Chapter 54: Nathaniel’s Contract with the Demon
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 54: Nathaniel’s Contract with the Demon
“What are you talking about? With whom?”
[With him.]
“…….”
The person Ilnes pointed to was none other than Nathaniel.
I blinked in bewilderment, then looked back at Ilnes.
“Why did you form a contract with him?”
[Oh, weren’t you telling me to contract with him?]
“……How on earth did you come to that conclusion?”
My mind became a tangled mess.
Ilnes had formed a contract with Nathaniel? And all because he took my request to look after the boy as an order to form a proxy contract?
It was the moment my dream of setting up proxy contracts with the Winston direct lineage shattered into pieces.
Losing even the energy to be angry, I let out a long, hollow sigh.
“Haaa…….”
Wait, hold on.
I didn’t know much about demonic contracts, but was it impossible to undo one once it was made?
If it could be canceled, couldn’t I just void it and have him contract with someone else?
Clinging to a shred of hope, I turned to Ilnes.
“Can’t you just redo the proxy contract with someone else?”
[I could.]
“Right, so do it right now—”
[But then he’d have to die.]
“…….”
For a second, a string of foul curses almost flew out of my mouth.
Barely managing to suppress them, I repeated the word patience over and over in my head.
“Then that’s basically the same as saying you can’t do it!”
[Is it?]
“Good grief.”
I shook my head, not even able to vent my anger loudly for fear of being heard outside.
What kind of creature was this? I glared with incredulous eyes at Ilnes, who was fluttering aimlessly through the air.
[Just let it be. He’s always been like that.]
[He’s right. There’s no point in arguing; you’ll only give yourself a headache, Master.]
“Whew…….”
Desmond and Bibi chimed in, unable to watch any longer. Even so, I couldn’t calm down easily.
“Did I… do something wrong?”
“Huh?”
“Did I do something bad……?”
“…….”
Nathaniel asked repeatedly, looking terrified. Taken aback, I found myself at a loss for words before quickly waving my hands.
“No. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Really……?”
“Yes, really.”
This was all because Ilnes was an idiot.
Swallowing another sigh, I ground my teeth inwardly.
‘What do I do now? Nathaniel ended up in a proxy contract with a demon…….’
My plan had simply been to spirit him away and protect him so the Temple couldn’t use him.
I couldn’t make Nathaniel fight anyone when his body and mind were already broken. That would be truly cruel.
“Whew, it can’t be helped.”
For now, there was no way around it. To think a contract couldn’t be broken unless the contractor lost their life.
From now on, I really had to be careful when proceeding with demonic contracts.
I made a solemn vow to myself.
“Ah, I should probably go now.”
I glanced at the clock and realized quite a bit of time had passed.
Even with Physical Enhancement, a child’s body would be in danger without proper sleep.
“Ilnes, like I said earlier……”
“……If you go……”
“Hmm?”
“Can’t you… stay?”
“…….”
Once again, Nathaniel grabbed the hem of my clothes as I tried to leave. He looked so pitiful that I couldn’t bring myself to brush him off easily.
“I’m sorry, Nathaniel. But I’ll come back tomorrow, okay?”
“…….”
“I promise.”
“……?”
When I held out my pinky finger, Nathaniel looked puzzled. He didn’t understand why I was suddenly sticking my finger out.
I smiled and wiggled my pinky. Then, catching on, Nathaniel tentatively held out his own.
“When we do this, it means we absolutely have to keep the promise.”
“…….”
“You can believe me now, right?”
I hooked our pinkies together and gave them a little shake. Nathaniel stared down at our hands.
“Yes.”
“Now, let’s go night-night.”
“……Okay.”
He still looked anxious at the prospect of my departure, but Nathaniel obediently lay down on the bed.
He seemed awkward, as if the bed itself was unfamiliar to him. Watching him, I patted his chest gently, urging him to sleep.
Only after I saw Nathaniel drift off did I return to my room.
*
“Dia.”
“Mmm.”
“Dia?”
“……!”
Startled by the voice, I snapped my head up.
I saw Brandon’s face looking down at me with worried eyes.
“Dia, are you very sleepy?”
“Mmm, no. I’m okay.”
I shook my head vigorously at Brandon. Abel was beside him as well, looking just as concerned as Brandon.
‘I guess even with Physical Enhancement, I can’t escape the effects of sleep deprivation.’
Ever since I started meeting Nathaniel at night, my sleep had been steadily decreasing.
Today was the day for a long-awaited outing.
