The Predator's Contract Partner

He must have noticed that there was something dubious about Elisha’s words.

“Why? There are people like Lapis. At 14, he’s already the second-highest wizard in the empire.”

“…….”

“I mean… I can play my duty as a wife well. If there’s a clear reward and punishment, I’ll work even harder.”

“Impressive.”

Lucerne turned his head. Elisha was relieved when his cold mask loosened.

“I’ll call the jewelry. Buy anything you want.”

Lucerne said apathetically. Elisha realized he was talking about her “award.”

“Jewelry… It’s fine. I don’t have to go out right now.”

She did need jewelry. When she imagined the future, the more money she had, the better. However, Elisha’s property ownership in the contract would only be recognized after divorce, so it was like a casino chip that could only be used in the building.

It doesn’t mean anything if you just carry chips without exchanging them for money at the casino. A chip is just a toy.

The only way to exchange the chip for money was to make Lucerne the head of the household and divorce him according to their contract.

‘Besides, I need something more than jewelry now, so I’ll have to you to do it.’

Elisha thought of visiting the hot spring resort town of Yurif. There, there would be a hidden key to the succession war ahead.

“Do you want anything else?”

“I want to go on a trip. A place I’ve never been.”

Elisha cautiously brought it up.

“Do you want to go on a honeymoon?”

“Yes?”

Elisha doubted her ears. Honeymoon……. It was a word that didn’t suit Lucerne and herself at all. Additionally, honeymoons amongst the aristocrats were only in vogue for young newlyweds with love marriages.

‘I can go alone.’

Elisha’s words rose to her throat. Frankly, she wanted to go alone. But she intrinsically felt that if she said so, she would displease Lucerne.

‘Well, there are positives about him coming along. If you coordinate the situation well, you can get what you want with Lucerne’s help more easily than you initially assumed. Maybe we’ll even get a little closer.’

Increasing her intimacy with Lucerne was the same as increasing the likelihood of not dying at Lucerne’s hands even if things went south.

“You’re busy; it won’t be easy.”

“How long do you want to go? Do you want to travel around the world for about half a year?”

“A trip around the world?”

Elisha wondered what he meant. It would be extremely costly to travel around the world.

“No. It’s enough to go on a short trip nearby. I heard about it when I was in Jacob’s mansion. Ladies often visit and rest at a resort near the city with a hot spring.…. I heard it’s good for your skin. I’ve been longing to go.”

Lucerne seemed to think of something.

“Yurif has hot springs. Are you talking about that?”

Elisha nodded and tried to maintain an aloof attitude so as not to look suspicious.

“Carola also has a villa there. Collateral servants like myself who worked in Jacob’s mansion……. We were all envious of Carola,”

Elisha explained quietly; she hoped Lucerne would not doubt her words.

“It will take a few days, of course, the general is always busy, so if you’re not available—”

“Let’s go,”

Lucerne casually said. Elisha’s eyes instantly brightened up.

“Happy?”

Elisha honestly nodded.

“Yes, I really wanted to go there.”

One corner of Lucerne’s mouth discreetly rose. He said nothing more.

***

Since morning, the general had been diligently busy. It was because of the lord’s sudden whim.

“Yurif? The general is going to a place like that?”

Yurif, was a spa resort town with hot springs very close to the capital and rather a popular holiday spot for aristocrats these days. Lucerne was not interested in taking such holidays, so there were no villas that he had in Yurif, let alone regular hotels that the lord had already stayed in.

The butler urgently had to find a suitable hotel in Yurif by wire. Fortunately, he was able to get a reply and quickly book since it was not during peak season.

Wherever Lucerne went, Ian accompanied him as his close aide. Plus, Nora would escort them. Since Nora was obviously chosen as Elisha’s escort, the other knights were slightly jealous of her.

***

Sophie hastily packed for the madam’s sudden trip. Usually, it took at least half a day to prepare and pack for a hostess’ trip.

This was because when noble ladies went to resorts, they did not just play and eat but went to parties and walked around locales wearing beautiful clothes from the morning to evening. But Sophie finished her work much quicker than anticipated.

“The packing… is done.”

Elisha’s lack of possessions was the main reason. Sophie had even packed all the cosmetics and accessories she had, packing one casual outfit and two or three dresses she had.

Sophie became a little upset. In society, the status, prestige, and esteem a hostess held were reflected by the quality and quantity of jewelry and colorful dresses. The household was not even wealthy at the former estate where she worked before, but they had more than Elisha. If a master’s authority was insignificant, their subordinates suffered.

