Lex's POV
After that surprising show of gratitude from Clarice's follower, I made my way—prize money in hand—back to the medical office where Jilk was laid up.
I was in an unbelievably good moods. Normally I only felt this invigorated when I beat Leon in some way, usually an argument, so I had to savor it.
"See? I won," I said, waving my winnings about with a grin. "I hope you haven't forgotten your promise, Jilk, old buddy, old pal."
He sighed softly. "Yes, a promise is a promise. Order me as you like.
As long as it's within my capabilities, I will fulfill whatever task you ask of me."
The fact that he qualified his statement was proof of his fundamentally conniving mind. Not going to promise me something that can't physically be done? Come on, you slimeball! Show a little backbone.
Suddenly, Jilk lurched out of bed.
Hey, wait, should he really be on his feet in his state?
"So what is it that you would have me do."
In a random Cafe at the school festival.
Jilk stood there as well, along with Clarice and her followers. Jilk still wore a patient's gown, and bandages wound around his head and arms.
He looked rather pathetic as he stood in front of Clarice.
As for the favor… "I am sorry for everything that happened."
I'd asked him to apologize to Clarice.
This was my true objective.
Tears welled in Clarice's eyes. "After all this time, after all of that… you're a little late! I waited for you! Did you really think you could undo everything we had with one measly letter?"
She was livid, and understandably so. Jilk had a lot more reflecting to do.
"It would have been…inconsiderate of me to marry you when I was in love with another woman," he said. "I don't like lying…or rather, I couldn't stand the thought of lying to you. Clarice, I have feelings for someone else."
She took a step toward him and whipped her hand across his face. The slap echoed pleasantly.
Again! Do it again, Miss Clarice!
Jilk did nothing to defend himself. He intended to accept whatever she threw at him. I admired that resolution a bit, but I wished he'd put that quality to better use.
"Lie? What are you even talking about?" Clarice snapped. "You let her seduce you! You want her so bad you're willing to throw me away? Why her?! Just explain why…why it couldn't be me."
"I'm not even sure myself. All I know is I fell for her, completely.
That's why I was hesitant to see you after."
It was a terrible excuse, yet his handsome looks made the words sound more compelling and beautiful than they really were. From where I stood, it looked like he hadn't wanted to meet her because he'd known he was in trouble.
With my face, if I tried the same excuse, I too would get away with anything, But I didn't like doing that.
What kind of excuse would I use if I were in his place? Well, I wouldn't cheat, to start. In this world, men who committed adultery were flayed alive—verbally and mentally.
If a woman did the same thing, people's response was more like That's a no-no! (To put it in Olivia terms.) And that would be it.
This world really was ludicrous.
Clarice balled her hands. "You think you can play this off? Jilk, you're always like this! You never tell me how you really feel. Never! Are you going to fake your way through an apology this time, too? Just so you can run away?"
"This is honestly how I feel. I have no right to even look at you, and I knew I would only hurt you when we met. I wanted you to get to keep your good memories of me intact and let things go."
It seemed like his biggest problem was his inability to discuss his real thoughts and feelings. He always smiled, never articulating his likes or dislikes—and when he faced something he didn't like, he ran away from it. Real pain in the ass, let me tell you. He always justifies his behavior by saying he just did what he had to "for the prince." I wondered if that came into play here, too.
Regardless, Clarice was your fiancée. You could at least apologize like you mean it!
Clarice's followers looked ready to whip out their fists and pummel an invalid. I worried I'd have to step in, but… Clarice scoffed. "Whatever. Fine, then."
"My lady?" Dan glanced at her worriedly.
She brushed her tears away. "It's not worth getting my hands dirty anymore. Not for you. I refuse to stay involved with a man like you. We're strangers now. Don't come near me ever again."
Whoa, there. Pretty impressive ultimatum, considering she started this mess.
Jilk bowed his head low. "Again, I apologize. And also…thank you, Clarice."
Clarice grit her teeth. "Don't act like we're friends! I don't even want to see your face anymore!"
Jilk obeyed her wishes and slunk out of the room, followed by the rest of Clarice's followers.
Uhhh… Wha? Did I just get left behind with the angry chick?
Tension hung thick in the air.
"Sorry for the trouble," the third-year from before suddenly said to me, before closing the door, going after Jilk it seemed that while, Clarice might have forgiven him, her followers still had a bone to pick with him.
"No, it's, uh, fine…" Clarice settled into a chair and sobbed.
Get me outta here! I shifted toward the door. "You know what, I think I'm going home. I can read the room."
"No. Wait a minute."I heard Clarice weakly call out.
"What do you think I did wrong? Was I not beautiful.
What was I supposed to do?, and what was am I to do now?"
I really can't stand seeing beautiful girls crying. I walked over to her and kneeled before her and cradled her hands in mine.
"My lady you are a beautiful, charming and wonderful young woman, it's his own fault that he didn't notice, and if you want my thoughts on what you are supposed to do, then live your life to the fullest, with no regrets, and he will realize his mistake in leaving you. "with words even I found cheesy I stood up and headed for the door, leaving a shocked Clarice, looking at my rescinding back.
Now out side I was now surrounded by Clarice's male followers, their heads looming over me. For a second there, I was sure they were going to beat the crap out of me, but I'll take that fact with me to the grave.
"Wh-what's up, fellas?!" I asked getting ready for battle
"No matter how many times we asked Jilk to meet with her, he refused us. You have our thanks, Baron Bartfort. And we apologize for the impertinence we showed you before!"
"We're sorry!"they said and did full 90 degree bows.