Contracts.
Contracts. Even in the magic-friendly Iterana Empire, contracts with demons had long been a hotly debated topic. That was because the collateral for such a contract was a person's soul. Once a mage's life came to an end, the demon would claim that soul.
In rare cases where the power dynamic flipped—like with the Iterana imperial family—the story changed a bit, but those were exceptions.
So what happened to the reclaimed souls? Nothing grand. The demon simply devoured it, gaining greater magical power in the process. The soul became a part of the demon's strength.
"When did I ever say I wanted to make a contract?"
What other options were there? Chezare flashed a leisurely smile, either oblivious or fully aware of Catherine's frustration.
"Well, if that's your wish, I'd be happy to oblige."
"Are there other ways?"
"Who knows? Finding the method is your job... and if I deem it trustworthy, I'll go along with it."
It was absurd. Catherine wasn't an idiot. Excluding a demon contract, there was no way to bind each other with a promise. Well, there was one, but it was a grave crime under imperial law.
And the man before her was both a demon and a grand duke. He couldn't possibly suggest breaking imperial law.
The emperor, a grand archmage himself, couldn't be unaware of Chezare's true nature. That means there must have been some deal between them.
She couldn't use his demands as an excuse to violate imperial law, so only one path remained.
"There's really no choice but the contract, is there?"
"Who can say? What I can say is that I'm not forcing you right now."
"What if we broke imperial law?"
"Of course. If Miss Panya fancies rotting away in an underground dungeon for life."
Catherine let out a deep sigh. There truly was no other way. To survive, she had nothing to offer as collateral except her soul.
Do I have to make the contract?
But first, would Chezare even agree to contract with her? Demons were picky about their partners too. Humans might lack mana, but they had magical talent. Naturally, a demon would prefer partnering with a promising young mage.
Catherine had no such talent. At best, she had her unique magic nullification constitution.
"Take your time thinking it over. A minute should suffice."
"How am I supposed to decide in one minute?"
"In moments like this, going with your initial instinct isn't a bad idea."
How could he be so infuriating! But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Life was short; even if it meant becoming demon chow, she wanted to live it fully. Catherine steeled herself and blurted it out.
"Please contract with me!"
"Very well."
His immediate agreement caught in her throat like a lump. ...Wasn't that too quick?
"But there are things you need to know first." Chezare leaned deeply into the sofa.
Was this really happening? With mixed feelings, Catherine listened intently.
"Those who contract with demons... can't be saved, in the vulgar sense. Upon death, their soul fully dissipates, and they must reincarnate hundreds of times over centuries, carrying memories of past lives."
"I thought I'd become part of the demon."
"That's for lesser demons. I have no need for more power."
He radiated disdain, as if comparing her soul to street trash.
"Which is more likely: reincarnating as a human, or as an earthworm at the mountain's base?"
She'd never even imagined it.
"Or perhaps even likelier, as a pine tree in a silent forest. Think you could endure a lifetime staring at the same view, bored out of your mind?"
As if she could. It seemed Chezare wanted to warn her about the downsides of contracting with him.
"Um. If I can't handle it, can we call it off?"
Chezare rested his chin on his hand, staring at her expressionlessly. The mood wasn't exactly cheerful. Even if she meant it sincerely, it might sound like she was testing him.
Is he giving me an out?
An "out" from having her soul taken. How devilishly merciful.
"Chezare, if I reincarnate as an earthworm next life..."
"I'll fill the room with fine soil and care for you devotedly until you die."
"And if I'm a pine tree?"
"Shall I transplant you to my office so you can watch me work?"
She couldn't bring herself to ask why he'd go that far. Knowing his personality, he'd dodge the question anyway.
What a ridiculous situation. She'd stumbled into a demon, refused to yield her house, and now ended up contracting with him.
But there was no need to agonize longer.
"Alright. Please contract with me."
"No regrets?"
This was the most serious, playful-free expression she'd seen on him yet.
Catherine decided to be honest too.
"Honestly, no confidence in that, but I'll give it a shot. No other options, right?"
"Realistically speaking."
