"I didn't know you used a sword, Your Highness," Gong Saiyi said, close on Eugene's heels.
"In our time, it was perfectly normal for men to wear swords," Eugene said indifferently. "Just as everyone in Louis's time wore wigs."
"When did you stop wearing those clothes with lace and embroidery?" Severus asked maliciously, as though he had recalled something amusing.
"After the Coup of 18 Brumaire. After the Italian campaign, my father stopped powdering his face, though many people thought he was being slovenly," Eugene said. "A great many men in the army imitated him. They thought it made them look dashing."
Severus gave a frivolous whistle.
"What is your problem?" Eugene asked unfriendly.
"Who designed your collar?" Severus said provocatively. "It looks like a bride's wedding dress."
Eugene lowered his head to glance at the collar of his Legion of Honour uniform, then fixed Severus with a murderous stare.
"I know another ghost. Like you, he can touch physical objects and move them, though he usually throws water balloons, ink bottles, and the like to play little pranks." Severus glanced at the sword at Eugene's waist. "I heard that he was originally no different from an ordinary ghost, but later, he was influenced by the students' desire to pull pranks without being able to do as they pleased, and became what he is now. What about you? Were you also influenced by 'honour,' and gained the ability to touch physical objects?"
"Do you think I would answer your questions as kindly as a priest or a teacher?" Eugene said in an arrogant, unpleasant tone.
"If you need help, you can say so," Severus said calmly. "Perhaps I can help you."
"You're very good at provoking people, aren't you?" Gong Saiyi cut in. "Why do you always pick on him?"