Chapter 38 Contract (2)
The Contract (2)
The contract negotiations continued.
Now, I only had two opportunities left.
I had no intention of altering the existing contract terms. Though Abel had unilaterally drafted them, there were no unreasonable clauses.
All that remained was the method of adding new terms.
"I'll add a clause. Abel von Hardenberg shall provide Adel von Este with as much information about the Imperial House as possible."
As soon as I spoke, the number decreased to 1. A pure white flame inscribed my proposed clause as the sixth term.
Abel, who had been quietly observing, slightly lowered the paper he was holding.
"Delete the sixth clause."
Before his words even finished, the text burned away in white flames. Stunned by his sudden decision to delete it, I looked at him in confusion.
When I stared at him with questioning eyes, he slowly shook his head.
"Imperial secrets become distorted the moment they're spoken."
"What in the...?"
What kind of nonsense was this? I tilted my head and stared at him.
"I mean it literally. For example..."
Abel paused briefly before speaking again.
"□■□□□■■■■"
I froze at the incomprehensible language flowing from his lips. The unintelligible words swirled around my ears, disorienting my mind.
An eerie sensation, as if something were drilling into my brain, made me instinctively cover my ears with both hands. Watching this, Abel immediately stopped speaking.
A buzzing sound lingered in my ears, still tormenting me.
"What the hell was that...?"
"Since we're in subspace, the distortion is relatively mild."
"This is the mild version?"
Then how would it sound in reality? Even what I'd just heard was deeply unpleasant.
So this was what it meant when they said Imperial secrets couldn't be spoken. Even if someone tried, you wouldn't understand—it would just leave you feeling sick.
But that created a contradiction.
"Then how was Her Highness the Princess able to speak about secrets?"
Back then, she had explained about the Emperor's hand in the library. If Abel was right, shouldn't the Princess also be unable to speak of Imperial secrets?
In response to my question, he shook his head again.
"The Imperial Family is exempt. Otherwise, even the Emperor would be restricted."
An exemption.
That made me think of what Estelle had told me about the Emperor.
'...Wait, could it be back then too?'
I recalled the final conversation we'd had.
"Do you happen to know where His Majesty the Emperor's hometown is?"
"The capital of the Prilecha Kingdom—Ark."
"That's right. It was destroyed long ago by the Arieh Empire."
"Was that somewhat helpful?"
Thinking back, she had never directly spoken about the Imperial House's suspicious activities. She had only hinted at it by mentioning the Emperor's hometown.
The fact that the Emperor had destroyed his own homeland was something I'd deduced myself from historical knowledge.
When Estelle had called it a "hint," she must have meant it in that sense.
Now that the mystery was solved, the pieces were slowly falling into place.
"One last chance remains."
Abel's words snapped me out of my thoughts. I could organize the Imperial information later. Right now, finalizing the contract with him was what mattered.
I had one final opportunity to amend the terms.
As I pondered what clause to add, an idea came to mind.
It might have seemed a bit cowardly, but as long as I didn't cross the line, it should be fine.
"I'll add a clause. Abel von Hardenberg must fulfill Adel von Este's request up to three times."
"Oh-ho."
Abel crossed his arms and looked at me with interest. Feeling oddly uneasy, I averted my gaze, and he chuckled.
"Greedier than I expected, aren't you?"
"Is that acceptable?"
"Nothing particularly objectionable."
Relief washed over me at his response.
What I'd done was no different from when the genie of the lamp offers a wish, and you wish for more wishes.
I'd worried he might refuse, but it seemed my concern was unfounded.
The white flame began inscribing the sixth clause onto the paper. Simultaneously, the number changed to 0 before vanishing completely.
After scanning the contract terms, Abel finally spoke.
"These are the terms of the contract."
First, Abel von Hardenberg shall act as Adel von Este's fiancé for one year and provide her with all possible assistance during that time.
Second, in exchange, the Hardenberg family shall hold exclusive rights to the Este Merchant Guild for one year.
Third, the contract may be extended or terminated by mutual agreement when necessary. Both parties must be of sound mind during such negotiations.
