Chapter 32: Truth
"How boorish! Honestly, why would you tear out every single mushroom? Were you born without manners? You didn't even spare a blade of grass!"
In a dark tunnel, a pair walked on. One of them was a black armored knight. He carried a lantern in one hand and escorted a dazzling ponytailed beauty on the other.
Although he was being admonished, Elian couldn't help but snicker. Seeing his normally stoic and emotionless companion ranting like a child was adorable. Especially when it was obvious how hard she was trying.
"Please forgive me, my lady. I do not have enough money to buy shoeshine. I plucked everything in order to sell them. A knight cannot have filthy shoes after all."
"A knight doesn't wear shoes you nitwit! They wear boots or sabatons! Why is my knight so poor? How in the world are you going to pay for my dowry? Fine, it cannot be helped, I permit you to sell one of my jewels for money."
At her comment, Elian grinned mischievously.
"I do not think you have any jewels of worth, my lady. But I found these, and I think they would fetch a pretty penny."
"Just what are you—AHHHHH!"
Bianca screamed as she pointed at Elian. In his hands was a triangular piece of fabric, intricately patterned. A caricature of a penguin was on it. They were a pair of lady's undergarments. His master's shoulders slumped as she lowered her head in shame.
"Really? A penguin print? I expected something more befitting the Witch of the Frozen Night."
Elian then felt a sudden drop in temperature. The sharp drop caused the tunnel to suddenly crackle as the air froze.