The Unfilial Heir Who Tries to Kill Me Tempts Me - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 12.

“Come in.”
Is this what it feels like when you’ve made a terrible mistake and get summoned to the Administrative Office?
I arrived at Kaius’s office with my hands folded neatly in front of me, my shoulders drawn up as small as I could make them.
Kaius, reclining against the back of his chair with his head tilted, asked me a question.
“Do you know why I called you here?”
“Um… I’m not sure.”
Don’t meet his eyes.
I turned my head away with desperate focus.
I could feel his gaze sweeping over me from across the room with unmistakable intensity.
“Hmm.”
With a guilty conscience weighing on me, I felt my nerves jangling. I gripped my skirt tightly to ensure the Potion Bottles in my pocket wouldn’t clink against each other.
Tap.
Kaius placed something on his desk with deliberate emphasis.
When I glanced at it sideways, I felt despair wash over me.
It was the Potion Bottle I’d handed to Kaius a few days ago in the Apothecary Room. At the same time, it was exactly what I’d been selling to Youngjiimin just moments before.
“It’s because of this.”
I’m finished.
My eyes shut tight on their own.
“…Is there any chance you’d let me explain?”
Strike first before he does.
That’s my only option.
“I wasn’t planning to run a business intentionally, sir. I really just wanted to help the people in the Orchard. But the meals here are so small, and I get hungry. You see, mages like me get ravenous the moment we turn around—it’s just how our bodies are. So I only did a bit of bartering for food and water. I didn’t actually take any money! And I didn’t strong-arm anyone either. If anything, the people—the customers came to me first asking if I could help them!”
After pouring all that out without taking a single breath, I cracked one eye open slightly.
Kaius was stroking his chin with an expression of considerable interest.
His long, narrow eyes curved as he smiled.
“So you did conduct unauthorized commerce, but without accepting payment?”
That’s not how the argument works.
“That’s a very entertaining excuse.”
“No, I mean—”
“Unauthorized commerce does fall under severe punishment.”
No, no, no!
Just as I was about to beg him shamelessly to look the other way this once, he continued with surprising leniency.
“I’ll let it slide this time.”
“…I’m sorry?”
For an entirely different reason, a chill ran down my spine.
What is this? The Kaius I know wouldn’t brush something aside this easily.
Unease made me ask the question.
“Could it be that the medicine I gave you had some side effect? Though I can’t imagine that…”
“I wish it had. Unfortunately, there were no side effects.”
He answered as if deeply disappointed.
“Your magical medicine was excellent. The Detoxification effect and the Restoration benefits were both remarkably potent.”
“Now you’re really scaring me. What exactly are you getting at?”
“A few days ago, I hear you even restored that contaminated site with your own hands.”
“…Well, yes, I did.”
“I acknowledge your competence. So I’ve decided to accept that proposal you made back then.”
“A proposal…?”
“A Fixed-term Full-time Mage contract.”
Kaius said it as though granting me a favor.
“I’ve given it thought, and it seems that this arrangement would be ideal if I’m going to use you effectively.”
I hesitated, uncertain how to respond.
Back then I’d thrown out the idea on impulse, just hoping to stay alive. But seeing Kaius’s reaction now, I had a gnawing intuition that accepting it would be a mistake.
I’m rarely wrong about instincts like this.
Kaius, studying me intently, reclined further back in his chair.
“I’ll be honest with you. I never intended to keep you alive for more than a year from the start.”
This sociopath.
I should’ve known.
I should’ve known he’d only pretend to spare me with words.
“But if you become a Full-time Mage and handle your duties well over the next year, I’ll grant you the freedom you desire.”
As he spoke, Kaius shrugged his shoulders with the confidence of a man certain he could never be refused.
How despicable.
Did he think threatening someone’s life would make everyone bend to his will?
“Thank you for the opportunity!”
Precision. That was what mattered now.
What did it matter if I became a mere fixed-term lackey? The man was letting me live. I had to survive and make it home.
Kaius watched me accept eagerly, twisting his mouth into an infuriatingly smug smile, as if he’d predicted exactly this.
“Good thinking. If you’d refused, I’d have thrown you in the Dungeon first and worked on persuading you from there.”
That’s not persuasion—that’s coercion.
This filial son of the fire element, I swear.
“Very well, then…”
Kaius made to rise, satisfied.
“Ah, but before that—”
I paused, watching his expression carefully before continuing.
“Could we draw up a contract with some additional clauses?”

