The Contract with the Lord was a Trap

“Anyway, nice to meet you.”

Adrian smiled as he were genuinely glad to see her as he held out his hand. His while gloved hand was patiently waiting for hers. The wrinkle-free glove resembled him perfectly.

“It’s really nice to meet you after such a long time.”

Hestia did not shake his hand and just stared at him, but Adrian did not lower his hand and just repeated that he was glad to see her.

Strangely, he seemed more excited than usual. Usually he was just crazy, but now he appeared to be mad.

Hestia was silent for a moment, not knowing what to say to the madman. Luckily, she was able to think of an appropriate response before he was able to repeat his ‘it’s nice to meet you’ a third time.

“You… Aren’t you on probation right now?”

For his honor, she swallowed back comments like, ‘you were the only one among your class who didn’t graduate on time because of an accident’.

From what she could remember, Adrian was defiantly placed on probation within the Magic Tower until next month. She remembered it clearly because it was the first time in the history of the academy that graduation had been delayed due to a student’s probation.

“I came out for a moment because I was frustrated. It’s a good thing I came out since I was able to meet you.”

Adrian answered naturally, without a trace of shame. Was it the Magic Towers fault that he was even locked up? This is ridiculous.

“Wait a minute, don’t you have to report your movements?”

“It’s alright as long as I don’t get caught.”

Shh, he whispered, putting his index finger on his lips. He even grinned like a child who was playing a funny prank.

Mages must report their destination when moving. This was the first thing you learned as soon as you entered the academy. You would hear it so much that your ears felt worn out. Violation of this law was considered treason and punishable by death. This crazy guy was risking everything just to go outside because he was frustrated.

“As I thought, he isn’t just crazy…”

Hestia absentmindedly mumbled whatever came to mind without a filter. Adrian held his stomach as he bent over laughing. What was so funny? Was his life that fun? Did he even know what suffering was?

“Huh? Are you really the ‘nerdy’ Hestia Welter?”

In contrast to Adrian, who was smiling happily, Hestia’s expression became cold. He seemed to be enjoying life to the fullest. Well, when she thought back to his school life, it wasn’t something she could understand. It was obvious that he had grown up in the Grand Ducal household, where everything about him was precious and he always been given the best of the best. There was even a saying that he grew up eating jewels and drinking gold from the moment he was born.

It was unlike her miserable life.

As Hestia just stood there staring blankly, his laughter gradually subsided. It was only after his eyes had gotten used to the darkness that he could clearly see her face, which was extremely pale.

“Are you okay? Are you sick?”

To his question, she gave the most vulgar of responses.

“Do you want to sleep with me?”

“What…?”

He asked back, as if he couldn’t believe his ears. The smile left his face like a deflating balloon.

“What? The noble Lord Kingston doesn’t want a woman who is to be sold as a second wife?”

She bit her lip, feeling strangely angry. It was an emotion this nobleman had probably never felt.

It wasn’t his fault. He had done nothing wrong, she was just angry because he was so cheerful without any worries. She had taken a shot at him even though he was innocent.

She was the worst.

The taste of blood was present from her tightly bitten lips. She felt so upset that she was just spitting out useless information. Adrian’s face hardened.

How many people had been able to see that look on his face? It was a strange feeling. He always had a mischievous look, he appeared unfamiliar at this moment. It was a common story that a fallen nobleman who could not even afford a dowry for his daughter would accept money like a commoner and sell his daughter into marriage. A story so common that it was not even mentioned in conversation. However, it was very cruel for the person involved.

“That’s not it.”

Yes, he was that kind of person. Adrian was a famous leacher who would casually flirt with one woman after another. It was not considered a flaw for an unmarried nobleman to have several mistresses.

‘Then take me too. Don’t ask any questions, don’t even think about it.’

She suppressed her feelings of despair and took a step closer, but he took a step back then.

“You will regret this.”

Adrian blurted out with an uncharacteristically stern look on his face. She smiled.

“My life itself is a regret.”

“Don’t act impulsively.”

“That’s not your place, is it?”

“Your judgement is clouded right now.”

“My mind is sounder than yours.”

“I will help you-“

“How? How can you help me now that you are trapped in the magic tower?”

Even when she responded with a smile, he still had a stern expression on his face.

