Chapter 11
Chapter 11
“Of course, I know how wealthy the Count’s House is. That’s probably why you were willing to offer such an amount for Elpertz, even though we have no real ties and only a passing acquaintance. Even so, this condition is excessive for me.”
You majored in law and throw around threats like it’s nothing, so why did you draw up a contract like this? Do you not know how to gain the upper hand? Kashika, about to scold him with the mindset of an old governess, bit her tongue and instead said calmly, “It makes me suspicious.”
“You think I have some hidden agenda?”
“Yes.”
“Then go ahead and be suspicious.”
Noah slouched back into the chair as he spoke. He crossed one leg over the other and rested his chin on his hand. Surprisingly, the lazy posture suited him well. He always seemed so straight-laced, but now…
“I don’t mind if you doubt me.”
There was something vaguely roguish about him. It wasn’t the kind of demeanor you’d expect from a nobleman’s son. It felt like he might’ve rolled around in back alleys a bit.
Had he served in the military? Noblemen during wartime were expected to do temporary service, but that wasn’t the case anymore. It would’ve helped to hear some gossip from the capital or the social circles, but she’d neglected those, so she knew nothing.
“If you’re wondering about my job, I’m currently with the Kingdom’s Public Legislative Committee and the Inspectorate. Want to know my exact duties too?”
“…”
Much more proper than she expected.
“If you’re asking about income, aside from what I receive from the kingdom, I also manage a few assets owned by the Count’s House. So there’s no need to worry. And…”
Noah, continuing to speak, stared quietly at Kashika. His gaze seemed to be saying something, but Kashika couldn’t decipher the meaning. After hesitating for a moment, Noah finally opened his mouth.
“And the debt of Count Elpertz is entirely covered with my personal funds, so there’s no need to consider the Count’s House in this matter.”
“…What?”
“If this place is uncomfortable, I’ll find you another house to stay in. Would you prefer to return to the former Elpertz estate?”
Wait, hold on. Kashika couldn’t keep up with what Noah was saying. That was his personal money? The Elpertz estate still exists?
“Didn’t you say it was sold?”
“Yes, it was. The Lambroiche family bought it, that’s all.”
Why would he buy that? Sure, the Elpertz estate was quite decent for something modest—but still, why?
“It hasn’t been maintained, so it’ll take some time to make it livable. I’d say six months to a year for renovations. It’s a bit small, but the staircase is magnificent, don’t you think?”
“That was your personal money?”
Kashika asked. Noah replied, “Ah, yes. I purchased the estate with my own money too, so don’t worry about it.” But why would he buy that? Considering how old he must’ve been when the estate was sold… When was it sold again? She didn’t know. Ever since moving to Ramfley, they hadn’t been in touch much. Just exchanged a few letters, that was all.
Which made it even harder to understand. What debt was Noah trying to repay? Or was he trying to repay a debt at all?
“Why?”
No, they weren’t even close enough for that.
“Why did you invest that much in Count César Elpertz?”
“Because I wanted something.”
“What kind of something?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“…”
“You haven’t signed the contract yet.”
What was so special about this contract? Was it some confidentiality clause? What kind of secret could be in there?
“If you have questions after signing, I’ll tell you—if it’s something I’m allowed to say, that is.”
“Does that mean you might not tell me?”
“Of course. Even lovers have things they can’t share.”
For that kind of money to be involved, this couldn’t be something ordinary.
“If you want to know everything, wouldn’t you need to become my wife?”
Kashika pushed Noah’s hand away. For someone who once said marriage should be with someone you love, he sure touched people’s heads like it was nothing.
“I’ll need a day to review it.”
“I’ll wait.”
Just as Noah said that and started to rise from his seat, Kashika called out, “Noah.” He looked down at her.
“Yes?”
“Do you really intend to marry someone you love?”
His expression froze for a moment.
“To be honest, I think that idea is even more absurd than this lover proposal.”
“Where did you hear that?”
His voice was sharp. Kashika fell silent and looked up at him, stunned by the expression and tone she had never seen or heard before.
“And even if it were true.”
Noticing her surprised face, Noah softened his expression slightly—but the tension in his features didn’t completely go away.
“It’s none of your concern, is it?”
“…”
She had no words for that.
“…Yes.”
Kashika answered.
“You’re right.”
That answer didn’t seem to please Noah. He frowned.
* * *
She had no idea what any of this meant, Kashika thought as she examined the contract.
A lover’s contract was similar to a marriage contract. For noble marriages, the documents usually covered private property, the minimum number of nights spent together per month, number of children, methods of child-rearing, and even how many lovers one might keep and the treatment of any children born to them.
In contrast, there were only three main clauses to pay attention to in this document.
The first was the confidentiality agreement: do not speak of anything seen, heard, or learned during life as a lover.
The second: do not sleep with anyone else.
The third: appear regularly in public with Noah Lambroiche.
That third clause might suggest that he either had no intent to marry or was using her as a placeholder for someone he did wish to marry—but it was the first clause that struck her as the strangest.
Anything seen, heard, or learned.
A lover could only learn so much. Why had he gone to such lengths to craft this particular clause? The additional provisions below also raised red flags.
“In case of any changes, matters must be renegotiated with mutual legal representation and court approval.”
Mutual legal representation.
“Do I have to hire a lawyer for this?”
“Is it that strange?” Lydia asked. Her wavy dark-brown hair didn’t look any different no matter how much you brushed it, but she continued to comb Kashika’s hair diligently. Kashika flipped the page of the document. Lydia looked at it curiously, though she couldn’t read, and simply remarked, “The handwriting is pretty.”
“Right, the writing is nice.”
Truthfully, Noah Lambroiche’s handwriting wasn’t pretty. When reading his essays, she’d sometimes have to decipher what letters he was even using. His handwriting looked like a cipher in itself, so Kashika had once tried to help him improve, but people didn’t change so easily.
“But someone else must’ve written this.”
Noah’s signature, however, was always neat and beautiful. What had he said back then? Something about how his subordinates would write the documents and he’d only need to sign them, so there was no point in making his handwriting pretty? It was a convincing argument, and Kashika didn’t press him further.
“A lawyer probably wrote this one.”
The part about financial support was extremely favorable to Kashika. Twenty gold per month. That was more than what a commoner made in a year. Could this really be the amount paid to a “contract lover” meant only to avoid marriage? Of course, since nobles didn’t pay taxes for maintaining their social status, it could simply be a way to cut taxes while keeping up appearances. Especially in those social circles.
Still, this was excessive.
“It’s favorable in some ways, and disadvantageous in others.”
Especially this part.
“In the event of a breach of contract…”
Kashika Ramfley must pay an additional 1.4 million gold to Noah Lambroiche, including the 1.4 million gold debt of César Elpertz.
“Ha, that son of a—”
That penalty was clearly a problem.
“Son? Son of a bitch?”
“Yeah, I was going to say something like that.”
She really didn’t understand what Noah Lambroiche was thinking. There was definitely something more going on.