Fourth, when necessary, Adel von Este shall cooperate with Abel von Hardenberg's act of treason.
Fifth, the term "when necessary" mentioned in the above clauses refers only to instances where mutual agreement is reached while both parties are of sound mind.
Sixth, Abel von Hardenberg must fulfill Adel von Este's wishes up to three times.
"Is this sufficient?"
"Yes."
Three opportunities to receive Abel's help—that was more than enough.
The reason she had limited it to three was simply because she didn't want to incur his displeasure.
Frankly, even suggesting three had been a gamble.
"The preparations for the contract are complete."
The paper in his hand fluttered and flew away. The two sheets tangled midair before merging into one.
Soon after, a small golden box materialized.
"This is..."
The sight of the box, radiating a sacred energy, made her unconsciously swallow hard.
Abel slowly approached it and drew a dagger from his coat.
Swish.
Without the slightest hesitation, he slit his finger. His expression remained impassive as blood dripped steadily onto the golden box.
The droplets seeped in, and the box soon glowed with a white light.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes."
Seeing blood was nothing new to her—it wasn't something to be afraid of. As she stepped closer to the box, Abel handed her the dagger.
Taking it, she drew the blade across her own finger. A sharp pain flared, and blood trickled down her wrist.
Had this been before her deaths, she might have screamed, but now she only felt numb. She pressed her hand against the box.
The dripping blood soaked into it, and soon, a crimson light burst forth.
Hummm...
A brief vibration sounded before the box began dissolving into particles of light.
"The contract is complete."
The motes of light gathered on the back of her right hand, weaving a white emblem. A searing pain, as if being branded, made her grimace involuntarily.
Before long, the emblem was complete, emitting a pale glow.
"This is..."
A white sigil composed of three strokes.
"The Token of Contract is an artifact passed down through generations of the Hardenberg family."
An artifact with absolute power in enforcing contracts. So long as the conditions were met, it could compel any action from the contractor.
"The conditions are simple."
Both parties must perceive the contract as fair.
Neither shall betray the other's trust during the contract's duration.
At a glance, it seemed straightforward—but it was far from easy. Without mutual trust, forming the contract would be impossible in the first place.
"So this emblem means..."
"It signifies the right to make requests of me."
Abel added that as long as it wasn't related to life or death, she could ask for anything.
Well, given the artifact's emphasis on fairness, it made sense that life-threatening commands wouldn't be possible.
Not that she had any desire to make such demands in the first place.
Hummm...
A white crack split through the black void. Soon, it shattered into fragments of darkness.
The familiar scenery of the garden returned to view.
She glanced at the emblem on her hand, then at Abel's face. Effectively, she now had three wishes she could use against him.
"Three opportunities in total."
"That's right."
"How you use them is entirely up to you."
Three, huh?
A sudden question crossed her mind.
What would happen if she used one and then regressed?
Would the wish be undone, reverting the emblem? Or would it remain unchanged?
She had no intention of testing it. If, by chance, it didn't reset, she'd be wasting one of her precious chances.
Besides, the Token of Contract was a Hardenberg family heirloom—an artifact. There was no telling whether her regression would even affect it.
"Come to think of it, was there a reason you specifically chose three?"
She froze at the question.
His head tilted slightly in genuine curiosity. Hesitating under Abel's innocent inquiry, she fumbled for a response.
"Well..."
Did she really have to say it?
If she told him, he'd definitely tease her.
Then again, if she didn't, he'd probably find another way to mock her anyway.
"...I thought you'd dislike it if I asked for more."
"...I see."
Her answer seemed to catch him off guard—he flinched momentarily.
When she turned her head, she caught sight of his lips quirking up. Scowling at him only made his smirk grow wider.
"My, my. So you do have a delicate side, our lovely Adel."
"...Shut up."
This was exactly why she hadn't wanted to say it.
Whether he knew her thoughts or not, Abel simply chuckled quietly. His reaction was even more infuriating than his usual blatant teasing.
"...I'll be going now."
"Very well. Until next time."
Before he could finish, she strode ahead briskly.
Honestly, what an insufferable man.