Chapter 29
Contractor.
The only person who could keep the awakened Maya’s mind in check.
“The only one for Maya, huh…”
Tristan savored that fact, and a strange sense of satisfaction bloomed inside him.
“Do you mind if I hold your hand?”
When he looked at Maya fiddling with his hand, the curse that had always felt like a misfortune now felt like a blessing.
After all, the curse and the contract were an effective way to bind Maya and Tristan together.
Tristan gently pulled his hand free from Maya’s grasp and soothed her.
“First, we should check if the treatment went well.”
Checking Maya’s condition came first.
“It was easier to treat you this time… Is there still anywhere that hurts?”
At his words, Maya obediently flexed her fingers, then raised her arm.
“Not at all.”
It seemed her bones had completely healed. Compared to last time, his skill had clearly improved.
“I’m still inexperienced, so I couldn’t bring your fever down completely.”
“But my fatigue is definitely gone.”
Just like before, Tristan—whose abilities were still growing—wasn’t yet able to bring her fever down completely.
But the fact that he could mend bones, heal wounds, and even relieve fatigue was remarkable.
“There’s a real difference compared to a few days ago. Not that it was bad before.”
“Seems the training paid off.”
Tristan smiled at her comment.
Now it was time to get to the main point.
“How can I…”
His hand slipped into hers, fingers intertwining.
“…become your contractor?”
With his eyes lowered, Tristan’s face looked almost forlorn.
It’s just talking about a contract we’ve already discussed.
And yet, even though it was only about becoming a contractor, the words sounded oddly seductive.
Looks really do make a difference, even when you say the same thing.
It was the same with Kendrick—his handsome face made anything he said sound tempting.
“Tristan, would you please stand?”
At her request, Tristan rose from his seat.
Pendragon, who had been listening with great interest from the side, returned to the sword.
It was a pure white blade, perfectly sized for Maya.
Unlike ordinary swords, it radiated a holy aura. The bluish-white light enveloping it flared like fire.
Planting the sword in the ground, Maya knelt before Tristan.
“I, Maya Pendragon, accept Tristan Beiadyn as my contractor. Will you be my contractor?”
“Gladly. It would be an honor.”
The aura that had been buried in the ground surged into Tristan’s right hand, leaving the same Pendragon crest that Maya bore.
The contract was sealed.
It feels different from when I agreed to a contract marriage.
In her past life, when she’d contracted with the Emperor, she’d never felt this strange, tingling sensation.
“Maya, wait a moment.”
“Yes.”
As Maya stood, Tristan now knelt before her.
“Ah—Your Grace, please, stand up!”
“It’s an equal contract. Isn’t it unfair if only you kneel? If you dislike it, you can say so.”
“It’s not that I dislike it.”
Maya answered quickly.
Who in their right mind would object when the Grand Duke himself was kneeling so politely before them?
She rather liked the boost to her self-esteem.
Being recognized always felt new and thrilling.
“Well then, shall we hold hands?”
His words signaled the start of the physical contact needed to lift his curse.
“I’ll take my leave, then.”
Pendragon, sensing the chill creeping into his metaphorical ribs from lingering too long, quietly withdrew.
Guess he’s tired.
Even a sword spirit needed to rest.
Maya turned her attention back to the conversation.
“Is it just contact? Or are there other conditions?”
“Lord Beiadyn only said this: contact will lift the curse, and it will take about half a year to lift it completely.”
For something so important, he had left an awfully vague explanation.
To Maya, Beiadyn seemed as eccentric as Pendragon.
She took Tristan’s outstretched hand.
Strange.
This is just for the contract.
Her fever had long subsided, yet it still felt warm.
And it felt completely different from earlier when she had been the one to take his hand first.
She doubted she’d feel like this holding Kendrick’s hand.
It was his tone, his gestures, even his actions—everything made her conscious of him.
His voice was too gentle. The consideration in his touch was unfamiliar.
Good thing I told myself earlier not to get the wrong idea.
This was only for the contract.
She mustn’t misunderstand.
Why am I this fluttery around Tristan?
After thinking it through, Maya reached a conclusion.
It’s because I’m not used to it.
Aside from Kendrick, her interactions with men had mostly been limited to picking fights or being shunned.
And none of them had ever been as handsome as Tristan.
Just as she’d gotten used to Kendrick, she would eventually get used to Tristan.
Then I’ll just have to touch him more.
Her eyes burned with determination.
For Tristan’s future’s sake!
The stronger the contact, the faster the curse would lift.
And it’s not like I dislike touching him.
In fact, she rather enjoyed it, so it was a good opportunity for her as well.
Resolved, Maya clasped his hand firmly and caressed it.
Tristan was taken aback.
…What is this?
Holding hands with the wife he secretly loved was nice, but being fondled like this was oddly… distracting.
“Shall we try hugging now?”
After some thought, Tristan decided to move on from hand-holding.
Of course, Maya’s brain immediately shifted into high gear.
If it’s exciting when he initiates, I should do it first.
She nodded quickly.
“Alright.”
Before Tristan could act, she dove into his arms.
Expecting to be the one approaching, Tristan’s hands hovered awkwardly before settling on her back.
With Maya in his arms, he became acutely aware of her hands, her arms, her back—everything.
“The warmth feels nice. You’re warmer than I expected, Tristan.”
Look who’s talking.
While Tristan was stiff as a board, breathing carefully, Maya openly voiced her impressions.
He did tend to run hot.
“Do you like warmth, Maya?”
“Yes. The north is too cold for me.”
It made sense—she was from the capital.
“Then you can hug me anytime you’re cold.”
He hoped his words would make her heart flutter.
“I’ll always be by your side.”
He wanted her to feel the same way he felt when he looked at her.
Maya blinked, then nodded.
“That’s a good idea.”
Had it worked?
“Hugging more often when it’s cold will also speed up the curse-breaking.”
…It seemed there was still a long way to go before she realized his feelings weren’t just about the curse.
Grrr~
Right on cue, Maya’s stomach growled.
“Shall we go to the dining room? I’m sure they’ve prepared something for us.”
After being gone for three days, there would surely be a feast waiting.
He didn’t even need to say it—the Beiadyn house steward and head maid were that capable.
“Oh, that reminds me…”
At the mention of food, Tristan recalled the monster meat he had prepared for her.
“I buried some meat in the snow.”
“Meat?”
“Yes, I wanted to give it to you when you returned. But since you’re back—”
He was about to say there was no need to go get it now.
“Then let’s go get it later!”
But Maya clearly had no such thought.
“You told me once that the important thing about a gift is the giver’s heart. I’ll eat it.”
How could he not love someone who remembered and acted on his every word?
The only bitter part was that he couldn’t face her in his true form whenever he wanted.
Even now, talking, holding hands, and hugging—he wasn’t in his real body.
“Then shall we go eat?”
“I still have something to discuss with Alec, so please eat first.”
Maya left the room with a smile.
Tristan watched her back for a long moment before turning to find Alec, who was waiting for him.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Alec stood quietly as Tristan approached.
Tristan sat down.
“You stay standing.”
He certainly didn’t invite Alec to sit.
