Chapter 8

“Here.”

I was glad he reached out to me first while I was thinking of snacking on my way back.

When I took out the clinking coins from my pockets and held it out to him, he gave me a blank expression.

He looked at the silver coins in my hand, then he looked back at me, then he looked back at the silver coins repeatedly.

“This is for renting the carriage. We rode it together but I forgot about my share.”

His mouth fell—opened.

The knights who had already caught up and stood by his side, closed his mouth.

“After all, going Dutch is important.”

Even though I had no siblings, I was glad to have experienced the cooperative lifestyle, while I was attending the academy.

It was inhuman for humans not to pay their share, when they ate with others.

“It’s not like that….”

“Ah, did you come because the conversation we had earlier is still not finished?”

He nodded as if finally we were on the same page. “That’s right. This is about the talk we had in the carriage earlier.”

It was also easier for me to talk about it, because I had thought about the issue carefully during the meal. “I have given thought to it.”

“About what?”

“It’s better for us to notarize the contract in the magic tower. I’m fine with the blood pledge, but nowadays, there is discoloration with blood pledges after time passes, so everyone avoids ….”

“No!”

“So you prefer a blood pledge?”

“I said no!”

The two knights bowed then couldn’t raise their heads as their whole body began to tremble.

The Young Duke looked at me as he hunched like a shrimp to the point of making me wonder if he had any disease before he let out a sigh.

“My Lady.”

“Yes.”

“I think it’s better for us to have a proper conversation for once, soon.”

“Do you think so?”

“I think we really—clearly need to have a conversation.”

I plainly nodded at him as he talked with a sunken face.

Actually I didn’t know what kind of talk was needed between us, but in this situation it was better to just give the other party what they had requested.

“Alright, call me anytime. ”

He gave me a blank look as I said that I will cooperate before taking out something from his inner chest pockets and holding it out.

It was like a crystal ball used for communication, but it was smaller and shone more brilliantly than the ones I usually saw.

“I will call you via this next time.”

“Ah, okay.”

After confirming that, he put the crystal ball in my hand, before he slowly turned away from me with dim eyes.

Somehow, I felt his shoulders were drooping as he turned back.

I watched him go and after confirming he had really disappeared from my sight, I also stepped away.

I took out a necklace from inside my clothes and opened the locket, then along with some vibrating sounds, a familiar voice could be heard.

–What is it this time?

Even the hoarse voice as if they just awakened from sleep, made my heart bloom happily.

I blurted while imagining a face with its forehead wrinkled.

“I’m hungry.”

“So what?”

“I’m outside but I have no money.”

“How come?”

“It all disappeared as the carriage fare.”

“Good work.”

The sarcastic voice made me laugh.

The other person, who had fallen silent for a while, soon asked after sighing.

“Where are you?”

The faint voice was clear as if they had completely awakened from sleep.

I was grateful to them, for always coming out even while they were complaining.

After such a stormy day, my hunger came quickly.

‘Guess I have to eat delicious food.’

I had to have that much reward for myself as I had been suffering all day.

***

Not long after waiting in the plaza, I saw a familiar figure walking from afar.

The figure, who was wearing a grey hood, was walking and keeping minimal contact with the people walking on the street.

Every step closer towards me was filled with irritation and annoyance.

‘Feels like I can see the expression behind that hood….’