Chapter 5.13
When she came out of the inn, the faces of the Marquis’s people were gaunt, as if they had stayed up all night. Even so, when she came out, they were cheerful, but when she got on the royal carriage prepared by Richard, their expressions turned to utter despair. Judy Esther left them behind, reassuring herself that she was now saving the Marquis.
Three hours later, staff from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Administration, who were enjoying the National Foundation Day holiday, were summoned to the Crown Prince’s office.
They found themselves witnessing the Crown Prince absolutely entranced by a woman and surrendering everything to her.
[1. Richard Adrian promises to pardon Judy Esther Emers even if she commits the heinous crime of treason…… 2. Richard Adrian declares that he considers Judy Esther Emers a member of his family…]
The royal official drafting the documents looked at Richard with a bewildered expression. The normally cold and meticulous superior had become a fool within just a few days. He was signing a vow on a contract covered with magical sigils—not any ordinary paper, but the kind used only for important inter-state treaties.
Are you aware of the value of this single sheet of paper?
“Your Highness… may I add just one more clause?”
“Add everything Judy desires.”
“Is that really alright? Then, may those present here serve as witnesses?”
Without even glancing at those who gasped, Richard nodded with the expression of a man ready to give it all away. The royal officials exhaled deeply. They had just shifted from witnesses of a high-ranking official blinded by love to accomplices in his foolish deeds.
[Richard Adrian by his honor and title, formalizes the promise to Judy Esther Emers as stated above. This contract is made by mutual agreement… and witnessed by two individuals…]
The royal officials who drafted the document became witnesses, writing down their names, positions, and personal information, and then signing it. Though it resembled a vow written by a husband to his wife after a quarrel, they wisely avoided verbalizing it. They simply realized that even the stoic Crown Prince, who seemed as unshakable as steel, was powerless in front of Adrian’s fairy. After all, Richard was human, a man.
Once Richard and the two officials signed, the magical effect took hold. A faint light spread across the paper, then a strong glow emitted from the signatures before fading.
The contract, written on magical parchment, cannot be torn or burned. It can only be reduced to ashes and disappear when the contract ends. It is understood that any party who fails to uphold the contract will face adverse consequences—nothing fatal, but perhaps severe illness or pain. The witnesses also suffer the same affliction as the breaching party.
The officials, suddenly roped in as unwilling witnesses, wore deeply aggrieved expressions, but in a rigid class society, they could not refuse the orders of Richard, a person of supreme authority.
“Isn’t His Majesty wonderful?”
“In return, a kiss here would be nice.”
Richard tapped his own lips. Without hesitation, Judy Esther stood on tiptoe and sprinkled his lips with kisses. The officials in the office gaped in disbelief. This was the kind of lovey-dovey behavior seen only in couples who had just started dating.
There were rumors that they had linked arms on the first night of the Founding Festival ball, but no one expected it to have progressed to this level. The officials sighed as they looked at each other.
Once the Founding Festival ball ended, preparations for the royal wedding would make them even busier—such was the plight of overburdened civil servants who stood in the wrong queue and never got a chance to rest.
“You know I like Your Highness, right? I love you!”
She raised both arms above her head, forming a heart shape.
Judy Esther looked at the notarized document with an expression as if she had won the world. It was a life-saving pass in her arms, a way out for her and the House of the Marquis of Emers.
“That’s good.”
“I told you I love you.”
She smiled brightly and took his hand.
“Judy, I say this out of worry, but are you sure you don’t want to go home?”
“Why are you so desperate to send me home, Your Highness? Do you hate me that much?”
“I love that you’re staying by me. But the Marquis… Never mind.”
She hummed happily while looking at the indemnity document. Richard frowned as he thought of the Marquis of Emers and wore a troubled expression. Of course, he could overpower the Marquis by status, but that would make the road to marriage considerably difficult. To live with her as soon as possible, he needed to ease the Marquis’s mind.
“If you’re not going home yet, shall we have a meal together?”
“Now that you mention it, I am hungry.”
As Richard brought up food, her stomach gave a well-timed rumble. After intense physical activity since morning and rushing to the palace without eating, the tension finally eased upon receiving the indemnity contract, and her stomach signaled its need.
Hand in hand, they headed for the dining hall. Judy Esther had no awareness of where exactly this romantic stroll was taking place. She was simply too happy that a path to survival had opened, failing to notice the surroundings. During the Founding Festival Ball, foreign royalty and nobility stayed at the palace, and domestic nobility also came out of their estates to stay in the capital, so many gatherings were held daily at the palace. Rumours of their romantic activities spread instantly, growing increasingly exaggerated.
“They were holding hands and eating together.”
“They kissed in broad daylight in the middle of the garden.”
“His Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Emers have started living together.”
<Continued in Volume 2>
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