“Where’s Angie?”

“She’s probably asleep by now.”

Since no one had come looking for me, it seemed that Angie had fallen asleep without causing any trouble.

Had Cedrion’s earlier warning actually worked? If so, did I really need to go as far as writing up a contract and pretending to be his fiancée…?

‘No, I’ve come this far. I should stay for a few months and create more memories with Angie before leaving. Besides, there’s no going back to being watched all the time now…’

Even though my goal was to spend my remaining days peacefully, the thought of not seeing Angie anymore felt unbearably lonely.

Since I couldn’t say that out loud, I simply gave Cedrion a bright smile, hoping that it looked charming thanks to Odelia’s face.

“Let’s get going.”

The first step to making that happen was to draft the contract and clarify this ambiguous situation.

***

“Odelia Lure of Lure shall devote herself wholeheartedly to helping Cedrion of Norhart bond with Angie.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

When I nodded, Cedrion wrote down precisely what he had just said, the sound of his pen softly scratching against the paper.

I watched as his handwriting—so precise and uniform, as if printed by a machine—filled the page, perfectly in line with his personality.

‘I don’t have any of Odelia’s memories, but at least I can read. That’s a relief.’

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to tell if he was sneaking anything into the contract.

“This contract shall be maintained as a marriage between Odelia Lure of Lure and Cedrion of Norhart.”

“Engagement.”

“…….”

“Stop changing the terms.”

His expression turned slightly annoyed as he roughly crossed out a word and rewrote it. His otherwise elegant handwriting now had slightly sharper, more angular strokes.

“Make sure to specify the contract period as well.”

“……Not everything in life goes as planned.”

“Which is exactly why it should be written down.”

Cedrion let out a small sigh.

“Fine. Then the contract period will be…”

“Nine months.”

“Nine months?”

Cedrion gave me a curious look, probably because the length seemed somewhat arbitrary.

Six months is cutting it too close. I planted sweet potatoes and cabbage for harvest in the fall.

Since it had been about two months since I was diagnosed as terminally ill, I figured nine months—right before winter—would be a good time to terminate the contract and leave to spend my final days.

Preferably with sweet potatoes and water kimchi…

‘Dame Gwendolyn might have bought me a little more time, but my condition could also worsen suddenly…’

As that thought crossed my mind, the dull pain in my chest—something I hadn’t noticed for a while—began to throb again.

I needed to rest soon. Pressing forward, I added,

“You’ve already gotten quite close to her, so that should be enough time. Also, write that the contract will be terminated when Angie can spend 24 hours alone with Cedrion of Norhart without needing Odelia Lure.”

At my words, Cedrion stiffened slightly, as if I had struck a nerve.

Maybe I was just imagining it, but beyond his composed expression, I thought I saw a flicker of something else.

His eyes, fixed on the paper until now, shifted to meet mine, as if he were trying to gauge my intentions.

“…But know this.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Cedrion spoke, seeming reluctant to continue.

“I’m the only one who can protect you right now. Norhart is the safest place for you.”

I swallowed dryly at his firm declaration.

He wasn’t wrong. Norhart was a power rivaling the royal family and was Michael’s political enemy.

But I only needed safety for ten months.

While it was true that I wanted to learn more about Odelia’s circumstances from him, this situation didn’t require such dramatic weight.

Feeling overwhelmed by his intensity, I deliberately lightened the mood.

“The people of Norhart may be kind to me now, but if the rumors about me turn out to be true, they might end up wishing I’d just leave.”

“What rumors?”

“About my behavior. For example—”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Cedrion’s lips again.

“Well, considering how Odelia Lure panics when she hasn’t checked on her plants for a day, I doubt anyone would believe those rumors.”

“You never know what new gossip might be spreading in the capital.”

After all, former employees of Lure who had moved on to other noble households could have spread all sorts of stories.

That might even be how Baron Alterman found out about my condition.

But Cedrion immediately shut down the idea.

“There are no rumors about you.”

His tone was so firm that I was momentarily taken aback.

“You were exiled to Meldorf in the first week of the third month, correct?”

“…Yes.”

“Immediately after, a gag order was issued in Belvo regarding Odelia Lure.”

“A gag order?”

“In Belvo’s high society, you’re already considered dead. No one is allowed to mention you.”

Cedrion’s lips curved slightly again.

Unlike before, when his crooked smiles held amusement or sarcasm, there was an unmistakable trace of bitterness this time.

“The royal family, inheritors of Arcadia’s first bloodline, placed a prohibition on your name. No one can speak of you.”

“A prohibition…?”

“A gag order enforced by magic. Of course, things are different here in Norhart.”

