Underneath the Silhouette-Chapter 84: Kindness in High Places

Eirin’s teeth worried at her thumbnail, a nervous habit she could not get rid of. A tight knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach: it was already the 13th of August, and she had only a few fleeting days to complete their critical mission. Tomorrow, the weeping bindweed shall bloom.

"If you want, Miss, I can take care of the boy so you could eat with His Grace and Her Grace," Masie offered, her voice soft and deferential, her hands clasped neatly before her. But the suggestion struck a discordant note in Eirin.

Trust Masie? After she’d just endured the mortification of bathing her ’worst enemy’—the arrogant, perpetually annoyed Shade Cromwell—because she couldn’t bear to let him out of her sight for even a second? The memory of that awkward, tense bath, even with a fever-addled child-Shade, made her stomach clench anew.

’No, leaving him alone with a stranger, no matter how kind, was not an option,’ the teenage girl thought.

Eirin understood the rigid hierarchy of this world. She knew, with a sinking feeling, that she had no real right to reject an offer, much less a summons, from a Duke and Duchess. They held power, status, and an unspoken authority that demanded compliance. Her brows furrowed as she searched for a polite way to refuse Masie’s seemingly helpful suggestion.

"Uhm, is there no way I could bring my companion with me?" she asked, her voice softer than she intended, a hint of hopeful desperation she couldn’t quite mask.

Masie’s dark eyes, wide and sympathetic, flickered to the small bundle of blankets that was Shade. "Uh, you may, Miss, of course," she said, a faint hesitation in her tone. "But the physician did say he needs considerable rest to recover."

Eirin squared her shoulders, a new resolve hardening her features. The faint waver of doubt was firmly pushed aside. "He’ll be fine. It’s just a fever, and he’ll drink his medication later. What he needs now is food to regain his strength," she declared, forcing a bright, almost brittle smile onto her face. With practiced care, she moved to the bedside and gently, but firmly, eased Shade into an upright position.

Worry still creased Masie’s brow, but she simply nodded, accepting Eirin’s decision. With a graceful turn, she led the way through the opulent corridors, her soft slippers making no sound on the polished marble floors, guiding them toward the grand dining area where the Duke and Duchess awaited their arrival.

"Welcome, dear," Duchess Beatrice greeted, her voice like warm honey, her lips curving into a kind, gentle smile. She gestured towards a vacant seat at the grand dining table, laden with gleaming silver and delicate porcelain. "Please, be seated. We’ve also prepared food suitable for the young lad with you," she added, her gaze softening as it rested on Shade, who remained slumped against Eirin’s side, his eyes half-lidded and distant in a feverish daze.

Eirin managed a polite, albeit strained, smile. The table was indeed a magnificent sight – a true feast spread before them. Roasted pheasants with crisp, golden skin, platters piled high with colorful, steamed vegetables, glistening silver bowls of rich gravies, and an array of delicate pastries shimmered under the soft glow of the chandeliers. Yet, despite the abundant luxury, Eirin’s heart was anything but at ease.

No sooner had they settled than the Duke and Duchess began to bombard her with questions, a relentless volley about her journey, her studies, and her plans. Eirin answered each one carefully, her voice soft but steady, choosing her words with extreme precision, desperately trying not to offend her hosts, who clearly expected deference and honesty.

"I know missions are confidential, dear, and we certainly wouldn’t wish to pry into the Academy’s private affairs," Duke Killan began, his voice smooth and cultured, yet his gaze was sharp, probing. "But what, precisely brings you to the Slumbering Slopes?"

Eirin’s gaze darted to Shade. He was trying his hardest to eat a mouthful of the soft porridge placed before him, but his tiny spoon clattered repeatedly against the bowl, his small arm lacking the energy to lift it consistently to his mouth. Concern and strategic dilemma covered Eirin.

"Uhm..." she murmured, her mind racing. Eirin faced a pivotal decision: How could she possibly gain the Duke and Duchess’s trust if she herself held them at arm’s length, wary of their intentions? The thought of revealing too much, felt like walking a tightrope over a chasm.

"I-I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can tell you that," Eirin stammered, her gaze dropping to her lap, bracing herself for their potential displeasure. A wave of heat crept up her neck, a familiar sign of her discomfort and nervousness.

