The Reward for Saving The World is a Husband - Chapter 29
The woman suddenly screamed.
“There’s no way Lord Elias would keep a mistress! It’s all lies!”
When I turned around, her gaze, filled with venom, shot at me like a poisonous arrow.
“Lord Callen, are you just going to stand there and do nothing? She’s tarnishing Lord Elias’s honor!”
I stood still, watching the woman, and thought to myself: why would me becoming Elias’s mistress tarnish his honor?
Sure, compared to the status, honor, and wealth he’d built in this world, I might seem a bit lacking at the moment, but still…
‘In terms of strength, I must be the best.’
If it’s for Elias, I could even capture a dragon for him.
‘Then again, what does she know?’
The woman’s presence was so insignificant that if I sneezed, she looked like she could be blown clear out of the room. So, of course, she couldn’t properly judge me.
Clicking my tongue at her poor discernment, I turned my gaze to Callen, wondering what he would do next.
“Miss Luna…”
With a long, weary sigh, Callen spoke to her in a soothing tone.
“This lady is Lord Elias’s guest. His Excellency instructed her to stay here, so you must respect that.”
Then he looked over at me.
“And Lady Elesha, please refrain from making such statements as you did earlier.”
“You mean about me being Elias’s mistress?”
When I asked again, Callen’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Yes. We can’t allow such rumors to spread throughout the castle while His Excellency is away.”
Though his words were polite, it was clear he wanted to deny any relationship between Elias and me.
After contemplating for a moment, I nodded.
“Alright. I won’t go spreading it around until Elias comes back and talks to me directly.”
I wasn’t sure how quickly he’d return, but it could take several days, during which I’d need Callen’s help to get by.
Showing some cooperation would make it more likely that he wouldn’t refuse my requests.
When I answered so readily, relief washed over Callen’s face.
He turned fully towards the woman named Luna, now focusing entirely on trying to end the commotion.
“Helen will be here shortly, so it would be better for you to wait outside, Miss Luna.”
“…Alright.”
She seemed to understand that since I had backed down, she needed to as well.
As the woman walked towards the bedroom door, I swiftly climbed up onto Elias’s bed. I was savoring the clean, cozy feel of the blankets when I heard her muttering under her breath, almost to herself.
“Just wait until Lord Elias comes back. You’ll be utterly humiliated and thrown out.”
Before I could respond, she had already left the room, slamming the door shut behind her.
“……”
“…I apologize on her behalf. Miss Luna holds His Excellency in high regard and seems to have become rather upset.”
“Lord Elias’s esteemed lieutenant. If I were you, instead of making excuses, I’d bring that girl back here to offer a proper apology. Of course, nothing may happen immediately if you don’t.”
“Are you… threatening me?”
“As if. I’m simply offering a chance. A chance for you to keep your word about respecting me.”
Callen stared at me for a long moment, but I met his gaze without backing down. Finally, he averted his eyes and spoke.
“Understood. I will bring her back.”
“Good thinking.”
I smiled brightly, then flopped down onto the bed.
“Not today though. I really need to rest now. Whether it’s the doctor or anyone else, tell them to come back tomorrow.”
I couldn’t see Kalen’s face with my eyes closed, but I was certain it was twisted in frustration.
“…Rest well.”
His strained voice responded, and only after he left the bedroom did I open my eyes and sit up.
At least one thing had become clear from what had just happened.
‘It seems there aren’t many people in Rachdel who welcome my presence.’
It wasn’t something that bothered or surprised me. In my world, anyone who couldn’t prove their usefulness was cast aside, after all.
To remain by his side with confidence and to raise my influence in Rachdel—thus loosening the restrictions on my power—I needed to show them something.
Something that would demonstrate I could more than carry my own weight.
‘I can’t just rely on Elias.’
There was no need to rush, but neither could I afford to be idle. There would be plenty of time to relax once all the work was done.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, I immediately began focusing on channeling my mana.
Until Elias returned, my first goal was to gather as much information as possible, by any means necessary.