How the Male Lead Cures the Time-Limited Young Lady - Chapter 2.7

The door opened, and soon the scene of Noel’s study was revealed.

It seemed he wasn’t the type to tidy up while working, as books were strewn about everywhere.

As the scent of old paper brushed her nose, Yvette unconsciously took a deep breath.

Soon, Noel came into her view, sitting at his desk wearing glasses.

It seemed he was in the middle of work, as there were piles of documents in front of him.

When Yvette made her presence known, Noel slightly raised his head to look at her.

“Don’t just stand there, come and sit.”

Noel gestured with his eyes towards the chair opposite him.

Was it because he was wearing glasses?

Noel exuded a more intellectual aura than usual.

‘He looks handsome even just wearing glasses.’

Yvette, momentarily captivated by Noel’s face, shook her head.

‘Get a grip. This isn’t why you came today.’

She quickly regained her senses and sat in the chair Noel had indicated.

“I’m sorry if I interrupted your work. I should have contacted you beforehand.”

Yvette carefully apologized as soon as she took her seat.

It hadn’t been long since she last asked for his help. She felt a bit sorry for coming to him with another request so soon.

“I was about to wrap things up anyway, so don’t worry about it.”

Noel replied lightly as he put down the document he was holding on the desk.

Then his gaze fell on Yvette.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“Ah, well.”

Yvette trailed off slightly.

She had come intending to ask for his help. But now that she was in front of him, it was difficult to bring it up.

It was then.

Noel, who had been observing Yvette’s expression, spoke first.

“…Judging by your expression, it seems you have a favor to ask of me.”

His perceptiveness was remarkable.

Caught off guard by his accurate observation, Yvette unconsciously cleared her throat.

“That’s right. Actually, I came because I have something to ask of you.”

“It seems your words about not being able to live without me weren’t entirely a lie.”

Noel muttered in a voice that was hard to tell if it was joking or serious, then continued.

“So, what do you want to ask this time?”

“We’ll talk about that in a bit. Before that, let’s write our contract.”

“…Contract?”

“Yes. The contract we were supposed to write before.”

Yvette looked around and then lowered her voice so only he could hear.

“You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“Of course not.”

Noel smirked and opened his desk drawer. Then he took out a document and handed it to Yvette.

“You mean this?”

Yvette received the document he handed over with a bewildered expression.

At the top of the document, ‘Engagement Contract’ was written in neat cursive, and below that were all blank spaces.

“You can fill in the contract conditions you have in mind in the blanks. After you’re done, just sign at the bottom.”

“By contract conditions, what exactly do you mean?”

“Clauses you want me to abide by, things like that.”

“I see.”

Yvette stared at the contract intently.

‘So I just write the conditions I’m thinking of here.’

After pondering for a moment, Yvette reached out to Noel.

“Can I borrow a pen?”

“Here.”

Noel handed over the quill pen that was on the desk.

Then Yvette slowly began to write down the conditions.

[Article 1. The contractual relationship shall continue until Yvette Blanche’s curse is lifted.

Article 2. Cooperate sincerely with Yvette Blanche’s research.

Article 3. Be responsible for Yvette Blanche’s safety for the duration of the contract.]

After writing the third clause without hesitation, Yvette handed the contract back to Noel.

“This is all I can think of for now.”

“Shorter than I expected.”

Noel slowly read through the contract.

His gaze lingered on the last clause.

“But what do you mean by being responsible for your safety?”

“It means exactly what it says.”

Yvette pointed to herself with a serious expression.

“It means to keep me safe in any situation.”

“Is someone threatening you?”

At Noel’s question, Yvette flinched unconsciously.

‘Did he figure it out?’

As she looked around with wide eyes, Noel let out a small chuckle.

“Well, it’s not a difficult condition. Let’s move on for now.”

Saying that Noel picked up the pen.

“Is it my turn to write now?”

“Don’t write any strange conditions. Understood?”

Suddenly feeling uneasy, Yvette leaned forward.

Noel looked at her, shrugging his shoulders lightly.

“Well, I’m not sure what the standard for ‘strange’ is.”

Then he smiled slightly and moved his pen.

Unlike Yvette who wrote three clauses, Noel ended with two.

[Article 4. The contract period shall be 1 year.]

[Article 5. Neither party shall betray the other.]

Noel neatly put the final period and handed the contract back to Yvette.

Yvette slowly read through the conditions, stopping at the fifth article.

‘Neither party shall betray the other…’

She had no intention of betraying Noel anyway.

Betraying someone who held her lifeline would be tantamount to saying she wanted to die.

“If you agree to the conditions, just sign below.”

As Noel handed over the quill pen, Yvette quickly signed at the bottom of the contract.

“Is this okay?”

“Yes.”

Noel also finished signing, then firmly pressed a seal with the Averon ducal family crest on the top of the contract.

Only after confirming that the seal was stamped did Yvette speak.

“So we’re engaged for a year from now, right?”

“That’s right.”

As Noel nodded, Yvette clasped her hands together and looked at him with pleading eyes.

“Then, to commemorate our engagement, could you listen to my request?”

“…Is this why you wanted to write the contract first?”

Seeing Noel’s eyes narrow, Yvette smiled sheepishly.

“I’m sorry. But it’s a really urgent matter for me.”

“…What kind of matter is it?”

As Noel showed interest, Yvette continued without hesitation.

“I need to retrieve my family seal from my uncle.”