Chapter 142 - #141 Three Beasts (2/2)

”Daidara, Nyau, both of you better calm down. We promised to Esdeath-sama not to cause any trouble here at the palace... My name is Liver and I would like to apologize for their conduct, however as Nyau mentioned before, Esdeath-sama doesn't wish to be bothered right now.” The tall man who looked the most refined out of them apologized while performing a little bow.

'This guy with gray hair is definitely of higher standing, judging from his conduct and air around him...Or maybe he appears to be so by standing next to that midget and muscle head.' Akashi thought.

”I see, it's not like I need to talk to her but more like I should since she was probably expecting me for a while already. However if you won't let me knock and you think that you can bear the consequences, I have no problem going back” Akashi put his hands together behind his back and said with a smile and closed eyes.

'...Who is this arrogant guy? Who can behave like this in front of Esdeath-sama's room without losing his head? I doubt this is the first time he is so arrogant.' Nyau thought with an annoyed look on his face and thoughts of attacking Akashi already popped up in his mind.

'Haha, this guy is definitely anything but spineless! Not even rich and powerful nobles dare to behave like this! I already like him, if he is also strong, I might try to persuade Esdeath-sama to recruit him.' Daidara thought as his smile only widened while looking at Akashi.

'Who is he? He looks very familiar but I am sure that I have never seen him in person before. Maybe I should risk it, he talks like he knows Esdeath-sama very well. If what he said is the truth then we would suffer more for not letting him in rather than for bothering Esdeath-sama.' Liver was the only one who carefully gauged Akashi and thought about each detail he could find in Akashi's words.

”Well, it looks like I am not welcomed, bye!” Akashi said and turned around, ready to leave.

”Wait!” Liver raised his voice a bit and both Daidara and Nyau looked at him with confused expressions.

”Hm? What is it?” Akashi stopped and turned his head at him.

”Please wait a bit...” Liver said and went in front of the door.

”Liver! Are you sure about that?! We will have to suffer together with you too!” Nyau said while putting his flute between Liver and door.

When Liver glared at him which clearly told him that he was going to do this no matter what, Nyau retracted his arm to let him knock on the door.

*knock* *knock*

...After a few seconds of silence...

”...What is it? Haven't I told you not to bother me just a few hours before our departure?” Esdeath's voice could be heard from behind the door and she didn't sound exactly happy but instead of raising her voice, her tone did enough job to show how much she was irritated right now.

'Departure? Maybe I shouldn't have come here, if she is about to leave just in a few hours, it would have been much better if I haven't come here today. It will be much more awkward this way.' Akashi thought and his right eyebrow twitched a few times in displeasure.

”I am sorry for bothering you but there is someone who is saying that he 'should' talk to you.” Liver replied and empathized word 'should' instead of saying 'need'

”...Let him in!” After a few seconds, they heard Esdeath's voice with an amused tone.

'If he is lying, he is already a dead man, judging from Esdeath-sama's tone...' All of them except for Akashi thought while Liver looked down to express his condolence.

”It wasn't so hard, no? Thank you, Liver.” Akashi said with a small smile while opening the door and closing it right behind him once he entered the room.

”You are already here, huh? I am in the room next door, you can come in.” Esdeath's voice became much colder but it was also strangely alluring.

'If it was any other man he would lose his mind and then head...' Akashi thought with a smile together with his hands in pockets.

He made his way to the door from where her voice came from and opened it without knocking since she told him to come in.

When he opened the door, what attacked him was a large amount of steam.

'Eh, don't tell me that she is bathing right now...No wonder she didn't want to be bothered.' Akashi thought with a slightly hesitating expression while still standing at the doorway but due to a large amount of steam, he couldn't see Esdeath. However, thanks to his enhanced senses, he was able to smell something nice and cold despite standing practically in a sauna.

*Splash* He heard water splashing around before he saw something nearing his neck but he hasn't moved an inch.

”Oh? You are quite courageous...I give you a chance to explain why you are bothering me for such a display of braveness.” Esdeath said while a sharp tip of the ice spear was an inch away from Akashi's neck.

Seeing and hearing this, Akashi couldn't help but smile widely.

'She became even more commanding than before, the same can be said about her aura...What did I miss?' Akashi thought while slightly tilting his head to the side with a curious expression.