Chapter 09
Now that she thought about it, he was right.
‘I like that.’
Maya found his relaxed tone appealing.
It was the kind of attitude that came from the belief that people would recognize your true worth without having to show off.
‘Maybe we have similar ways of thinking.’
It was a relief to know that they wouldn’t clash in such matters.
“And lastly…”
Maya pointed to a clause in the contract that bothered her.
“I’d like this part to be revised.”
“This one?”
Tristan tilted his head as he read the section Maya indicated.
[After half a year of marriage, the two will maintain regular contact to defeat the Demon King.
As an effective measure, Maya Pendragon shall be appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Northern Knights, a position befitting her skill.]
“Are you uncomfortable with the Deputy Commander position? I know you’re highly skilled with a sword, but…”
“No, that position is too much for me. I’ll just settle somewhere appropriate in the North. Call me when you need me—I’ll come right away.”
It was a strange answer.
At first, he wondered if she thought the title was too low for her, but she said it was excessive.
Then he wondered if she disliked the North—but she said she would stay there for the time being.
It was almost as if she didn’t want her skills or achievements to be noticed.
“I don’t want to be in the spotlight.”
“Why not?”
His sudden question landed on her heart like a heavy stone.
Of course, it was because she was a sinner.
Considering the sins she had committed in her past life, the title of Deputy Commander was ridiculous.
“I just want to live quietly. I’ve already been disowned by the Pendragon family, so I have no obligation to fulfill noble duties.”
Becoming Deputy Commander would mean staying in this castle.
That alone frightened her.
“This isn’t a bad direction for you, Your Grace. After our contract marriage ends, it’ll be better for you to keep your distance from me.”
To be honest, fear was the biggest reason.
‘It’s too easy to grow fond of him.’
They had only had a few conversations, but she already felt herself growing attached.
She was afraid she might not want to leave his side. That she might start wanting more.
‘Is it because he’s the first normal person I’ve ever been close to besides Kendrick?’
Either way, it was better to draw boundaries now for the sake of the eventual separation.
There was no way Tristan couldn’t sense her guarded attitude.
‘We’re not even close, but she’s already pulling away.’
Tristan frowned.
He recalled Maya’s self-deprecating remarks.
“Is it because you think you’re not good enough for me?”
“Well… that too, I suppose. But mostly because staying close to an ex-wife would be awkward.”
Maya muttered as she thought carefully.
“After divorcing me, you’ll want to meet someone better, right? In that case, it’s best to keep gossip to a minimum.”
Tristan added in disbelief.
“We’re not even married yet, and I’m already divorced.”
“Oh.”
Maya fell silent, realizing how far ahead she’d jumped.
‘Did I cross a line?’
She hadn’t realized that preparing for a future she already knew would seem so presumptuous.
‘What should I do?’
Her eyes widened like saucers.
Tristan let out a chuckle at her visible fluster.
She may have been getting ahead of herself, but the fact that she respected him wasn’t a bad thing.
“Alright. I’ll revise that part.”
He retrieved ink and a pen from his desk and wrote a new contract incorporating all of Maya’s requests.
“Whatever the future holds, I’ll respect your wishes. But drawing a line this early is a bit much.”
He showed her where to sign.
“His Majesty is a very suspicious man. If we want to avoid revealing that this is a contract marriage, we need to prepare well.”
“Ah… right.”
Maya shuddered at the thought of the Emperor’s misdeeds.
She carefully reviewed the contract and signed her name in bold strokes:
[Ma Ya Pen Dra Gon]
They exchanged contracts.
Tristan looked at her and made a suggestion.
“Let’s start preparing right away.”
“How?”
“It’d be good to start by changing how we address each other, Maya.”
Maya.
That simple two-syllable name suddenly felt like part of a sacred prayer.
“Now, try saying my name too.”
Maya felt overwhelmed.
“How could I possibly call Your Grace by name?”
