Tyrant? No, I am the Villain
Chapter 30: Traitor who wants to seduce?

Chapter 30: Traitor who wants to seduce?

Galliard left to send the message, Estefan sat there enjoying the coffee. He looked around while drinking it, it was a busy day for his servants.

The servants had already begun their daily work, gliding through the halls like well-trained assassins, ensuring that nothing looked out of place when their master emerged.

After finishing his coffee, he stood up and stretched. The cup was taken by a servant who quickly made their way towards the kitchen. He then walked towards the dining hall which was near the kitchen so the food could arrive with ease.

Estefan sat at the long table in the dining hall and beside him stood Ericka, a young maid present there who had mostly served him up close ever since he arrived in the City. Her hands were clasped in front of her lap, posture straight, her head slightly bowed which was a model of proper etiquette.

She didn’t speak unless spoken to, and Estefan, who often despised small talk, found this rather refreshing. "Bring the breakfast." He said without glancing at her.

"Yes, my lord." She replied softly before turning on her heel and disappearing into the kitchen corridor.

He watched her, as she made her way to the kitchen. Her movements rather reminded him of a tiny duckling running behind its mother which for a moment made him chuckle but it quickly disappeared.

Moments later, she returned with a tray lined with golden trim. Eggs were poached and salted lay beside a slice of roasted boar meat, with fresh fruits from the countryside placed around a loaf of baked dark rye. She laid it all before him, stepping back and bowing her head once more.

Estefan took the fork and knife without a word as he ate slowly while his mind drifted between plans and memories, thoughts of how to handle the rats, the people, crime families and the vision he carried for this rotting city.

Ericka stood silently nearby, eyes half-lidded and serene. She had memorized his behavior quickly: don’t look him in the eye while he eats, don’t ask questions, and always ensure the water is cold when requested.

Once finished, Estefan rose, wiped his lips with the cloth, and glanced outside. "I will be in the courtyard." He muttered.

Ericka followed him, holding a parasol as they exited through the archway leading into the open air.

The palace courtyard was vast, with a lush square garden with trimmed hedges, marble benches, and open stone flooring at the center where the sun fell unobstructed.

Estefan walked toward the sunlit stone and stretched. With a sigh, he laid down on the warm marble floor, arms spread wide. "Peace." He whispered. "Finally."

Ericka stood under the sun while standing nearby and keeping quiet as always waiting for an order. She watched him from a respectful distance, her expression unreadable.

For a while, the Baron simply basked in the sunlight, staring at the vast blue sky above, watching clouds pass. Birds chirped from the trees surrounding the palace walls. It was perhaps the only time he looked truly... human.

When the noon bells rang, Estefan sat up and dusted off his pants. "Lunch." He ordered while dusting off the clothes.

"Yes, my lord." Ericka nodded and returned inside.

By the time he re-entered the dining hall, everything was already laid out with grilled fish on spiced rice, lemon soup and red wine from the northern part of the Kingdom. He dined without pause this time, his appetite stronger than in the morning.

"You are efficient." He told her in a quiet tone as she poured his wine.

She blinked, a little surprised to be addressed. "Thank you, my lord."

"No useless chatter. No mistakes. Most maids I’ve had either talk too much or fumble around me. You... seem comfortable." He said while munching down the food.

"I merely do what I am trained to do." She said, bowing.

"Mm." He grunted, standing once more. "I will nap now. Prepare the bed."

Ericka moved ahead of him, her steps quick and smooth. By the time Estefan entered his private chambers, the sheets had been changed, curtains drawn, and a faint scent of herbs lingered in the air making the room smell so pleasant and calming.

He fell onto the bed, boots and coat discarded by the foot. He said nothing more as he drifted into slumber because he was tired due to all the conundrums occurring throughout the night.

It was late afternoon when he awoke as his bath was already prepared. Steam rose from the private bathhouse connected to his chamber. The water was warm and rose oil was mixed into the water, as per his usual preference.

Ericka stood near the edge of the bath, holding a towel with both hands. He entered casually while unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it off without any hesitation.

Ericka turned slightly, trying not to make it obvious that she was watching from the corner of her eye as it would not be wise to get caught staring at a noble without permission.

When he stepped into the water, she inhaled sharply since she had prepared herself for this. She knew the assignment. But still seeing him like this where he is tall and sculpted from years of training as it was different than she imagined since nobles are usually fat, bloated and ugly from the perspective of commoners who don’t get to see them much.

But what caught her most off guard wasn’t his body, but the aura. It clung to him like invisible chains of authority. She understood then, this man wasn’t simply brutal. His presence and aura was made for dominating others.

When he rose from the bath, water trailing down his body, he extended a hand for the towel. She flinched, startled by his casual lack of care since he stood there without any fabric to hide his body from her.

Her face flushed, but she quickly composed herself and offered it to him. Estefan took it, dried himself while she stood there.

After drying up, he wore a robe and made his way towards the dining hall again to have his supper.

The evening meal was a quiet affair. A platter of roasted duck, a side of smoked greens, and honeyed wine. Estefan barely spoke, chewing slowly, as if savoring the silence more than the food.

Once finished, he stood. "Prepare the bed." He ordered.

Ericka was there as well as she heard him and then nodded. "Yes, my lord."

Night fell, candles were lit inside his room. She bowed as he dismissed her from the room, and only once the heavy doors closed behind her, did Ericka allow her mask to fall.

She entered a room far in the back at the servants residence outside the palace but inside the palace walls. She locked the door, pulled off her apron, and sat before a small wooden desk.

From a drawer, she drew out a small mana stone, a stone used for long-distance communication through triggering its mana with the help of incantation. She breathed gently while chanting the spell and the orb began to glow faintly with violet light.

"Report." A whisper came through and she leaned forward.

"Seduction not yet initiated." She whispered. "But proximity has been fully established. He trusts me. I attend every meal, prepare his bed, bathe him and serve him directly."

The voice from the stone asked her. "Did he suspect anything?"

"None so far. But I must admit... he is not as expected." She answered. "He is sharp and his presence can be rather overwhelming at times."

"Do not get attached." The voice commanded.

"I understand." She sighed.

"And the mission remains unchanged." The voice continued. "Win him over, become his mistress and influence him."

She lowered her head. "Yes." The light from the stone dimmed.

She sat there for a moment longer, staring at nothing. "...But what if I’m the one being seduced?" she muttered to herself.

Meanwhile back at Estefan’s room, he hasn’t yet slept but he whispered, "She should have tried to not make it too obvious." Unfortunately for her, Estefan already had strong doubts due to how much she tries to always stay by his side.

[To be Continued]