So Calsian decided to trust those words and endure once more. It was because he couldn’t let go of the lingering attachments that had grown so strong.
He kept picturing Ariella’s face smiling at him and drank the coffee that the servant had brought him.
Perhaps because it was already his fourth cup, he felt a dull ache in his stomach.
‘Duke Ashbon has promised to sign a document stating that he will transfer a huge sum of money to Bedford in exchange for taking Arrie Bedford as his mistress.’
Upon returning from meeting Calsian, Ariella delivered this welcome news to Duke Bedford.
Contrary to her expectation that he would be overjoyed by the long-awaited news, the Duke wore an excited expression, but at the same time, he seemed suspicious.
When she asked why, the Duke replied,
“Even signing a document. It’s good for us, but it’s too good to be true.”
What sharp instincts. Ariella smiled brightly and cursed inwardly.
However, this was not entirely unexpected.
“It’s the result of me somehow managing to get him to agree, but I can see why you might think so. But it’s also true that it’s too good of a condition to pass up… Ah, how about getting it notarized?”
“Notarization, huh. Yes, that would make it more certain. Try to bring it up carefully.”
“Yes, Father.”
There was no need to ask Calsian. She had already mentioned notarization to him.
Ariella sent him a perfunctory letter, and after a suitable amount of time had passed, she visited Duke Bedford again and informed him that Calsian had agreed.
The Duke didn’t completely dispel his suspicions, but he couldn’t refuse Calsian’s offer either.
There was no way he could refuse. If he had a notarized document in his hands, he could use it to manage funds even before the money came in.
And about a week later.
The day of the Bedford Duchess’s mistress contract, which the Duke had been waiting for, finally dawned.
The place where the contract was to be signed was none other than the Bedford Ducal residence.
“Welcome, Your Grace the Grand Duke!”
The Duke welcomed Calsian with more care than ever before.
He even came out to the gate to greet him. Even Aaron had never received such treatment.
“Thank you for the invitation, Duke Bedford. Is the Duchess well?”
Ariella felt a strange emotion as she watched Calsian step into the house she had lived in all her life. It was a different feeling from when she saw him coming to pick her up on their date.
Back then, her heart had fluttered and she had been excited, but now, for some reason… she felt embarrassed. As if he would discover the memories embedded in every corner of this building.
It’s a useless thought. Ariella quickly suppressed the shame that welled up in her chest and followed Calsian up the stairs.
“Welcome, Calsian. Was the journey here hot?”
“The heat has subsided quite a bit now. It seems autumn has arrived.”
“I guess so. That means the day I go to Ashbon with Calsian is getting closer, right? Hehe, I’m looking forward to it.”
She didn’t forget to cling to Calsian, making a sweet voice so that the Duke, who was walking ahead, could hear. Fortunately, Calsian accepted her this time without any awkwardness.
The playful atmosphere was brief, and as soon as they arrived at the study, a heavy tension weighed on their shoulders just before the contract signing.
Calsian took out the contract from his pocket only after confirming that Duke Bedford, Ariella, and even the notary were all seated.
“Please check it.”
As the paper filled with dense black letters was neatly placed on the table, Duke Bedford immediately picked it up and carefully examined every clause.
Contrary to his suspicion that the contract might have been tampered with, the contents were clean. It was a concise and clear contract, the kind the Duke liked best.
The amount he had hoped for was written as is, and the payment date for the balance, excluding the down payment, was set for one month after Calsian returned to Ashbon.
However, there was one sentence that the Duke had not expected.
Duke Bedford frowned and pointed to that part.
“However, if anything dishonorable or harmful happens to Arrie Bedford’s reputation or safety, this contract will immediately lose its effect… What is this?”
