Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 110
“…Though I do have something, it’s not enough to make him step down from his position as Count.”
“I do,” Tristan said plainly, intertwining Serene’s situation with Doshen’s revenge and Count Baker’s downfall.
“You do?”
“Tristan, you have information?”
Both Serene and Maya were astonished. He had only recently returned to the capital—how could he already possess such information?
‘In the past, Tristan was always surrounded by talented people.’
Was it connected to the current circumstances, perhaps?
“If we draw up a contract for mutual assurance, I’ll lay out the plan for you. I can’t reveal everything now, but I swear that there’s not a shred of falsehood in my words.”
When neither side knows the full extent of the other’s intentions, a contract becomes a safeguard.
Even without a pledge, Serene had few options left. Despite holding the upper hand, the Grand Duke spoke in a way that made Serene feel they were on equal footing.
“Understood.”
After Serene’s brief reply, Tristan signed the contract, exchanging a copy with her before standing up—signaling that their business was concluded.
“How will you return?”
“I’ll take her back, just as I brought her here.”
‘Is Tristan interested in her?’
Even his tone sounded different, more detached than when he spoke with Maya. Not that she minded—who would want to witness affectionate glances between the person they liked and another woman?
‘Could he be distant because he truly likes her?’
Some people did grow stiff when they stood in front of someone they liked.
Thinking it over, Maya decided.
Why not just straight-up ask him?
‘I’ll ask Tristan later if he’s interested in Serene.’
It wasn’t a question she’d feel embarrassed asking. If he wasn’t interested, all the better.
But if he was, well, then she’d help however she could.
Feeling more at ease, Maya picked up Serene again and headed back to the Baker estate.
The darkness surrounding the mansion made slipping in even easier than it had been during the day. Placing Serene back in her room, Maya held her hand tightly, hoping to pass on a bit of courage.
“I support you.”
She didn’t feel inclined to call her ‘Lady Baker’.
“Please call me Serene,” she replied, seemingly not wanting Maya to use formalities either.
“Then, please call me Maya.”
Maya replied with a smile.
Perhaps, in this lifetime, she could make more friends—friends who resembled her in many ways.
***
After washing up and returning to her room, Maya noticed a letter from Kendrick on the table. Likely brought in by Doshen, it was neatly placed on the tabletop.
Sitting at her desk, Maya opened the envelope with a knife.
「Maya, I’ll come to see you in three days.」
The letter was shorter than usual. There was no typical greeting or exchange of daily updates—it was nothing like the letters where Kendrick would share his worries and thoughts.
‘Did something happen?’
The unusual brevity of the letter bothered her, but she would be seeing him in three days anyway. If anything seemed off, she could address it then.
‘No need to overthink things.’
Perhaps he was simply being considerate, knowing she was now married, even if it was only a contract.
‘I should talk to Tristan and get some rest.’
She needed to prepare herself mentally for the following day’s audience with Reserfield. To face him, she’d need every ounce of composure.
“Thank you for taking her in so graciously,” she said, grateful for his hospitality toward Serene.
“Since you brought her, I couldn’t just send her away.”
Maya chuckled.
“Thanks to you, I was able to make a decent impression in front of our guest. She said the food was delicious, too.”
Talking about her time with Serene seemed to make Maya genuinely happy.
‘…I may not enjoy seeing her with others, but…’
Tristan knew he couldn’t keep Maya isolated forever. Actually, no—he rephrased his thought. He would like to, but even he understood how unhinged that would be.
Tristan nodded thoughtfully, paying close attention to Maya’s expressions and voice.
“I have something I’m curious about, Tristan.”
He had almost been nodding absentmindedly when she caught him off guard.
“Are you interested in Serene Baker?”
Why did that name have to come up now?