I was too stunned to respond.

Then… how did Baron Alterman know?

The only ones aware of my terminal condition were the former servants of Lure.

‘He definitely said I would be leaving soon… Was it a prediction that I wouldn’t be able to adapt to life in the rural town of Meldorf and would end up running away?’

As I struggled to compose myself, lost in thought, Cedrion spoke.

“So, try to stay in Norhart as much as possible. If engagement feels too burdensome, we can figure out another way when the contract ends. But for now, this is the best way for the Lady of Lure to stay in Norhart legitimately.”

His voice carried a level of urgency that seemed unusual for someone merely trying to persuade me.

At the same time, I felt somewhat relieved that he had accepted the idea of a contractual engagement.

‘I’m glad I won’t have to resort to my last resort.’

That last resort—revealing that I was terminally ill—would only cast a shadow over my peaceful life, so I had to avoid it at all costs.

‘If I confess that, I might be seen as deceiving him in this engagement contract, and I might have to separate from Angie even sooner… I have to keep it hidden for as long as possible.’

Caught up in these thoughts, I remained silent for a moment.

Perhaps he wasn’t expecting an answer from me in the first place because Cedrion simply continued writing in the contract with a focused expression.

“In return for the above terms, Cedrion of Norhart shall provide Odelia of Lure with a safe residence and a comfortable life. Does this seem acceptable?”

“…Yes.”

Since I didn’t seem particularly interested in additional clauses, Cedrion added a few more on his own.

They were all favorable to me, such as: ‘A generous allowance shall be provided without limit’ and ‘Odelia of Lure may remain in Norhart Castle even after the contract period ends if she so desires.’

As I stared at him blankly, I suddenly spoke up.

“I think it would be good to add one more clause.”

Without lifting his gaze from the document, Cedrion raised one eyebrow, signaling me to continue.

“You have to answer my questions sincerely. For example, regarding my lost memories.”

At that, Cedrion finally looked up and studied my expression.

“As you said yourself, I don’t fully understand what happened with Lure. Since we’re in the same boat for now, we should share at least some information, don’t you think?”

In truth, this was a kind of gamble.

If Cedrion knew anything about the past that my nanny had been hiding, I hoped he would tell me.

And even if he didn’t know, at the very least, this clause would ensure that he wouldn’t keep anything from me.

Judging by his careful approach to this contract, it was clear that this wasn’t just a matter of playing with words on paper.

After silently studying me for a long moment, Cedrion finally added the clause to the contract.

“That’s a good mindset.”

His voice carried a hint of satisfaction, as if he saw this as proof that I was finally interested in uncovering the truth behind Lure’s rebellion.

‘…It worked.’

After drafting a second copy of the contract with the same terms, Cedrion stacked the two sheets together. Then, biting his thumb, he let a few drops of blood drip onto the center of the paper.

Was I supposed to do that too?

I was so taken aback that my eyes widened in surprise.

“Here, put your hand over it.”

Obediently following his instructions, I placed my palm over the paper. Cedrion adjusted my hand so that my palm covered the bloodstain, then put his own hand over mine.

His large hand completely concealed mine.

“I swear upon the sacred blood of Arcadia to faithfully uphold this contract.”

After reciting the oath, Cedrion gave me a look, prompting me to repeat it.

“I swear upon the sacred blood of Arcadia to faithfully uphold this contract.”

Then—whoosh.

A soft blue light emerged from the paper, resonating with our hands before fading away.

The bloodstains on the document had vanished without a trace.

“If this ritual is performed on a larger scale, it becomes something like the royal decree they placed on you—a prohibition.”

A prohibition against speaking about Odelia.

Was it because I was thinking about that? A dull pain began throbbing in my head.

“You’ve done well today.”

Cedrion folded the contract, sealed it with golden wax imprinted with Norhart’s crest, and handed me one copy.

As I stared at the golden seal, I clenched the contract tightly and stood up.

But just then—

I felt the strength draining from my fingertips…

“Cedrion, you too…”

“…Odelia!”

The moment my vision blurred and the world went dark—

I was caught in Cedrion’s firm arms.

He reacted swiftly, catching me before I collapsed.

“…My fiancée is truly, far too fragile.”

“If I’m fragile, then…”

Then what? My voice barely came out, like all the energy had been sapped from my body.

Without another word, Cedrion lifted me into his arms—in the classic princess carry.

His strong jawline and firmly pressed lips were so close.

Thump, thump, thump…

Was it because our hearts were pressed together? My heartbeat seemed to grow faster and faster.

I felt like I was suffocating.

Angie.

I needed Angie.