The Duke and Duchess exchanged a subtle, knowing glance, then a shared, reassuring smile. "Of course, dear girl," Duke Killan said, his voice soft and understanding. "You are simple doing your duty as a student of Senerra Academy. We respect that immensely." His gentle smile seemed to truly put her at ease, though a part of her still remained vigilant.

Duchess Beatrice pursed her lips playfully, her eyes twinkling with a hint of curiosity. "I apologize for being so persistent, my dear," she confessed, her voice melodious. "It’s just... the boy accompanying you reminds me so much of my son’s best friend. What was his name again? Such a striking young man. Cromwell? Shane Cromwell." The name hung in the air, a bell chiming in Eirin’s frantic thoughts.

Eirin’s eyes widened to saucers, her breath catching in her throat. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, her gaze slid to the shrunken young man slumped beside her. No way, she thought, her mind reeling, a sudden, shocking realization dawning.

’Then why isn’t he saying anything? Why isn’t he reacting? Oh, probably because he’s still out of it because of the fever?’ the teenage girl thought. The irony of the situation was almost comical, if it weren’t so terrifying.

"Oh—I should apologize," Eirin began, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. "I’m a new student, so I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your son. But I did meet Shade... Shade Cromwell, that is."

A new strategy crystallized in her mind. If they already knew Shade, even casually, perhaps she could indeed disclose their mission to gain their complete trust. The circumstances were certainly different from their previous, highly confidential mission back in the hidden village of Dalry, where absolute secrecy had been paramount.

The couple remained under the impression that a brave, yet tragically tiny, boy was accompanying Eirin on such a dangerous endeavor, their faces a mixture of concern and bewildered admiration.

"My, my, where are my manners?" the Duchess exclaimed, a delicate hand fluttering to her lips. "I’ve been so caught up in your intriguing tale, I haven’t even asked for your name yet, dear."

"O-Oh," Eirin stammered, caught slightly off guard. "My name is Eirin Luxfield."

Duchess Beatrice’s hand froze mid-air, the silver spoon she was holding clattering against her plate with a startling ring. Duke Killan’s eyes, usually composed, went wide with surprise.

"Are you—in any way related to Madam Eleanor Luxfield?" the Duchess breathed, her voice a gasp of disbelief.

Eirin blinked, once, twice, confusion crossing her face at their intense reaction. "Y-Yes," she confirmed slowly, "she’s my grandmother."

A wide, radiant smile blossomed on the Duchess’s face, transforming her features. She gently clapped her hands together, a sound like soft rustling leaves. "Oh dear, what a wonderful guest we have here. You see, both my husband and I were students of the Madam’s, years ago, when she was a revered professor at Senerra Academy."

’What a coincidence!’ Eirin thought, a spark of genuine hope igniting within her chest. The oppressive weight of suspicion began to lift, replaced by a cautious optimism.

"I didn’t know Madam had a granddaughter," the Duke said, a genuine, warm smile gracing his features. "I heard she went to the Infirmus after her retirement."

Eirin nodded, a sense of relief washing over her. Her shoulders, which had been unconsciously tensed, subtly relaxed. "Yes, I grew up there," she confessed, her voice softer now, more authentic. "That’s why I’m not familiar with many things here. I’m sorry if I haven’t shown the proper way of showing respect."

The couple chuckled, their laughter warm and reassuring, waving away her apology. "Nonsense, dear girl," the Duchess insisted. "It’s no big deal at all."

Eirin observed their genuine amusement, their easygoing nature, and a profound sense of relief took over in her heart. She saw how truly kind the Duke and Duchess were, and a whisper of hope echoed in her mind.

’Maybe, just maybe, this was the help I need.’

"Actually..." Eirin began, her voice gaining a quiet urgency, the words tumbling out now that the dam of her apprehension had broken. "My companion and I are on a mission to retrieve a rare flower—the weeping bindweed." She paused, taking a breath. "But there were bounty hunters also in search of the flower, and then... well, my companion was unexpectedly turned into a child by a mysterious nymph named Hebe."

The Duke and Duchess exchanged another concerned glance, their faces etched with a deep worry that clearly showed Eirin the gravity and complexity of her predicament.

"Uhm, I need to revert my companion back to his original form," Eirin continued, her voice laced with an undeniable plea. "Do you... do you perhaps know how to reverse such curse?"

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