~Chapter 41~
“Damien, look at this.”
Standing in front of the stone wall with the mural carved into it, I excitedly called out to Damien.
“All five orbs are filled!”
Recently, I’d spent more time around curses, the cursed doll, and Damien himself—so the orb glowed fully now.
“You’re right,” Damien said, nodding.
“I was a little worried the last orb might not fill, but I’m glad it did.”
Damien turned and looked at me, surprised.
“You were worried?”
“Yes. I really want to form a soul contract so you can feel more at ease. I also want to make sure the imperial family can’t interfere.”
“I want to form a soul contract so Damien can feel safe—and so the royal family can’t meddle.”
“Haha.” Damien gave a soft laugh.
“Thank you. But you really didn’t have to go that far for me.”
“Don’t think it’s only for you. Actually—”
If I make this soul contract, I won’t be kicked out.
Even if I’m sick again or treatment costs billions…
Even if someone finds out my secret…
I couldn’t say all that out loud. It felt too selfish.
“Anyway. A soul contract is such a mysterious experience. It’d be an honor to go through it.”
“It’d be an honor to experience something as mystical as a soul contract.”
“Haha, that’s just like you, Ruby.”
Damien leaned in slightly.
“But you know, right? Even though it can be canceled, the contract has a strong effect.”
“Of course. I’m not taking it lightly. I’m just saying I’m ready.”
Damien’s purple eyes flickered.
“Alright. But if at any point you change your mind, just stop. No one will blame you.”
“I know.”
I looked up at him.
“But I don’t think I’ll change my mind.”
Rumble—
As soon as I said that, a loud sound came from the wall.
The thick stone wall started to move.
“This way.” Damien pulled me behind him to shield me from debris.
“It seems the mansion is responding to your resolve.”
Once the dust settled, we saw a hidden room between the walls.
A square stone chamber with a stone throne at the top of a stepped altar—like a queen chess piece.
Moonlight poured in through a window behind it.
“Damien, look!”
The moonlight began to shift from bluish to pure white… then slowly to red.
“The red moon has risen.”
Damien walked into the room.
A full blood-red moon was clearly visible.
“This means the first ritual for the soul contract is ready. The red moon will stay above the mansion for a week.”
“So we have to do the ritual sometime during that week?”
“Yes,” Damien said, stepping closer.
“You should take some time to think. Let’s do the ritual five nights from now.”
I didn’t need more time—but Damien said it first.
“If your thoughts don’t change by then, let’s meet here.”
“Oh… okay.”
I just held his hand and left the room.
The Next Morning, After the Red Moon
“Oh my, what a joyous event!”
That morning’s breakfast was a feast—famous healthy dishes and piles of eyeball-shaped marshmallows.
“I never thought I’d see the red moon again…”
The strict head maid dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.
“Don’t say that. You’re not that old,” the head butler said, gently patting her.
“But really, seeing the red moon again after all this time brings back so many memories…”
The maid looked at Damien with teary eyes.
“And now our master has found a good partner to settle down with…”
I felt a bit awkward. I stayed because I liked the curses—but now they were praising me.
“Let’s not say things like that,” Damien said coldly.
“Ruby is a good partner, but don’t pressure her.”
“No, I’m fine…”
The staff looked apologetic.
“We’re sorry, madam. We didn’t mean to burden you.”
“Just you staying beside our master makes us happy.”
They truly cared about him.
“It’s okay. I just enjoy spending time with Damien.”
“I just enjoy spending time with Damien—that’s all.”
“Oh my goodness—!”
The maid cried harder, and now even the butler wiped his eyes.
I grabbed Damien’s sleeve.
“D-Damien, can you please…?”
But I couldn’t finish.
The way Damien looked at me—it felt strange.
His eyes looked sad. Deeply, painfully sad.
Then, they softened again into his usual gentle gaze.
“It’s okay. I’ll calm them down. Ruby, just eat.”
“Oh… thank you.”
I thanked him without thinking.
‘What was that look in his eyes?’
‘Why did it feel so sad… so conflicted?’
Meanwhile, Damien’s Thoughts
‘She’s too kind for her own good.’
Looking at the red moonlit throne, Damien thought.
‘She gains nothing—but still wants to protect others. Should I really involve her in this?’
Most women would be terrified at the idea of a soul contract.
But Rubiana accepted it so easily.
Even though there’s almost nothing in it for her.
‘Of course, making it public would stop the royal family’s interference…’
But even then, Damien felt guilty—like he was using her.
‘This contract helps me—the cursed Maledictus—not her.’
And if we complete the contract…
He had to admit the truth.
‘I want her. I want Rubiana.’
A ticking time bomb like him, filled with a thousand curses…
He feared what he might do to keep her to himself.
‘But the more I want her, the more I want to be connected to her.’
‘That’s my selfishness.’
‘If we make the contract, I’ll need to carefully manage myself—so I don’t lose control.’
That was the only way to protect her.
Just then—
“Sir! Master!”
A pale servant ran in.
Damien stood, sensing something bad.
“What is it?”
“T-The thing is—”
The servant whispered the report, and Damien froze.
The Night After the Red Moon
Rubiana, bride of the cursed Maledictus—was missing.
