NRAL | Chapter 110

~Chapter 110~

The Clause of the Contract

“Don’t make that face. It’s not as serious as you’re worrying about.”

I don’t like being hurt either, Eleanor added jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. But judging by Karsian’s expression, it didn’t seem to help much.

It seemed like it would be best to move on from this topic. With that decision in mind, she cleared her throat and continued.

“By the way, could you introduce me to a trustworthy physician?”

“Is there something wrong with you?”

Karsian quickly looked at her, scanning her body for any injuries, clearly worried.

“No, not at all. I’m healthy,” Eleanor quickly reassured him, waving her hands to calm him down.

“I just want to meet one in advance. I want to get a check-up on my health since it’s been a while. Of course, we have a family physician, but…”

She stopped mid-sentence, her smile turning a bit wry.

A sly grin appeared on her face as an unexpected memory crossed her mind.

“Lady Eleanor, I have shocking news!”

It was a few days ago. Someone knocked on her door in the early morning, and when she opened it, it was the Duke of Astria’s personal physician, wrapped up tightly to hide his identity. He was the one she had paid off in advance.

“The Duke has ordered Miss Nora to get pregnant. She is to carry the child of the Crown Prince and the heir to Astria. Soon, the Duke plans to bring a man into Nora’s room.”

The news he delivered was truly shocking.

“Order her to get pregnant?” The mere thought of it made Eleanor feel disgusted.

Nora, who had once proudly carried the Astria name, now reduced to an object, was told to bear children like a farm animal. Eleanor felt sick just thinking about it.

Despite hating Nora, she couldn’t help but feel sympathy for her situation. Or perhaps, it was because she realized that without Nora, she might have ended up in the same place.

For this reason, Eleanor secretly hoped that Nora had become infertile. Given that Arlo was impotent, this outcome seemed almost inevitable.

“…That physician isn’t trustworthy,” Eleanor said, snapping out of her thoughts and smiling lightly.

The Duke’s personal physician was somewhat useful. She had bribed him and found his weaknesses, so she had received much valuable information from him. However, he couldn’t be trusted. A person who worked for money or was easily manipulated by secrets could turn on her at any moment if someone else offered more money or stronger leverage.

While the situation was in Eleanor’s favor for now, if things changed, he would easily betray her and side with Nora or the Duke. So she had to be very careful not to reveal any information to him.

“…I see. I’ll introduce you to the physician you saw last time. He’s a little older, but he’s skilled and very discreet. You can trust him.”

“Ah, the one from last time.”

He must have been referring to the physician she met at the Royster mansion in the city center. Her memory of him wasn’t clear because her mind was mostly occupied with Karsian. The sensation of the sticky ointment from that day still lingered in her mind, and she cleared her throat awkwardly.

“Coincidentally, he came here with me today. Would you like to meet him right now?”

“Yes, that would be appreciated. But won’t you get bored while waiting?”

“I’m still lacking in caffeine. While you’re gone, I think I’ll have another cup of coffee.”

Karsian showed her the empty coffee cup with a faint smile.

Eleanor often drank several cups of coffee in a row, so without much thought, she nodded in agreement.

“Alright. I’ll be back shortly.”

After Eleanor left with the maid, Karsian was left alone in the room.

He had been sitting elegantly, but now he suddenly slouched, leaning back against the sofa, his head tilting backward as his dark hair became disheveled.

“Ha…”

He seemed tired as he rubbed his face with one hand, letting out a long sigh. His face, no longer kind and warm, showed a raw and unrefined emotion burning in his red eyes.

He hated that she would have to suffer.

The thought of her willingly offering herself to endure pain bothered him more than it should. It gnawed at him.

At the same time, a dangerous impulse surged within him.

No matter what, whether Eleanor wanted it or not, he wanted to destroy all the obstacles in her path. No, he wanted to grab everyone she was going to face and bring them to her, mutilating them, cutting off their arms and legs, and tearing out their tongues, then delivering them to her as a warning.

That way, she could finish her revenge safely and without harm.

‘But if I do that, she’ll despise me.’

Karsian clenched his jaw tightly.

