Chapter 18
It wasn’t like she disliked the idea of the curse being lifted earlier.
“But it’s your birthday. Shouldn’t you rest properly?”
“This is already more than enough.”
Though Tristan tried to add a few more words, Maya was firm in her stance.
Her unwavering determination left Tristan no choice but to back off. It was then that he suddenly realized he knew nothing about the Pendragon family’s awakening process.
In fact, how the Pendragon bloodline awakened had always been shrouded in secrecy.
“I have a question. May I ask?”
It was a question born from academic curiosity—because he was genuinely interested in the Pendragon family.
“Of course.”
“Do you know how the awakening happens?”
“Yes.”
The answer came readily.
‘Did she figure it out on her own through training?’
Even that would be impressive.
“How does it happen?”
“It’s nothing special.”
Maya shrugged.
“As you keep pushing through thresholds and surpassing your physical limits, the blood awakens.”
That’s nothing special?
Tristan was momentarily speechless at Maya’s nonchalant tone.
“Thresholds, you say.”
“Like breaking a few bones and going in and out of comas? It’s something your body can recover from naturally.”
…That’s nothing special?
Awakening was something a Pendragon had to go through—especially to fulfill the terms of their contract.
And yet, Maya Pendragon spoke so casually and with a smile about something so painful and daunting. Tristan couldn’t understand her.
Sometimes she was as bright as a child, and other times her eyes looked as if she had endured pain deeper than any he had known in his life.
‘I feel like I know her, but then again, I don’t.’
He’d never met any other noblewoman his age, but he could confidently say that none of them could possibly be like Maya Pendragon.
“Well then, shall we go eat?”
“…Please, go ahead. I need to collect my thoughts.”
Robert, who had prepared for this day with great care, promptly escorted Maya.
Tristan watched Maya’s excited back as she headed toward the dining room and let out a soft chuckle.
There was no fear on her calm face.
He truly couldn’t understand it.
What kind of life had she lived to be so unflinching in the face of pain and sacrifice?
Tristan couldn’t bring himself to ask.
‘I may not be able to stop you from going…’
But there was something he could do.
‘The Beiadan family also has “that” passed down through generations.’
He never expected he’d use the ability in this way, but perhaps it had all led to this moment.
After all, the Beiadan and Pendragon families were intertwined through history.
‘I need to prepare.’
Although they weren’t as renowned for swordsmanship as the Pendragon family, the Beiadan family had their own means of readiness.
The Beiadan family possessed a black sword, one that only the cursed head of the house could wield, both as a boy and after reclaiming their true form.
It was a weapon Tristan was familiar with.
‘It’s been a while since I left the estate.’
He wasn’t so foolish as to let someone who gave their all for him go out alone.
…Especially when it was someone like Maya, who kept getting under his skin.
Tristan fiddled with the brooch pinned to his chest.
A gift from Pendragon, with a promise to always come running if needed.
Quite a romantic gift.
‘Just this alone would’ve made a fine present.’
As Tristan was lost in thought, Kendrick came to mind.
He wondered if Kendrick would tag along.
Even though he knew it was selfish, Tristan couldn’t help but imagine scenarios.
‘Maya Pendragon… feels too good to be left to someone else.’
Even if they ended up divorcing someday, he hoped someone truly worthy would come into Maya’s life.
Not someone like Kendrick, who rubbed him the wrong way.
‘Food and clothing will be the main issues.’
He didn’t know how much Maya had packed, but he could already tell it wouldn’t be enough.
Objectively, Maya was a kind and brave person—but being thorough was not one of her strong suits.
‘I’ll have to pack it myself.’
As Tristan hurried off to find Robert, he began to feel his body gradually shrinking.
But the brooch on his chest remained unchanged.
That brought him more comfort than he’d expected.
Even he was surprised by how much it reassured him.
***
When Maya arrived for breakfast, Kendrick was already sitting there with a grumpy look on his face.
He tapped his fork on the plate, clearly bored with life, when he spotted Maya entering the room.
“Oh my god, Maya…”
Kendrick covered his mouth.
With her wavy hair cascading down and dressed in a gown the color of fresh greenery, Maya looked like a goddess.
