Chapter 10
Chapter 10
The floor of the hallway was paved with pristine white marble. With every step, the sound of her shoes striking the marble created a distinct rhythm.
The tall, heavy, arched wooden door was impossible to open alone. Inside, the floor was carpeted—likely imported from Padmavati in the Eastern Continent. The ceiling was of a classic, old-fashioned style, and from it hung a wrought-iron chandelier with dozens of candles. Though, judging by the absence of wax, they had long since been replaced with magical lights. Paintings hung on the wooden paneling opposite the long row of windows, and the walls were adorned with vines and leaf motifs, even on the moldings.
Did they provide a room like this to all guests? Or was it because she came here under the title of “mistress”? There was no way to tell.
“There are four rooms, and even a separate maid’s quarters!”
Lydia said with delight.
“Yes, they’ve certainly prepared something nice.”
Kashika replied as she sat on the couch. It wasn’t something she had wanted, and having lived a life of frugality, this situation felt unfamiliar. If she had been Lydia’s age, she might have been excited to enjoy it all—but in the end, she had to return to the Ramfley estate. She couldn’t allow herself to simply enjoy the moment.
There was still the debt, and she needed to find something here—something valuable, something she could turn into income.
“It’s too fancy for my clothes to hang in.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
At the sound of the voice, Kashika turned her head. Noah was standing at the door. He had a leather folder tucked under his arm.
When did he get there…? The hallway was marble—she should have heard his footsteps. How had he approached without making a sound?
“Noah.”
“Kashika.”
Noah smiled. But the smile was different from what Kashika expected. He looked genuinely pleased. Why? Ah—perhaps because the excuse he’d been waiting for had finally arrived.
“You really came in just two weeks.”
“Yes.”
Kashika answered. Noah looked at her for a moment, then turned his gaze to Lydia. Lydia stared at him, confused. Kashika said, “Bow your head.”
Only then did Lydia get the hint and lower her head.
“No need to bow,” Noah said. “But it would be better if you stepped out for now.”
Lydia flinched, surprised. She hadn’t expected that. Kashika understood—after all, they’d had no guests for so long. Noah had been the only one. Of course Lydia wouldn’t know the etiquette of leaving the room when someone arrived.
After Lydia stepped out, Noah glanced briefly at the door. Only after it closed tightly did he speak again.
“She’s untrained. Would you like me to assign you someone new?”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“She might become a burden. A maid’s virtue is knowing her place, and if she can’t read the room—”
“She’s been with me for nearly ten years. She only needs to read me.”
“But now that you’ll be living in the capital, you’ll be interacting with many people. Reading just you won’t be enough.”
Kashika looked at Noah. He wasn’t wrong. But that only applied if she were going to remain in the capital long-term. And in her uncertain situation, she wasn’t about to dismiss a maid who had served her for years just to make things a bit more convenient here.
“That’s my decision to make.”
At her refusal, Noah narrowed his eyes. The way he looked at her was like one would look at a foolish creature deserving of pity.
“Very well. As you say. But I’ll still assign a few more maids. It’ll be too much for her to manage this room alone.”
“Thank you for the consideration, but—”
“That wasn’t a suggestion.”
“…Then please ensure they stay out of sight. I have trouble trusting unfamiliar people.”
“Of course.”
Noah answered easily, as though it were no trouble at all, and sat beside her.
“Was your journey alright?”
Before she could even react, his hand reached out and brushed her hair. When Kashika didn’t flinch, Noah tilted his head and let out a quiet chuckle.
“Are you used to being touched?”
There wasn’t anyone else she’d been seeing. Nor were there any young male servants at the Ramfley estate. Only two maids and a butler. Had she called someone in?
Noah grasped a handful of her hair. The sound of strands rubbing against each other was oddly unsettling. He soon let go.
“…”
“I brought the contract. Please read through it before we get it notarized. Let me know if anything needs adjusting.”
“Adjusting—is that even possible?”
Kashika asked as she took the leather folder from Noah. It even had the family crest embossed on the surface. How tasteless.
She took out the documents and began to read. Noah continued.
“It can’t be too unfair. Even in contracts where there’s a clear power imbalance, both sides must reach a basic level of agreement before signing.”
“Clause five: During the duration of being a mistress, she shall not sleep with anyone else.”
Kashika spoke.
Noah hadn’t expected her to bring up that part first, even though he thought she might take issue with it at some point. He couldn’t quite hide the surprise on his face.
“I’d like to revise this section.”
“…Are you saying you plan to meet other men?”
“Is it even possible to only see one person in high society? Especially when everyone is fulfilling their obligations?”
“That doesn’t seem ideal.”
Noah frowned as he spoke. He brushed his hand across his furrowed brow and murmured in a low voice,
“I’m not fond of sharing someone who belongs to me.”
“I don’t belong to you.”
“You agreed to become my mistress.”
No—I didn’t agree. You threatened me into it…
“Let’s keep that clause in place.”
“In the social scene, I can agree not to have that kind of relationship with anyone other than you.”
“…”
As she said that, Kashika thought that Noah’s stance might be different from hers.
“If you’d like, you’re free to—”
“I think I’ve said this before, but it seems you’re determined to paint me as some shameless man who keeps a mistress and sees other women at the same time, madam.”
“That’s not what I meant. It’s just…”
She still hadn’t found a decently handsome commoner who could take her virginity and lose his head for it.
“It would be inconvenient for me.”
Not to mention, now that she couldn’t just have someone beheaded, she needed to come up with another plan. What a dilemma, she thought, when Noah interrupted.
“That part…”
“Let’s take our time adjusting it. For now, I’d appreciate it if you respected my position.”
Something about signing made it feel like she wouldn’t be able to change anything afterward.
“Society in the capital is filthier than you’d think.”
“I see.”
“Yes, filthy.”
“I’ll be fine.”
At her words, Noah looked quietly at her. Even with their eyes meeting, neither could read the other’s thoughts.
“Let’s revisit this section when we finalize the document.”
Eventually, Noah spoke first.
“What about the other clauses? Is there anything else you’d like to change?”
“The terms…”
Kashika flipped through the contract.
“It’s more than I expected.”
“In this case, wouldn’t it be more disadvantageous for me than for you?”
Noah smiled like it didn’t concern him.
“Upon accepting the role of contractual mistress, half—140,000 gold—of Count Elpertz’s 2.8 million gold debt will be cleared.”
To be honest, Kashika had no complaints about that part. There were some odd details, but overall, nothing about the contract put her at a disadvantage. Especially this part:
“A monthly stipend of 20 gold will be provided to maintain dignity and appearance.”
“If you need more money, just let me know.”
“I’m sorry, but… do you actually have a job?”
Noah stared at her with an expression like he didn’t understand what he’d just heard. Kashika, genuinely concerned, looked into his pale green eyes. She started to wonder if he might be completely out of touch with reality. She had always thought him a clever young man.
Maybe he could tell she was worried. His gaze flicked away as if finally realizing the situation, and then he let out a chuckle. Kashika pressed her lips together and glared at him.
“Heh… ha ha. Are you actually worried about me right now?”
Worried about whether I have a real job or enough money? Noah chuckled to himself as if it were the most amusing thing in the world, then turned his head and looked directly at her.
“You never act quite the way I expect you to, madam.”
What are you even talking about now? Kashika thought.
