CH 68

When I saw Mist looking so happy, I felt depressed. I felt like I understood Mist’s character but I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy playing games. I don’t want to play games with the possibility of losing.

That’s why I’m tired of the competition of modern society, and I was aiming for a slow and relaxed life, where there’s no busy-ness, no competition, nothing at all. I almost cried at the plight that I am in right now.

“So, now that you know what I’m up to, what are you going to do about it?”

I know what she intends to do. But I still don’t know what she wants from me.

“Now that I know what you’re after, what do you want from me?”

When I asked her frankly, she crossed her arms and seemed to be thinking. After a while, she looked up. Her face was shining like the sun.

“Would you be willing to show me around your territory the next time I want to travel there?”

“Huh?”

I was taken aback by the request, which was too easy for such a situation, and made a pitiful sound.

I thought that her purpose of this was to obtain information about my territory, but if it was to obtain information, she would have demanded to be able to move freely, not to be guided by me, which would have restricted her actions.

“You look kind of surprised.”

“Of course I am.”

I answered sincerely.

“It’s simple, I heard that people can eat the most delicious bread in your territory these days! But it would be boring to go there just to eat bread, wouldn’t it?”

I didn’t know what the public thought of the bread since I couldn’t get involved with other people, but judging from the fact that Mist at the school knew about it, the bread business seemed to be doing well.

It would certainly be boring if she only came to eat the bread, and if the lord himself was showing her around, it would show that he was friendly with the other families as well.

If that was the case, I could invite the other families and not give special treatment to the Count’s family. In any case, it was not a bad idea, because I wanted to invite them in order to make a profit from the bread, and to add a special touch to my reputation.

“Are you sure that’s all?”

I asked cautiously, praying that there were no more ulterior motives.

“That’s all. I’ll be on vacation after this test.”

The original purpose of this school was to allow the royal family to take the children of nobles as hostages to the capital. As the royal family’s power declined, the nobles didn’t want their children to stay at the school for too long, so the vacations were extended.

“All right. Then I’ll accept this agreement.”

“I’m glad you’re on board, Chris! It’s not that I don’t trust you, but just in case, let’s make a contract!”

Mist smiled and said something that made me feel uncomfortable.

A contract? It’s getting weirder by the minute. Is it really necessary to take out a contract for a promise as simple as this? Can I really just sign this contract and be done with it……?

Is her real purpose to obtain my signature and forge documents? But if that’s the case, I can counteract it.

I understand that you want to make a contract, but I’m going to prepare the contract itself, is that okay with you?”

“Of course that’s fine. The contract is just a guarantee that you won’t break your word, so you shouldn’t have to worry so much about it.”

Mist seemed to mean what she said.

“I’ll get the contract for you. All Mist has to do is sign it. If you’re okay with that, I’ll take the deal.”

“All right, all right. Chris, you’re already so cautious. But it’s no good if I don’t like what’s in the contract, so I’ll check the text.”

Tsk, she saw right through me. It seems that she is not that naive. Oh well. The real purpose of the contract itself is meaningful. If I prepare a special contract, everything will be solved.

“Well, of course. So let’s make a deal.”

“All right! I’m so excited!”

I was deeply relieved when Mist agreed with a happy smile on her face. Then, belatedly, my legs almost lifted off the ground in reaction to being released from the heavy pressure I had been under.

Yes! It’s working! There are still some uncertainties, but perhaps this will work. Oh no, it’s hard to contain my laughter!

“Wow, you have a really evil smile on your face.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Mist looked at me with a fierce look, but I made a joke of it and covered it up. It seemed that it was showing on my face. Watch out, watch out. If she changes her mind, I’ll be in trouble. I have to stop smiling.

“No, now you’re making a terrible face.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Again, I made a joke to cover it up.

It’s hard to keep my face from changing. I wonder if I should ask the always expressionless Yulis to teach me how to make a poker face next time. No, I had a bad feeling about this, so I decided not to do it. I don’t want to get too close to a dangerous situation.

“Chris, is that supposed to stir me up?”

“No, it’s……”

I tried to make a joke out of it again, but halfway through I realized that this would be perceived as an attempt to stir things up, so I quickly held my tongue.

“Yeah. If you hadn’t stopped halfway through, I might have been a little angry.”

Mist smiled coldly at me. The coldness of the smile suddenly cooled my happy mood. Oh, sh*t. I almost did it again…….Reflecting on my unintentional actions, I quickly let out an apology.

“I’m sorry.”

The warmth returned to Mist’s eyes, as she understood that it was not intentional.

“What a shame.”

I wondered at Mist’s appearance and was about to ask why, but before I could, Mist muttered.

“If you’re that excited about it, Chris, you should accept an engagement instead of a contract…….”

“Well, then, the deal we agreed upon is that I would show you around my territory when you travel there. You mean that, right? Don’t worry, I’ll remember every word of it! I’ll call on you when the contract is ready, just wait until then! After all, as proud aristocrats, we can’t break a contract we’ve already made! Now, if you’ll excuse me!”

I spoke quickly and dashed away before Mist could say anything else.