TCBCVF 25

~Chapter 25~

The next day.

After finishing breakfast, the princess and I leisurely headed to the annex.

“There are 30 pieces in the annex collection. My favorite one is…”

The princess was excitedly explaining, but suddenly stopped.

A servant was approaching from a distance.

“Your Highness, the Star Hall has been opened.”

He bowed politely and added:

“The Duke asked me to wish you an enjoyable visit.”

“My brother did?”

The princess raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

“Well… okay, fine.”

After sending the servant off, I cautiously asked:

“Um… what’s the Star Hall?”

“Ah, it’s a special room that holds the most precious pieces in the collection.
Only direct family members or those approved by the head of house can see them…”

But the princess still looked skeptical.

“Why would that picky man suddenly open the Star Hall?”

After touring the annex and even the Star Hall, I returned feeling quite satisfied.

As for Evangeline, after seeing me off, she marched straight into Dietrich’s study.

“Brother!”

“Eva, my hearing is still perfectly fine. I’m not that old.”

Dietrich calmly took off his silver-rimmed glasses as she yelled across the room.

But Evangeline hurried over to him with quick steps.

“Since when do you open the Star Hall for someone?
You told me no, no matter how many times I begged!”

“I just thought Lady Ansi seemed interested in art.”

Huh?

Evangeline narrowed her eyes.

“That’s quite the generous gesture.
After all, she’s the one who became your sister’s friend, right?”

Evangeline instantly flared up.

“What’s that supposed to mean? What’s wrong with me?”

“Let’s not ask questions you can’t answer honestly, alright?”

“Huh? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She stuck her tongue out.

Dietrich shook his head and changed the subject.

“So, what do you think of Lady Ansi? Do you like her?”

Evangeline blinked, staring at him like he’d grown a second head.

He frowned.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because it’s shocking to see you care what someone else thinks.”

“…What kind of person do you think I am?”

“Someone who never shows interest in women. Just a boring workaholic.”

She shook her head dramatically.

“So what if you have a handsome face?
If you stay locked up in your study all the time, you’ll end up marrying through a blind date.”

“……”

For once, Dietrich didn’t argue.

In noble society, marriage based on status and wealth wasn’t uncommon.

And Dietrich had always thought political marriages were the most efficient.

But—

“Why does that suddenly feel so unpleasant?”

Why did Larit’s smiling face flash through his mind right then?

“…You’re saying all sorts of nonsense today.”

He tried to shake off the thought and spoke casually:

“Anyway, I’m just glad you finally found a good friend.
Stay close to her.”

Evangeline’s eyes sparkled.

“So you do like Lady Ansi too?”

“I guess.”

Dietrich shrugged.

No reason to be rude to the only friend his little sister had.

“Hmm… Alright.”

Evangeline looked serious now.

“Brother, can I borrow Sir Douglas?”

“Douglas? Why?”

Dietrich looked confused.

Understandably so—Douglas was the family’s legal advisor and had no previous involvement with Evangeline.

Evangeline grinned.

“Because I have a contract to finalize.”

The next day.

I waited for the princess nervously.

“Why did she suddenly ask to meet?”

The salon had just ended, so I assumed I wouldn’t see her again for a while.

But she suddenly sent word that she’d be coming today.

Exactly at 2 p.m., the princess arrived at the Ansi townhouse, walking confidently.

Behind her was a middle-aged man in a sharp suit.

“Who is that?”

I was puzzled, but bowed politely out of habit.

“Lady Ansi, it’s an honor to see—”

Then I stopped.

I remembered her words:

“There’s no need to be so formal between friends. It’s just the two of us.”

Oops.

I laughed awkwardly and rephrased.

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

“Good to see you, Lady Ansi.”

She smiled with satisfaction and answered coolly.

“Have a seat.”

Once seated, she handed me a document folder.

“Here, take this.”

What is this?

I glanced at her for permission. She nodded.

“Go ahead and open it.”

I opened it cautiously—

And my eyes went wide.

“This is?!”

I looked up in shock, and the princess casually shrugged.

“It’s the friend contract we talked about before.”

Then she gestured toward the man standing beside her.

“This is Sir Douglas. He’s the Duke’s personal legal advisor.
He’ll help us review and notarize the contract.”

“N-Notarize?!”

“Yes. So if there’s anything in the contract you don’t understand or don’t like, just ask Sir Douglas.”

She furrowed her brow and warned:

“Look it over carefully before you sign.
What if I try to rip you off?”

“No way, Your Highness would never do that.”

“……”

She turned her head with a huff.

But I saw it.

The tiny smile curving her lips.

“She’s adorable.”

I chuckled silently and looked over the contract thoroughly.

Even with my trained eye as the heir of House Ansi, I found no unfair or dangerous clauses.

In fact—

“Isn’t this… too generous?”

The terms were overwhelmingly favorable to me.

Then—

“W-What the heck is this?!”

My eyes widened again.

Section 3, Clause 2: Maintenance Allowance
Evangeline von Claudius will provide Larit Ansi with a quarterly maintenance allowance of 50,000 Derks.
Larit Ansi must use approximately 70% of this for clothing, spending money, and other appearance-related expenses.
The remaining amount may be used at Larit’s discretion.