Esme's POV
"Don't say 'no'?" I clasped my hands shamelessly. "Please? I will be quick with it. And take anyone you want me to."
I desperately tried, and possibly failed to appeal to him. He kept his gaze on me for so long that my confidence slowly crumbled.
The room had gone strangely quiet. Only the faint crackling of the fireplace in his room and Ruby's slow breathing filled the air between us.
His hand tightened slightly around my wrist. For a second, I thought he truly might lock me in this room and argue with Ac'era and the Dark Elves later.
"You always sound like this before doing something dangerous." His voice dropped lower. Tired and frustrated. "Do you think asking sweetly will stop me from worrying?"
My lips parted but no words came out. I had a record of questionable decisions. Escanor being the most recent, so I couldn't defend myself.
I just stayed there, wrapped in his arm, while hoping he let me leave.