(At least, that’s how she looked through Kendrick’s eyes.)
‘Why didn’t I think to buy her dresses before?!’
He had always held back on gifting clothes or jewelry, thinking she wouldn’t like them—and now he resented himself for it.
Maya was Maya.
Everything looked good on her!
While Kendrick was silently spiraling into full-blown emotional chaos, his lips trembled.
He didn’t want to ruin the composed image he had maintained until now.
Of course, Maya didn’t notice a thing. All her attention was consumed by the feast laid out before her.
“Wow, today’s breakfast is extravagant. It looks delicious.”
“We worked very hard on it.”
The butler Robert, who had escorted her, answered proudly.
He had spent considerable effort with the head chef Henry selecting today’s menu.
‘She’s the only one who can lift our duke’s curse, after all.’
Knowing how important Maya was to Tristan, he had taken a special interest. And once he realized Maya was genuinely a good person, his fondness for her grew.
He knew they were in a contract marriage, but he hoped it would work out.
Having seen many noblewomen in high society while running errands for Tristan in the capital, Robert knew Maya was rare.
If Tristan wanted to keep her after the contract ended, he’d need to win her over with her favorite foods.
“We prepared every possible beef dish. Since you like it.”
From well-done to medium-rare steaks dripping with blood-tinged juice.
Beef stew rich in flavor.
Henry, who took great pride in his cooking, always inspected leftovers to understand preferences—and he had clearly figured out Maya’s.
She was a meat lover.
Specifically, beef.
The table was full of dishes based on the beef she had enjoyed before.
Maya clapped her hands with a delighted face.
“Thank you. This breakfast is just perfect for me.”
No one thought it odd that she was eating meat in the morning.
‘It would’ve been even better after a workout.’
Still, since she was going to be run ragged starting this evening, a bit of rest now was probably wise.
Maya bit into a well-grilled steak. The burst of juices made her feel blissful.
Kendrick watched her fork move without pause, smiling to himself, and then said quietly:
“Even for a contract marriage, everyone’s being very thoughtful.”
He emphasized the word contract, but Maya didn’t catch it at all.
“Seriously. Who takes care of someone this much in a contract marriage?”
Once again, Maya’s response was entirely sincere and without ulterior motive, making Kendrick quietly sigh in relief.
“By the way, why are you so dressed up this morning?”
“Hmm…”
Maya thought of the hall prepared just for her.
The dazzling chandelier. The pretty patterns on the floor. Dancing to music.
Thinking of that delightful moment brought a blush to her face.
A dreamlike time.
A memory she never imagined she’d have in her life.
“To receive a birthday gift.”
She answered simply and smiled brightly.
It was the kind of smile that always left Kendrick stunned.
A smile that seemed like she had lived her whole life in happiness—no one could imitate it.
‘…What on earth did that Grand Duke give her?’
Sure, she usually appreciated Kendrick’s gifts too, but he had never seen her smile like that.
He was sure there was a clear line between Maya and the Grand Duke, and that their relationship was strictly contractual.
Even though she was spending her birthday in luxury, enjoying a grand day that suited the occasion…
What made Kendrick uncomfortable was that she was happier now than she’d ever been—with something he hadn’t been able to give her.
‘I really need to become the Tower Master soon.’
Just standing out in the promotion exams wasn’t enough to become Tower Master.
Even though the current Tower Master was a breath away from death due to old age.
‘I need to achieve something worthy of being chosen.’
In that sense, coming to the North had been a good opportunity.
‘If I resolve this situation, it’ll be a strong first step.’
The giant monster appearing in the North.
Kendrick had stumbled upon the situation while going to see Maya—but now it had become a chance.
And he was confident.
He was a powerful mage, one with skills and magical strength strong enough to be personally scouted by the Tower Master.
There hadn’t been a single monster Kendrick couldn’t defeat before.
So Maya could stay safely at the castle.
‘No matter how strong she is, Maya is still a swordswoman who hasn’t even awakened yet.’
She didn’t yet understand how powerless mere strength could be in the face of truly terrifying monsters.
Which was why Kendrick needed to protect her.
