Chapter 34
I couldn’t believe he would ask such a question.
Rainen stared at me quietly as I froze, feeling exposed.
"...You knew what would happen at the banquet."
I unfolded the fan I was holding and covered my mouth. My bewilderment gradually settled.
I was startled, but it's fine.
When I went to find the silver-haired man, I’d guessed he might suspect me for appearing at the perfect time with the necessary items.
So I’d already prepared an excuse.
"Do you remember when the magic tools went berserk?"
"You mean when the magical beasts in the gladiator arena rampaged simultaneously? That was due to the magic tools."
"Right. I knew something like that would happen. Because—"
I snapped the fan shut.
A smile bloomed on my now-uncovered lips.
"I’ve been searching for leverage to sabotage Dietrich’s marriage."
"...So that’s why you went to the Sack District?"
"Exactly. I noticed Dietrich’s shady dealings and thought they’d make perfect ammunition. After meeting the merchant, I confirmed my suspicions."
"You predicted the banquet incident too?"
"Yes."
Rainen’s gaze sharpened. His suspicion grew blatant.
"Speak rationally. How did you obtain such intel without connections?"
Ugh.
"They’re highly organized and dangerous—not easy targets. It took me considerable time too."
"......"
"And yet you uncovered this alone? Behind Baron Rothen’s back?"
Rainen clearly didn’t believe me.
If I said I’d pieced it together from a game called My Little Noah, he’d think me insane.
No choice now.
Time to deploy Calyphe’s signature move.
Combo 1: Fault-finding!
I scrunched my brows and glared, oozing the aura of a petty troublemaker.
"You managed it, so why can’t I? Are you calling me inferior? That I’m naturally lesser? Is this your chivalry?"
"...That’s not what I meant."
Combo 2: Digging in!
"I handled it alone! Dietrich got drunk and spilled secrets. That look—you doubt me? Got proof otherwise? Must everything be evidence-based with you cold-hearted types?"
"...It’s not like that."
"I came to the banquet clutching magic tools instead of straws to break Dietrich’s engagement. Then I saw you and changed plans."
Finisher: Topic shift!
"You of all people should recognize my ability’s worth! The one that saved your life!"
Rainen’s eyes widened. "So it is an ability. Does it infuse mana into others?"
"More like whipping someone into proper shape."
Though my ability was meant to stay secret, sometimes disclosure was necessary—especially when needing trust.
"Don’t ask how a mana-incompatible person awakened this. I don’t know either."
"......"
Rainen fell silent. My triple-combo had succeeded, temporarily shelving his doubts.
Masking my nerves, I pressed, "Why hesitate? You wanted to cure your mana thirst."
"Do you truly believe you can solve this?"
"Try my hands first before judging."
"......"
His exasperated look returned. Eventually, he massaged his brow and voiced his concern:
"There’s a critical flaw."
"Flaw...?"
"As you’ve seen, my mana thirst triggers when overusing aura."
I fanned my flushed face, recalling him clinging to me earlier.
"R-right."
"Mana thirst is like holes in one’s mana vessel. They cause excessive mana loss. The vessel naturally tries to repair itself."
This could be compared to mending a cracked clay pot.
Without external materials, you’d scrape clay from nearby areas to patch holes.
"...So the vessel shrinks each time. Lowering the threshold for mana thirst episodes."
"Correct. This cycle repeats."
Rainen’s gaze remained sharp but tinged with resignation.
"Your ability’s effect is too negligible. It can’t outpace the deterioration."
Ah—the 0.01% gain was the issue.
Still...
"Pfft. And here I thought it was serious."
"Do you understand? Your momentary ability is useless—"
"Then why waffle?"
The solution was obvious.
I seized Rainen’s hand and yanked him closer.
"If brief contact isn’t enough, we’ll stick together permanently."
"......!"
"Forgotten? We’re entering a lovers’ contract. Lovers staying attached all day raise no eyebrows—it’s separation that’s odd."
"...With you. All day."
"...Every day."
We both paled. Steeling myself, I declared,
"Prioritize what matters, Rainen. Your mana."
"......"
"I’ll take responsibility."
"......"
He stared intently before suddenly pulling me closer with our linked hands.
His mouth quirked sardonic.
"Frankly, I doubt your acting skills as lovers."
"Ha! What’s so hard about it, darling?"
"......"
"......"
Ugh.
We gagged in unison.
"Warn before attacking, damn it!"
"Did you just curse? Gag."
"Who’s gagging here? Retch."
Agony. Truly a self-inflicted disaster.
Regardless, our deal was sealed.
"We need a contract."
Of course, my ability and his mana thirst remained confidential.
Rainen produced familiar contract parchment. We specified secrets, responsibilities, and signatures.
"Seal."
At his command, magical runes etched into the scroll before it self-rolled and tied shut—an enchanted contract for unverified agreements.
Taking our copies, I warned,
"Don’t forget, Rainen."
"What?"
"We’re now ‘lovers who’ve secretly met for three years.’ If exposed, our half-year contract crumbles. Master the details—like titles."
"You can’t mean... that word from earlier?"
"Ha! What’s so hard about it, darling?"
Our eyes twitched in shared nausea.
"L-let’s consult others."
"Others?"
"My maid and your aide. They should be informed."
Hiding secrets from constant companions would be exhausting. Better to recruit them.
Rainen agreed. Soon, my burly maid and Raoul entered. Noah slept exhausted in the guest room after crying.
After explaining our contract:
"My lady! Oh heavens! I—I can’t—!" The maid vibrated with glee.
"My poor lord! This empire’s witch dares target our innocent master!" Raul shredded a handkerchief, glaring like a betrayed mother-in-law.
Rainen maintained his stoicism but seemed faintly mortified.
"Silence, Raul."
"She’s exploiting his inexperience! Our lord’s never held a woman’s hand! If she thinks his virginity makes him easy prey—"
"...Raul. Enough."
Rainen gritted his teeth.
