Chapter 1: Fake Ideal (4)

Chloe lightly scanned the request form spread out before her. The long scroll detailed the contents, duration, and compensation of the request.

As she stared blankly at the compensation section, the Grand Duke’s voice reached her.

“I followed the basic contract principles of the Mage Tower. Since I wasn’t sure what would be needed for the Winter Forest exploration, I left the advance payment blank, but I will provide additional resources if you let me know.”

Mages receive the necessary items to complete the request as an advance payment. The actual reward is given after the request is completed. This is because giving the reward in advance poses a high risk of the mage becoming engrossed in their research and missing the deadline.

‘As expected, it’s a request targeting senior mages.’

Chloe reread the sentence guaranteeing her 90% of the monster carcasses and rare plants obtained while staying in the Winter Forest. Additionally, there were essential materials in the basic reward list she could choose from, which quickly solidified her decision.

‘Perfect. No, it’s more than enough.’

The presented list was so luxurious that it was tempting. Some items were so difficult to obtain that it was hard to believe they were guaranteed regardless of the exploration results.

For someone like her, who had not yet been recognized as a senior mage by the Mage Tower, it was an irresistible temptation.

There was just one thing that bothered her.

“Do I have to go in July?”

“I scheduled it for a time when the Winter Forest monsters are relatively calm. The presence of a mage greatly affects the composition of the exploration team, so I came early to ask, but is there a problem?”

“Not exactly…”

Since it’s April now, the thought of struggling with a lack of materials for the next three months was dizzying. Especially since the items she would receive after completing the request were tantalizingly close, making her salivate.

Feeling like her patience was already being tested, Chloe hesitated and then cautiously spoke up.

“Is there any way I could receive these items in advance?”

“Chloe.”

It was Isrion, not the Grand Duke, who responded to her question. Realizing that she had openly tried to break the contract principles in front of the Mage Tower Master, Chloe hurriedly tried to recover.

“I was just asking. It’s not necessary for the preparation materials, so you don’t have to give them to me. It would just be nice to receive them early…”

Tehis carefully observed the babbling mage.

If he could gain the favor of a senior mage by paying the fixed compensation in advance, it would be beneficial.

‘Favor…’

Suddenly struck by a thought, he subtly cast out a bait.

“It seems you have an urgent need.”

“…What if I do?”

Chloe, who reflexively tried to deny it, asked with hope in her voice, seeing the calm demeanor of the Grand Duke.

It’s not good to reveal your cards first in a transaction, but isn’t it better than losing the opportunity altogether by saying there was no need?

“Then how about this?”

Chloe expected additional conditions to be attached to the request or a reduction in the percentage of flexible compensation when Tehis respectfully placed his hand on his left chest.

She never, ever, expected to receive such a proposal.

“Please officially date me.”

“Excuse me?”

Suddenly? Why me?

Are you crazy?

Chloe was so taken aback that she couldn’t speak, and a coughing sound came from beside her.

“Ahem, ahem… I’ll go finish making the tea.”

“Master!”

Ignoring her call, Isrion vanished like the wind, leaving Chloe with a throbbing headache.

Whether Tehis knew or didn’t know her exasperation, he added a belated explanation.

“I’m asking for a contractual relationship. You can consider it a separate request.”

“You should have said that first!”

“I thought it was obvious.”

Well, it is, but. Even though I know it doesn’t make sense to actually date.

‘Who proposes a contract like that…!’

If someone says “Please officially date me” with a serious face and hand on their chest like a knight’s pledge, anyone would misunderstand.

Like her master did.

“Haa……. Did you do it on purpose because there’s someone else here?”

“Half of it, yes.”

Tehis answered Chloe’s question honestly as she sighed.

She understood but didn’t like it, so she clicked her tongue softly.

It was obvious without even seeing. Since it was a matter of deceiving the princess, the fewer people who knew the relationship was contractual, the better.

‘Not that I think my master would be completely fooled, though.’

How could anyone deceive someone who hears the whispers of mana? He was clearly half-joking even now.

Chloe, troubled, blurted out.

“And the other reason?”

If half was because of the Mage Tower Master, what was the other half?

She squinted her eyes to gauge the Grand Duke’s intentions.

Hesitating for a moment, Tehis lowered his gaze.

“……Since I’m asking you to date me, I wanted you to find me appealing.”

“…?”

What?

Chloe blinked.

‘Is he embarrassed right now?’

She stared intently at the Grand Duke, thinking it might be a misconception, but his eyes wandered everywhere, avoiding her gaze.

Even if it wasn’t full embarrassment, it was clear he was flustered.

“…”

“…”

Chloe felt that the Grand Duke was subtly watching her reactions. His slightly stiffened mouth and tense neck suggested so.