His desire to help her, to intervene against her wishes, was just selfishness, obsession, and deceit. Eleanor had made it clear she didn’t want his involvement. He had to respect the boundaries she had set.

He had promised himself that he would. But seeing her hurt, and knowing she’d intentionally allowed herself to suffer—he couldn’t help but feel his selfish desire rising.

It would have been easier to accept her hate and keep her safe than to watch her go through this. Even if she hated him forever, keeping her safe felt more important.

As he thought about this, Karsian furrowed his brow.

At that very moment, an unforgettable memory surfaced in his mind.

“I like everything about you. Meeting you often, being escorted by you, walking hand in hand, hearing people compliment us on how well we look together…”

The image of Eleanor, holding his arm and looking up at him with longing, suddenly flashed in his mind. He had never imagined that someone would look at him like that, and it made him rethink everything.

Months ago, he would have accepted being despised if it meant keeping her safe. He would have done anything to ensure her safety.

But now, things are different.

Eleanor looked at him with tenderness, called his name softly, and smiled at him with flushed cheeks. It was a side of her he never could have hoped for in the past. That gaze, that voice, and that smile meant more to him than anything. He couldn’t bear to lose them.

‘It won’t be long now.’

Yes, she had said it herself. The end of her revenge was near, and nothing as bad as he feared would happen.

So, Karsian decided to believe her words and endure just a little longer. The regret that filled him now, he couldn’t shake it.

He kept thinking of Eleanor’s smiling face as he drank the coffee that had been brought to him.

He had already finished four cups, and now, he felt a dull ache rising in his chest.

***

A week later.

Eleanor returned to the Duke of Astria with good news.

She told him about the contract that Karsian had agreed to, where he promised to give a large sum of money in exchange for her becoming his mistress.

The Duke, instead of being overjoyed, was suspicious.

“Write a deed and give it to us? It’s a good deal, but the conditions seem too good to be true.”

Eleanor smiled softly to herself. The Duke’s sharp mind hadn’t failed him.

“I guess I pushed for it, but I really couldn’t afford to let this opportunity slip away. But perhaps we should get it notarized?”

“Notarize it, huh? Yes, that would make it more reliable. Bring it up carefully.”

“Of course, Father.”

Eleanor had already discussed the notarization with Karsian, so there was no need to ask him again.

After sending a formal letter to the Duke, she waited a while before informing him that Karsian had agreed.

The Duke wasn’t entirely convinced, but he couldn’t turn down the offer either. If he got the notarized deed, he could use it to begin managing funds even before the money arrived.

One week later.

Finally, the day had come for the Duke’s long-awaited contract to be signed.

The location was none other than the Duke’s mansion.

“Welcome, Your Grace!”

The Duke received Karsian with great hospitality, even coming out to meet him at the front door. No one, not even Arlo, had ever been treated this way before.

“Thank you for the invitation, Duke Astria. I trust that Miss Eleanor is doing well?”

As Eleanor watched Karsian step into the house where she had lived her entire life, she couldn’t help but feel strange. The feeling was very different from when he had come to pick her up on their date.

Back then, her heart had raced with excitement, but now, she felt a bit… embarrassed. She was afraid he would notice the memories this place held for her.

It was just an unnecessary worry. She quickly pushed aside the discomfort as she followed Karsian up the stairs.

“Welcome, Karsian. Didn’t the heat bother you on your way here?”

“The weather’s cooling down. Looks like fall is here,” Karsian replied.

“I guess so. It means that the day I leave for Royster is getting closer, too. I’m looking forward to it,” she said playfully, deliberately moving closer to him to make sure the Duke could hear her.

For once, Karsian didn’t seem uncomfortable with her behavior, and they both walked on in a lighthearted mood.

However, when they arrived at the study, the weight of the upcoming contract settled heavily on them.

Once they were seated, Karsian pulled out the contract and placed it on the table.

“Take a look.”

As the Duke read through the document, everything seemed in order. The terms were simple and clear, exactly as he had expected.

However, there was one clause that the Duke didn’t anticipate.

He frowned and pointed it out.

“This clause here. ‘If Eleanor Astria’s reputation or safety is harmed, this contract will immediately lose its effect.’ What is this?”