Unfortunately, Duke Winston had too much work, and Veronica was preoccupied with her divorce trial against Cedric.
The same went for the young duke, Vincent, and Henrietta.
For a while, the direct descendants hadn't wanted to leave my side out of worry after the attack, but they couldn't stay with me forever. As time passed, they eventually had to return to their duties.
If anything, I felt a bit relieved. Brandon was much easier to handle than the other direct descendants, after all.
“Uncle.”
“Yes?”
“Dia’s sleepy.”
“Right, Uncle will carry you.”
With a goofy, doting grin, Brandon took me from Sophia’s arms.
Even though we were in an expensive carriage, there was bound to be some jolting, but I was able to travel comfortably in Brandon’s embrace.
Screech.
“We’re here.”
“Whoa.”
A whole new world unfolded before my eyes as I woke up from my nap.
I hadn't realized it because I’d been cooped up in the mansion, but the capital’s downtown was so dazzling it made my head spin.
Brandon stepped out of the carriage while still holding me. Immediately, countless gazes fixed upon us.
“Look over there. It’s the Duke of Winston’s carriage.”
“That gentleman is Lord Brandon……. Is that child the Little Lady?”
“Ah, the daughter of that lady and the Marquis of Lionel……?”
I heard hushed whispers, but I didn't pay them much mind.
Cradled in Brandon’s arms, I entered a shop. It was surprising to see Brandon, who looked like he’d spent his whole life studying as an Academy professor, looking so familiar with a place like this.
“Welcome, Lord Brandon.”
“I’ve come to look at some clothes for the child.”
“Yes, we have everything prepared.”
A woman dressed as elegantly as the noblewomen I’d seen at the ball led Brandon and me inside with a pleasant smile.
Whether he had made a reservation in advance or not, the woman and the staff moved in perfect unison, guiding us to our seats and promptly bringing out children’s clothes to display.
I looked at the garments of various colors and patterns with interested eyes.
‘I have to try all of these on?’
The clothes were all unique and pretty, but the sheer volume was overwhelming.
There looked to be dozens of outfits; if I tried on every single one, who knew when we’d finish?
As I stared with a weary expression, Brandon asked with a satisfied face.
“Dia, which one do you like?”
“Um……”
I couldn’t answer easily. I was afraid that as soon as I picked one, he’d tell me to go through the tiring process of changing into it.
As I hesitated, Abel, who was standing nearby, spoke up instead.
“Dia has fair skin, so I think bright clothes would suit her well.”
“Hmm.”
The outfit he pointed to was a summer dress. The pale light-blue dress looked refreshing just by glancing at it.
The capital was on the warmer side, but it wasn't summer yet. Still, it wasn't a bad idea to buy it in advance.
“Do you like that one too, Dia?”
“Ye-yes.”
“Then that one, and……”
After that, whenever I failed to give a clear answer, Brandon began picking out every single outfit I lingered on for even a second.
When the number surpassed ten, I started to get anxious.
“That’s enough for now. Alter them to her measurements and send them over.”
“Yes, thank you as always.”
“……?”
We weren't going to try them on?
Having finished his selection, Brandon stood up with me in his arms.
Puzzled, I tilted my head, and he asked.
“What is it, Dia?”
“Uncle, aren’t I… trying them on?”
“Hmm? Why would you? You’ll look beautiful in anything, Dia.”
“…….”
I had forgotten that the Winston direct line were the ultimate doting fools.
I marveled inwardly. I didn't know why Abel was nodding so solemnly beside him, either.
Anyway, after buying a staggering amount of clothes, shoes, and matching accessories, we headed to a large, luxurious cafe.
It seemed to be a place frequented by nobles, as well-dressed people were coming and going.
“Lord Brandon, I will escort you to your seat.”
“Very well.”
Once again, a staff member rushed out to greet us and led the way. It was a private room shielded from public view.
But then, was there even a point in coming out? I wasn't sure how this was any different from eating dessert back at the mansion.
Unlike me and my doubts, Brandon and Abel took their seats naturally.
Then, they both turned to me and spoke at the same time.
“Dia, what do you want to eat? They say the strawberry desserts here are delicious.”
“Dia, the strawberry parfait is excellent here. And also……”
“…….”
Yes, I get it, the strawberry desserts are delicious.
As I broke into a sweat facing the two men who were more excited than I was, a voice reached my ears.
“Did you hear that the Marquis of Lionel’s daughter performed a miracle and saved people?”
What was that about? I pricked up my ears.