Chapter 8
The journey from the Grand Temple to the North.
It was the beginning of a bright, refreshing day, with a clear sky and a cool breeze.
“Your Grace, while the coachman is sleeping, I’ll go fetch some water.”
“I’ll go hunting…”
“No need. There’s no reason to prepare such an extravagant meal.”
“…One of our companions looks like they’ll starve to death if they don’t eat something immediately.”
Tepe and Gorgo glanced at Lucy, who was still asleep on Edward’s lap, before looking to him for permission.
Even when Edward finally lowered his gaze to Lucy and gave them a reluctant nod, as if saying there was no helping it, he remained in an exceptionally good mood.
They had fled the temple in such a hurry that the carriage had traveled through the entire night.
As a result, he’d managed nothing more than brief moments of sleep.
No…
The fact that I slept at all is a miracle.
Recently, his headaches and berserk episodes had become so severe that he’d developed insomnia.
Yet…
With the woman sleeping against him, he’d actually managed to get some rest.
Despite being trapped inside a cramped carriage that rattled nonstop for over half a day…
He felt better than he had in months.
Flap. Flap. Flap.
After Tepe and Gorgo left to hunt…
A sheet of white paper fluttered in front of him.
“…”
Edward looked at the woman standing stubbornly before him.
She had only just awakened.
Sleep marks were plainly visible on her cheeks.
Her white hair stuck out in every direction.
Coincidentally…
The mark imprinted on her cheek was from Edward’s armor.
As though House Tesseron’s crest had been stamped onto his possession, the faint imprint remained clearly visible against her pale skin.
Somehow…
He found it oddly satisfying.
Still, Edward frowned.
Even in broad daylight…
She’s still tiny… skinny… and filthy.
And yet…
Her round eyes and soft cheeks somehow kept drawing his attention.
Not that it matters.
I’ll use her as much as necessary… then dispose of her.
“So?”
“What did you bring me?”
“A contract.”
“Yes.”
Lucy straightened herself.
“My name is Lucy, and I’m actually one of the temple’s—”
“You already told me your name yesterday.”
“And I’d already figured out you’re one of the temple’s experimental subjects.”
Lucy instantly fell silent.
Her eyes widened.
He already figured that out?
The male lead really is on another level.
Darn…
She’d been planning to tell a long, pitiful story about her tragic life.
That plan died before it even began.
Still…
Lucy refused to be discouraged.
Actually… this might be even better.
If he already knows exactly what kind of experiment I was used for… then maybe his attitude will change—
“I recognized the holy power.”
“It felt familiar.”
“You’ve been serving as the source of Lady Sepina’s purification abilities, haven’t you?”
…Or so she’d thought.
“…Yes.”
“That’s correct.”
“I see.”
“…Do you have anything you’d like to say?”
“Should I?”
…
He even figured out my holy power?
She’d expected him to ask questions.
Or demand answers.
Instead…
He knows everything… and absolutely nothing has changed.
Apparently, that was simply because Edward treated everyone except the heroine equally terribly.
Her shoulders slumped.
Still, Lucy stubbornly tried again.
“Then let me explain.”
“The temple treated me horribly.”
“They starved me, abused me, and—”
“I noticed.”
“…What?”
“When I touched you.”
“…Touched?”
Lucy instinctively crossed both arms over her chest.
While I was asleep… where exactly did he touch me?
Only after reacting did she realize she’d accidentally treated the man she was trying to impress like some kind of pervert.
Flustered, she hurriedly lowered her arms.
Too late.
Edward’s smile had already deepened.
“What exactly did you think I touched?”
“…”
“My.”
“How naughty.”
“Uh…”
“I meant…”
“I carried you.”
“You’re so thin there’s barely anything left except bones.”
Lucy bit the tip of her tongue.
Get yourself together!
She cleared her throat.
“A-Anyway…”
“Since you already know everything…”
“…Go on.”
“Before we head to your territory…”
“There’s something I want to make absolutely clear between us.”
Edward tilted his head dramatically.
His platinum-blond hair shimmered beneath the sunlight like threads spun from gold.
“What exactly?”
He smiled.
It was the kind of smile that looked capable of coaxing every secret from an imaginary underground vault that didn’t even exist.
