Chapter 9: An Unbelievable Contract

Oliver examined the golden business card in his hand, checking it again and again.

Edouard de Ophilenz.

Undoubtedly, it was a business card stamped with the Ophilenz family crest.

A terrible thirst rose completely to the back of his throat, but Oliver still couldn’t bring his lips to the teacup in front of him.

Melanie, just thinking about his sister made everything seem dark.

No matter how much of a gentleman from Bonchons’ highest-ranking family he might be, or even if it were anyone else.

Just imagining someone arbitrarily undressing and laying down Melanie made him shiver and feel nauseous.

Terrible imaginations he didn’t want to think about kept disturbing his mind.

So the moment Mikhail’s voice rang out, it was hardly a coincidence that it sounded like a message of salvation.

“What’s wrong, Oliver?”

“Y-Yes, my lord!”

An angel wearing a soft cream-colored silk blouse that subtly revealed his skin, topped with a perfectly tailored cream-colored gold-embroidered vest, sparkled his honey-colored eyes and asked back.

“Weren’t we done with our business?”

“……”

“Or have you changed your mind?”

Mikhail continued to look down at Oliver’s rough hand holding out the business card with its gold-edged elegance.

“What is this?”

“It’s a business card.”

“Who doesn’t know it’s a business card?”

Mikhail’s eyes curved beautifully as he let out a small laugh.

Poor Oliver carefully placed the golden business card on the table, anxious that even the slightest touch of his dirty fingers might tarnish the Ophilenz family’s reputation.

“If you look, you’ll see it’s an Ophilenz family business card.”

Though his expression showed no urgency, Mikhail continued to smile, noting the subtle trembling at the end of the boy’s voice.

“The owner of this card, regarding my sister, that is…”

When his words trailed off, Mikhail pulled out a pocket watch from his chest as if he were terribly busy, casually glancing down at it.

As a bonus, he subtly observed the boy’s face turning a pretty shade of red from anxiety.

“Why. What exactly did my cousin do to your sister?”

Oliver dropped to his knees.

“I beg you. My lord. Please save my sister.”

“Why should I?”

At this point, Alain couldn’t help but clear his throat and roll his eyes at Mikhail’s brazen attitude, the mastermind and director of this entire performance.

‘Please just grant permission, Duke.’

His wordless glance accompanied the thought.

“I, I wanted to ask if that contract from before… is still valid.”

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for Oliver’s desperate words to emerge.

“Hmm.”

“Please, I beg you, my lord.”

“If that’s your earnest request, well. I can’t help it. However…”

“……”

The duke, with an angelic face, smiled in a devilishly captivating manner and added, “Remember. This is a contract you are willingly entering into.”

Oliver, no, Emma, felt like jumping into an uncrossable river, squeezing out the words, “Of course. If you just save Melanie…”

“Very well,” Mikhail answered brightly, followed by Oliver’s response.

“…Thank you.”

The gratitude sounded so melancholic that Mikhail’s enjoyment somewhat withered, causing him to let out a hollow laugh.

“Alain? Bring the contract.”

“Yes, master.”

Mikhail mercifully instructed the poor boy, who was completely unaware that the contract was already perfectly prepared.

“Read it slowly and sign.”

“……”

Oliver’s blue eyes were still trembling with fear.

[I, Oliver Enel, hereby swear in God’s name that I will faithfully fulfill the conditions demanded by Mikhail de Ophilenz, head of the Ophilenz family, upon signing this contract.]

Oliver swallowed a painful sigh, contemplating his existence as being worth less than the ivory fountain pen.

This was undoubtedly an opportunity given by God.

However, the contract was fundamentally dishonest from the start: the duke clearly wanted a man, and she was clearly a woman.

But she could not abandon Melanie.

Finally reaching to take the pen to sign this incredible contract, Oliver wiped his dampened hand on his outer garment.

Mikhail laughed emptily while watching the boy bite his parched lips.

“Soldiers heading into a freshly broken war would be more cheerful than you, Oliver. You’re lucky. I hope my mercy brings you joy.”

“I’m sorry, Duke.”

“As I said before, stop with that ‘sorry’ already.”

The merciful angel elegantly crossed his legs and added, “Well, if there are any clauses you’re not comfortable with, it’s best to speak now. After all, a contract, once signed, cannot be reversed.”

Mikhail’s soliloquy scattered with the scent of mint cigars just pulled from their box.

Honestly speaking, the conditions Mikhail was offering were almost extraordinary for someone little more than a vagrant.

Accommodation at Viole Mansion, education at the Ophilenz household—where all of Bonchons’ culture and art were concentrated—was merely basic.

The compensation placed before Oliver would certainly far exceed the expectations of a day laborer.

Of course, from an investor’s perspective planning a perfect crime that would deceive the entire royal court, such generosity was easily afforded.

But that was merely the investor’s perspective.

Mikhail suppressed a laugh, noticing Oliver carefully examining every clause without showing any surprise, and cut the round end of his cigar with a cutter.

“…Quite something. I naturally assumed you’d sign immediately.”

Mikhail was completely unaware that Oliver was, in fact, trembling terribly.

Oliver knew that revealing his emotions to his masters was not a wise approach.

With trembling eyes, Oliver examined the incredibly generous conditions and barely managed to open his mouth.

“Everything is too generous. However…”

“However?”

“…About my body.”

“Body?”

“Yes. I have scars.”

“Scars?”

“They’re quite unsightly.”

“Hmm. An unexpected development.”

Mikhail’s golden eyes deepened slightly with this variable.

Isabella would probably prefer an unmarked body.

The thought flickered briefly, but he didn’t particularly care.

Oliver was incredibly beautiful, after all.

“So when dressing and undressing, I prefer to be alone.”

Mikhail chuckled and slightly tilted his head.

“Well, that’s easily managed. However.”

The angel of Bonchons added:

“You’ll need to get used to being served. No more looking anxious, no more hesitant or evasive responses from now on.”

The angel warned the blue-eyed boy filled with fear.

“Remember, anyone who mocks or belittles you while bearing the Ophilenz name will be immediately punished.”

Ultimately, Oliver completed his signature, feeling a terrible anguish about becoming an enormous fraud against this prestigious Ophilenz, having rushed here with no other choice for his sister’s ransom, yet maintaining a surprisingly careful expression.

Mikhail asked, “So, is that all?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking if you have no more questions.”

Oliver shook his head.

“There’s nothing free in this world. I naturally assume there will be a corresponding price.”

Mikhail waved the signed contract at Alain.

“Did you hear, Alain? Our contract is now complete. Go and rescue Oliver’s sister.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Oliver? From now on, your name is Charles de Ophilenz. My long-lost cousin who was exiled abroad, Charles.”

Mikhail whispered affectionately to his new younger brother, who still couldn’t meet his eyes.

“Charles?”

“Yes.”

“Now, look up.”

“What?”

For a brief moment, Mikhail’s golden eyes subtly tilted while looking down at Oliver, no, Charles.

“From now on, our eyes should naturally meet, shouldn’t they?”

Towards his brother with sapphire-deep blue eyes, Mikhail soon extended a radiant hand.

“Let’s get along well.”