After the dinner plates were cleared, the conversation continued, mostly driven by Gojo.
He talked with an easy, confident charm, asking questions and making observations that left the others either laughing or slightly confusing on some parts.
Most were just self praising. Subaru on the side just look at others and then Gojo.
Then Subaru, just, stewed in silence. His mind was racing, trying to use his "forbidden knowledge" from countless anime and light novels to figure out a way to knock Satoru Gojo down a peg in Emilia's eyes, and maybe make himself look a little better in the process.
Towards the end of the night, Gojo casually mentioned that he couldn't read the local language.
Roswaal, ever the opportunist, proposed a deal: Rem could teach him how to read and write. In return, Gojo could help the maids with some of their chores. An equal exchange.
Many would have expected a man of Gojo's obvious power and pride to refuse such a menial task.
But to everyone's surprise, he just shrugged. "Sure, why not?" he'd said. "Sounds fair."
And with that, the strange first night dinner came to an end… finally.
….
Gojo was on his way back to his room. After eating, he'd slipped outside for a walk in the mansion's vast gardens, the twin moons casting long, strange shadows on the ground. When he returned to his hallway, he saw a familiar figure standing hesitantly outside his door. It was Emilia.
He didn't know why she was there, but he approached with his usual long, silent strides. "Oh, hey," he said as he got closer. "What brings the princess to my humble room?"
Emilia jumped, startled. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn't heard him coming at all. "Oh! Gojo, you're here!"
"Yeah, in the flesh and clothes," he replied with a joking grin.
"I didn't mean to just stand here," she said, twisting a strand of her long, silver hair. "I… I just wanted to confirm something. Are you really okay with working here? And in..." She paused, her voice shaking slightly. She tucked her hair back, fully revealing the long, pointed tips of her ears. "...And in helping me with the candidacy?"
Gojo's grin widened into a teasing smirk. "Are you trying to seduce me, Emilia?"
Her violet eyes went wide with confusion. "Eh? S-seduce you? N-no, that's not… I don't even really know what you mean by that exactly! I'm just trying to be honest with you… Please don't tease me like that, it's embarrassing…"
She really doesn't know what that means? Gojo thought, genuinely surprised by her innocence. He just said "Eh," and switched tactics. "Then are you trying to start a competition to see who has longer ears?"
"Why are you teasing me like that, Gojo?!" Emilia said, pouting slightly. "That's not fair. I'm just saying… are you really okay with helping me, knowing I'm a half-elf? Don't you know what people will say if they find out you're on my side?"
Gojo understood completely. There was obviously discrimination against elves, but the way she stressed half-elf meant they probably got it even worse. He looked at her, and all he saw was a kind, innocent kid who was more worried about him getting hate from strangers than she was for herself.
"I know you might have just agreed because Roswaal was there," she continued, her voice soft and full of doubt. "He promised you a place to live and help with magic. So I would understand if you don't want to get involved. You can still live here, of course, until you decide where to go."
Gojo felt a strange mix of amusement and exasperation. This girl was too pure for her own good. Even Megumi, when he was a little kid who'd just lost his father, wasn't this innocent.
He brought a hand up and dramatically pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ahhh, why is this world so unfair?"
Emilia's face fell, thinking she'd upset him. "What happened, Gojo?! Did I say something bad or rude? If I did, I'm so sorry!"
"I'm not crying, Emilia," he said, lowering his hand. "But to think you believed I was just lying at dinner to get a free room… yeah, that hurts," he added, faking a wounded tone.
"You're hurt?!" she said, panicking again. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it like that!"
Gojo let out a long sigh. "Emilia, Emilia, Emilia. I don't know why you think I was lying. I'll help you, just like I said I would. I get a place to stay and a magic tutor, you get a powerful ally. It's a good deal." He looked her straight in the eye, his playful tone gone for a moment.
"But I didn't just say it for the sake of saying it. If I actually cared what people think about me, or what they say behind my back… well, let's just say I wouldn't be me."
He sighed again, a decision forming in his mind. "And I've decided. I'm going to be your teacher from now on. I'll teach you the norms of the world. And other things that matter. Otherwise, some creep is going to take advantage of your kindness, and I can't even bear the thought of that."
"Teacher?" Emilia asked, confused. "But you don't even know how to read here. How can you be my teacher?"
"Emilia, Emilia, Emilia," he chided gently. "You think a teacher is just someone who teaches history and language? No, no, no. I'm different. I'll teach you other things. So yes, that means I'm staying, and yes, I'm going to help you."
"So… you'll still help me? Even knowing I'm a half-elf?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"I don't really know or care why that's a big deal in the first place," he said simply. "But if you just want an answer to that specific question… yeah, I'll help you, even though you're a 'half-elf'. Does that answer your question?"
Emilia didn't know what to say. She was sure he had only agreed for his own benefit. But now, he was telling her that her biggest insecurity, the thing that made most people hate her on sight, didn't matter to him at all.
Before she could form a reply, Gojo reached out and patted her on the head, ruffling her silver hair like she was a little kid. He opened his door and gave her a final grin. "Now, go get some sleep. Otherwise, you won't grow big."
And then he stepped inside and closed the door, leaving a stunned and very confused Emilia alone in the hallway.
….
A/N: Dont know about this one… was it good?!