Bala: The Duke's Contract Wife

Victor Maraina

After leaving Victor's office, Rose escorted Rositta to the girl's room at the Maraina residence. She had another goal in mind by taking Rositta to the girl's room.

Upon entering the room, Rose immediately stared at Rositta straight away. She said in a flat tone, "Make a magic agreement with me."

Rositta who had seen Rose's memory was not surprised when Rose said 'magic'.

"That's what you were asking for, wasn't it?" asked Rose. "To make a magic pact with me?"

"Yes, it was. Because no one can fool magic agreement."

Rose smiled a little. "I like your way of thinking, Rositta. All right, in exchange for you being my person, what do you want?"

Rositta combed her hair with her fingers. The girl was sitting on the edge of her bed. "What do you think I should ask for?"

Rose raised one eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to ask me that question? I could have advised you to ask for something as simple as a dress or for you to just opt for wealth."

"But you didn't."

Rose's smile widened. "No. I'm not going to do it," Rose continued, "You've gotten protection from Victor whether you make a magic agreement with me or not. So you should ask me something else to enlarge the profits you could have."

For a moment they just fell silent.

"Or... You can ask me to bring down the Rozars."

Rositta looked at Rose straight in the eye. The girl was really seriously thinking about that option.

"Is it wrong if I want Countess of Rozar destroyed?"

Rositta's question made Rose remembered herself. She wanted the destruction of Rendre and Anisa, although the plan was unsuccessful. And instead of those two who were destroyed, it was others who had to be hanged

No. Revenge is not wrong. At least it was not wrong according to Rose.

"No," replied Rose, "But what makes you different from him, then?"

Rositta was stunned to hear Rose's words.

After struggling with her own thoughts, Rositta finally replied, "I want to be a strategist like you."

"I told you I'd teach you, didn't I?"

"Yes, but I want you to really teach me instead of advising me on when and where to go," Rositta explained, "and with the magic agreement you're going to be forced to do just that."

Rose shook her head slightly. "I've never had a real disciple before. But all right."

Then Rose stretched out her hand. A green circle full of intricate symbols appeared. "Oh, I have to tell you that in a year's time I'm going to get out of here," Mawar said, "So if you become my true disciple you have to follow me."

Rositta frowned. "You're leaving? Why? Wouldn't your husband be sad then?"

"We're only married on a contract basis. I need his protection and his assets for a year. And he needs my strategic skills. After a year I will divorce him and live alone."

When Rositta was still staring at her confused, Rose continued, "If you want to be my disciple you will also live in exclusion. If you don't think you can do it, you better say it now."

Rositta shook her head. "Oh, I don't mind that. It's just... I don't think the Duke's going to let you go."

Rose chuckled. "Why not? After I bring down Marquis Ferinde's faction, he'll already have a solid standing. He won't need me anymore."

But when Rose saw the serious stare from Rositta, her smile disappeared.

"I accidentally touched the Duke when he walked into his office," Rositta continued, "The man didn't see you as a tool, Duchess."

"Rose. Just call me Rose."

"The man sees you as... as... something else."

"And what is that?" Rose raised one eyebrow.

"I don't know, it's hard to explain. More importantly, because of that view, the Duke will always need you."

"He will always need me as his strategist?"

"No, not that." Rositta seemed troubled having to explain it to Rose. It was annoying for Rose because she was never slow to understand something.

Rose clicked her tongue. "Say it clearly, Rositta."

"Uhm... I think you'll start to understand tonight." Suddenly Rositta's cheeks were flushed.

Rose, who still didn't understand, decided to leave the topic behind. She didn't feel like the topic was important to her plan. At least, not for the time being. Rositta was young anyway. What would the girl know about world politics and social circles? She could have been just having a big head, Rose thought.

"Put your hands on my hands. Then follow my words."

Rositta followed Rose's instructions.

"From this moment onward, Rositta Rozar will hand over her soul to Mawar Ful– ah, I forgot. Let's rewind that." Rose cleared her throat. "From this moment onward, Rositta Rozar will hand over her soul to Rose Maraina.

After Rositta followed that sentence, Rose again said. "From this moment onward, Rose Maraina will teach Rositta Rozar everything she knows. This contract is valid for an indefinite period and can only be cancelled if both souls have agreed."

Their chests felt like being pressed. It was a common sensation every time a magic contract was performed, when souls were intertwined with each other.

Soon, Rose took off her grip from Rositta's hand. The green circle on her arm was fading.

"You haven't told your husband about your magic?" asked Rositta. Clearly the girl read Rose's memory when they came into contact.

Instead of answering, Rose said. "First rule. Never divulge my memory to anyone. Rule two. Never touch me unless I give you consent."

"Because your soul is bound to me now, you must obey me."

Rositta nodded even though the glint of her eyes still showed curiosity.

"You didn't tell him for fear the Duke would start using you like your adoptive father used to?" asked Rositta.

"What was the second rule?" asked Rose in a sharp tone, "and I did tell him about my magic."

"Yes, but you didn't give him details about what you're capable of."

Rose sighed. She was not in a mood to play whatever Rositta's game was.

"Have a rest. I'm going back to my room."

As soon as Rose was about to come out the door, Rositta said, "Have fun with your husband."

Rose closed the door of Rositta's room with flushed ears.

Damn it. The girl read her memory of promising Victor for a time together in her room.

Ah, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen tonight. Because somehow Victor suddenly seemed angry with her. Oh well. I can sleep well on my own then.

Unfortunately, Rose's deep sleep could not happen yet. Because when Rose entered her room, she immediately smelled a thick scent of tobacco. She immediately knew who was the figure sitting in a chair by the window without having to turn around.

"Where have you been, Rose?" asked Victor in a deep tone.