Don't Trust the Heroine

The carriage slowed down as they were closing to a temple in the suburbs.

It was where God Reltoa, known as the god of promise and justice, was enshrined. As their carriage came to a stop, a priest came out and greeted Madenna right away.

“Welcome, Countess. I heard that you had visited us to create a blood contract.”

“Yes, Priest.”

“Who’s your partner for the contract?”

It seemed the possibility of the little boy next to Madenna as her contract partner never crossed the priest’s thought.

“It’s the boy who comes with me,” Madenna replied with a slight smile.

“This boy……?” astonishment couldn’t help but escape through the priest’s question.

Not interested in the reason for his reaction, Madenna hastened the priest.

“Yes sir. Could you lead us right away to carry out the contract?”

“I’ll take you to the altar.”

The priest led Madenna and Farren to the altar in the deepest part of the temple.

An altar about the waist of an adult was placed in the middle of a vast hall decorated with marble mixed with white and yellow.

“You two can face each other over the altar.”

The altar was relatively high for Farren, so an auxiliary chair was placed on his side.

He revealed a look of discontent when he saw it.

“I wish I could grow taller quickly.”

“You don’t need to worry. You’ll grow taller in the future.”

Madenna, who knew his appearance as an adult, comforted him.

Only then, Farren frown fell, and he smiled softly in reply.

The priest, who was watching the two warmly, called their attention as he began to explain.

“Well, let me explain. A blood contract is not something a person can sign many times. You only have one chance to create the contract. Upon signing the contract, it will exert forces on its signatory for a lifetime.

“Both of you never had a blood contract with anyone before, have you?”

When the woman and the boy answered ‘no,’ the priest continued.

“In the future, you may regret your decision to sign this contract. You may despise the contract, or you may think you should have signed a contract with someone else. But this is an unbreakable contract. Is that alright with you?”

Madenna looked at Farren anxiously.

She had explained the details of the contract to Farren. She had informed him beforehand of what the priest explained, but Farren was just a young child with a bright future.

Farren could change his mind when he heard that he would be tied up forever by the contract.

But contrary to Madenna’s concerns, Farren affirmed resolutely. He even had a happy expression when he heard the priest’s explanation.

“Are okay with this, Countess?”

“Yes, yes, of course.”

“Alright, if both of you agree, then you have to tell each other your offers. The more specific this content is, the more compelling the contract is. Conversely, the abstract criteria will thus weaken the power of the contract.”

This was the first time Madenna ever heard of such a condition.

When she asked the priest to elaborate on the meaning of his words, he replied patiently.

“For example, the most frequently used pledge of love in blood contracts. The proposition is relatively clear: “Don’t contact with the opposite sex except for the said lover.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“However, the pledge of ‘only love one another’ is somewhat ambiguous. It’s because people have different standards for determining love, and it’s hard to judge whether one of the signatories has violated the proposition.”

“So that’s what it means. Then how about this condition I…”

“What is it?”

Madenna breathed in as she slowly spoke of the content.

“…no matter what happens, do not betray the other party.”

“Surely, the concept of betrayal can be a little abstract. I think we need a clearer criterion.”

“Then, when the agreement we had agreed upon was broken. Can it be classified as a betrayal?”

“Yes, that a clear standard of judgment, so I don’t think it will pose a problem.”

At that time, Farren, who has been a bystander, spoke out.

“Excuse me, priest. I have a question.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Is it impossible to list more than one offer for the blood contract? Can I add another offer of my own?”

Madenna was stunned by Farren’s unexpected question.

“Yes, of course, it’s possible. It’s only possible to sign a blood contract once in a lifetime, but if both parties reach an agreement, you can make several conditions.”

“I see. Then, Countess, I’d like to add one more condition.”

“Alright. It’s unfair for me to put my terms on the contract, especially since we will be signing this for a lifetime. What condition do you want?”

For Madenna, it was fortunate enough that Farren didn’t say he would back off from the contract.

She was willing to give away more than half of her property, or even sign the contract under preposterous conditions since Farren would eventually be Alleo’s emperor in the future.

No matter what the conditions were, they’re not important.

Farren smiled bitterly at Madenna’s nervous expression.

“You seem to have misunderstood something. I want to offer another condition because ‘don’t betray the other party’ seems a bit weak.”

“The condition is weak?”

“Even if I don’t betray you, I may still be able to find a way to dishonor you in a roundabout way.”

“Dishonor…”

“For example, I didn’t betray you, but I might be able to escape from you. So I’d like to add this condition in.”

“Don’t leave the other party matter what,” Farren spoke in a clear tone.

“Don’t leave…”

Not knowing what such conditions would generate, Madenna unconsciously looked toward the priest.

The priest replied after pondering for a while.

“Well, this condition is quite vague. I think the definition of ‘leaving’ will vary from person to person. Is it measured by time or by distance?”

“Then should I make the conditions clearer? Don’t go more than a mile away without the other party’s permission.”

“That would be fine.”

“…what do you think, Countess?”

Madenna was bewildered.

