chapter 1: [Prologue]
Crack—
Thin, web-like cracks slowly spread across the surface of the floating magical contract in the air. As the rift widened, the memories of everything that had happened until now rushed through my mind.
My disastrous first meeting with Ian Crichton, the day he suddenly proposed a contract marriage, and the long journey we had shared since then… those moments flickered by like a panorama.
Everything had ended well, and I should be relieved—but a strange sense of regret lingered. Just as my gaze followed the spreading crack, I noticed something—tiny text at the bottom of the contract.
“Wait, wait a second!”
I quickly raised my hand, and Ian flicked his finger to stop the crack from spreading further. Leaving his confused expression behind, I stepped closer to the contract to read the tiny line at the bottom.
One sentence, written in letters no bigger than a bean.
“If the contract is not fulfilled, Ian Crichton… will lose his life?!”
No sooner had I spoken than a sharp shing! rang out as the contract shattered into pieces and scattered into the air. I watched the glittering fragments disappear like glass shards… mesmerized. Or, no, not mesmerized.
This man—again!
“Ian?”
I called his name, syllable by syllable, staring him down. He simply smiled, as if he could brush everything off with charm.
Yes. I admit I fell for that smile, for that face. I own that. But this time? Not a chance.
“Your life? Are you seriously joking right now?”
Seeing that I wasn’t softening, Ian raised an eyebrow and tilted his head slightly.
“It’s a marriage contract. Isn’t that kind of risk the proof of sincerity?”
“If you were so proud of it, why didn’t you write it in bold like the other terms? Why hide it in tiny letters?”
“Because I knew you’d react like this?”
“And you still put it in the contract, knowing I’d be this pissed?”
I put my hands on my hips and leaned closer. Ian’s smile wavered ever so slightly. Lately, I’ve been seeing that expression on him more and more. Before I realized it, my gaze was drawn back to his face.
“…Will Riley, I only kept this life so I could stay by your side. So even if I used it as collateral for a contract, it wouldn’t be a waste.”
“…”
Now that I fully understood how he felt when he wrote this contract—what he meant by every part of it—I couldn’t scold him anymore. That unwavering devotion aimed solely at me for who knows how long… how could I push that away?
I didn’t know what to say, so I simply looked up at him. His expression relaxed, and his familiar, dazzling smile returned.
He’s always like this. He knows exactly where I’m weakest and aims straight for it.
…But maybe the real problem is that I keep falling for it, even knowing all that?
“The contract’s really gone, right?”
“Of course.”
“There’s no more talk of lives or anything like that?!”
“Obviously.”
As he answered, Ian gently took the hand I had placed on my hip and wrapped it in his.
Ugh, really. Can he be either annoying or sweet—not both?!
I keep telling myself I won’t let him get to me again… but I already know my resolve is paper-thin when it comes to Ian, and that annoys me even more.
“Shall we go, my wife?”
“I’m not your wife yet.”
“Soon-to-be wife.”
I might be annoyed, but the truth is… this moment isn’t so bad.
…Sigh. I’m completely under his spell.
“The world worships beauty. If you make a contract with me, I’ll give you the most dazzling beauty in the world. With a face as radiant as your soul, you’ll experience a bliss you’ve never known. Come, taste that sweetness with me.”
Too much sweetness makes you fat.
“Get away! Don’t listen to that guy! Don’t you want power? I can give you unimaginable authority. Everyone will kneel at your feet. Make a contract with me, and the power to move the world will be yours. Take my hand—now!”
Yeah, no thanks.
“You, whose soul shines brighter than jewels. If you entrust your soul to me, I’ll shower you with the gold, silver, and gems you’ve always dreamed of. How about opening a new world with me?”
Try bringing the jewels first before you talk.
These damn demons. It’s like they all attended some academy on how to tempt people. As if their handsome faces weren’t enough, now they’re speaking in my exact tastes?
But who am I? I’ve survived 25 years of constant demon harassment without giving in. I’m a woman of unshakable will!
Shoo, shoo! I reached inside my sleeve for the familiar bottle of scented oil and sprayed it toward them.
“Ack! That smell again!”
The demons grumbled and retreated, but I knew they’d be back soon enough. Honestly, their persistence almost deserves a compliment.
“Miss Riley, are you using that oil again? Wait—don’t tell me… are there demons here?”
Anna, my maid, paused while brushing my hair and darted her eyes around.
“They’re gone now.”
For now.
As I tucked the oil back into my sleeve pocket, Anna finally resumed brushing with a sigh of relief.
“Why must our sweet, kind lady suffer like this? The heavens are truly heartless.”
Agreed. What the hell did I do in my past life to deserve this?
I’ve been seeing demons since I was born.
As a child, I thought I was lucky to be surrounded by so many beautiful “siblings.” It wasn’t until much later that I realized those “people” weren’t people—they were demons.
When I told my mother, all she gave me was a cold warning to never speak of it to anyone. Her icy reaction left me no choice but to stay silent.
Eventually, I realized that demons negatively influenced my family, so I began ignoring them. But as I grew older and learned more about demons, I came to understand I couldn’t simply ignore them.
Demons feed on human life force to grow stronger. The ones following me were eating away at my lifespan.
‘These awful creatures!’
