Chapter 7
Chapter 7
“Yes, Noah.”
“Kashika.”
“Yes.”
“Kashi…”
How long is he going to keep calling me? Kashika cut Noah off and said,
“Anyway, this isn’t a normal situation, and since money is involved, I’d like to write a proper contract. You majored in law… right?”
“Yes.”
“Then you know the law far better than I do, so any contract written here and now would be heavily unfavorable to me.”
“You’re the one who taught me the law, though.”
“…”
Kashika closed her mouth. The word “Teacher” had come out so naturally, it tickled something in her. When she didn’t say anything and just stared at him, Noah looked puzzled—then quickly realized what he’d called her and grew flustered.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to…”
Then, Noah called her again, “Kashika.”
“You know the law well, don’t you?”
“I used to. Now I know nothing.”
“You’re being modest.”
“Modest? I haven’t studied in ages. The half-faded scraps of knowledge I still retain are from random books I read. Do you know how useless that kind of patchwork knowledge is? Would you really want someone like me—someone with such shabby learning—to puff myself up and go on about my own brilliance? That would be absurd and offensive, wouldn’t it?”
“…”
Noah fell silent. He had a look on his face like, Ah, right—she’s always been like this.
It seemed like the two of them had forgotten how they used to think of each other in the past.
Ten years was enough time for that. But now that they were facing each other again, they seemed to be remembering bits of it.
Kashika said,
“I want to write this contract in the presence of a proper lawyer.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am.”
“If it’s hard to call me by name, then just call me Teacher.”
“…Kashika.”
I said just call me Teacher. Honestly, that was better for Kashika too. Being called by her name felt more uncomfortable. Noah said,
“This contract must be accompanied by a confidentiality oath. I can’t allow an ordinary lawyer to be present.”
“Then I suppose there’s no helping it.”
“Refusing the contract would be—”
“Let’s write the contract, then cut his head off.”
“…”
Faced with the unexpected suggestion, Noah couldn’t say a word. And when he fell silent, Kashika began to wonder if maybe she’d gone too far.
“…”
Well, it was an understandable reaction. People who became lawyers were usually from the upper class. Especially noble-borns who couldn’t inherit titles, or members of the gentry. Even a fool would know that beheading someone like that was dangerous.
What does he take me for?
Kashika thought, Does Noah really see me as that foolish? and added,
“If it’s a commoner lawyer, that should be fine. I wasn’t suggesting we cut off a noble’s head.”
“You want to hire a commoner lawyer to draft the contract… and then cut his head off?”
“If you kill them, there’s no aftermath. It’s the best way to keep a secret.”
“…Teacher, perhaps you’ve been too isolated all this time. You may not be aware of recent changes in social norms. You can’t just kill commoners so freely anymore.”
“Excuse me?”
“You can’t freely kill commoners. They’re respected now too.”
“That can’t be.”
What on earth had happened in the past ten years to cause such a change? Of course, Kashika wasn’t actually suggesting that people be killed on a whim.
But still, depending on the situation, maybe…
Back when she was very young—when his father was still alive and the House of Elpertz still held power—commoners died over trivial matters.
And now she’s not allowed to?
Then how am I supposed to lose my virginity?
There are bound to be all sorts of situations in society, after all.
“If it’s my lawyer, there’s no risk of a leak. He signed a confidentiality agreement when working with us, and more importantly, he’s a collateral member of the Lambroiche family.”
That wasn’t the issue right now. The real question was—how was she supposed to lose her virginity? Did this need to be written up in a contract with a lawyer present too? But secrets, once leaked, always had a way of spreading.
The fact that Marchioness Kashika Ramfley was a virgin must never get out.
A decently handsome commoner… he’d have to be killed…
Ah, this was troublesome. A contract… no, that wasn’t it either.
“Kashika?”
“Yes. Oh, yes? Right, the lawyer. A collateral, you said?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then how can I trust him?”
“You might not, but there’s nothing I can do about that. Still, since you know the law to some degree, you’d be able to spot any issues, wouldn’t you?”
“…”
“What’s wrong?”
“The word ‘Teacher’ came out of your mouth very naturally.”
It seemed he’d been calling her that this whole time. That’s what Noah thought. Just as it came naturally to him, it seemed natural to Kashika as well to be called “Teacher.” She’d said she hadn’t taught anyone since becoming a marchioness. Maybe a part of her memory still held onto him. That thought softened Noah’s expression slightly.
“Did you have a private tutor even after entering the academy?”
“…As if I’d ever do such a thing.”
Noah said. His lips parted slightly like he had more to say, but then he firmly shut them. After a pause, he opened his mouth again.
“You were my only teacher.”
Kashika smiled faintly at his words.
What a load of crap. Say something believable, will you?
Even Noah looked embarrassed by the grandiosity of what he’d said, his face turning red. Well, that was proper—if he had any sense of shame.
If he attended the academy, he must’ve met dozens of professors. Is he saying professors and teachers are different? What an insufferable man.
“Let’s draw up the contract in the royal capital. First, we’ll sort out this estate.”
Noah spoke, glancing around the room again. The structure itself was built with fine materials and decorated nicely, but it was far too old. Few people lived in it, and mold had begun to spread. Even the parlor had mold—so the rest of the house surely fared no better.
“Leaving it to an estate manager would cost quite a bit, so selling it might be better. With a house like this, you’d get a decent price, which would help with your debt.”
“No.”
Kashika replied.
“This is what the marquess left behind. I can’t sell it.”
She needed a place to return to after the contract. Preferably with high ceilings. No matter how miserable her life became, she didn’t want to live beneath low ceilings. If she was going to fall, she wanted to do it in a place that was elegant and beautiful, even if it collapsed with her.
Even if that high ceiling grew moldy and the chill never left. Who cared? She’d just throw on one of those old sable coats. There were three in the marquess’s wardrobe. They were surely out of fashion now, but so what?
What did fashion matter? As long as she kept warm.
She’d wear the sable coat and sit in front of the fireplace to fight the cold. And if it got so cold she couldn’t sleep alone, she could hug a hot water pouch, or—if it came to it—invite someone into her bed. Not that there was anyone she’d sleep beside, except maybe a handmaid.
“This place must be precious to you?”
“It’s not so much precious as… I just need somewhere to stay.”
At her words, Noah frowned. His expression said, If you need a place, I’ll provide one—so what’s the problem? He likely didn’t understand, but Kashika didn’t feel the need to explain how she felt. Seeing her firm expression, Noah opened his mouth again.
