Contract (2)
The blue scales vanished. The blue light that had filled the room shifted to red, and in their place, three crimson chalices appeared. It was the chilling first step of a contract sworn on blood and mana.
So far, so good.
Tia had successfully altered the type of contract. Next came the progression of the contract itself. From now on, she would recite each clause to me one by one.
This was where it truly began. The process of inserting variables for my survival.
"Hoo."
Tia, having activated the contract formation, caught her breath slightly.
"I have confirmed Your Grace's will. Then, allow me to begin with the contract clauses."
I nodded lightly. This process had to proceed exactly as in the past.
"With Madam lost to Jewel's Sleep, a vacancy has arisen in House Freyvelric. In this situation, the absence of the Duke of Freyvelric becomes a vulnerability. Thus, this clause must be included as a prerequisite."
The absence of the Duke after the succession ritual poses the greatest threat to House Freyvelric. Therefore, Your Grace's flight or betrayal is prohibited. This includes not only nocturnal escape but all acts turning against House Freyvelric, such as divulging secrets or colluding with other houses.
Prohibition of flight and betrayal. A clause that absolutely had to exist. The moment the duke left his post, House Freyvelric would expose its vulnerabilities, and Tia had come here from the start to prevent that with this contract. I didn't know how my past self had handled it, but now I understood: this clause endangered me while also preserving my life. Betraying the house would be suicidal.
"However, elements threatening Your Grace may exist as well. Thus, I swear to protect you from all threats, including tending to your needs and providing conveniences."
Not much different. It prohibited threats while promising protection as needed.
"Next, I prioritize what Madam requested. She asked that you protect the three young ladies until she awakens. You must ensure they face no threats or dangers, which requires the house to operate smoothly."
Handle all affairs of House Freyvelric, safeguarding its finances, public sentiment, honor, and prestige. Lead the house normally until the young ladies inherit.
Tia's second clause. It stemmed from the duchess's request to protect the three sisters by operating the house. Another inevitable clause. Rozalin had managed everything in Freyvelric alone, so her absence fell to me to fill. Without the house, the sisters would become fallen nobles, crushed underfoot—and I'd be the inevitable target for elimination. To survive, I had to protect the house with my own hands.
"Living expenses in the house will not be charged. You'll need to study more than before, but as I manage the servants, no worries there. Official events or key meetings might be tricky, but unlikely unless a major incident draws attention to Your Grace. Noble extravagance or clause-related necessities are permitted."
No need to worry? Hah. We'll see.
"The third, as you likely anticipated, is to care for and protect the three young ladies. No further explanation needed."
Care for the three young ladies of House Freyvelric, ensuring no harm befalls them.
The third clause. Simple, yet weighty: ensure no harm to the three sisters.
I sorted the contents in my mind. Do not leave Freyvelric. Faithfully handle house affairs. Protect the daughters of House Freyvelric.
Identical to the past. Not a syllable differed.
That meant the final clause was coming.
"Now, the last one. Occasionally, I must leave and go outside. I ask that you tolerate this and neither question nor pry."
Unlike the previous three, this seemed unrelated, perhaps trivial. Even looking back, nothing clicked. I'd never pried anyway. It just seemed like a request for personal time.
"As mentioned, compensation comes after all is done: formal ducal treatment from House Freyvelric, and I'll assist in guaranteeing your survival as Madam requested. How does that sound?"
Now, then.
Time to carve my own path.
"I agree to the clauses overall, but some additions are needed. First, I too may act secretly within the house at times. I request tolerance for those actions."
The moment I spoke, wariness bloomed in Tia's eyes.
"You intend to act independently?"
"Yes."
"That's difficult to accept."
At her firm tone, I began explaining.
"I have no intention of betraying the house. Doing so would invoke the prior clauses, handing you the right to restrain me."
"Knowing that, you still insist—meaning you seek something else. How about this: so long as it harms not Freyvelric—"
"Second, without violating these clauses, I may choose my own compensation and reserve the right not to disclose it."
"...Pardon?"
Tolerate the duke's secret actions within the house.
The duke may select his own compensation without violating clauses and need not disclose it.
She cut off sharply, and the chalices filled.
"Finally, the contents of this contract are forbidden from disclosure to any third party until termination—even to Veronica, Ellensia, or Lucilla."
