Chapter 57
Contractor.
With Maya being awakened now, a contractor was the only one who’d keep her tethered to reason.
‘The only one for Maya.’
As Tristan dwelled on that fact, a strange satisfaction arose within him.
“Is it alright if we hold hands?”
Looking at Maya, who was fidgeting with his hand, the curse that had always seemed like misfortune now felt like a blessing.
The curse and the contract were effective ways to bind Maya and Tristan together.
Tristan gently withdrew his hand from Maya’s grasp and patted her.
“It’s best to check if the treatment worked well first.”
Checking Maya’s condition was the priority.
“The treatment went more smoothly this time… But is there anywhere else that still hurts?”
At Tristan’s question, Maya obediently wiggled her fingers and raised her arm.
“There’s no pain at all.”
It seemed that her bones were fully healed. Compared to the previous time, his skills had certainly improved.
“I’m still inexperienced, so I couldn’t completely reduce the fever.”
“But you definitely reduced my fatigue already.”
Just like before, Tristan, who was still growing in his abilities, hadn’t managed to lower Maya’s fever.
But he had healed her bones, treated her wounds, and alleviated her fatigue.
“It’s a big difference compared to a few days ago. Not that it was bad before.”
“It seems the training paid off.”
Tristan smiled as he responded to Maya’s words.
It was time to get to the main point.
“How can I…”
Tristan’s hand slid into Maya’s, intertwining their fingers.
“…become your contractor?”
The way Tristan lowered his eyes made his face appear wistful.
‘We’re just talking about the already-discussed contract.’
Even talking about the contractor role seemed so seductive when he said it.
‘The same words sound different depending on the face.’
Surely, when Kendrick spoke to her, everything sounded enticing because of his handsome face.
“Tristan, would you please stand over there?”
At Maya’s request, Tristan stood up.
Pendragon, who had been listening with great interest, returned to the form of a sword.
It was a pure white sword that perfectly matched Maya’s stature.
The aura surrounding the sword was entirely different from that of a normal blade, exuding a holy atmosphere. The white and blue light encasing the sword burned like fire.
Maya planted the sword in the ground and knelt before Tristan.
“I, Maya Pendragon, accept Tristan Bayarden as my contractor. Will you be my contractor?”
“Gladly. It is my honor.”
The aura from the sword embedded in the ground spread to Tristan’s right hand, leaving the same Pendragon symbol that Maya had.
The contract was complete.
‘This feels different from agreeing to our contract marriage.’
And when she made a contract with the emperor in her past life, she had never felt this ticklish feeling.
“Maya, wait a moment.”
“Yes.”
When Maya stood up, Tristan knelt down this time.
“No, my lord… Please stand up!”
“It’s an equal contract, so isn’t it unfair if only Maya kneels? You can say no if you don’t want to.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to.”
Maya answered quickly.
Who would refuse the Grand Duke of this country kneeling respectfully before them?
Maya enjoyed the feeling of her self-esteem rising.
Being acknowledged was always a new and thrilling experience.
“Alright, then shall we hold hands?”
Tristan’s words signaled the beginning of the contact needed to break his curse.
“I’m going to head in now.”
Pendragon, who had been listening to their conversation with great interest, felt the cold creeping in and decided to disappear.
‘Tired, perhaps.’
Even Pendragon’s ego needed rest.
Maya refocused on the conversation.
“Is it just physical contact? Or are there other conditions?”
“All Lord Bayarden left was that contact would break each other’s curse, and it would take about half a year for it to be fully lifted.”
Considering the importance of breaking the curse, leaving such vague instructions seemed odd.
To Maya, Bayarden seemed just as peculiar a dragon as Pendragon.
Maya took Tristan’s outstretched hand.
It was strange.
‘This physical contact is only for the contract.’
Her fever had long since subsided, but it felt like there was still warmth within her.
It felt completely different from when he had first held her hand a moment ago.
Holding hands with Kendrick didn’t evoke these feelings.
She became conscious of his tone, gestures, and every action.
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