***

“…Do you always have to make everything this tedious?”
“Well, my life is on the line, so I take it seriously.”
“How bothersome.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
I brushed off Kaius’s jab lightly and turned back to reading the contract with meticulous care.
I’d thought about drawing up a contract before, but never imagined it would happen like this.

「1. Kaius Lucifenia (hereafter ‘Party A’) hereby employs Charlotte Schmidt (hereafter ‘Party B’) as a Full-time Mage for the Grand Duchy for the duration of one year.
2. Party B shall faithfully execute all instructions from Party A, mobilizing all abilities at her disposal.
3. Party B may freely employ magic in the course of carrying out Party A’s instructions, and Party A shall not punish or dismiss Party B for doing so.
4. Party A shall provide Party B with salary and benefits equal to those of other retainers. However, meals shall be provided generously in consideration of Party B’s status as a Mage.
5. Upon expiration of the one-year contract, Party A shall actively cooperate to allow Party B to cross the Border.」

Kaius narrowed his eyes and pointed with his finger at clause 3.
“This word ‘freely’ seems somewhat vague to me.”
“I wrote it that way on purpose. How am I supposed to get anything done if I have to ask permission every time I cast a spell? I need the freedom to use both White Magic and Black Magic.”
“Did you realize how dangerous that statement was just now?”
There he goes again with that lethal tone.
Why are you opening your eyes like that?
“While we’re on the subject, Black Magic isn’t inherently evil. Yes, it specializes in destruction and curses, but Black Magic can be used constructively too. Why, removing the contamination from the Orchard was done through Black Magic.”
Most Black Mages, certainly, had fallen to depravity and devoted themselves to harming others. But if used properly, Black Magic could be quite a useful tool.
“Stop thinking of Black Magic as purely evil.”
When you came down to it, the origins of Black Magic weren’t so wicked to begin with.
“…I’ll let it slide for now.”
Ha—I won.
“Are there any other clauses you want to add?”
“Any others? Hmm… ah.”
I told him to wait a moment, then added one more numbered item at the bottom of the contract.

「6. While serving as a Full-time Mage for the Grand Duchy, Party A shall absolutely, under no circumstances, threaten Party B’s life.」

I’d almost forgotten the most important part.
I couldn’t leave without it.
Kaius reviewed the addition and picked up his pen.
“Then I’ll add one too.”

「7. Should Party B be dismissed due to clear negligence on her part, Party A may discipline her at his discretion.」

“…What is this?”
“It means you’d better do well.”
It didn’t feel like a simple plea to do my best, though….
“Why? Do you dislike it? If you’re unwilling, we can pretend the contract never existed.”
“No! I’ll do it, I will.”
I desperately blocked Kaius as he reached for the contract. His smirking face was unbearably irritating.
Like dealing with some exploitative employer.
After a brief tussle, Kaius signed the contract first. He slid it toward me and spoke.
“There. The contract is now binding.”
“Perfect.”
I signed my name beside his and nodded with satisfaction.
Saved. Now I just had to keep him pleased long enough to earn my reward and leave.
Overwhelmed by the relief of finally being secure, I failed to notice the expression on Kaius’s face.
“Well then….”
He rose from his seat and pulled the bell cord. Even then, I kept my eyes fixed on my lifeline of a contract.
“You summoned me, Your Highness?”
“Bring a new desk and chair to this room at once.”
…What?
What did he just say?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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