Contract contents must not be disclosed to any third party until termination, including Veronica, Ellensia, or Lucilla.
The final chalice filled.
That does it.
All that remained was whether Tia would refuse. She wouldn't.
"...I don't know what you intend, but these clauses raise no objections."
From her perspective, they harmed the contract not at all. But for me, they were lifelines to avoid repeating the past.
"If confirmed, apply the contract at once."
"..."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
After a brief pause, Tia chanted the incantation to seal the contract, and I responded. In the same place, on the same day as before.
Yet not the same clauses, not the same time.
My contract for survival was complete.
Successfully contracted with Tia.
Exiting the room, Tia walked the corridor with a sigh.
"Hoo."
It was a sigh of relief... but tinged with unease.
The contract had succeeded perfectly. All clauses were satisfactory, without issue. She'd bound the post-succession duke to House Freyvelric.
Her priorities dominated, minimizing conflicts. Prevention of flight or betrayal. Safety of the three young ladies. House operations. Every aspect secured flawlessly, no gaps visible.
Yet an inexplicable unease lingered.
"He can't harm the house or betray it... so why does it nag at me?"
She couldn't grasp what he sought through such extreme additions.
"Tia."
"Lady Lucilla?"
Lucilla, who should have been asleep, wandered the hall in her nightgown. Likely still shaken from the day's events.
Tia felt the same. The duchess's collapse had stunned her, like the sisters.
"..."
"Your eyes are still puffy. Return to your room and rest more."
"But... I can't sleep. Can't keep clinging to my sisters forever..."
"Lady Lucilla..."
She wished for more time to think, but her duty to Freyvelric and the sisters came first. She brushed off the unease to focus.
"May this humble maid stay by your side?"
"If it's Tia... yes!"
"Very well. I'll escort you—now, blow your nose?"
"...Yeah."
Gently enfolding Lucilla's small hand, Tia strove to keep smiling. No time for sorrow.
Right after sealing the contract with Tia, one might think I'd catch a breath... but no.
I'd become Duke of Freyvelric from this moment.
With Duchess Rozalin fallen to Jewel's Sleep, various issues have arisen!
As Duke of Freyvelric, you must handle them.
• Successfully replace the duchess and protect Freyvelric.
• Wield great ducal authority, but remember: great power brings heavy responsibility!
• Episodes relate to House Freyvelric; rewards vary by completion.
The following must always be upheld. Violations incur penalties.
1. [Classified Information] Revealed upon episode entry.
2. House Freyvelric holds deep history as a ducal house. Safeguard stats related to honor and status.
3. Avoid identity exposure. Unducal behavior dropping gaze-related stats below threshold invites suspicion.
...
Tutorial 1 ended, and the System updated my situation, thrusting this window as if to make me confront my new role as Duke of Freyvelric.
In summary: act as duke. Not get caught as fake, protect the three daughters, maintain house honor and prestige, evade suspicion.
...Of course, I now knew that wasn't all.
"The core points differ little from Tia's demands."
Which meant—
Knock knock.
"Your Grace. We've come to move your furniture."
Command tutorial for system learning.
As Duke of Freyvelric, you can no longer use your previous room. Minimap recommends a suitable duke's chamber.
Change rooms. Sleep there to complete. Command servants to arrange furniture.
It proceeded just as before. Like my previous life.
Then I'd change it from here.
If I use this time well... yes. It might buy some leeway.
Fancy rooms meant nothing to me anyway.
"Your Grace?"
"All of you, leave. Nothing to move here."
"Pardon? You must use the family head's chamber..."
"Enough. Only the table and chair are needed."
Confused voices rose outside. I ignored whatever they said— no need for a crowd.
"Dismissed."
"Uh... yes. Understood."
A firm second order, and the servants accepted with bewilderment. Footsteps receded.
Now, alone outside until bedtime. Perfect.
I headed straight for the family head's chamber. The room the living duchess had used.
There, on the desk, I noted the approval documents she'd last organized.
"No changes, as expected."
Territory finances and tax management approvals. Each showcased her masterful balance. Years alone leading the house proved her exceptional ability.
Continued this way, no issues would arise.
But only if she lived.
Scritch.
Scritch scritch.
I had to act preemptively. To buy even a little time.