As Ram led Enkidu, Emilia, and Puck through the grand halls of the mansion, the soft click of her shoes echoed against marble floors. The opulence of the place was obvious—from the ornate tapestries to the golden chandeliers overhead. But Enkidu wasn't focused on the decor.
His mind was elsewhere.
Should he stay?
It would be easier to walk away. The Emilia camp was clearly a mess—political tension, prejudice, power plays... If he left now, he could avoid getting tangled in any of it. No attachments, no responsibilities, no drama.
But then again... could they survive without help?
Emilia was kind-hearted, maybe too much for her own good. And Roswaal—he didn't quite trust him yet. The people around Emilia had potential, but potential didn't win battles or sway nobles. Not on its own.
Would it be selfish to leave? To step back just to avoid complications?
His thoughts were interrupted when Ram stopped in front of a large door.
"We've arrived," she said curtly. "Lord Roswaal is inside."
Enkidu nodded and followed her in.
The room was lavish, lit by soft candlelight and framed with velvet curtains that fluttered gently in the breeze. At its center, lounging like a cat in his domain, was a pale man with long, flowing blue hair. One eye was gold, the other blue, and beneath one of them was a striking purple mark that curved like a crescent moon.
Roswaal L. Mathers.
A noble. A mage. And, if the rumors were true, the disciple of a witch best left unspoken.
"Ahhhhh~ well now," Roswaal purred, voice lilting like a song, "it seems our guests have arrived~. Please, take a seat~."
Enkidu sat across from him, posture relaxed but eyes sharp.
"You must be Lord Mathers."
"Yes~ indeed…" Roswaal said with a wide smile. "But you can call me Roswaal."
There was something off-putting about the way he spoke—drawn out syllables, singsong tones—but Enkidu didn't flinch. He'd met stranger.
"Thank you for receiving us," Enkidu said calmly.
"Mmmm, no thanks needed~. After all, anyone who aids my dear Emilia is welcome here~."
"She helped herself more than I did," Enkidu said with a light shrug. "I just gave her a little push."
"Ohhhh~ how humble," Roswaal chuckled. "But let's not downplay things, shall we? You did help her. And that brings us... to the matter of compensation~."
"I don't need anything," Enkidu replied. "I didn't do it for a reward."
"Of course, of course~," Roswaal said, waving a hand. "But think of it less as a reward and more as... acknowledgment~."
Enkidu raised a brow. "Acknowledgment?"
"Most would have walked away, you know~," Roswaal said, eyes narrowing slightly. "Not just because she's an elf—though that's certainly part of it—but because helping her might cause trouble."
"She's a good person," Enkidu replied flatly. "That was reason enough."
Roswaal stared for a moment, then smiled wider.
"A rare answer~. Most wouldn't bother. So let me offer this instead: do you have a place to stay~?"
"No."
"Then that's perrrrrrfect~," Roswaal sang. "You'll stay here. In the mansion. A proper room, meals, warm baths~. A reward for your noble heart~."
Enkidu hesitated. Something about this man unsettled him. Yet, at the same time, the offer made sense. He needed somewhere to stay if he was going to help. And he had already chosen, hadn't he? He wasn't going to run.
"That is... acceptable," Enkidu finally said.
"Marvelous~," Roswaal grinned. "I do so love agreeable guests~."
As Roswaal sipped his tea, Enkidu caught Emilia's eyes from across the room. She smiled faintly, grateful—but uncertain. Puck hovered beside her shoulder, quiet for once but observing Enkidu.