"It depends on who it is."
"That's true."
I nodded and dipped my quill into the ink.
"Then I'll add this clause. If such a situation arises, we will share the fact with each other. And we will discuss how to handle it."
"That sounds fine."
"But it's true that killing them is the easiest method. Ah, excluding the royals, of course."
Rose broke into a cold sweat at my half-serious remark.
"Um... I'll be careful to make sure that doesn't happen as much as possible."
"Understood."
I scrawled the addition onto the document with my quill.
"Is there anything else?"
"About the contract period here. There's a clause saying it can be extended upon mutual agreement between Party A and Party B. If I stay in the estate after one year, does that mean the contract is extended?"
I looked at Rose with slight surprise, trying to discern the hidden intention behind her question.
'This is unexpected.'
I hadn't expected Rose to bring up the contract period first. She had wanted to leave as soon as the contract ended, so I thought she wouldn't mention the duration at all.
"Do you want to stay longer? As my wife, I thought you'd want to leave quickly to return to the Academy."
"You knew I took a leave of absence."
"You enrolled later than I did and probably haven't graduated yet, but you're here. Isn't it obvious?"
I had intentionally left the contract period somewhat open, just stating that it 'could be extended.'
'I would prefer it if Rose stayed longer, though.'
She would likely reject me coldly and leave according to the flow of the novel anyway.
The more you hold onto someone, the more they want to leave, so it was better to let her think she had the choice. Regardless of my own hopes.
"You can decide when the time comes. You can extend the contract, or you can stay after terminating it."
It took a little time to utter the next words.
"Whatever choice you make, I will respect your wishes."
But I managed to say it in the end, maintaining a cool demeanor by discussing the contract neatly without being clingy.
Yes, this was right. This was how it should be.
...
"......"
Rose bit her lip and averted her gaze for a moment.
"You aren't holding me back even once..."
A faint murmur like a sigh escaped her. Rose's green eyes sank endlessly, then returned as if resurfacing above the water.
"...Shall we move on to the next item. 'Party B must attend or host tea parties as requested by Party A to assess the current trends'... What does this mean?"
"Ah, right. Tea parties."
I leaned back and made myself comfortable before continuing.
"I have never attended a tea party hosted by collateral relatives or any other nobles until now."
"Yes."
"It's because of the Schmaichel family's special circumstances. Why would I attend when I know what will happen? I wouldn't even be able to take a bite of the food."
Rose kept her mouth shut tight and focused on my words.
"But now, with my birthday and the coronation not far off, I need to clearly distinguish between factions that will definitely be on my side and those that won't."
"Ah, then my job is..."
Rose let out a light exclamation.
"To infiltrate high society, observe the movements of the ladies, and find out which houses support you?"
"Exactly."
"A family head doesn't know all the intimate issues of a family. In this case, I could uncover a family's scandals or problems and win them over."
As expected, she was quick to understand. She grasped the whole picture even when I only explained a part, so there was no need to add further explanation.
"But..."
Rose fidgeted with her fingers, looking unsure.
"Can I really do well? This might be too heavy a burden for me."
"......"
"As Your Excellency knows, my reputation in high society is rock bottom. No one will want to invite me..."
Rose's head drooped toward the floor. Her red hair cascaded down limply along with it.
She was reverting back to the withered rose she had been when she first stepped out of the carriage.
I had to stop this!
"Madam."
"Yes."
"What is your surname, Madam?"
"Uh, Vik... no, ah."
A ray of realization flashed across Rose's previously depressed face.
"That means I... am a Schmaichel now."
"Correct. And a Schmaichel does not bow their head to others."
Each word I uttered carried power, straightening Rose's previously hunched shoulders.
"Have you forgotten why your reputation ended up like that? You couldn't act freely while belonging to the family, and with the two of them backing you into a corner, it must have been hard to refute them. But what about now?"
I gazed at Rose with unwavering eyes. She seemed captivated by my gaze and couldn't move an inch.
"Right now, you are Rose Schmaichel. To insult you is to insult me."
"Ah..."
"Are you going to keep helplessly taking it? Or are you going to fight back?"
Even though I wasn't pushing her aggressively, Rose panted lightly as if she was suffocating.
