“Yes, and I combined it with training. When Nix seeps into the ring in darkness, no one notices.”

“…It seems many have tried to take advantage while you slept.”

His voice sank low. Rizel found it somewhat unfamiliar that her employer would be displeased about her personal affairs when their relationship was purely business, but she didn’t show it and replied:

“Well, most people are cautious and don’t touch me, but it’s good to be careful.”

“Indeed.”

Harzen gently patted her back as if to comfort her. When Rizel chuckled, he hesitantly began:

“Rizel, something just occurred to me.”

“What is it?”

“If someone other than me had requested a contract marriage, what would your choice have been?”

His voice was quite serious. Rizel snorted and answered languidly:

“It would depend on the situation and the person, but I probably would have refused. I have standards too. No matter how much money is offered, I don’t do things I dislike. I accepted your request because I judged that a married life with you would be possible.”

“You’re honest.”

“Of course. There’s no reason to lie.”

“True.”

Harzen agreed. Though her attitude was rough and bold, it didn’t feel uncomfortable. After a moment’s hesitation, he casually asked:

“May I hold you?”

“You can do that as you wish. It falls within the permitted range specified in our contract.”

When Rizel readily agreed, Harzen carefully embraced her. The warmth of the person who fit perfectly in his arms gave him an unfamiliar sense of stability.

As she blinked slowly while being held by her employer, his quiet whisper flowed into her ears.

“Are you always this uninhibited in such matters?”

“No. Quite the opposite, actually.”

“…Because you’re a spirit contractor?”

Harzen asked in a low voice and reflexively frowned.

Even with their great power, spirit contractors were prone to instability due to the influence of their contracted spirits. Since accidents could occur because of this, many people subtly avoided contact with them.

But that reason was far from her reality. Rizel responded with a composed expression:

“That’s part of it, but Nix isn’t a fussy spirit. It’s more that I prefer maintaining an appropriate distance.”

“I see.”

Harzen pondered her answer. It was somewhat fascinating to see her trust in a capricious and unstable spirit. In the silence, a drowsy Rizel yawned softly and said:

“Harzen, I’m sorry, but if you have nothing more to say, I’ll go to sleep first.”

“Go ahead.”

She closed her eyes immediately upon hearing her employer’s response. Harzen noticed that her body instantly relaxed and her breathing became even.

“…Already asleep.”

Harzen half-raised himself and stared at the peacefully sleeping woman’s face. It was a face that looked so comfortable it made him wonder if this was really okay.

She was the first person who showed absolutely no tension in front of him after learning he was a spirit contractor. Since his childhood incident, everyone had been subtly anxious that he might cause problems again.

“How strange.”

It was somewhat confusing but not unpleasant. He pulled up the fallen blanket to cover her, then lay back down and closed his eyes.

* * *

The Imperial Palace in the capital. After having an audience with the Emperor and Empress, Gerard walked through a secluded path to the Princess’s Palace located inside.

Guided by a lady-in-waiting, he entered to find his frail sister sitting up in bed, embroidering a handkerchief. Jenael looked up, saw Gerard, and brightened.

“Brother, you’ve come.”

“Yes. How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

Jenael’s face was somewhat pale, but she wore a faint smile. Objectively, she appeared delicate and fragile, but her light purple eyes were clear.

Gerard quietly observed his sister. She tucked her flowing long silver hair behind her ear, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke:

“…You attended the Marquis of Darkus’s wedding yesterday, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

Gerard confirmed with a somewhat heavy heart. He knew that his frail sister had feelings for Harzen Darkus.

Jenael’s eyebrows and hands trembled momentarily. She placed her embroidery tools and handkerchief on the bedside table and looked directly at her brother.

“Was the overall atmosphere good?”

“Well, it was decent for a hastily arranged marriage.”

Gerard blinked as he recalled the wedding atmosphere. Surprisingly, it was peaceful and calm without any discord.

Some nobles whispered about the bride, but the marrying couple didn’t seem to care at all. They were subtly similar to each other.

Jenael flinched and asked in a tense voice:

“Then what was the lady who married him like?”

