Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 112
“So it’s not because of the difference in status.”
He left the comment hanging, making sure Maya understood that his formal attitude wasn’t due to her rank.
Now all that’s left is to wait for the answer to be reached.
“Understood.”
At Tristan’s unusually serious demeanor, Maya couldn’t help but nod firmly, the grip on her hand a bit tighter.
Her heart pounded at his lower-than-usual voice. She subtly lowered her head, hoping he wouldn’t notice the difference in her expression.
“Shall we sleep now?”
The moment Maya tried to stand up abruptly, Tristan tightened his grip on the hand he was holding.
There was still something he needed to say.
Maya’s ears flushed red.
Though it was the usual contact, the steady, lingering press of his hand felt different this time.
The atmosphere was the same—heavy and pressing, sending shivers through Maya’s body.
“When you’ve found your answer, if you can give me the same answer in return…”
Fortunately, Tristan was too focused on expressing himself to notice Maya’s current state.
“I’d like to hear your side.”
He wanted to know more about Maya.
At his words, Maya froze.
She had expected that he would ask someday, as she hadn’t hidden the truth.
She had even thought about wanting to tell him eventually.
But she never imagined Tristan would create the opportunity like this.
“I will do so.”
Maya nodded earnestly.
“Shall we sleep now?”
The two of them lay down together.
As Maya recalled her conversation with Tristan, determination flared within her.
‘I need to observe him carefully.’
There was still a faint sense of guilt about continuing to hide her past.
After all, the Tristan of this life knew only the Maya of the present, who had committed no sins.
Maya tightly held Tristan’s hand, which seemed to belong to someone already asleep.
Her heart began to race again.
Every moment spent with Tristan felt precious.
‘I like that you trust me.’
With the memories of her time with Tristan today, Maya felt she could endure even her meeting with Reserfield tomorrow.
‘So, the rebellion is finally beginning.’
She hadn’t expected the moment of the Emperor’s downfall to come so quickly. No, perhaps it had come sooner because of her presence.
Still, she felt reassured that Tristan ascending the throne would remain the same as in the future.
‘He’s the most fitting person for the role of ruler that I’ve ever known.’
Ah, she thought, next time, I should casually ask if I can handle cutting Reserfield’s throat myself.
She didn’t desire a grand vengeance against Reserfield.
It wasn’t worth wasting much of her time on him.
However, she did want to orchestrate his end.
She wanted him to hate her even in death.
***
The journey into the palace was swift, and every servant and maid they encountered on the way to the drawing room to meet Reserfield was impeccably polite.
Just as they had been until Maya swore absolute loyalty to Reserfield, and until he came to believe in that loyalty.
“You’re here.”
Reserfield greeted Maya with a bright smile. The smile on his face was fake.
A man who could appear charming enough when he wanted something.
In front of him, Maya maintained a blank expression.
Her usual face, which often betrayed all her emotions, was different today.
Because the person before her was her mortal enemy.
“I heard you vanished suddenly during the banquet. It surprised me. So, were those who pursued you able to catch the culprit?”
“I apologize, Your Majesty. It was someone whose skills were far beyond what I could handle.”
“Ah, so there was someone. And that wasn’t you, was it?”
“Of course not. I’m not skilled enough to pull something like that off.”
“Hmm, in that case, there’s something I’d like you to do. I hold your lineage as a member of the Pendragon family in high regard.”
Naturally, Reserfield had no intention of letting things go smoothly.
From the conversation at the previous banquet, he had realized that Maya Pendragon was someone confident in her own skills.
“I’d like you to spar with the Captain of the Imperial Order.”
It wasn’t a request or a suggestion—it was a command.
Words could lie, but those who wielded swords couldn’t afford to lose to someone beneath their skill.
And the bloodline of the Pendragon family, no less?
“I didn’t question why you disappeared, so consider this a fair trade.”
If she won, he planned to reward her with the honorary position of Knight Captain.
If she lost, he would suggest training and make her visit the palace regularly.
Either way, Reserfield had nothing to lose.
For Maya, there were no choices presented.
She sipped the tea in front of her.
Even in Reserfield’s presence, the tea tasted good.
Thinking of Tristan, Maya nodded her head.
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
