Chapter 54
Nathaniel, Who Contracted with a Demon
“What… what do you mean, with who?” I asked.
[With him.]
Ilesse pointed at Nathaniel. My eyes widened in shock, and I blinked rapidly before looking at Ilesse again.
“Why did you make a contract with him?” I asked.
[Huh? Didn’t I tell you to make a contract with him?]
…How could you even think that?
My mind was spinning. All my plans to have the Winston direct line make proxy contracts were completely ruined. I had no energy left to be angry; I just sighed heavily.
Ilesse had made a contract with Nathaniel? And he had misunderstood my instructions—thinking “take care of him well” meant “make a proxy contract”?
“…Haa…”
Wait. I don’t know much about demon contracts, but… once a contract is made, can it never be undone?
If I could cancel it, I could redo it with someone else, right?
I held onto hope and asked Ilesse, “Can we redo a proxy contract with someone else?”
[You could.]
“Yes, then right now—”
[But then he’d have to die.]
I nearly cursed. I held back the swear words and clenched my teeth in frustration.
“That’s impossible!” I said.
[Is it?]
I groaned. I couldn’t even yell properly without worrying someone might hear me outside.
What a ridiculous creature. I glared at Ilesse, who floated around like a gray cloud, looking absurd as usual.
“Sorry, Nathaniel. I’ll come back tomorrow, okay?”
“….”
[Just let it go. That’s how he is.]
“I promise.”
[Exactly. Arguing with him only makes Master frustrated.]
I exhaled slowly. I extended my pinky finger. Nathaniel looked confused. He didn’t understand why I suddenly held out my pinky.
Desmond and Bibi muttered something each, but I couldn’t calm him easily. I smiled and wiggled my pinky. Nathaniel, sensing what to do, linked his pinky with mine.
“I… I’m sorry.”
“Huh?”
“This way, we have to keep the promise.”
“You did something wrong…?”
“Now you can trust me, right?” Nathaniel asked again, looking scared.
I hesitated, unsure how to answer, then shook my linked pinky slightly.
“No. It’s not your fault.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Now go sleep.”
“Okay… really.”
“….”
It’s all Ilesse’s fault for being so stupid. Nathaniel looked nervous, as if I might leave, but finally, he lay down on the bed obediently.
I swallowed a sigh and quietly watched. His movements were awkward on the unfamiliar bed, so I gently patted his chest, urging him to rest.
Now what? Nathaniel had made a proxy contract with a demon…
After watching him fall asleep, I left the room. My plan was simple: make sure the temple could never use Nathaniel, and protect him. He was too weak, physically and mentally, to fight anyone. That would have been cruel.
“Dia…”
“Well… I can’t help it.”
“Ugh.”
“Dia?”
There was nothing I could do for now. I couldn’t break the proxy contract unless the contractor died.
“…!”
I decided I had to be much more careful with demon contracts from now on.
Startled, I lifted my head and saw Branden watching me with concern.
“Ah, I should go now.”
“Dia, are you sleepy?”
“No… I’m fine.”
I checked the time and realized it was already late. I nodded to Branden. Abel was also there, looking worried. Even with physical enhancements, a child’s body needed sleep or it could be dangerous.
No matter how much I enhance my body, I can’t escape needing sleep.
“Ilesse… as I said earlier…”
“…If I go…”
“Hmm?”
“…Can I not go?”
The days had been tiring, with reduced sleep after meeting Nathaniel at night. Today was finally a day to go outside.
“….”
Unfortunately, the Duke of Winston was busy, and Veronica was dealing with the divorce trial with Cedric.
Again, Nathaniel held onto my sleeve, not wanting me to leave. I couldn’t easily push him away—it was too pitiful. Vincent and Henrietta were the same.
The direct lines of Winston stayed nearby, worried about me after the previous attack, but they couldn’t stay forever. They eventually left for their own duties.
I felt a little relieved. Branden was much easier to handle than the others.
I hesitated to answer because if I chose clothes, he might insist I change immediately.
“Uncle…” I murmured. Abel spoke up for me.
“Hmm?”
“Dia is sleepy.”
“Dia would look nice in bright clothes because her skin is fair.”
“Yes, Uncle will hold her.”
“Mm.”
Branden, grinning like a fool, took me from Sophia’s arms. He pointed to a summer dress, light and cool-looking. Even in a fancy carriage, I could move safely in his arms.
It wasn’t yet summer, but the dress would be good preparation.
“Do you like this dress, Dia?”
“Yes.”
“We’re here.”
“Then… this one too…”
“Wow.”
Branden began choosing all the clothes I had looked at but hadn’t answered about. Soon, I was surrounded by a dazzling selection of outfits.
I had been inside the mansion for so long that the busy capital streets surprised me.
“Let’s fix these to your size and send them,” Branden said as he carried me out of the carriage. Countless eyes turned toward us.
“Ah, it’s the Winston carriage.”
“Is that… Lady Dia?”
I was simply being carried while Branden selected the clothes. Whispers followed, but I didn’t pay much attention.
Curious, I tilted my head. Branden guided me into a store, surprisingly familiar to him despite being an academic all his life.
“Why, Dia?” he asked.
“Welcome, Branden.”
“Uncle, aren’t they going to try on the clothes?”
“We’re looking at children’s clothes.”
“Huh? Why try on? Dia looks good in anything.”
“Yes, we’ve prepared everything.”
A woman, dressed as elegantly as at a ball, led us with a smile. The Winston family sure loved to spoil their children.
Staff arranged everything efficiently, displaying dozens of outfits. I admired them quietly. Abel nodded seriously beside me.
I looked at the colorful patterns and styles of all the dresses with interest.
After buying countless clothes, shoes, and matching accessories, we went to a large, fancy cafe.
We were expected to try everything there. The wealthy patrons passed by, well dressed.
Even with dozens of outfits, it would take forever to try them all on.
“Branden, please show us to a seat.”
“Right.”
A staff member hurried us to a private room, shielding us from the public.
Branden smiled at me. “Dia, which clothes do you like?”
I wondered if coming outside even mattered—this was almost like eating dessert at the mansion.
