CH 11.2

He must have grown up all his life without a status system across the border, so he didn’t know how to treat nobles.

Was this, perhaps, Lecter’s situation?

Cherryl responded with a smile.

Even if he wasn’t polite for an aristocrat’s standard, she wasn’t displeased at all.

“I’m an aristocrat, but I couldn’t care less about what you call me after you saved me from disaster. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. It took longer than I thought. I went through the back door in case they came after me.”

He told her it took him long, but to her, Lecter had tremendous speed.

“We were staring at the entrance, but no one came out.”

Lecter exited the bar from the back door and came to the top of the hill quickly without anyone seeing him.

He was fast and hid himself well!

However, she couldn’t imagine what Cade would have done to the drunkards if it wasn’t Lecter who saved them.

“I saw you inside the Marquis’ Mansion once during dinner so we’ve met already. What’s your name?”

Cherryl knew who he was but she pretended she didn’t and asked for his name.

Lecter’s young face lit up noticeably. “I’m Lecter.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m relieved that you happened to be at the bar… Did you follow us?”

“I didn’t follow you.”

Lecter slumped to the ground, not on the bench, completely ignoring whether his clothes had dirt on them or not.

“The boss wanted to leave a watchman before he went to the capital. You were heading somewhere in a carriage earlier, so I followed it to keep my post.”

Lucy doubted her ears and asked reflexively. “Who are you referring to as your boss?”

“You know, Mr. Cade. The Duke.” Lecter answered without hesitation.

Lucy realized at that moment that Lecter was one of the men she considered as the northern bandits called the Balkans, who were also known to be barbarians.

On the surface, however, she couldn’t understand why Cade, who grew up as the Duke’s adopted child, was called their boss.

Cherryl, who already knew the story from the original novel, gave Lecter an affectionate smile.

“But we’re in a carriage, Lecter. How were you able to follow us?”

“I was afraid I’d miss it, so I ran after it.”

Lecter smiled.

Whether true or not, his cryptic words seemed hard to believe.

Lucy narrowed her forehead at him in suspicion while Cherryl let it slide and changed the subject instead.

“Well, I see. How did you end up staying in the mansion alone while all of your seven companions went to the Capital together with the Grand Duke?”

“There was no more room left in their carriage due to my brothers’ sizes. When it was my turn to get in, I found no space left even for a rat.”

Cherryl laughed with a gasp.

“You’re a big man, too.”

Yet, Lecter was instead on the slender side compared to the rest of the Balkan men in Cade’s group.

However, his long limbs made him distinctly different from the others.

“Your father rented three wagons, but it wasn’t enough, Cherryl. I’m the youngest, so I always ride last. Of course, it would make sense that I couldn’t.”

Lecter grinned, showing all of his teeth, and shook his fists.

“Axel told me I could either sit on his lap or just stay here. I’m not going to sit there like crazy, either. I also don’t like such pranks.”

“Oh, my! You——”

“He played a similar trick on me before and I bit him with my fangs. This time, I just put up with it to save my boss’ face.”

Unlike his large physique, he appeared like a teenager who often grumbled.

“That’s very mature, Lecter. It’s been a few days since the Grand Duke had left the Mansion. Where did you spend the night?” Cherryl asked.

Lecter was comfortable with the calm discussion and continued speaking to her informally. “I slept on the fields or under the shade of trees. Sometimes, I slept on the roof of the mansion.”

“Wasn’t it uncomfortable?”

“I’m used to staying outside and I don’t hate being left in the mansion, too. Thanks to you, I had a good time. It was very impressive to see Cherryl setting fire in your mother’s bedroom.”

“Thank you. I was very angry because something bad had happened.”

Lecter nodded as if he understood.

“If you were that angry, I think your mother deserves it. When we used to live in the Northern Forest, I burned the barracks because I was so furious. Can you guess who the owner of the barracks was?”

“Hmm. Is it Axel?”

“Oh, you got that right! You’re so smart, Cherryl.”

She just got the information from their exchange a while ago, but Lecter had grabbed his stomach and giggled with excitement.

Lucy roared out of the blue.

“Lecter! Please use proper honorifics when you talk to my mistress!”

“What?”

“I’ve tried my best to remain silent because you’re one of our guests, but really—-”

Lecter’s eyes went round as she glanced up at Lucy.

The little maid, who reminded him of a squirrel, scowled at him while criticizing his rudeness towards Cherryl.

“I’m fine, so don’t blame Lecter too much.”

Cherryl shook her head, holding back her laughter.

Invisible electricity broke out between the two as each of them supported their benefactors.