Chapter 2: The Villainess Contract

“A villainess…”

Lyra tried the foreign word on her tongue. Though she knew its meaning, it didn’t come easily to her lips. Since even she knew it wasn’t a word that suited her, she naturally felt reluctant despite the magnificent conditions the man had offered.

Perhaps it was because he was someone who had so much. His gaze that had boldly demanded her seemed to still be before her eyes. Lyra quietly stared at the door through which he had left.

“Your task is simple. Just help me separate one woman from my side.”

“…A woman?”

“Yes. Have you heard of Davira Claudia?”

“…No.”

“I didn’t expect anyone not to know her. Hmm, that’s rather refreshing. You must have lived quite isolated?”

“…”

“Oh dear, I didn’t mean to criticize. No need to be so timid.”

“…Yes.”

“Good. Anyway, you don’t need to do anything special, so you can rest easy about that. Your mere existence will make you a villainess.”

The man who had smiled throughout. Unlike her, he showed not a hint of anxiety.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself. Kaylon Blaske of House Lianton. This is my proof and the name you should trust. I can also guarantee I have as much land and wealth as the Count, enough to live quite comfortably. Of course, I’m willing to pay you accordingly when our contract expires.”

“…”

“Ah, it seems you’ve heard of my name. That should make our conversation easier.”

“…”

“How much do you want?”

“…Pardon?”

“Your price.”

“…”

“Shouldn’t you demand fair compensation for the deal?”

“That’s…”

“Do you need time? It would be troublesome for me if the decision is delayed… Let’s meet again in an hour.”

The conversation she’d been swept into. The man seemed to have no doubt she would accept his proposal.

No, perhaps it was natural. A bitter smile appeared on Lyra’s lips.

‘I have… nowhere to go…’

The life she’d built until now had been utterly worthless. The man must have seen through her life at a glance.

Lyra fidgeted with her torn sleeve. Its appearance, looking as if it would burst apart at the seams with the slightest pressure, seemed no different from herself.

‘Would it be alright… to take his hand…’

Even though he had revealed his grand status, she couldn’t readily bring herself to agree. After all, he was just like Count Almar, wanting to buy her.

But unlike Sabrina, he didn’t seem to be hiding his true intentions or trying to deceive her. That much confidence was clearly visible in his eyes.

“I don’t know.”

Her sighing voice echoed softly in the quiet room. Lyra buried her face in her hands, letting the time tick away.

* * *

“Vane.”

Having descended to the first floor, Kaylon called out to his subordinate who was talking with colleagues.

“You called, sir?”

As Vane rushed over and stood before him, Kaylon asked quietly.

“Any word from Ulan?”

“Yes. The courier disappeared without a trace near the upper reaches of the Ondus River. The current is too strong there to even launch boats, he says. They checked nearby houses too, but couldn’t find any traces. Should we withdraw?”

It was a report about Ghost’s subordinates who had been handling the virgin delivery. Vane waited for an answer while watching Kaylon, whose expression was difficult to read.

“No, tell Ulan to add more men. Discreetly investigate every household near where the river flows.”

“Even though there’s no evidence of them taking a boat?”

“We can’t make hasty judgments unless something’s confirmed as fact. For now, trace movement patterns along the river and report any peculiarities.”

“Yes, sir.”

Having responded crisply, Vane quietly took his place beside Kaylon, who was pulling out a chair to sit. He glanced up at the second floor before asking what was on his mind.

“By the way, sir. Is that woman also Ghost’s target?”

It was natural to be curious, given that the Duke, who had said he would stay behind at the Count’s mansion to observe the situation, had suddenly brought back a pretty young lady.

“Perhaps.”

Kaylon replied lightly while pouring rum into the glass on the table. Soon the sweet, high-proof cheap liquid slid down his throat.

He frowned unconsciously. More than the taste of the cheap rum, it was the image of the woman who looked ready to fall apart that flashed through his mind.