So I sought out shamans and exorcists, begging for help. But they only told me I was “too different.”
Still, I refused to give up. I tried every method rumored to work. But rather than disappearing, the demons stayed longer and grew bolder—almost like they were waiting for something.
Like… my death, perhaps.
I’ve managed to hold them off with various protective items, but I can feel I’m reaching my limit.
“Anna, can you bring me my notebook?”
Anna, who had just set the brush down, perked up.
“Yes, miss!”
She thudded a massive notebook down on the desk. “Notebook” was a generous term—it was more like a paper mountain.
[Exorcise the Demons! Defeat the Demons! Begone, Demons!]
I lovingly stroked the cover and slowly flipped through.
Start with the basics. Crosses and garlic.
Found a famous exorcist. Hire them immediately.
Physical fitness is key to demon expulsion. Daily training!
Write the demons’ names in red ink for 100 days. Not their true names, but it might work. Worth a try.
…“Gut” – a shamanic ritual from the East. Requires a shaman. Planning to visit the East.
“Ugh, the ‘gut’ ritual was so scary.”
Anna shuddered as I flipped to page 100.
This notebook documented the methods I discovered and tested over nine years. I cursed the demons so much, I wondered if I’d turn into one myself.
“Anna, if I die and become a demon…”
“Don’t even joke about that!!”
“No, I was just—”
“Don’t even think such thoughts!!”
…I was just going to joke about whether I’d be beautiful as a demon too.
“Anyway, let’s head down for dinner.”
I had been so caught up with my notebook that I didn’t realize it was time to eat.
I closed the notebook and headed down to the dining room. My whole family was already seated—along with a demon occupying my chair.
There’s a ritual for situations like this.
“I’m late. I’m sorry.”
First, I bowed to my father and stepmother.
Then, I pulled out my oil.
Sprayed the demon in my chair.
Waved my hands to shoo it away.
And finally, sat down. Ta-da.
“Our dear Riley must really love that fragrance.”
My family, clueless that I could see demons, probably just thought I was a bit eccentric.
“Hi, big brother.”
While taking my seat, I greeted Eric, who was staring at me again. As always, the brother who had appeared three years ago completely ignored my greeting.
“Eric, Riley greeted you.”
My stepmother Natasha scolded him, but…
“…”
As expected, he said nothing and looked away.
At first, I thought he was mute and felt sorry for him—until I overheard him shouting perfectly fine one day. The betrayal stung. Since then, I’ve been stubbornly greeting him every time we cross paths, but not once has he replied.
‘Maybe I’ll follow him around today and annoy him.’
“Riley, I’d really like you to attend the palace banquet this time.”
Father’s voice cut in, likely to distract me from Eric. If that was the goal—it worked. I hated banquets with a passion.
“Do I have to?”
“This one is hosted by the Empress herself. And more importantly, you’re of age…”
Natasha trailed off, clearly hesitant.
Ever since I debuted in society, I’ve been avoided like the plague. People say I give off a gloomy vibe. That’s not why I hate banquets, but my father and Natasha think so.
“We’ll even have a new dress made for you.”
“Yes, yes. It’s been so long since we had a proper banquet while you’re here.”
“…Okay.”
They were clearly not going to give up until I said yes, so I nodded.
“This is terrible. A banquet…”
Back in my room, Anna was already moping.
“How will you endure, miss? There’ll be so many demons.”
That’s the real reason I hate banquets. Why do demons love music and dancing so much?!
“Don’t worry. I’m not going.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yep. I’m going to be terribly sick that day.”
“Ah, then I should prepare to nurse you!”
It was a perfect plan—until…
“What?! The Grand Duke of Flower boma is coming to the banquet?!”
“You mean the Grand Duke from the Brookshell Empire?!”
I had only come to the dress shop as a formality, but suddenly everyone was buzzing about this “Flower boma.” Normally, I’d ignore it, but this time… I was curious.
Flower boma? What’s that?”
Unable to resist, I approached the gossiping young ladies.
“Oh my, Lady Riley, you don’t know the Flower boma Grand Duke?”
Why are they acting like I should know? I really don’t!
When I stared at them with a clear “I have no idea” expression, one of the girls suddenly looked terrified.
“W-Well, I suppose not everyone would know. Hehehe…”
So who is he? I looked at them again, clearly expecting an answer. They looked pale.
“He’s a Grand Mage… more beautiful than flowers, more dazzling than jewels.”
A Grand Mage?! That explained why I had been feeling off all day.
I threw away the waiting number for my dress fitting and dashed back home.
“Miss! What’s going on?!”
Anna was in a panic as I sat down at my desk.
“Found it!”
The one page in Exorcise the Demons! that didn’t say failure:
Ask a Grand Mage for help? …But how?
It wasn’t exactly a success, but it wasn’t a failure either. For someone like me—a demon-magnet baron’s daughter—meeting a Grand Mage was as likely as plucking a star from the sky.
Especially here in the Pollet Empire, which boasts military might but lacks magic. There weren’t even normal mages, let alone Grand Mages. And going to another empire was dangerous—a foreign Grand Mage would never meet with me, and I’d probably be thrown in prison for even trying.
This might be the only chance in my entire life to meet one.
So I absolutely must make that so-called Flower boma Duke mine!
