Chapter 11

I Will Accept a Lifetime Contract (7)

‘Even if she’s the main character, that’s crossing the line.’

If someone messed with the teaching materials I worked so hard to prepare…

‘Forgive them? Never. Do you know how much effort I put into this?’

But what if the one who messed them up was a high-ranking noble?

And not just any noble, but the only younger sister of the Archduke?

‘Hmm… in that case, maybe I could forgive her a little… about 95 percent?’

Just imagining it made me feel petty.

‘Well, what can I do? I’m just a commoner. If I don’t forgive a noble lady, who’s going to take my side?’

I was still lost in that silly thought while putting the documents on the bookshelf when the door suddenly swung open. Footsteps entered.

‘Finally!’

Happy, I turned around, expecting Lynette.

“Eh?”

It wasn’t my student. It was her guardian.

“Archduke… Your Highness?”

“Looks like Lynette hasn’t arrived yet.”

Eclipse answered calmly, as if my confusion didn’t bother him.

“I’d like to talk with you for a moment about the lessons, Bloomhire.”

My eyes went wide.

‘A parent-teacher meeting on the very first day?! I didn’t see this coming!’

Just like that, I was left alone with Eclipse.

The classroom was so quiet that I deliberately coughed to break the silence.

“Hmm, hmm.”

Why was it so awkward?

Because Eclipse was flipping through the materials I had prepared for the lesson.

‘This feels like I’m being graded on homework…’

Sir, excuse me, aren’t our roles reversed? I’m supposed to be the teacher, you’re the guardian!

“I heard you read every book on magic in the library.”

“Yes, that’s correct, Your Highness.”

But also—you’re my boss. Loyal servant here, sir!

I straightened myself and answered politely.

“Thanks to those books, preparing lessons became much easier. They were all excellent. Ah, by the way…”

I clapped my hands once and continued.

“I found a few that even a beginner like Lady Lynette could understand. I plan to use those first as textbooks for our lessons.”

“I see.”

That short reply was all he gave before falling silent again.

‘Didn’t he say he wanted to talk? Now he’s just staring at the papers… But actually, maybe this is better.’

To me, Eclipse was a terrifying person.

After all, I had once tried to scam him before giving up. Now I was alone with him face-to-face. No wonder my lips felt dry.

“Cough.”

If the silence went on, I’d shrivel up. So I started babbling, unasked.

“Today I plan to test how much magical power Lady Lynette has, and then teach her how to control it properly.”

“……”

“It’s very rare to have both divine power and magical power at the same time. Just having one is rare enough, but Lady Lynette has both. And her capacity is extraordinary as well.”

I mixed knowledge from the novel with what I’d learned from the books and talked nonstop.

Please, Archduke, see how hard I’m working! Give me a lifetime contract, I beg you!

‘If lifetime is too much, at least extend the contract a bit, please!’

I had never wanted anything so desperately in either life.

“She is truly gifted. It’s a shame her divine power hasn’t fully awakened yet, but soon she will spread her wings wide—”

That’s when Eclipse suddenly looked up at me, shock flashing across his face.

It was the most emotional expression I’d ever seen on him.

I froze too.

‘Wait… did I say something wrong?’

No, I had been careful to choose only flattering words. Why that reaction?

‘Maybe he doesn’t like my lesson plan?’

I steadied my trembling eyes and thought quickly.

‘If you don’t like my plan, Your Highness, I’ll throw it out right now. Just say the word!’

I stood stiffly, waiting for him to speak—like the fox waiting for the little prince.

After a long silence, Eclipse finally murmured:

“I see. So that’s how it is.”

His voice was calm again. His face was back to its usual unreadable expression.

‘Phew… guess I was imagining things.’

Relieved, I exhaled and watched him carefully check through every page of my notes.

‘Ugh, if I’d known he’d read so carefully, I would’ve organized them better. My handwriting’s all over the place…’

I sneaked glances at him every second.

“Bloomhire.”

“Yes, sir!”

“After today’s lesson, come to my room. And—”

He tapped the pile of papers with his finger.

“Bring these with you.”

“Yes! …Wait, what?”

His words caught me off guard.

Before I could ask why, he added:

“There are many things I wish to ask you.”

“Ah…”

My vision went white.

‘What… what does he want to ask?’

Surely it’s not about my teaching style. If it were, he could just say so now.

So what else? What’s the problem?!

“Yes, understood.”

I forced myself to answer calmly, then watched him leave.

The colorful world around me suddenly felt grey.

‘Oh no. This is scary.’

What are you planning to say to me, Archduke?

I’m so scared I won’t be able to focus on teaching…

Just then, Lynette walked in.

“Elsie!”

“Ah, Lady Lynette!”

Her cold eyes immediately softened when she saw me.

“What did you two talk about?”

“Eh? Ah, well…”

I hesitated, not sure how to explain, but Lynette waved it off.

“No need. I can guess. It was probably just lesson stuff. That’s my brother’s specialty—half intimidating new tutors right away.”

“Gasp.”

Intimidating? You mean Eclipse was that kind of person?

I covered my mouth with both hands, horrified. Lynette chuckled.

“I’m joking. His Highness would never do something like that. He just asks a lot about my education, but he’s never cruel or unfair.”

“Oh… what a relief.”

I sighed with genuine relief.

But Lynette’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she added:

“Still, most people come away from meeting him looking half-dead. Maybe it’s just that he’s very strict.”

It was a joke… right?

“Anyway, please take your seat. Let’s begin the lesson.”

I calmed myself and turned back to the bookshelf to tidy up my materials, which had been disturbed by the surprise meeting.

Just then, I heard footsteps behind me.

“Lady Lynette, just a moment please.”

I turned, ready to face her.

But then—

“Don’t move. Not another step.”

A sharp warning. Something thin, hard, and pointed pressed against my back.

Chills ran up my spine, and every hair on my body stood up.

‘What is this… it feels like something dangerous is touching me.’

I froze completely.

“L… Lady Lynette?”

This has to be a joke… right? Please tell me it’s a joke.

“Whether it’s a joke or not—you’ll find out soon enough.”

Lynette’s voice was low, nothing like before.

The warm spring air in the room instantly turned icy cold.

I gulped and shook.

“Are you… really Elsie Bloomhire?”