Unaware of how he looked, Tristan used his face to full effect.
“Hm?”
Maya blinked at him and, as if hypnotized, replied,
“T-Tristan.”
As soon as she said his name, Tristan smirked with one corner of his mouth.
“Well done.”
It was the first time she heard him speak informally to her.
Well done.
That one phrase struck her more deeply than hearing her own name.
It was a sincere compliment—something even her swordsmanship rarely earned.
She liked it.
She wanted to hear more.
“Please praise me again. Just once more.”
Once again, the words came out before she could stop them.
Tristan stared at her quietly.
“Then you’ll need to call my name again.”
He replied casually.
“Tristan.”
This time, it was easier to say his name.
“Well done.”
“…Yes.”
His praise made her heart flutter. Maya smiled bashfully.
It felt like a long-held wish had finally been fulfilled.
Tristan gazed at her as if he’d received the perfect gift.
Just as she had stared at him earlier.
Of course, afterward, they went back to calling each other formally.
Tristan found that oddly disappointing.
Not long after Maya left, Tristan reverted to his youthful form.
‘At least I was myself while we talked—that’s a relief.’
The perfectly fitting clothes now hung loose on him.
He hadn’t been small even as a boy, but the age difference was clear.
Looking at his loose shirt, Tristan reflected on the time he had changed.
He recalled the moment when he held Maya’s hand.
It seemed he had stayed in his true form longer than expected.
Whether it was coincidence or Maya’s presence that caused it—he couldn’t tell. But it was a promising start.
“….”
As he thought of Maya smiling at his compliment, Tristan picked up the contract.
The neatly written name reminded him of her.
He chuckled quietly and placed the contract in his safe.
Just then, Robert entered the room.
He held a change of clothes for Tristan. Robert was one of the few who knew about Tristan’s condition.
“Did the conversation go well?”
“Yes.”
“Alek has returned.”
“That was quicker than expected.”
“He had trouble pinpointing the monster’s location. He’s planning to reorganize and head out again.”
Alek was the commander of the Duchy’s knights and a highly skilled swordsman. He was also Tristan’s childhood friend.
It was the first time Alek had failed to deal with a monster in time.
‘Was he tired?’
Or maybe he wasn’t in top form.
Or… maybe he rushed back because he didn’t like Tristan’s contract marriage.
Alek hadn’t been on board with the plan from the start.
‘He’ll be wary of Maya.’
He hadn’t exactly held the Pendragon family in high regard, so he might give her a hard time.
Surprisingly though, Tristan wasn’t worried.
He had a strange sense that Maya Pendragon would handle it just fine.
He didn’t even realize that a smile had crept onto his face.
Only Robert noticed and smiled back quietly.
“Is the gift prepared?”
“Yes. Tonight’s dinner will feature the dishes she enjoyed most.”
Robert said solemnly.
Even though it was a contract, Maya Pendragon would be the lady of the Bayarden house for the time being.
She was someone he had to serve properly—she deserved the treatment of a duchess.
And this would be her first meal without Tristan present.
Robert had put great effort into identifying her preferences.
“She seemed to especially enjoy meat. I’ve asked Jacques to prepare a premium steak using the beef we’ll bring in next week.”
It was for Maya’s upcoming birthday.
“I see.”
Tristan recalled Maya’s reaction to her meal and smiled faintly.
Robert’s eyes widened.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you smile.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, you must be feeling hopeful about breaking the curse.”
Robert dabbed at his eyes as if overwhelmed with emotion.
‘Is that really all?’
Tristan quickly pushed the thought from his mind.
Maya Pendragon had no feelings for him.
Right. She already talked about divorce before the marriage even started.
Telling him to find someone better.
She sounded very determined.
‘Maybe she already has someone in mind.’
But that wasn’t something he should worry about.
He was the one receiving her help—he should respect her wishes.
So, they would lift the curse and cleanly part ways.
That would be enough for the two of them.