"-No."
Eventually, a somewhat coarse voice spilled from Rose's mouth.
"No, I won't."
It was a tone that would be criticized in a lady of high society, but I didn't blame or mock her for it. Because her roughened voice represented the surging will and courage within her.
"I... want to fight back."
Rose flinched, as if surprised by her own words,
"I want to win. I don't want to... take it anymore."
she poured out her words in a stronger voice.
"I kept investigating without giving up, so I will be able to find the evidence soon- so,"
Rose took a deep breath and met my eyes.
"I can do this. I will definitely pull it off."
A strong will radiated from Rose's moist eyes, like a rose drenched in water.
"...Splendid."
I ended up exclaiming in a whisper without realizing it.
'Hmm, is the praise too much? But to think such a small body could emit that kind of spirit.'
"You could be knighted for this."
I couldn't hold it in and said it out loud after all.
Although she wasn't wielding a weapon, wasn't she heading to the battlefield of high society? Wasn't she a splendid knight?
-Or so I thought.
"...I-I don't think I'm quite at that level. You're overpraising me..."
"I don't say things I don't mean."
"Yes..."
Rose twisted her body and quickly changed the subject.
"Then, my last question. Regarding the clause that says, 'Party A shall pay all costs necessary to fulfill the contract'..."
"Just as it sounds. Do you need further explanation?"
"When you say all costs, exactly how much are you talking about?"
Deep tension settled on Rose's face. It seemed she was anxious that the contract only stated Party A (myself) would pay, without a single mention of Party B (herself).
"There is no limit."
"What?"
"I'll say it just once more. I said there is no limit."
Rose stared at my mouth as if to confirm what she had just heard, but my expression remained unchanged. Only then, realizing the truth of my words, Rose let out a silent scream.
"Whatever clothing, accessories, or other necessities you require, purchase as much as you need."
"......"
"You are no different from a knight heading out to the battlefield of high society. And I spare no expense when investing in my knight."
Rose's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.
"Until now, Selma has managed the keys to the storage. But they are yours now."
"......"
"Learn the ins and outs of the inner castle as quickly as possible. Make sure to get Selma's help."
Rose placed a hand over her chest. It was a gesture that could have been meant to calm her pounding heart or to feel its rapid beating.
After a moment of silence, Rose slowly moved her lips.
"...I will work hard. I will not disappoint you, Your Excellency."
...
That is the only way she could be my knight... no, my wife.
I nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Are the questions over, then?"
"Yes. That was the last question."
"Then let's sign. Read it over once more before we do."
I handed one copy of the contract to Rose and wrote the added details on the other. Meanwhile, Rose thoroughly scanned the contract one last time.
"Alright, then."
I signed the last page of the contract first, then handed it over to Rose.
Sageuk, sageuk.
Rose wrote her name, Rose, and hesitated for a moment before writing the surname, Schmaichel.
After repeating the process, two copies of the contract were complete. I held one out to Rose.
"Keep it safe."
"Yes, Your Excellency. I look forward to working with you."
"Judging by how you came out to greet me earlier, you were already doing well. Just keep doing that."
"...Yes, Your Excellency."
Rose carefully folded the contract and held it in her hands. It was a delicate touch, like holding a fragile glass bottle.
After looking down at the contract for a moment, Rose eventually looked up at me.
"I have one more thing to ask. It's not related to the contract."
"What is it?"
"You probably know that I majored in Magical Studies at the Academy."
When I nodded in affirmation, Rose continued.
"I returned to the family in such a hurry that I couldn't pack the Magical Studies tools I was using. Could you let me bring them here?"
"You mean those."
Rose thought there was something suspicious about her mother's death. And she had pointed to the current Viscountess Vikander as the culprit.
That was the reason she had started her Magical Studies research. It was also why she had completely hidden her abilities from the family.
The Magical Studies tools at the Academy would probably contain traces of the experiments Rose had conducted to uncover the truth about the Viscountess Vikander's suspicions.
"I will send someone to bring them. And I suppose most of the Academy's items were rented. Am I correct?"
"...Yes, that's right."
Rose blushed slightly from shame.
...