PG | Chapter 7: The Contract
by QuillUnlike her mother, Empress Iphis, Princess Leda had no tact when it came to concealing her thoughts. She took pleasure in wielding her authority over those beneath her, relying solely on her status.
‘That explains why she hasn’t received a single marriage proposal yet.’
Yarsha thought, suppressing the words rising in her throat and smiled brightly.
“Pulling your hair back tightly makes your face look smaller, Your Highness. Please bear with the pain, even if it hurts.”
“You should have said so earlier.”
Leda retorted, pouting. She tilted her chin up and looked in the mirror. Reflected in the mirror, taller than herself, was a red-haired woman dressed intricately as if attending a banquet.
Leda smoothed her diamond-studded belt and the full skirt made of layers of translucent fabric with a satisfied expression.
‘This should be enough.’
Leda was preparing to attend Felix’s memorial service. The memorial service was the final stage of the funeral, involving the transfer of the coffin from the temple to the burial site.
There was a hidden reason for her elaborate preparations for a simple memorial service. She had heard that the ruler of Bedua would also be attending.
Originally, it was a ceremony only members of the royal family could participate in but he had specifically requested to be present. Acting as if they were already family. It seemed he had taken a liking to Leda.
‘Well, of course. A barbarian from a sand-filled desert gets to marry the Princess of the empire. He should be groveling at my feet.’
Leda smirked, thinking of the handsome ruler of Bedua. She had initially been disgusted by the idea of a marriage alliance with what she considered a barbaric tribe. But the moment she met the ruler, she was completely captivated.
Cassius resembled the god of war descended from myths. His perfectly sculpted features, tall stature, and imposing physique. He appeared rough, but his untamed, wild nature was alluring.
Moreover, Cassius Arslan was a powerful Guide. He was, in every sense of the word, the perfect husband for her.
“If it weren’t for this memorial service, I would have worn the new ruby dress I just bought.”
Leda grumbled, clearly unhappy about having to wear a black dress. Her voice held not a shred of grief for her stepbrother, Felix’s, death.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Crown Princess’s Palace.
Unlike the bustling Princess’s Palace, the Crown Princess’s Palace was quiet. Dark and desolate, like an abandoned, cold palace.
Aloissia sat huddled in a corner of the empty bed. She took shallow breaths, her head bowed low.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
‘Could it be…?’
Aloissia straightened up, wary. As she watched the closed door, the doorknob slowly turned. Her eyes widened as she recognized the visitor.
“…Why are you here?”
“The one who needs something makes the move first.”
Cassius smirked, holding up a document envelope. He leaned against the doorframe and gestured towards her with his eyes, silently seeking permission to enter. Aloissia nodded.
She wasn’t particularly surprised that the ruler of Bedua had found his way to the Crown Princess’s Palace. It wasn’t a restricted area for distinguished guests.
However, she was curious why he had come all the way to this secluded place. The Crown Princess’s Palace was situated on the path connecting the Imperial Palace to the temple, a location chosen because she had to regularly visit the temple to use her esper abilities.
People envied Aloissia, who went from being an orphan to royalty overnight. Some even said she was luckier than someone who won the lottery.
But the reality was quite different. The position of Crown Princess was a gilded cage, filled with responsibilities.
She had to create the protective barrier at the temple every month and was forced to live a frugal and simple life. It was because of the High Priest, who insisted that an Esper serving the country should live an ascetic life.
He claimed that if she became greedy or obsessed with wealth, the entire empire would be in danger. The Empress agreed, and so did Felix.
As a result, the furniture in the Crown Princess’s Palace was old and worn, and she was provided with only the bare necessities.
She wasn’t even assigned maids or servants, which were supposed to be customary for royalty. There weren’t even any guards stationed at her palace.
The Crown Princess’s Palace was no different from a cold palace.
In the end, even though she was married, even though she had a husband and a family, Aloissia was still alone. No one had ever visited her of their own volition.
Until this man came along.
“Excuse me.”
Cassius bowed slightly and entered the room. He closed the door, looked around, and asked with a puzzled expression,
“This is Your Highness’s room?”
“Yes, it is.”
“But this place is like…”
A storage room, he probably wanted to say.
Aloissia smiled quietly, understanding his unspoken words.
“Could you wait a moment? I’ll brew some tea.”
“You’ll do it yourself, Your Highness?”
“Yes. Is something wrong?”
Aloissia tilted her head, about to head towards the kitchen from the bed. She had to do everything herself, as she had no servants. It was perfectly normal for her.
Cassius frowned slightly and raised a hand to stop her.
“No, the tea is fine.”
“Then what can I offer you? I apologize, I’m not used to having guests.”
“I didn’t come here to be served, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
Cassius then asked, frowning slightly,
“But… do you usually not keep anyone around?”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s no one in the palace.”
“Ah.”
Aloissia parted her lips slightly and then smiled faintly.
“I’m an Esper.”
Cassius narrowed his eyes at her brief reply. Seeing his expression as if demanding further explanation, she continued,
“I could lose control at any moment. So, I have to be alone.”
Cassius’s face hardened as Aloissia spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He stood silently, stroking his chin with his long fingers.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
The prolonged silence made Aloissia look up at him uneasily. She fidgeted nervously as she observed him. Just then, she heard a low murmur.
“…To be treated like this…”
“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing.”
Cassius composed his darkening expression and spoke dryly, as if it had been a thought spoken aloud.
“Let’s get down to business. I came here because there’s something we need to take care of before the memorial service.”
He sat down on the sofa and held out the envelope. Aloissia sat down opposite him and blinked as she saw the document.
“A contract…?”
She read the title aloud, and Cassius nodded.
“I’ve formalized our agreement from last night. We can’t settle a matter concerning Bedua’s safety with just a few words.”
Indeed. Aloissia nodded and read the contract.
The content was simple. Cassius Arslan, the ruler of Bedua, would keep Aloissia Ismene’s ‘secret’ while staying in the empire. He would also cooperate fully in purifying her.
In return, Aloissia Ismene would create a protective barrier for Bedua to prevent monsters from entering.
It was a clear contract with mutual benefits. Aloissia slowly read through the terms.
“If either party fails to fulfill their obligations…”
“If either party fails to fulfill their obligations, the contract will be immediately terminated. Compensation for damages will be determined by mutual agreement.”
Cassius continued her sentence in a businesslike tone.
“Are there any parts you’d like to amend?”
“No.”
Cassius raised an eyebrow at her immediate response. He crossed his arms and looked at her.
“I’ve been meaning to ask since yesterday. Do you usually trust people so easily?”
“What other choice do I have?”
Aloissia asked calmly. She looked at Cassius with vacant eyes.
“Nothing changes even if I don’t trust you.”
Aloissia gave a hollow laugh after finishing her words. Cassius narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched her.
“Do I just sign here?”
As Aloissia picked up a pen, he sighed and replied,
“Yes.”
Aloissia signed her name next to Cassius’s signature at the bottom of the document. As soon as she finished the last stroke, the document glowed brightly.