Her mother, Melda, still had the right to report her movements. It was the same for Adrian. If it was known that he was here, she wouldn’t be able to get away.

He didn’t answer.

It was an unfortunate life for her. The more she struggled, the worse her situation became.

“I don’t want to be sold. I really, really don’t want that… I’d rather die…”

The sight of Hestia muttering blankly, eyes unfocused, was worse than seeing someone cry. But he was unable to solve her fundamental problem. Neither of them could. She was helpless.

“… It’s alright. It doesn’t matter if its you or someone else.”

Life was always like that, resembling trash that she wanted to just throw away. She was really sick of it all.

“…”

Adrian still had no answer, he couldn’t force himself on someone who didn’t want it.

However, in order to break the contract between Melda and Baron Simon, it was necessary to violate the ‘conditions’ presented by the Baron. Since she couldn’t completely remove all the mage blood flowing through her body, which she had inherited from her father, there was only one option left. Hestia turned her gaze to the large street. There were many people wandering around at this time, even though it was early morning. They were mostly men. Groups of delinquent men were present both inside and outside the alley.

It wouldn’t matter who she grabbed. The moment she turned her body and took a few steps, he quickly reached out and grabbed her wrist as she walked away. His hands were hot, so much that she could feel it through his gloves.

“Hestia.”

He spun her around, forcing her back toward him. She faced his blue eyes, filled with mixed emotions.

“…Don’t go.”

These were the words he was finally able to get out after being silent for so long, as if he lost his voice.

Hestia took a step closer and this time he did not dodge. Adrian held her trembling hand.

***

Melda was nervously pacing back and forth.

Hestia had disappeared. She didn’t know how long she had been gone, but she wasn’t there when she had returned at dawn, so she was probably gone all night.

She had an uneasy feeling.

“Where on earth could she have gone! Could she have…?”

Did she run away? Melda thought she might jinx it if she said it out loud, so she covered her mouth.

Hestia was an obedient daughter, unlike her son who caused all kinds of trouble. She had never before left her bed at dawn. Seeing as all her belongings were in place, she didn’t appear to have run away. Additionally, Mages were always required to report their travel routes.

“No, I still have the authority to report.”

To suppress her nervousness, Melda recalled the Mage’s Code of Conduct. However, she was still anxious, as if her blood was drying up every second her daughter was missing.

She had decided to give the knight who would soon become her husband new armor and a sword, there was the necklace she wanted and, most of all, she needed money for her precious son, Danny’s, entrance fee to the prestigious boarding school.

She anxiously recalled her perfect plan.

Unable to hold out until day break, Melda went outside to at least look around the house. Before she could even leave the garden, she noticed a black silhouette.

Hestia, covered in a thick robe, was slowly walking toward the house. Well, it’s all alright now. It looks like she went for a walk because she was feeling anxious about her upcoming wedding.

Melda heaved a sigh of relief and ran forward quickly, dragging her into the house. She placed both hands on her waist, vowing to keep her locked up until her wedding. She scolded in a stern voice.

“Hestia, where on earth have you been?!”

Hesta didn’t answer Melda’s question. Instead the strong smell of alcohol permeated the room.

“Why do you smell of alcohol? You’re about to become a bride! You need to behave yourself as the soon to be mistress of the Baron!”

“I slept with a man.”

Melda, who was nagging, had her mind go blank for a moment at her daughter’s words.

“What…?”

“You’re finally looking at me now.”

Melda looked at her daughter blankly. She had become unfamiliar overnight. Seeing her now, her eyes were empty. They were the same as the eyes of James Welter, who had desperately called out to Hestia just before his death.

“I am no longer pure. It would be best to ask the Baron to call off the engagement as soon as possible.”

“Are you crazy? What have you done!?”

“It’s exactly as I have said.”

Melda turned pale and grabbed Hestia by the collar. She was so distraught that she grabbed her clothes and tore them apart. Hestia did no protest at all. She felt more devastated by Melda’s expression than by the buttons that were flying off of her torn clothes.

She hadn’t been worried about her missing daughter, but herself. She was worried that the Barons new bride had been spoiled.  Despair was visible on Melda’s face as she confirmed that Hestia’s words were true. Her neck, chest and even stomach were full of red marks. It was the clear sign of a man’s touch.