"Let's have a good life together from now on."
"A lifetime?"
"...I heard it takes centuries for the soul to fully dissipate. Doesn't that count as a lifetime?"
Maybe not for a demon.
"A lifetime..." Chezare slowly closed and opened his eyes, as if savoring the short word.
"Not bad at all."
With those words lingering in the air, a long shadow enveloped Catherine. Ice-cold fingers cupped her cheek, but it took a while to register what was happening.
She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them, instinctively pushing against the man's chest with her arms. But the scorching breath slipping between her lips froze her in place.
When had he gotten so close? Before she could react properly, Catherine blacked out.
When she opened her eyes again, she wasn't in Chezare's drawing room. Feeling the soft texture beneath her back, she slowly sat up. This was a bedroom in the mansion.
"One condition for the contract to fully take effect: exchange a portion of your soul."
His voice carried a faint weariness. Chezare sat in a chair by the bed, calmly turning the pages of a book.
His neatly combed silver hair and wrinkle-free, comfortable two-piece suit were exactly as before she collapsed.
"I've taken a part of you, so I've given you a part of mine in return. You might feel dizzy for a while, but..."
"Did exchanging souls really require a kiss?"
His hand paused mid-page. Chezare's serene cobalt eyes met hers.
"You remember that? Should I call you impressive, Miss Panya... Most lose consciousness in the blink of an eye."
Then, with shameless composure, he continued.
"It's tradition."
"Tradition?"
"Yes, an age-old custom among demons. Any issue?"
Demons followed traditions too? His unchanging expression made her feel like the awkward one for questioning it.
Any issue? Of course...
Of course... there was? When she tried to voice it, the words felt vague.
Besides, she was the one who'd demanded the contract, not the grand duke. Honestly, she was just grateful he'd agreed. And if it was their custom, objecting would be meddlesome.
"No issue, but ask for my consent next time. A contract isn't a make-out partnership."
Chezare didn't scowl or look confused. Instead, he closed his book and smiled more brightly than ever.
"Can't argue with that. I'll keep it in mind."
"Why are you smiling?"
He tilted his head, still beaming.
"Why not? Do I need permission to smile now too?"
She could let the "tradition" slide, but that cheeky grin irked her all the same.
"Miss Panya, since you seem unaware: for the contract to fully establish, soul exchange isn't all. One more thing is needed."
"I don't remember learning that in class."
"Demonology assumes contracts with lowly demons. I've decided not to devour your soul but to possess it, so I must offer commensurate compensation."
Like a salary. Not a bad rule, from Catherine's perspective.
"The compensation is simple: granting your most desperate wish. Once that's fulfilled, you'll be eternally bound to me, and we'll share a bond deeper than blood."
"Deeper than blood—what does that mean?"
Chezare's eyes widened, as if the question caught him off guard.
"Who knows? It's just phrasing passed down among demons..."
Catherine struggled to understand his casual shrug.
"It's your thing, and you don't know?"
"I've never felt such a 'bond.' I don't enjoy contracting with humans to begin with. It's troublesome in many ways, and..."
He trailed off, rubbing his furrowed brow with the back of his hand. He looked annoyed even recalling the past, so she couldn't ask why he'd agreed to her.
To think I'd end up selling my soul to a demon in my lifetime.
Now that it was done, it didn't seem so bad. He'd even promised to care for her as a worm or tree—she had no choice but to trust him.
"I'll give you two days to think of a wish."
"Isn't the day after tomorrow too short?"
He replied nonchalantly.
"Think an extra day will conjure a satisfying wish?"
"...Fair point."
As he slotted the book back into the shelf and turned to leave, he glanced over his shoulder.
"Oh, and... it's been raining for a while. Those curtains visible through the window—shouldn't you take them in?"
"Pardon?"
Catherine bolted upright, staggering to the window. Outside, the curtains neatly hung on the line were soaking in the drizzling rain.
"Oh no!"
She shoved past Chezare's shoulder and raced down the stairs faster than ever. The wet laundry didn't come down easily in her haste, but by the time she finally returned to the mansion, his presence was gone.