Dear Contract Husband, I Didn't Know You Were Like This? - Chapter 9
‘I’ve got to move quickly.’
Maya needed to utilize the current situation to her advantage.
‘He might have just chosen me on a whim.’
Like when she had sworn loyalty to the Emperor before the regression.
Not knowing the exact nature of Grand Duke Tristan’s curse, she had to proceed with caution.
There were many flaws in her plan, and it did seem reckless.
Nevertheless, the Northern territory had an appeal strong enough to embrace all these uncertainties.
From being out of the public eye to encountering monsters, it was the perfect environment for a swordmaster to awaken without drawing attention.
And that’s not all.
The rare ores dropped by monsters in the North could provide for her retirement.
‘Monsters are quite common in the North.’
It was the ideal place to prepare for a comfortable life without catching the Emperor’s eye.
‘…If I gain his trust, he might help me when the calamity comes.’
Tristan was the leader of the revolution that would eventually dethrone the Emperor.
Close to the future Emperor, she could build trust and ask for help in the event a year later.
‘…I won’t return as the captain of the Imperial Guard.’
That was regrettable.
Though the Emperor was despicable, Maya had loved being a knight captain.
She liked the neat uniform and was proud of her status, earned through her swordsmanship.
‘It’s all in the past now.’
After having bloodied her hands, she wasn’t shameless enough to covet that position again.
However, she couldn’t help feeling bitter.
Maya bit her lip and headed to the guild building, where she could send a message using a magic device.
It would allow her to send a letter in an instant.
‘This opportunity is too rare to take lightly.’
She needed to confirm whether the curse was real and whether the Grand Duke truly needed her.
The exchange had to be mutually beneficial for her to feel secure.
She kept the contents of her letter concise.
I am Maya, who has been stripped of the Pendragon name, left with nothing but my first name. I would like to speak with you. Could you send someone to escort me to you? ]
Would he really respond to such an impudent request?
‘I want to see if you’re desperate enough to tolerate such rudeness.’
Maya was equally desperate about this new chance at life she had regained.
She spent every last coin in her pocket to send her words to the Grand Duke’s household.
The next day, a guild member knocked on her door, delivering a response.
It was an unusual reply.
I have received your letter.
He started off politely.
And quickly got to the point.
And that’s not all.
The North is rich in resources, promising a comfortable life for the Lady of the House.
I assure you there will be no lack in our cohabitation.
The letter was strangely baffling.
Despite talking about marriage, Maya felt like she was hearing about employee benefits.
I will do my best to fulfill whatever you wish during this time. If you wish to leave afterwards, that’s fine too.
The gold coins that came with the letter were too much to refuse.
And he specified a duration of six months.
Perfect manners and faultless conditions.
To Maya, Tristan’s offer was too perfect.
Maya pondered on his appearance.
‘I don’t think he lied about his age in the proposal.’
This confirmed two things:
First, despite her impudent letter, Tristan needed her badly enough to propose.
‘Although I wonder why it has to be marriage.’
As long as they just maintain the façade of it.
Second, Tristan was indeed cursed.
A curse on the Grand Duke’s family was a complete unknown. It could even have given the Emperor something to exploit.
Not appearing in public might also be due to the curse.
Given the circumstances, it was likely related to ‘age’.
Whether the age of twenty-five mentioned in his letter was real, or the appearance of Tristan she saw before regression, wasn’t clear.
‘I’ll discuss my terms when I get there.’
He probably wouldn’t refuse her requests to hunt monsters in the North or to become his contract partner.
It’s an additional resolution while following his contract terms and actually beneficial for him.
‘Tristan stood up to protect the people only six months later.’
Helping with the monster problem won’t be a bad deal for Tristan.
