Apparently, while Noth had passed out, some of the servants who had been out running errands or working outside the building had tried to come back. Elillith and the children had personally witnessed someone trying to enter in through the door, only to be suddenly teleported away. Eventually the same person returned, and Jean had to go out as a liaison to find out where they’d gone. Supposedly they’d been sent back to their house, and when they tried a second time to walk through the door, they were teleported away yet again. The most concerning thing, however, was that none of the staff who’d been inside the mansion had tried to come back yet. Surely there must have been servants who were confused why they’d been whisked away and would come back seeking answers, like the person from earlier, and yet not one of them came.
Once the townspeople got wind of what had happened in the mansion it was obvious that they were going to gossip amongst themselves. Some people scorned and shunned the servants who were still left, afraid of the lord’s anger. Some were scared that now that their lord has been displeased by one of them, that he may no longer offer his protection to the rest. Some who had been on the brink of starvation before he came were worried that he’d stop offering the free food. And most of all, a large portion were scared that he might just turn his awe-inspiring powers on them due to his anger. It was still unknown what exactly had happened to the servants who’d disappeared, and no one was willing to be the ones to find out firsthand.
At the behest of the townsfolk, the remaining servants had thrown themselves to the ground in front of the mansion’s doorway, hoping that the Count would mercifully grant them an audience so that they could beg for the continued protection of their town, even if it would cost them their lives. They knew full well that they were guilty, especially since they’d done nothing against Mellen’s bullying. Hell, some of them had even assisted in it. At the time, a few of them hadn’t even realize how bad a thing it was that they’d been doing, but now it was plainly obvious how stupid it all was to them. They’d risked everyone in town’s lives for petty and meaningless reasons. If their deaths were enough to assuage Count Noct’s anger, then they’d gladly do what needed to be done.
A small crowd of anxious townsfolk bold enough to risk showing their faces to the angered lord had gathered to watch what would happen to the sinners. A few of them were relatives of those prostrated on the ground, wringing their hands and praying to the God-dess that the lord wouldn’t be too bloodthirsty and would grant their loved ones mercy. They were even prepared to fling themselves at the Count’s feet and beg, if that was what was needed of them. They’d lived in squalor and danger their whole lives, they weren’t afraid to throw away their shame to save what was important to them.
The door eventually opened, and Noth, surrounded by Elillith and the children, stepped out. The teen couldn’t help the upset look in his eyes at the people at his feet. He was trying his best to be diplomatic, especially since they were in front of the innocent townspeople he’d spent the last handful of days meeting and building up an image in front of. However, his anger hadn’t truly managed to dissipate after only a day, so he had to wrestle down the contempt that was rising inside of him from looking at the wrongdoers. In all honesty Noth had expected to feel this way, since he already felt upset just thinking about doing it, so he and the others had formulated a plan for how to deal with this. Unsurprisingly, their agreed upon plan was to let Jean be the one to address the people.
The small girl stepped in front of Noth, clearing her throat to gain everyone's attention. When all eyes were finally focused on her, she put on her best air of authority and activated a small fraction of her [Gift].
“People of Sleekka. Our lord, Count Noct, has gained a terrible wound from the actions of the servants who had been working under them. He will no longer allow anyone inside of the mansion except those he deems to be his family.”
Jean nervously glanced back at Noth, feeling a bit awkward about saying the last part of her prepared speech. Did he really want to announce to the general public that he thought of them like that? But it wasn’t up to her to second guess what he wanted to tell his people.
“The Count wishes it to be known that he doesn’t know the whereabouts of the missing ex-servants that had been inside the mansion at the time of the incident, but he believes that they will one day find their ways back here, should they be so willing. And should they come back to the town, they will of course be allowed to go to their respective homes. However, as previously stated, they will not be allowed to return to work at the mansion, and will have to seek other employment elsewhere. Our lord would like to stress that although he was deeply hurt by what the ex-servants have done, he does not hold a grudge against the people of the town he has sworn to protect. Regardless of this incident, the free food and protection from demon attacks will continue, and of course you all shall keep your homes. However, the lord shall be secluding himself away inside his mansion for a while, in an effort to give his heart the time it needs to repair itself. If something urgent crops up that the lord needs to know about, please feel free to come and tell it to him, but make sure that only urgent news is what reaches his ears. Thank you.”
And with a simple bow, Noth and his family turned away and went back inside, the door slowly closing upon the relieved and yet still somehow concerned faces of the townsfolk.
***
There was a knock at the door.
Gilt was scared to open it.
What if it was the others, come to hurl their anger at her again?
But it was so late, who would come at such a time?
Behind the door there was a small, lovely girl smiling at her.
Wait, this was the beautiful young girl that the Count brought with him!
What was her name… Jean!
Right… She was one of the people the head maid had ordered them to bully…
Although all they ever really did to her was just ignore her, since everyone said they couldn’t do it.
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Maybe she wouldn’t be too mad, then.
“...Hello?”
“Good evening, ma’am.”
The little beauty performed an official looking bow and then smiled up at Gilt.
Her smile looked sweet and lovely at first glance, but it seemed like there was something hiding behind it to the woman.
