Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 18
It was the first time she had heard him speak so informally.
‘Good.’
That one word, filled with genuine praise, resonated with her more than when she had said his name.
It was astonishing how simple it was to receive praise, something seldom heard even in her swordsmanship.
Good.
She wanted more of that praise.
“Please compliment me once more.”
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Tristan gazed at her intently.
“Then you’ll have to say my name again.”
He responded nonchalantly.
“Tristan.”
This time, saying his name felt easier.
“That’s great.”
“…Yes.”
Her heart fluttered at the praise, and Maya grinned broadly.
It felt like a long-standing wish had been fulfilled.
Tristan watched her smiling like a child who had received a desired gift, much like the moment Maya had gazed intently at him.
Of course, afterward, the way she addressed him went back to ‘Your Excellency’ again, much to Tristan’s disappointment.
***
After Maya left, it wasn’t long before Tristan reverted to his boyish form.
‘At least I was myself while we talked. That’s fortunate.’
The clothes that had fit perfectly now hung loosely on him.
Even as a boy, his physique wasn’t poor, but age made a stark difference.
Looking at his now oversized shirt, Tristan pondered over the times he had transformed.
He remembered holding hands with Maya earlier.
It seemed he had stayed in his true form longer than expected.
Whether it was a coincidence or Maya had some influence, he couldn’t tell, but it wasn’t a bad start.
“…”
Tristan clutched the contract, thinking of Maya smiling as she received his praise.
Her neatly written name resembled her in some way.
One side of his lips went up slightly as he stored the contract in the safe.
Just then, Robert entered the room, holding clothes for Tristan to change into. Robert was one of the few who knew of Tristan’s current situation.
“Did you finish the conversation well?”
“Yes.”
“Alec has returned.”
“That’s sooner than expected.”
“It seems he had difficulty locating the monster. He plans to reorganize and head out again.”
Alec was the commander of the Grand Duchy’s Knights. A skilled swordsman, he grew up alongside Tristan and was a close friend.
It was the first time Alec failed to deal with a monster promptly.
‘Was he tired?’
Or perhaps he wasn’t in good condition.
Or, he might have hurried back because he disapproved of Tristan’s contract marriage.
Alec had been against this plan from the beginning.
‘He’ll be wary of Maya.’
Given his apparent dislike for the Pendragon family, he might show some hostility.
But contrary to that, Tristan wasn’t worried.
Somehow, he felt Maya Pendragon would handle it effortlessly.
Unaware of his own expression, a smile crept onto Tristan’s face, only noticed by Robert, who smiled knowingly.
“Is the gift ready?”
“Yes, tonight’s banquet will feature her favorite foods.”
Robert spoke with solemnity.
Despite being here for a contract relationship, Maya Pendragon would be the Lady of House Bayarden for the time being.
It was Robert’s duty to ensure she received the treatment befitting a noble household’s madam, especially since this was her first meal without Tristan.
He had made every effort to learn about Maya’s culinary preferences.
“She particularly enjoys meat. In a week, I plan to ask Jacques to prepare a top-grade steak with the beef that’s being brought in.”
It was for Maya’s upcoming birthday.
“Good.”
Tristan thought of Maya’s reaction to her meal and smiled faintly.
Robert, noticing this, widened his eyes.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Your Excellency’s smile.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it must be the thought of breaking the curse that makes you happy.”
Robert seemed to tear up a bit.
‘Is that all there is to it?’
However, Tristan hastily dismissed the thought that had sprung to mind.
Maya Pendragon held no feelings for him.
Right. She had already spoken of divorce before anything even started.
She even advised him to find someone better.
Given how readily she brought up divorce, her resolve seemed firm.
‘Perhaps she harbors feelings for someone else.’
But this was not his concern.
As someone reliant on Maya’s help, respecting her wishes was the right thing to do.
So, they would break the curse and then divorce cleanly.
That was all there needed to be between them.
