Chapter 12
“Did you know?! Don’t tell me… Seth told you?”
“No, Seth kept the secret. But the imposter who stole my clothes from my room and put them back must have been incredibly bold. It doesn’t make sense for someone with just a few prior fraud charges to infiltrate this estate.”
“Ugh… And I kept hiding it without even knowing that.”
“You wanted to keep it a secret, so I pretended not to know for your sake. But how can you only see me as a friend?”
“Could you do it if you were in my place? We’ve been friends for over ten years. Do you think I could believe you suddenly like me just like that?”
“Then what should I do? Tell me.”
“Make me believe that you like me.”
“How do I do that?”
Making someone believe in their feelings.
Since they had been friends for so long, a simple confession wouldn’t be enough.
‘When it comes to love, what comes to mind?’
While pondering how to confirm someone’s feelings, Rivera thought of something hot and intense.
Something more stimulating than innocent love.
She thought about climbing on top of him, stimulating each other’s sensitive spots, and licking, but quickly shook her head.
‘Get a grip! After what you did last night, how can you think of that?’
If Adrian noticed her thoughts, it would be an incredibly embarrassing situation. If she asked for another night together to confirm his feelings, he’d think she was a shameless woman.
‘Ugh… How humiliating.’
While Rivera was drowning in embarrassment, Adrian’s stern expression softened slightly. He feigned ignorance.
“What are you thinking about to make your face so red?”
“It’s nothing. Really… Huh?”
Adrian brushed his fingers over Rivera’s glossy lips, asking playfully,
“Is this what you wanted?”
He leaned in suddenly and kissed her.
Smooch—
“……”
“Is this enough to convince you?”
“…What?”
“No? One time isn’t enough, is it?”
As he tried to kiss her again, Rivera, startled, reached out with both hands to cover his mouth and spoke urgently.
“No! I just… I just want to put dating on hold until I’m sure you really like me.”
Adrian’s eyebrow twitched slightly, a sign of his displeasure.
‘Was she always like this?’
Though surprised by his bold actions, Rivera calmed herself.
“I’ve failed at relationships so many times before. That’s why I want to be careful this time.”
“You didn’t hesitate to date all those weird guys, but now that it’s me, you’re suddenly cautious? Is it just that you don’t like me?”
“What if I say that’s not it?”
Rivera hesitated to make a decision because she was afraid of ruining their relationship.
[Even though I don’t believe in the goddess’s curse, nothing in this world lasts forever. If I lose him too, I might really start believing I’m cursed.]
Rivera had dated several men in the past, and every time they broke up, she became entangled in scandals, losing her connections with people she had been close to. She was terrified of that happening again.
“You know most of the guys I’ve dated didn’t last three days. I’ve never had a relationship that lasted more than a week. Do you think it’ll be any different with you?”
“Is that what you’re worried about?”
“To be honest, yes.”
Rivera spoke to him seriously.
“When they confessed, they all said they were different and special. But in the end, they were all the same.”
“So, if you say last night didn’t happen, do you really think it’ll be like that?”
“……”
“See? You can’t answer. You’re not sure either.”
She couldn’t deny it. If she didn’t remember, it might have been a different story, but she remembered last night too vividly.
Seeing her struggle to answer, Adrian spoke first.
“The solution to this is simple. I just need to give you certainty.”
“How are you going to do that?”
Adrian sat on the sofa and asked for paper and a pen.
This was the best way to change her mind.
* * *
A little while later, Meriang brought the requested paper and pen, along with some drinks. Adrian and Rivera sat on the sofa together.
‘I almost got caught when I asked for two drinks.’
Luckily, her usual gluttony saved her. She said she’d drink them both herself and got scolded for eating too much and being told not to finish them.
Rivera sipped her drink and looked at him with curiosity.
“What are you planning to do with this?”
“I’m going to write a contract. Right now, it seems like you trust this piece of paper with legal validity more than my words.”
There was a sharp edge to his tone.
Adrian sat on the sofa and began writing something. Curious about what he was writing, Rivera leaned in to watch.
“If you have any conditions, tell me.”
“Do we really need to go this far? We’re not even business partners.”
“Don’t you think you’re the one making me go this far?”
He seemed unusually irritable today. As Rivera thought about what to include in clauses 2 and 3, she noticed the first clause was already written. It was something basic: both parties must do their best for each other.
What should I add for clause 2?
Since this was her first time doing something like this, Rivera thought carefully.
