"If you wanted to become a Count, you ultimately wanted me to be your wife."
So, you were planning to break me and make me rely solely on you.
Is it because he has already been caught? Eric somewhat shamelessly answered yes without hesitation.
"I'm sorry, but I don't plan on doing that. I don't want to be stranded in Count Brium's family."
"Is that so."
"But I'm definitely not looking in a completely different direction than Eric."
I relatively calmly confessed my purpose to Eric, who was tilting his head as if regretful.
"I want those who wronged me to be punished. In the past, he made my mother and me run away, ultimately driving her to her death, and I want to destroy his plans to destroy me again. I want him to lose everything he has, feel terrible regret, and commit suicide."
So that Count Brium can clearly realize the price of the sins he has committed.
Even though the words were spoken quietly, Eric did not seem that surprised.
"Yes. That's a great idea."
The gentle answer had a slightly welcoming tone to it, which made me reluctant.
Even if this is called 'just revenge', isn't that person really crazy?
"I don't want to hear praise from you."
It's no use getting compliments from a crazy person.
"I'm sure we can be good colleagues. I am very happy to see that my lady has such great determination and intelligence, and above all else, a clear sense of purpose."
"Well. My thoughts are different. Wasn't our relationship broken when you tried to ruin it to take advantage of me?"
A smile grew on his lips.
"If I can come up with a way to make me trustworthy, wouldn't we be able to 'cooperate'? I am not your enemy. In fact, it can become a reliable ally."
Eric took his gaze away from me, who remained silent, and called someone through the softly open door.
“Leben.”
A man with a weak appearance slowly emerged through the crowd of people.
A man with a pale face without a trace of blood looked at me intently.
"He is a third-circle wizard officially recognized by the Magic Tower. Through him, we take the 'Oath of Mana'. He will not harm you in a way that you do not want."
"..."
"In return, my lady, you must also swear to me. If you achieve your goal as planned, you will have to give me the corresponding compensation."
Hugh, who was nearby, was visibly shaken by Eric's suggestion. Seeing me calm, he added a flattering comment.
"I thought you would be a little surprised. You are much more calm than I thought."
That's because I don't really understand how great his proposal is. Rather, I was more amazed by the wizard I had seen for the first time in my life.
Leben caught my gaze and lowered his head in silence.
***
[The oath of mana is to insert the wizard's mana into the body of the person making the oath and force the oath to be made. If that man named Eric does not keep his promise, the mana in his body will immediately destroy him.]
Windy added a detailed explanation for me.
It was not hard to cooperate with my back, but his proposal was definitely a good opportunity.
'In order to survive. I have to go to the Count's family, whether I like it or not.
Now Isabella had nothing in her hands.
At most, it's just the Brium family's treasure and the secret of her birth that she holds.
It was not easy to deal a blow to the head of a decent family leading the clan with that alone.
Count Brium had already driven Isabella to death once.
I didn't intend to take it easy, but in order to keep my pledge within a year, I had to get a better hand than I had now.
Anyway, whatever happens to the Count's family is none of my business.
If Eric really made a compulsory pledge not to 'harm' me. It would never be a loss-making business.
"Have you made a decision?"
"There are only two conditions for the pledge. You must not harm me and you must not use me without my consent."
"It's simpler than I think. I thought you might ask for more."
"You are a businessman. If I ask for more, you will also benefit from me."
Eric shook his head exaggeratedly at my words.
"There really is no gap."
When he raised his hand to call out to Leben, the wizard who came loser slowly drew something on Eric's palm and began muttering a spell.
A faint blue light appeared, but soon it seemed to be absorbed into his wrist.
Where the light poured in, a mark the size of a fingernail remained. The wizard, sweat beading on his forehead, slowly removed his hand and declared.
"It's done."
Before he knew it, the group of lights that had come out of him and hovered around him had long since dispersed into thin air and disappeared.
As my eyes continued to follow the wizard named Leben, Eric, who was touching his wrist, opened his mouth in a voice filled with laughter.
"You are showing too much interest in Leben, Isabella. I feel a little sad."
"Why you?"
Everything has already been revealed, so why is this person still manipulating me?
In response to the blunt reply, he shrugged his shoulders as if he was sorry and pulled my hand.
When I saw his head lowered, I quickly withdrew my hand.
"I'm sorry, but I don't really like that greeting. Let's skip it."
There's no need to set unnecessary examples when we've already looked into each other's inner thoughts.
Eric, with a gentle smile, slowly pulled my hand and kissed the back of it.
"You have to get used to it. Young Lady still has many clumsy aspects. Especially when dealing with men."
"..."
"From now on, you will receive a 'kiss' of respect from countless people. I will make you like that."
I looked up and saw Eric's gray eyes take on a strange glow, and I sighed.
As expected, it turns around subtly.
***
The room Eric gave me was great. For the first time in my life, when I stepped into a space 'created for noble ladies', I felt like I was where I am now.
Beautifully carved bedposts, window curtains made of soft velvet, a huge mirror, and a wooden table fill one side of the room.
A dressing table with expensive perfume, lotion, and white powder on it.
There was nothing lacking. Rather, it might be overflowing.
"He is dangerous. Even though we have an oath, he is not someone to let our guard down."
Hugh, who was stroking his bound wrists, gave advice quietly.
"Anyway, considering my situation, I have to take this level of risk. I don't know when and where an assassin might strike again and try to take my life, and my goal is not to run away."
I had finally found a way to reach my goal.
"On the contrary, it might be appropriate for someone to be this crazy."
Because I have to deal with someone who can take care of my own family in order to get what I want. Hugh, who was silent for a moment, asked again.
"How did you know that pollen amplifies fire?"
"Why? Is it strange that someone like me has such knowledge?"
Instead of answering the question I asked with a chuckle, Hugh just looked at me.
"Because the place where I lived burned down. At that time, the nobles considered it a hobby to show off beautiful gardens filled with colorful flowers. As a result, a huge amount of pollen was flying around the city.
"..."
"Sturdy houses made of bricks may be impenetrable, but houses in slums that are cobbled together with straw, etc., can burn in an instant."
I could do nothing but look at the burning house in despair.
I should have considered myself lucky that my life was even saved.
"A lot of people died, but the police looked around as if they were taking a walk and then went back."
"Have you received any compensation?"
"Compensation?"
Without realizing it, a chuckle escaped me.
What is the compensation for the burning down of the slums? The nobles did not even consider it to be their fault in the first place.
"They clicked their tongues saying that the house should have been built stronger."
So, bad brains can't use it. If you foolishly build a house like that, you will face such consequences.
"Fortunately, some ladies were allergic to pollen, so showing off their gorgeous gardens quickly went out of style."
"..."
"Even life at the bottom is helpful in times like this, right?"
Even more so than Hugh, who was easily captured and taken hostage.
Hugh said nothing in response to the laughter in my voice. I said it as if I was throwing it at him who was looking somewhat uncomfortable.
"Why don't we go back now?"
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