Naturally…
To Lucy, it was nothing short of terrifying.
What kind of awful trick is he planning now?
She’d already experienced a sample of the rotten personality hidden beneath that beautiful face yesterday.
Swallowing nervously…
She held the paper out once more.
“I learned something after living through the temple.”
“A contract should always be put in writing.”
“…”
“This is a contract.”
“I’ll provide purification.”
“And Your Grace will protect me.”
Edward raised an eyebrow.
“Is that really necessary?”
“Yes.”
“Very necessary.”
“I already told you I’d take responsibility.”
“Verbal agreements don’t count!”
Maybe it’s a little much to hand a contract to the man who just saved my life…
But Lucy had learned one harsh lesson across both her past and present lives.
Always leave behind paperwork.
Always leave evidence.
She’d evolved into an adult who understood the importance of contracts.
Besides…
She had a reason to feel confident.
No matter what…
He’s already decided to take me with him.
If he truly disliked her…
He would’ve thrown her away the moment she’d collapsed into his arms yesterday.
But he didn’t.
Sure…
They’d had an extremely strange conversation beforehand.
But instinctively…
She knew he’d discovered her value.
He said he recognized my holy power.
That means he likes what I can do.
Purification was an incredibly valuable ability.
Exactly.
He’s the one at a disadvantage here.
She didn’t fully understand the Dragon Incarnation’s berserk condition.
She simply imagined it as a chronic illness.
Imagine someone living with migraines, chronic back pain, and indigestion…
Then suddenly carrying around one little keychain makes every symptom disappear.
I’d become obsessively attached too.
She wasn’t asking for much.
Just let me live.
And…
Provide enough support for her to live comfortably.
She had even waited until the other knights left to fetch food and water before presenting the contract, trying not to embarrass Edward in front of them.
Biting her lip…
Lucy watched him carefully.
Edward still wore that unreadable, beautiful smile.
Then his elegant lips slowly parted.
“I thought you were merely weak.”
“…”
“But you’re rather cunning too.”
She couldn’t tell whether he was angry…
Or amused.
Lucy answered quietly but firmly.
“I know you saved me.”
“And I’m sincerely grateful.”
“But that’s one thing…”
“And this is another.”
“And yesterday…”
“You were happily calling me ‘Master.'”
“…What’s that got to do with anything?”
“I assumed it meant you’d accepted me as your master.”
“And intended to become my slave.”
“…Absolutely not!”
“I thought you were handing me a slave contract.”
“I said that’s not it!”
Lucy nearly jumped.
“This is simply a fair…”
“Completely equal contract for both parties—”
“I don’t think so.”
Edward snatched the contract from her hands.
Then stepped directly toward her.
Lucy missed her chance to escape.
An instant later…
Edward wrapped an arm around her shoulders, trapping her firmly against his side.
“You went through all the trouble of writing a contract…”
“Only to bring me a fraudulent one.”
“It’s not fraudulent!”
She protested.
Though…
She couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.
Well…
There are one or two questionable clauses…
She had quietly hidden several.
For example…
Working hours were limited to eight hours a day.
Except…
Instead of a one-hour lunch break…
She’d written two hours.
Another clause guaranteed her safety for 10 years.
But beside the number 10, she’d secretly added a tiny little 0.
Making it read…
100 years.
Maybe I should’ve written it differently…
She had no intention of staying beside him for a century.
It was merely insurance.
Besides…
I didn’t even ask for a salary.
Although…
She had quietly included a clause stating that Duke Edward le Tesseron would be responsible for all her meals, lodging, and living expenses.
And…
She’d also inserted paid special leave after every purification session.
Surely…
He’s going to cross all of those out…
Just as anxiety began creeping over her…
Edward chuckled.
Then, as casually as if putting an arm around an old friend…
He pulled Lucy even closer.
The cool scent surrounding him instantly enveloped her.
“For example…”
He tapped one line on the paper.
“Article 2, Clause 2.”
“Huh?”
“Clause Two?”
That wasn’t the part she’d expected.
Wait…
What exactly did that clause say…?
Edward slowly read it aloud.
“Purification shall take place once a week… by holding hands.“