She never thought Farren would take the initiative to offer this kind of condition.

But as Farren said, it would be difficult when she was in a dangerous situation in the future and Farren was away without her approval.

It wasn’t a bad condition for her.

“I see. Let’s do that.”

After hearing Madenna’s answer, Farren’s smile bloomed.

But she didn’t realize within the smile was a mixture of satisfaction. It was as if a beast had succeeded in capturing its prey.

“Okay, since we’ve come into an agreement on the conditions. As you already know, if you violate the terms of the contract, the opposite party will have compulsory command of the person who violated it. It’s an absolute right that even makes it possible for the offending party to kill themselves. Do you understand?”

Both of them nodded in response.

After their confirmation, the priest brought out the requisite items for their contract.

Soon, the priest placed a white plate and a dagger on the altar.

“The preliminary explanation phase is over. We will now proceed into the contract phase. Please come closer to the altar.”

“Alright.”

“Yes.”

“Next, please use the ‘sacred dagger’ I’ve prepared to prick each other’s fingers. After that, drop the blood on this plate. One or two drops of blood are enough.”

Madenna carefully drew the dagger onto the tip of Farren’s little finger.

A small cut came under the sharp knife, and Farren’s blood trickled down onto the plate.

Farren, who took over the dagger, then looked very sorry.

“It’s part of the contract process, but still, it feels horrible to hurt you, Countess.”

“The part I cut with the dagger, did it hurt a lot?”

“I’m fine. I just don’t want to hurt you.”

“You don’t have to worry about it.”

She reached out her hand as Farren drew a very small cut on her ring finger.

When she pressed the tip of her finger, her blood drizzled down and mixed with his blood.

The priest recited a passage from the scripture.

Smoke bloomed around, and red lights, like magic, spread everywhere.

“With this, under the name of God Reltoa, I established the blood contract between Madenna Rodenherg and Farren.”

When the priest’s sentence came to a stop, the blood on the plate had vanished.

Madenna had witnessed the power of God in another form before her return, but it was breathtaking to spectate it once again with her own eyes.

“I don’t feel anything different.”

“Hoo-hoo, nothing will happen until you break one of the contracts’ condition. I hope you will abide by the contract sincerely and faithfully for the rest of your life.”

After hearing the priest’s words of blessing, Farren replied with a happy face.

“Thank you, priest.”

“May God Reltoa’s faithfulness be with you.”

After the two completed their contract, they got on the carriage.

A considerable donation was to be delivered to the temple today in return for the contract, though it wasn’t a hefty sum for Madenna.

It was a reasonable price in exchange for the relief and joy she felt. From now on she could trust the boy with peace of mind.

Then, Farren, who was sitting across from her, tilted his head and spoke.

“Then, Countess, now we have to make an agreement as to the criterion to the blood contract’s betrayal condition.”

“You are right.”

Madenna thought about it for a while and then opened her mouth.

“First of all, you can’t harm my body either directly or indirectly.”

“…yes.”

He looked slightly sullen. Of course, it was something done to protect her, but he couldn’t help the disappointment at the countess lack of trust in him.

“And any intention to do things that will be detrimental to my plans, goals, and safety. For example, leaking confidential information to my business rival or something like that.”

“I’ll be sure to keep it in mind. You can also add agreement of me not being allowed to lie.”

“…well, I think that’s fine. There could be white lies, personal reasons to hide. It’s not a big deal.” Farren nodded lightly at her logical remark.

“What about absolute obedience to the Countess’ orders?”

“That … I don’t intend to enslave you by not giving you autonomy. it’s alright if you want to reject orders that you think are unreasonable.”

Farren was the next emperor. There was no point in making such a person obey her.

“I’m fine. I’ll do anything. You can use magic to get rid of Madenna’s enemies.…”

“Don’t do that!”

Madenna shook her head in surprise.

“No, I don’t know if you’ll ever need a job. If you have to get rid of someone, I’ll judge it first and order it. Otherwise, don’t kill people.”

“I’ll do that.”

“Okay. So do you agree to this agreement as the criterion for betrayal?”

“Yes, I agree.”

As soon as Farren answered, the red hue glow over their fingers.

He looked down at his fingers and looked pleased.

Madenna had taken to account that Farren was not yet old enough to make a clear judgment. That’s why there was also a guilty conscience when she pushed ahead with the contract out of her selfishness.

“…I’m sorry I made a blood contract that only benefits me. You’ve spent your only chance to sign this contract with me.”

“You don’t have to think about it like that. Rather, I’m happy to share this one contract with you.”

“I don’t think it’s the proper way to say it.”

“Not really.”

Farren whined, slapping his cheek against the car window.

“The only vow shared in a lifetime. It’s like a marriage vow.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

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“No, I can’t wait to grow up.”

“You don’t have to be so impatient. We still have a lot of time.”

“I’ll try my best to grow up faster.”

Leaving other thoughts behind, their blood contract was completed without a hitch.

However, unbeknownst to Medena, unpleasant news was waiting for her.