The Count continued, watching Bridget's expression carefully.
"You need to have at least one witness to prove that this is a consensual contract. It can be a family member or friend."
"I'll think about it."
Bridget's eyes fluttered for the first time.
"Witness."
She recently broke up with her brother, Josh, and is at odds with her best friend, Penelope.
Her mother and sister are under Josh's influence and will watch her every move.
She couldn't ask Millea either. Millea wouId have to stand as a witness on Julian's side.
However, it was difficult to bring Anna in as a witness.
It was not proper for Anna, a maid, to appear at an officially recorded royal event.
There was no one to witness the happy day.
Bridget feels like she's completely alone in the world.
She felt this painfully every single day before she died, so it's nothing new, but why does it feel so distant?
Count Nicholas, sensing Bridget's sinking expression, spoke quickly.
"It's just a formality, so anyone can come. Since you have to enter the palace by tomorrow, I don't think there will be many people who can come when you contact them so suddenly."
He reassured Bridget with flattering words.
"If it's okay with you, I can be your witness."
"Then may I ask you a favor, Count?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Count Nicholas, who had never heard the words "thank you," smiled brightly.
I'll have to wait and see a little longer to know for sure, but if she's the right person, I think it'll be okay to deal with her in the future.
Count Nicholas's voice, which had been wary of Bridget but secretly looking down on her, softened considerably.
"Do you have any further questions?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Then I'll take my leave now. If you have any further questions, feel free to call me at any time."
Count Nicholas laughed and disappeared.
Millea, who was watching that, snickered.
'I guess Count Nicholas thinks Bridget is an easy target.'
It was like looking at her own past.
When Millea first saw Bridget, she thought she was innocent and kind, making her perfect prey.
Of course, unlike Count Nicholas, that was a thought born of worry.
Count Nicholas will soon find out.
Just because Bridget is easy to talk to doesn't mean she's easy to deal with.
"Are you sure you want to sign it?"
Millea sat next to Bridget.
"The King's government is a legitimate entity, but it is not a welcome one. I don't think you'll change your mind if I say this, but I think it's important to know."
"I know."
"Bridget was already a celebrity because of the gossip, and if you were announced as the King's mistress, people might stone you."
It will be a matter of time before those who defended her, thinking she was a victim of an affair, change their minds.
Bridget didn't even blink.
She had no intention of benefiting herself by spreading gossip, but rather to deflect the arrows that were raining down on Julian.
It was okay if the world pointed its fingers at her.
"I am prepared. In the past, during the Bourbon dynasty, Louis XV also had a mistress, Madame Portia. She served as a bridge between Louis XV, who was known for being cold and sensitive, and his subjects. Without her, Louis XV's life would have been miserable. Madame Portia was essential to his accomplishments as a King."
Bridget wanted to be like Madame Portia to Julian.
However, Millea's expression darkened a bit as she heard Bridget's ambitions.
"After King Louis XV died, Lady Portia was executed for being a witch who had bewitched the King. She died in disgrace, accused of wasting the national treasury on extravagance."
Not all governments suffer such hardships, but Louis XV had his fair share of enemies.
Julian also has many enemies.
"You know that His Majesty is healthy is just a rumor we made up, not reality. You have to think about life after His Majesty's death. You are still so young."
Millea estimated Julian's life expectancy at about two years.
After Julian died, there was no telling what would happen to Millea, who was his closest confidant.
What about the government?
Bridget answered with a smile as if she had expected it.
Knowing that she couldn't stop her, Millea let out a short sigh and went outside.
'I don't mind dying with Julian.'
A body that has already died once.
If you can pour your new life into something you consider most valuable, there is nothing to regret.
***
That night, I carefully chose the outfit she would wear to sign the government contract.
It was a short ceremony, not an engagement party, not a wedding, not even a banquet, but I wanted to look prettier than ever tomorrow.
While I was thinking about a hairstyle that would match my dress, Anna pouted.
"His Majesty hasn't even looked at you all day."
Anna, who did not know about the relationship between us, was so upset that Julian, who had brought me to the palace, seemed completely uninterested in me.
"Aren't you upset?"
"His Majesty is a very busy person."
"Still I don't know if this is important to His Majesty the King or not, but it is important to you, Madam."
Anna let out a deep sigh.
"Didn't the maids come rushing in earlier and ask what gift you received? They say that when signing a government contract, the value of the gift given by the King is used to confirm the favor bestowed on the government or something like that."
There was an atmosphere within the palace where the treatment of government officials varied depending on how large a gift they received from the King.
That was the government's position.
A being whose position can expand or contract solely based on the measure of affection shown by the King.
That's why Anna became impatient.
Because I didn't receive any gifts from Julian.
"I told you the maids were already gossiping. If they found out that you didn't get anything in the end..."
Anna sighed sullenly.
Then it occurred to her that her worries might have upset me.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being presumptuous..."
"Tomorrow will be perfect. Just go in, Anna."
I nodded without showing any sign of displeasure.
As she was walking out, Anna slapped her mouth a couple of times.
I took a deep breath and sat down in front of the mirror.
It was natural that I would not receive any gifts.
There was no need to dwell on that.
'It's a gift to me that I got this position.'
Other people don't know that.
It was natural. They didn't know how they betrayed Julian.
I glanced toward Julian's room.
'Where are you and what are you doing?'
It seemed like he hadn't returned to bed yet.
Where could he be? What could he be thinking about?
I wondered if he cared that the two of us would become an official couple tomorrow.
I lay in bed but couldn't sleep.
Julian did not return until late at night when I had barely fallen asleep.
***
The next morning, Bridget was told that Isaac was in the visiting room.
'It's still early.'
It was afternoon when the government contract was supposed to be signed.
It seemed that he was so happy to have been granted permission to enter the palace that he couldn't wait and came running.
Millea came to see Bridget with a worried look on her face.
"I haven't seen His Majesty yet. Where have you gone?"
"There's still some time left, so it'll be okay, Millea."
"Still. It's a nice day, so I guess he should get ready."
Millea glanced at the nicely dressed Bridget.
It was a small ceremony where they brought in a few witnesses and held a trial.
Still, since Bridget is looking forward to it and is worried, It would be nice if Julian could adjust to it to some extent.
"He hasn't said anything else, so he's probably in the palace. I'll have to go out and look for him myself."
"I will go."
Bridget stopped Millea from walking away.
"Bridget doesn't even know the geography of the palace."
"It's okay. Even If I don't know the way, I can still find the message. That's always been the case."
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