“Well done, Sophie.”

Maybe Elisha was ignorant of Sophie’s thoughts because she only looked at the books and relaxedly spoke about the meals until just before she left.

“What’s wrong? Was it tough to pack up?”

“N-no, my lady.”

Sophie hid her subdued expression. Then there was a knock on the door. Sophie opened the door. Unexpected people stood at the door. It was Lapis and Lazri.

“Welcome, Knight Lapis. It seems Knight Lazri accompanied you, too?”

Elisha got up from her seat and greeted Lazri politely.

“Hello, I stopped by because my brother Lapis said he was indebted to you a lot, my lady. It must have been hard to listen to his rambling but thank you. I’m sure he was a bother.”

Elisha bowed her head lightly and greeted them.

‘Indeed… Lapis knows his stuff and talks a lot about the magical sciences.’

But Elisha had a natural talent for listening to others. Lapis often visited, and there were times when what he said was fascinating. However, Lapis is firmly entrenched in making magic tools these days. Moreover, the field was so complicated that she barely understood half of what he was talking about.

Lapis licked his lips.

“No… I didn’t mean to bother you.”

Lapis glanced at Elisha, hoping she would say she wasn’t troubled by him. However, there was also a rising anxiety about what to do if she inside had really been annoyed with him.

“On the contrary, I don’t know the field, so I’m not a good friend for Lapis to talk to. I’m glad that you come by often when having a hard time. Thanks to you, I’m not lonely.”

She spoke calmly. Lapis’ face turned bright.

“Give it to her.”

“No, you give it to her!”

Lapis was embarrassed and annoyed by Lazri’s words. Elisha tilted her head. Lazri eventually grabbed him by the back of his neck and dragged him forward.

“This is… a gift.”

Lapis held something out, and Elisha received the item. It was a stunning silver bracelet. When she looked closely, there were tiny, elegant details that were paper-thin. It wrapped around the wrist two or three times. The pattern was incredibly impressive.

“It looks like real silver. It’s gorgeous. Why are you suddenly bringing such a precious item…..?”

“It’s a magic tool made by Lapis, saying he wanted to gift it to the lady. He wouldn’t stop talking about it. I’m better at crafting magic tools, so he waited until I returned from the war and finished it together.”

“…….”

Elisha fiddled with it in her hand.

‘These days, he’s only been talking about magic tools…….’

She had thought it was a little boring because she didn’t understand what he had been talking about. But his many words were because of his enthusiasm while creating a magic tool for her.

She was not used to unexpected kindness. Elisha couldn’t control her face due to the flood of unforeseen emotions she was not prepared for. The happier she was, the tighter her face became, and her cheeks turned red.

“But it’s almost made completely by Lapis’ power alone. I only helped at the end and assisted the silversmith.”

“What are you talking about? Hush!”

Lapis grumbled for no reason. Elisha tinkered with the bracelet for a long time.

“Thank you.”

“…….”

“It’s my first time receiving such an extraordinary gift.”

This time, Lapis’ face turned red, and he turned his back and walked away. Elisha tried to catch him.

“Listen to the explanation, first. This is a magic tool, a bracelet that makes sounds if there is corrupted mana or equivalent to bad energy around it. It detects very strong and contaminated mana. For example, a monster from a high predator class.’

“I see.”

Elisha nodded. She knew well that such magic tools were extremely expensive. Its price would far outweigh its equivalent weight in gold.

“Please tell Lapis that I will use it well.”

Lazri nodded. She wrapped it well in a handkerchief and put it in her arms. With that packing for the trip was finally over.

***

Yurif was very close, and there was a direct gate in the capital. They departed in the morning and arrived at the hotel before lunch.

It was typical for hotels in hot spring locales to have VIP rooms with several quarters with private baths. Elisha unpacked her luggage when she arrived at the accommodations and looked around.

“Do you like it?”

Lucerne asked.

“It’s a nice space. I’ve never been to a place like this,”

Elisha admitted in a calm but candid tone.

Sophie quickly unpacked. While changing clothes, Elisha mulled over how she could move around freely.

‘I have to get out somehow. My purpose is not to sightsee. I’m here to find it.’

Lucerne, unaware of Elisha’s inner thoughts, beckoned to her.

“Then, let’s start with hot springs like you wanted.” [*villainess cackle*]

He spoke languidly like a carnivore.

‘This… It’ll be over soon, right?’

Elisha had goosebumps. What do couples usually do on their honeymoon?