“Pretty but bold and audacious. Perhaps because she’s a mercenary, her aura was quite different from the typical ladies of society.”

He recalled the woman who had naturally sent him away with a smile while he was conversing with the Marquis of Darkus. It was a stark contrast to the society ladies who valued modesty and elegance as virtues.

Jenael’s eyes shook violently.

“…A mercenary?”

“Yes, a well-known mercenary from the west. The Marquis of Darkus certainly has unique tastes. Hmm, in a way, they seem well-matched as people who can handle each other.”

He caressed his chin as he recalled the information he had gathered about Rizel after hearing about the Marquis of Darkus’s marriage. The frail princess’s shoulders slumped.

“…That’s absurd. How could this happen?”

“Jenael, I know you’re upset, but let it go. What’s done can’t be undone. From what I can see, they’ll likely maintain the marriage for at least two years.”

Gerard, unknowingly close to the truth, gently comforted his sister. Jenael, becoming somewhat bitter, sighed deeply.

“Is it because of the magic stone mines?”

“That’s right. The Marquis of Darkus probably took this drastic measure because he didn’t want to be checked or interfered with from anywhere. He just needs to endure. There’s a high possibility that the marriage was arranged as a mutually beneficial deal.”

Due to their special nature, magic stone mines had complicated ownership issues with many potential claims, but if the owner could hold on for about two years, they could fully secure them.

Harzen Darkus, who had already become independent from his family at a young age and secured the title of Marquis, would have found it even more troublesome.

If he established a wife, even formally, he could block all annoying marriage proposals. Setting aside his position, Gerard thought it was quite a good decision. Jenael rolled her eyes.

“But…”

“It’s actually for the best. Even if the Marquis of Darkus fully secures the magic stone mines, other nobles will quiet down. Well, it would have been better if the Marquis of Darkus’s wife had been a young lady from a family loyal to the Imperial family.”

Gerard snorted cynically. Jenael slightly lowered her eyes and mumbled in a weak voice:

“If I had married the Marquis of Darkus, it would have benefited you and the Imperial family…”

“No, honestly, even when Father and Mother were considering attaching you to him, I was largely opposed.”

“What?”

“Because it might only strengthen the Marquis of Darkus. Of course, more importantly, he’s a man you couldn’t handle.”

Gerard’s attitude was firm. Jenael was flustered, her lips moving silently before she finally managed to speak:

“Why do you think so?”

“Spirit contractors, despite their great power, are unstable beings. You know that the Marquis of Darkus caused a spirit rampage incident in his childhood, right? Things are quiet and fine now, but we don’t know when it might happen again.”

Gerard’s eyes and voice were serious. His words weren’t wrong. Jenael swallowed nervously.

“That’s…”

“I don’t want to lose my only sister.”

“Would you have opposed even if I weren’t frail?”

“Yes.”

Gerard still wouldn’t bend his will. His deep purple eyes remained firm without the slightest wavering. Jenael felt inexplicably miserable, lowered her head, and bit her lip.
After a while, she raised her head and asked with forced calmness:

“In your opinion, does the Marquis of Darkus’s wife seem capable of handling her husband?”

“Yes. She’s a platinum badge mercenary and has experience working with spirit contractors. I heard she even prevented a spirit rampage incident once. If necessary, she could probably subdue him with force.”

“…Ah.”

Jenael’s feelings became complicated. Gerard gently stroked his sister’s hair and spoke kindly:

“If you’re curious about what kind of person the Marchioness of Darkus is, see and judge for yourself next time. The closest opportunity to meet her would be at the New Year’s banquet in early next year.”

“Yes. By the way, what is her name?”

“Rizel. Now she would be Marchioness Rizel Darkus.”

“I see.”

Jenael answered in a somewhat subdued voice while fidgeting with the edge of her blanket. Gerard glanced at his sister’s expressionless face.

“You must have been upset hearing the news. Get some rest.”

“Yes, brother.”

Jenael nodded obediently. Even after Gerard left the Princess’s Palace, she remained deep in thought.

‘Rizel…’

Somehow, a part of her heart began to ache. She couldn’t understand Harzen’s choice. Jenael unconsciously clutched the handkerchief she had been embroidering.