Chapter 6
Just as expected, even though the distance from the dormitory to the training grounds was quite far, Emily returned surprisingly fast.
Her face was flushed, breathing hard as if she had really run all the way.
Noah frowned slightly when he saw her.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m more worried about you, senior! Let me see.”
“No, it’s really just a scratch.”
“Sss.”
Noah felt awkward as Emily fussed over what was barely a small wound, but she glared at him and stopped him from moving.
Her behavior reminded him of someone scolding a disobedient child, and Noah let out a small laugh.
Then Emily’s hand brushed against him.
“What, what are you doing?”
“Hold still. It’ll be over soon.”
As she carefully examined the wound and lightly brushed over it, Noah flinched.
Her long eyelashes dipped slightly as she looked down, her clear blue eyes focused.
The faint sound of her breathing so close made everything feel ticklish.
For a moment, Noah just stared blankly at her, almost entranced, before snapping back to his senses and stiffening.
What am I doing?
Feeling like he was being drawn into Emily’s pace, Noah flushed and pushed her hand away.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“What do you think? Treating you, obviously.”
Clicking her tongue, Emily reached out again and grabbed Noah’s face.
“You really…”
“Mm. Looks like it worked.”
What do you mean, it worked?
Noah glared at Emily, who smiled in satisfaction without a care, then noticed the small transparent vial in her hand.
“What’s that?”
“What else? Elixir. It’s the medicine I put on your face.”
Noah’s eyes widened as he saw the shimmering liquid.
“What did you just say?”
“Elixir.”
Her head tilted slightly, as if wondering what was wrong, but Noah’s face turned pale.
When he touched his cheek, the skin was smooth, as though the wound had never existed.
“How is it? Expensive, sure, but the effect is great.”
Emily hummed proudly, but Noah’s expression twisted in disbelief.
“Are you insane?”
Elixir.
A miraculous drug said to contain divine power itself.
It was rumored to heal any wound, any illness, no matter how severe.
Because only a handful of high-ranking priests could produce it, its price exceeded a commoner’s living expenses for half a year.
And she had just used such a precious thing… for this tiny scratch?
Even as Noah stared at her in disbelief, Emily just shrugged as if it was no big deal.
“So what? Medicine’s meant to be used on wounds. Besides, it’d be far worse if your face scarred.”
“What?”
Noah gawked, speechless.
“A scar on your face, Noah—now that would be a national loss. If an elixir can prevent that, I’d say it’s a blessing.”
Emily smiled brightly.
“Don’t you agree?”
“…I don’t even know what to say.”
Noah just stared at her, then suddenly burst into laughter.
“Senior?”
Did he hit his head harder than I thought?
As Emily frowned and looked at the vial, wondering if she should make him drink the rest, Noah wiped a tear from his eye and smiled gently.
“Let’s make a deal.”
“What?”
Emily blinked in confusion, then her face brightened.
“You mean what I think you mean?”
“You’re saying we should date, right?”
“It’ll be a relationship by contract, but yeah.”
“And we’ll get married too, right?”
“That’s something I’ll have to bring up myself.”
If it’s not marriage, there’s nothing in it for me.
As soon as Noah muttered that, Emily threw her arms around him.
“Yes! The world’s most handsome man is mine now!”
Startled, Noah pushed her away.
“Get off, idiot.”
“Why? We’re dating now!”
Well, technically.
Noah awkwardly pulled back his hand.
“I just finished sword training. I probably smell like sweat.”
“Hmm, not really. You actually smell kind of like vanilla. It’s nice.”
His natural scent, maybe?
Even his body smells good.
Noah sighed as Emily sniffed near his neck with a bright smile.
This girl, really…
Emily stayed close to him for a long time until their next class was about to start.
Even then, she looked at him longingly before finally stepping back.
“Take it easy.”
“What did I even do?”
Noah didn’t answer and rubbed the back of his neck silently, looking slightly flustered.
Emily grinned.
“By the way, senior.”
“What?”
“I mean, I’m happy, but why did you suddenly change your mind? Was it because of the elixir?”
That’s the only one I have left… maybe two bottles total.
Emily frowned in worry, wondering if she’d have to sell her jewels, but Noah shook his head.
“I’m not some peddler. Keep it.”
Of course, if you gave it, I wouldn’t say no.
He chuckled lightly.
“Then what is it? Did something happen?”
Emily clapped her hands suddenly.
“Oh, I get it! You were moved by my kindness, right?”
Noah flicked her forehead.
“Don’t get cocky.”
“Ow! Then what is it?”
Rubbing her forehead, Emily glared up at him.
“I just realized you’re genuinely obsessed with looks.”
“What? I told you that from the start.”
Yeah, you did.
Noah smirked.
That was the truth, but the reason he realized it now was, ironically, the elixir.
Elixir, really… what nonsense.
He shook his head.
Anyone willing to spend that much money couldn’t possibly be joking.
Even if she had ulterior motives, there was nothing she could gain from him worth that price.
So he had no choice but to believe she was sincere.
“It can’t be helped. A noble chasing status through beauty—it’s suspicious, you know.”
“Then we should write a contract.”
Noah stroked his chin.
“That’s not a bad idea.”
“Want to write it now?”
Emily pulled out paper and a pen, her eyes shining.
Noah gave her a half-lidded look.
“Fast, aren’t you?”
“Well, if you suddenly change your mind and ghost me, that’d be a problem!”
“As long as you keep your title and wealth as a count’s daughter, that won’t happen.”
“Still, you never know what could happen.”
She clenched her fist with determination.
Noah thought it wasn’t a bad idea either.
Her sudden change of heart would be just as bad for his career.
“I don’t think I’ll ever stop being obsessed with your face anyway.”
Despite her confident tone, she still looked excited.
They decided to meet again that afternoon to write the contract, though Emily spent the time anxiously tapping her pen, afraid Noah might change his mind.
When they finally wrote it, the main terms were as follows:
1. Emily Blair maintains her status as a count’s daughter.
2. Emily Blair pays Noah Collins 100 gold per month.
3. Noah Collins must pass a monthly appearance test conducted by Emily Blair.
4. If all terms are met, within three months of Emily Blair reaching adulthood, the two will become engaged.
5. Within one year of engagement, Emily Blair and Noah Collins will marry.
6. If either party breaks the contract for reasons outside the listed terms, they must accept one demand from the other, without refusal.
There were smaller clauses about physical affection and other relationships, but those were the main ones.
Noah clicked his tongue at the detailed writing filling the page.
“What’s this about a monthly appearance test?”
“If you suddenly get a big scar, that’d be a problem. The contract is based on your face.”
It was harsh but fair, so Noah stayed quiet.
“And what’s this about paying you 100 gold every month? I barely have enough left to buy jewels…”
Noah shrugged.
“It’s just to make sure you stay rich. If you can’t pay 100 gold a month, that’d be a problem.”
I’m in this for money and power too.
Emily sighed, accepting it.
“Fine. I’ll do it. I might miss buying jewels, though…”
Then she smiled up at him.
“But I guess I’ve already got the most dazzling thing in the world.”
Maybe I really should take better care of my looks.
Feeling awkward, Noah rubbed his cheek and signed the paper.
“Then, I look forward to it, future wife.”
“And I look forward to it too, future husband.”
They smiled warmly at each other.
