

Was this a strength or weakness, he wondered. Either way, Kebrilio had to admit that Elric’s fortitude was amazingly strong. It seemed like Elric was the type able to survive in any environment. Even rarer, it seemed like he was capable of 

adapting

 to his situations.

Elric was actually keeping an eye on the door. He noticed straight away when someone entered the room. Someone with a tremendous build. He hoped it was Kebrilio, but Elric wasn’t too sure just yet. The only thing he knew was that Kebrilio wasn’t alone.

The first to act were the maids behind Saludy. The room was noticeably dark with the curtains drawn, so the two moved at once to set aside the curtain and let the light in.

Elric quickly shielded his eyes from the light. A brightly-illuminated room was exactly what Elric 

didn’t

 want. It’d only make it easier for someone to see he wasn’t really a girl! 

At least he managed to change his clothes somewhat successfully. The priestess robes he was given was thick enough to do a decent job at hiding his body.

He didn’t want to change clothes at first. Especially when the first piece of clothing handed to him by the maids was an expensive gown and tunic. His refusal was at its highest then, as Elric realized how dangerous the vestment was. Saludy was surprisingly empathetic of his situation and offered up her priestess garments, which Elric accepted. Wearing this was an infinite amount of times better than wearing what he liked to call an ‘armored dress’. It’d kill him if he had to go through that type of hell again.

All in all, he was quite content with the robes. Wearing them wasn’t at all unpleasant and felt similar to the robes magi adorned. Indeed, it was a compromise between what Saludy wanted and what he wanted. But he also refused the maids. They weren’t to even fix the bed and were instead escorted out. Alone now, Elric made sure to then draw the curtains together so he’d be safe in the darkness. Falling back on his back, Elric stared at the dark ceiling praying for his full strength to return to him soon. At least enough strength for him to use the walls to help him to his feet better.

He did blunder in one area, however. His refusal to have the maids change out the bedsheets meant that there was still small amounts of it stained there for Kebrilio to stare wide-eyed at. Elric was no mind-reader, but he was sure he had a good idea on what it could possibly be. Whatever he was thinking, Elric wanted no part in it. He just wanted to reach his hand into the man’s giant mouth and pull out his teeth.

The only one happy about the sight was Hughesin’s mother. This accidental misunderstanding couldn’t have happened to a better person! This could be used as proof of the ‘deed’, even if it was a lie! It’d be a lie, but Saludy was prepared to use every trick up her sleeve for her son. 

Now that she thought about it, wasn’t her current conduct even more despicable and manipulative than the woman of her past? Actually, speaking of that woman, Saludy suddenly remembered something said to her before. In the future, that woman said, Saludy would come to understand what it’d be like. Those words didn’t make sense to her at the time, but they did now. Now she understood what that woman went through.