“If we write this, does that mean we’re officially dating?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s make it a secret relationship.”
She suggested this because public relationships often caused too much trouble when they ended. Since Adrian was a prominent figure in the empire, they had to be extra cautious.
Hearing her suggestion, Adrian’s grip on the pen tightened.
Snap.
“Oh no, the pen broke.”
“……”
That was definitely on purpose.
Adrian searched for another pen and remembered he had one in his coat. He brought it out and pressed firmly as he wrote each letter.
“If you don’t want to do this, just say so.”
“It’s fine.”
Even though he didn’t seem happy, he still went along with her request, which made Rivera feel a little better.
“What about clause 3?”
“Hmm… No breaking up.”
“That’s reasonable.”
Adrian filled out the contract with elegant handwriting. When he asked if she wanted to add a fourth clause, Rivera shook her head. This much was enough.
“Here, check it over.”
[Dating Contract]
This contract is established between Rivera Iaron (hereafter referred to as ‘Party A’) and Adrian Risen Bartman (hereafter referred to as ‘Party B’) to set rules for their relationship.
Clause 1: Party A and Party B must do their best for each other as a couple.
Clause 2: Party A and Party B will keep their relationship secret during the contract period. However, Party A may disclose the relationship first.
Clause 3: If Party A requests a breakup, Party B must comply. However, Party B cannot request a breakup. If this clause is violated, Party B must grant one condition requested by Party A.
The contract period is set for one year from the date of signing.
Anyone who violates the above clauses will not escape the curse of mana.
After reviewing the contract, Rivera stared at Adrian.
“The terms are a little strange. I can reveal the relationship, but you can’t? And why is clause 3 like this? Only I can ask for a breakup?”
“I don’t need it. I don’t mind if it’s a public relationship, and I have no intention of breaking up with you.”
“You’re going to regret this later.”
“That won’t happen.”
Adrian tossed the pen onto the table and told Rivera to fill in the last section.
“Write down the reward you want. It can be anything. You can ask for the continent’s greatest trading company or an estate owned by my family. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”
“Why don’t you add something you want? This is too one-sided in my favor.”
“If you feel bad, then just grant me one wish.”
“What is it?”
Adrian pointed below his navel with his finger.
“This.”
Looking at the bulge in his pants, Rivera covered it with her palm and looked up at Adrian.
“As you know, I’m at my peak…”
Adrian, as if embarrassed, wrapped his arms around her waist. The touch of his hand on her lower back sent a shiver down her spine.
“You can take responsibility for it, right?”
“You’re joking, right?”
He smiled faintly and shook his head.
“I’m serious. And by the way, there’s no need to write this in the contract. I’m not going to force it. If we’re going to count specific numbers, why date at all?”
“How much are you planning to do then?”
Adrian grinned shamelessly.
“Until I’m completely worn out?”
“Does that day even exist?”
“Well, I’m human too. There has to be a limit eventually, right?”
Did I sell my soul to the devil?
Rivera felt like she had opened the gates to hell herself. But at this point, she couldn’t back out of signing the contract. Adrian had already made so many concessions, and she liked him too.
“Fine. Let’s do it.”
Rivera signed both copies of the contract. One was for him, and the other was for her.
Watching Adrian, who looked as happy as a child with a new toy, Rivera belatedly asked something she had overlooked.
“By the way, have you ever gotten tired during a conquest war?”
Adrian smirked.
“No. Never.”
* * *
His relationship with Rivera progressed more smoothly than she had feared.
‘Should I be happy about this or not?’
Whenever they met, Adrian was too preoccupied with taking her clothes off for there to be any room for discussions about breaking up.
Her previous boyfriends would try to create a mood and then suggest breaking up, but Adrian didn’t even bother with words—he would just press his lips to hers. If there was no one around, he would find a secluded spot to undress her. Even when Rivera told him not to, he would point at his aroused lower half and threaten her, saying that if she didn’t take care of it now, it might explode.
‘What is he, a ticking time bomb?!’
Even though she didn’t entirely hate it, she couldn’t just let it slide today.
“Are you seriously going to do this?”
A grand banquet was being held in the capital of the Helios Empire. The spacious hall was filled with nobles, and luxurious feasts continued to be served. The continent’s finest orchestra played, delighting the ears of the attendees.
One unique aspect of this banquet, hosted personally by the Empress, was that no one could attend without bringing a partner.
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