At first glance, he looked cold and expressionless, but the details were slightly different…

‘He’s… kind of cute.’

Chloe suddenly recalled the incident at the Grand Duke’s residence.

Back then, too, he had seemed cute, frozen stiff under her touch, at the close distance, and because of the title she called him by. That’s why she had pretended to kiss him.

‘Thinking back, I could’ve just kissed him.’

Or would he have pushed me away?

Absentmindedly touching her lips, she spoke slowly.

“…Alright.”

Before the Grand Duke could say anything, the mage waved her hand and pulled out a blank contract from the spatial expansion pocket of her robe. She spread it in the air and, with a snap of her fingers, ink and a quill flew from the desk and danced as they wrote the title.

[Request for Acting as a Lover]

Smiling brightly next to the floating paper, Chloe said,

“Let’s go over the details first.”

* * *

“Hmm…”

Chloe repeatedly read the contract with her hand on her chin and then shook her head.

Tehis, who had been observing her all along, felt slightly disappointed but cautiously asked without showing it.

“Is there a clause you don’t like?”

“No, it’s quite the opposite. It’s so advantageous to me that it feels strange.”

It felt like she was swindling an innocent country boy.

With a troubled face, Chloe pointed to a specific part.

“First, here. ‘Must attend any banquet bearing the Emperor’s seal as a partner.’ …This means the Founding Festival, which happens once a year, right?”

“It also includes the banquet celebrating the Emperor’s birthday. The same goes for the Crown Prince’s coronation.”

Whether it’s once or twice a year, it’s the same thing. Besides, who knows when the coronation will be?

Not convinced at all, Chloe looked at Tehis with a puzzled expression.

Shouldn’t the Grand Duke’s lover show up in social circles a bit? Is it okay to take it this easy?

‘Well, less time wasted is good for me.’

Thinking that good things are good, she moved on and pointed to another clause.

“Then what about this? ‘During the contract period, the first party will support the second party’s material needs to the best of their ability if deemed reasonable.’ Do you realize how dangerous this clause is?”

“It’s fine because I will determine the standard of reasonableness. Although it’s specified separately, it’s just about providing a certain amount of the Winter Forest expedition’s compensation as an advance.”

“What if I demand extravagant expenses as your lover?”

“I’ll ask about the usage and adjust the budget.”

“What if I request essential research materials?”

“I’ll cover them out of my own pocket, within reason.”

After a few example Q&A exchanges, Chloe was convinced.

‘This man is a pushover.’

Why do I feel like the roles of the first and second parties are reversed?

Suspecting that the North might be struggling because of its overly generous master, she watched him calmly explain.

“Since it’s publicly known that I’m courting you, I believe it’s necessary to show this level of sincerity to avoid suspicion. It’s only natural that I bear all the costs incurred from the relationship.”

For a mage who had no interest in money or unnecessary luxury, only in research materials, this wasn’t a big condition. Given the North’s characteristics of regularly hunting monsters and having many rare plants, supporting her wasn’t an issue.

Tehis lightly skimmed through the contract. Since it was a trade involving the precious time of a mage, the content was overall favorable to her.

From clauses respecting her will in various aspects to bearing material losses.

It was an unfair contract by any measure, but his thoughts were different.

This was not just about contracting with a fake ideal type to get away from the princess. It was an opportunity to regularly meet and build a rapport with a high-level mage close to senior status.

Mages were that kind of people. Despite their disaster-like abilities, they voluntarily shut themselves in the Mage Tower, devoting their lives to study.

Their desire for knowledge burned brightly, but their other desires were significantly lower. They were famous for not being greedy for power and not getting involved in continental affairs.

‘The Emperor will be jealous.’

Since the Imperial Family had only managed to win over a few official mages, hearing that a high-level mage close to senior status was dating him would make the Emperor envious.

Although that wasn’t his main intention, the thought of the Emperor’s face contorting brought him satisfaction.

Tehis glanced at Chloe, who seemed to be leaning towards agreement. He had recklessly pushed forward, thinking it was an opportunity he couldn’t miss, but he hadn’t expected her to accept the contract. Thinking she must be in urgent need of materials, he prepared to empty his warehouse.

Regardless, the anxiety of whether she would accept the deal had been before drafting the contract. Seeing her uncertain face at the deliberately proposed generous terms, he subtly hinted as if to retract his words.

“If you find it burdensome…”

“Sounds great! Let’s move on to the next part.”

As Tehis intended, Chloe quickly pointed to another line.

This was the core of the contract and also the most concerning clause.

[The first and second parties must show affection towards each other in front of a third party.]

“Can you handle this?”

“…Hmm.”