Hearing herself be called ‘ma’am’ by someone even though she was only 18 was a bit uncomfortable, but nothing would come from Gilt correcting the girl.
“You’re Jean, right? ...Can I help you?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact you can.”
Her small slender arms crossed authoritatively, and the hidden look in her eyes grew all the more obvious.
It was now clear that the young girl was looking down on Gilt.
How do you deal with someone almost half your age looking at you like you’re inferior?
“You know that Lord Noct has fired all of you since his unfortunate realization yesterday, correct?”
There was no mistaking it now.
Jean hadn’t come here with any sort of kind intentions.
And yet Gilt was in no position to do anything back.
She already knew she deserved such scorn, and this whole situation had started from being rude to the lord’s guests in the first place.
All she could do was bite her lip and nod.
Jean’s scornful gaze softened a good bit at that, and had instead simmered down into a piteous one.
“Look. I’m not really here to pick a fight with you. Instead, I’m here to cut a deal. You were one of the servants who was handing out the free soup in town, right? Well what if I told you that Count Noct might be willing to let you keep doing that in repentance for your misdeeds?”
A part of Gilt didn’t really want to accept.
Yes, it would be a good idea to show the lord how sorry she was by agreeing to this proposition.
And yet, her heart squeezed at the idea of having to be in front of all the resentful others every day.
They might even think that she was being shameless for showing up again so readily, and that maybe she didn’t even care that she and the other servants had endangered everyone.
But when Gilt’s face contorted negatively, suddenly a wave of compulsion hit.
Her mouth refused to make a single noise of disagreement, as her eyes were glued to the gorgeous girl.
How lovely she was.
Could she possibly say no to such a wonderful person?
It pained her just to think about it.
Saying no now might ruin any possible chance she had to become closer to Jean!
She might never see the girl smile in her direction ever again!
“...Yes, I would be overjoyed to help. Please tell me everything you need from me.”
***
Jean grimaced as she walked away. She pulled her cloak’s hood up to hide her flowing, practically sparkling lavender locks. After she’d walked a few feet, another small cloaked figure joined her. The visible bottom half of his purple face held a wry, pained looking smile as he gazed at his friend. He knew exactly what she was thinking, and it was all too easy for him to sympathize.
“I know. You hate doing that to people, but sometimes there’s no helping it. We’re doing it for a good cause, anyways.”
Helt’s words made her grimace turn into a pout, but the sour expression still hadn’t quite left her face. She started making her way back to the mansion, leading Helt.
“Yes, I’m aware of that. I’ve lived in poverty, I know how people can get scary when they’re desperate, and I know how much someone to keep the order is needed. But past all that I’m doing this for Noth way more than anything to do with a ‘good cause’.”
The boy stared in her direction for a while before sighing and shaking his head.
“I really wish you wouldn’t try so hard to be the mature one all the time. Stop trying to always act so responsible and just admit that you like how helpful your [Gift] is being for us on this.”
With a face redder than a fire, Jean swirled to face Helt. She raised her hand like she might hit him any second, but instead reached out and roughly yanked down his hood before stomping off and muttering under her breath.
“GOD-DESS you’re so annoying when you’re reading my thoughts like that.”
Helt blew a puff of air out of his cheeks as he readjusted his hood.
“And you’re annoying when you get all wishy-washy like this. Just use your [Gift] and be happy already.”
He quickly moved to follow after her. Even though she refused to look his way again.
“Oh you say it like it’s sooo easy. Like you’re one to talk when you look like you’re gonna cry any minute from using yours!”
The boy couldn’t refute her words at all, he could only chuckle with a clear hint of pain.
“Thank you for always worrying about me Jean. But I’m also doing this for a good cause.”
Jean sighed, knowing that he was right. She wasn’t enough of a hypocrite to keep harping on the subject, even though she was well and truly worried for him. The best solution was for them to hurry up and make it home to Noth so that Helt could get better. Besides, at this point Ren was probably worried sick about them, and Elillith… Well who knows what she’d be feeling about any of this, but it would be nice to return to their loved ones quickly anyways! The girl picked up her pace, taking quick peeks back at Helt to make sure he was keeping up with her and hadn’t suddenly collapsed or somesuch. Struggling though he was, Helt still let out a slight giggle at her antics.
“Yes yes, I’m coming. We need to hurry anyways; I’m sure Ren’s not really doing the best at keeping brother Noth distracted like we asked. Maybe Elillith is helping… somehow.”
“Yeah, maybe we should have um… rethought that part of the plan. It’d definitely be a pain if Noth got all mopey over us sneaking out. I don’t even want to find out how he’s gonna blame himself for making us ‘do his dirty work’.”
“You’re so dishonest Jean. You say all that, but you know you secretly want him to praise you for this.”
“DON’T TELL ME MY OWN THOUGHTS YOU-!”
Jean’s mouth shut hard when she realized she was yelling. They were wearing cloaks to keep their identities a secret. How stupid could she be to draw attention to herself like that? She pulled the cloak tighter around herself and seemed to shrivel inside of it in shame. The laughter of her first friend echoed in her ears. And yet, despite how ashamed she felt, she was secretly glad to be proving such a good distraction from his pain.