Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 115
The skill that had initially overwhelmed Graham soon began to reveal gaps.
However, this didn’t last long.
It appeared as though the first two matches were merely a matter of luck.
‘What would the daughter of the Pendragon family even know?’
There was no way the daughter of a gambler who ruined his life had seen through his intentions and acted accordingly.
The first two victories were nothing more than coincidences.
…Coincidences that warranted further scrutiny.
“I have high hopes for the Pendragon daughter. It would be best if you regularly visit the palace to train with the Captain of the Knights.”
At Reserfield’s suggestion, Maya’s eyes glinted.
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
It was a perfect opportunity to legally beat up Graham.
Upon hearing Maya’s response, Graham’s face turned pale.
‘Your Majesty, no matter how poorly I handled the recent monster crisis…!’
He wondered if this training session was punishment for his failure to deal with the monsters.
“Ugh…”
While Graham swallowed his bitterness, Maya calmly set the wooden sword back in its place.
“There’s one last thing I need to show you.”
Just when Maya thought the session was over, it seemed there was still more to be said.
She tilted her head curiously but silently followed Reserfield.
Reserfield pulled out a magic orb and activated it, projecting an image onto the wall.
“This is the face of the person who unlawfully infiltrated the Imperial Library.”
…If it was about the intruder, it had to mean Tristan.
‘Did Tristan get caught on a recording device?’
He probably didn’t realize there was a magical device in place.
‘I can’t let anything slip.’
As she had managed so far, she told herself to keep her emotions in check. Maya mentally repeated the mantra, but whether she could completely conceal her reaction was uncertain.
When it came to Tristan, things rarely went as planned.
‘I can do this.’
Resolving herself, Maya stared firmly at the screen.
‘…What?’
But the face that appeared on the screen belonged to someone she didn’t recognize at all.
“Do you know this person?”
“No, I don’t.”
There was no need to lie—the face of the so-called intruder was someone she truly didn’t know.
She could confidently state,
“This is what the face of someone I haven’t seen looks like. It’ll make tracking him down easier later.”
She even added this shameless remark with ease.
It was a relief that it wasn’t Tristan’s face, but the discrepancy was puzzling.
Why wasn’t it him?
“Why did you pursue him so desperately?”
First, Maya needed to answer Reserfield.
“My initial thought was to capture the intruder. Besides, he was an extraordinary individual. I wanted to ask how he had reached such a level of skill.”
Dressing up her actions like this made her feel a bit embarrassed, but it wasn’t untrue.
It was also the type of answer that aligned with Reserfield’s perception of Maya Pendragon.
“I want to grow stronger.”
Perhaps her response satisfied him.
‘That should ease his suspicions.’
Whether it was because of her words or not, a smile appeared on Reserfield’s lips—a detestable one.
“I admire your passion. I’d like to see you often from now on, Pendragon.”
Maya responded with a gentle smile.
“Please call me Bayarden.”
“…Very well, Grand Duchess Bayarden.”
Reserfield corrected himself with a twisted grin.
“But it doesn’t seem like things are going too well between you two.”
At his comment, Maya’s eyebrow twitched. What did he know?!
‘Tristan and I couldn’t be better.’
How could someone who had never had anyone they cared about dare to comment on her relationship?
Maya grumbled inwardly.
Of course, if she opened her mouth, she would probably immediately correct him, so she kept it shut.
It was unusually difficult to hold back.
Reserfield moved closer to Maya.
“I find you intriguing.”
His red hair and snake-like green eyes sparkled as they fixed on her.
“In more ways than one.”
Maya didn’t flaunt her abilities, but she had caught his interest.
Was he some sort of twisted pervert drawn to those who defied him?
“I’m not the extraordinary person you think I am. However, I am honored by Your Majesty’s words.”
“That’s for me to decide.”
Reserfield placed a hand on Maya’s shoulder and patted it.
Where did he think he was putting that filthy hand?
Maya gripped Reserfield’s hand tightly and pulled it away.
“I am married. I’m concerned this kind of contact might cause misunderstandings, Your Majesty.”
“Ah… yes, of course.”
Reserfield’s tone slowed.
She had squeezed hard enough that at least one of his fingers was likely broken.