His previous confidence cooled quickly. Self-reproach for being too hasty also belatedly swept over him. Kaylon took another drink of rum.

Though he didn’t regret proposing the deal to the woman, he somehow felt uneasy about it.

“So what will you do?”

“About what?”

“About that woman, sir. Do you plan to keep hiding her?”

Vane seemed to have already done some mental calculations. It was natural, in a way, since his superior wasn’t the kind of person to readily do something without benefit.

Kaylon calmly replied while pretending not to notice Vane’s rather serious gaze.

“Well. We’ll know soon enough.”

The choice had passed to the woman. Whether she took his hand or not, now all he had to do was wait.

Though he hoped more for the deal to go through, Kaylon’s face showed not a trace of concern. He skillfully hid his emotions while checking the watch on his wrist. The casually flowing time felt unbearably slow.

* * *

Phhhew. A breath drawn from deep in her belly escaped through her chapped lips. Lyra stared at the flickering lamp with eyes heavy with contemplation.

One hour. Too brief a moment to decide one’s life. Yet time flowed mercilessly fast, not waiting for the naive woman’s circumstances.

Lyra grew anxious. As the time for the man’s return drew closer, her undecided heart wavered unstably like the lamp’s flame.

‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Shadows gathered under her eyes as if this binary choice held the power of life and death.

She thought and thought again. Whether she had the ability to live alone, what she could do to survive.

Her education was practically nonexistent, and the only skills she had were menial tasks.

While she might somehow find a way to live as a servant in someone’s household, the man’s offer wasn’t something she could easily dismiss either.

“Life as a noble…”

There was a time when she had strongly yearned for that. But not anymore. Just hours ago, she had learned harshly how easily such wishes could shatter, how kindness never came without a price.

Yet she couldn’t readily refuse because…

“Don’t you want to start a new life anew?”

Even if the man was suspicious, she knew such an opportunity would never come again. Plus, a safe life where she wouldn’t have to run from them.

Just as she was vaguely imagining a future she couldn’t quite picture, there came a knock at the door, and the man entered. Lyra rose awkwardly from her seat.

“Have you decided?”

The man asked without preamble as he strode over on his long legs. Along with his words came the sweet smell of alcohol.

“…Yes.”

Perhaps that was why. Why her wavering heart had reached a conclusion in an instant.

A man who casually drank cheap liquor. He seemed a bit more human. Though their worlds must be quite different, he carried such a familiar scent.

“And your decision?”

After biting her lips firmly then releasing them, Lyra carefully gave her answer.

“I-I’ll accept.”

There was no turning back now. She had given her answer, and a strange excitement played across the man’s face. Though she might regret this day’s choice someday, for now, she decided to trust the man who had saved her.

‘Right. Just until I can stand on my own.’

Since she still lacked the strength to survive by herself, it wouldn’t be bad to hide in his shadow until then.

The tension that had momentarily subsided rose up in her throat. Lyra didn’t avoid the man’s gaze, even as she felt her dirt-stained nails digging into her skin.

A suffocating silence fell. Somehow those calmly rippling golden eyes seemed to hold her captive, refusing to let go.

Finally, the man turned away first and went outside. He returned shortly with paper and pen.

“Read it. You can tell me if there’s anything you want to add.”

The paper he handed over was a contract. Clear words defining the relationship between him and her caught her eye.

‘…’

But there was no time to savor it. Unfamiliar words were scattered like landmines, and she worried about revealing her level of education.

Though it was clear as day that it would be discovered eventually, or even immediately, she wanted to preserve this small pride.

So she skimmed it, focusing on the words she knew, then took the pen with trembling hands. Her name appeared on the pristine white paper slowly but distinctly, as if drawing a picture.

Only after writing the very last character could Lyra meet the deeply smiling golden eyes.

At that moment, a satisfied voice announced the completion of the contract.

“Congratulations on becoming the Duke of Lianton’s lover, Miss Lyra Norris.”