The Iudex's day off

Chapter 3 - A little trick

 Or maybe it was the fact that he isn't me and they aren't sure just how far they can push it.

 ...

 I really do give them a lot of leeway, don't I?

 I heard Wriothesely walk towards the door before stopping.

 "Good night girls." He said a bit awkwardly.

 "Good night Duke Wriothesely!" The little ones answered.

 I waited a moment after I heard the door close and the girls fell asleep before moving.

 Luckily for me, he was still around by the time I got to the door.

Wriothesely's POV

 Phew!

 That was both more difficult and easier than I anticipated.

 Easier in the sense that the girls didn't act out a lot.

 More difficult as in...

 How the hell does Neuvillette keep track of all of them throughout the whole process?!

 I had to count them at least six times over just to make sure I didn't lose any!

 That and...

 I looked down at my still completely soaked-through clothes.

 Sigh...

 "Allow me to help with that." A familiar voice sounded.

 Instantly, I felt the water disappear from my clothes and soon they were as good as new.

 I looked up to see Neuvillette standing by the door, waving a small sphere of water toward the plants at the side.

 "You- you-"

 He was awake?!

 "My apologies for the deception, Duke Wriothesely. I was merely attempting to give the girls some peace of mind. I hope it did not cause too much of an inconvenience."

 Ah...

 So he pretended to sleep to make the girls think that he was getting more much-needed rest.

 But...

 "He does look awfully tired." I couldn't help but mumble.

 Others might not be able to see it, but I've met the man enough times to be able to tell that he wasn't as well as he made it out to be.

 "I can assure you, Your Grace, that nothing will happen to me even if I go without sleep for another month." He said seriously.

 Did he hear me mumbling?

 Oh, archons that's embarrassing.

 "It wasn't all that much trouble, Monsieur. They were quite well-behaved."

 For a second I thought he had raised an eyebrow in doubt, but when I tried looking more closely, he was back to his usual expression. 

 "Still, I must express my sincere thanks for tonight. Please, consider this me owing you a favor."

 Oh? 

 Being owed a favor by the Chief Justice himself?

 That's-

 "As long as you keep your request within the bounds of the law." He added quickly, interrupting my line of thought.

 Aw...

 What a pity.

 And here I thought I could-

 "Though, should the need arise, those laws can be twisted to a certain extent."

 My jaw dropped straight to the floor.

 What the...

 Was I hallucinating?

 Did the Chief Justice, the Iudex himself just say that he would be willing to twist some laws to return this favor? 

 "Are you returning to the fortress, Your Grace?" Neuvillette asked nonchalantly as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb.

 "No... It's a bit too late for that." I was still in a bit of a daze as I mumbled.

 "It might seem rude, but may I ask if you have a place to stay the night."

 "I do. I-"

 "I certainly hope it's not that apartment I've been hearing all those horror stories about from Sigewinne."

 I couldn't help but flinch at the spot-on accusation.

 Sure, my apartment wasn't the best, but horror stories?

 Just what has Sigewinne been telling him?

 Seeing my reaction Neuvillette let out a sigh and stepped inside for a moment, reaching for something behind the door.

 Holding a pair of keys, he came back outside and walked to the neighboring house, unlocking the door.

 Wait, wait, wait, wait!

 He can't possibly.

 "If you wish, you may stay here for the night, Your Grace. After all, it would be incredibly rude of me not to offer after you've helped me so much tonight."

 It would not be rude.

 It would most definitely not be rude!

 Has no one taught this guy any common sense?!

 And why and how on Teyvat does he own not one but two houses in this neighborhood anyway?

 Right next to each other too.

 "Monsieur Neuvillette... This is... far too much."

 "Please, I insist, Your Grace. If you truly find it too much you can always come by tomorrow morning with some white chocolate and strawberry candy." He said, the last words sounding almost like a small chuckle.

 White chocolate and strawberry candy?

 That combination seems awfully familiar.

 Though...

 It certainly doesn't sound like something Neuvillette would eat.

 I honestly couldn't connect him to either of those even if you beat me to death.

 "Ah! It seems I have confused you. Those would be for the girls." He clarified.

 Now I know why it seemed so familiar!

 I saw that exact combination in Sigewinne's treasure box!

 It seems like now I've found the source.

 "Alright then. It seems like I'll have to take you up on that offer, Monsieur Neuvillette."

 To be honest, I just didn't want to deal with my apartment.

 I'll just be staying in the house next door anyway.

 What could possibly happen?