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Chapter 18
“What contract?! What do you mean I made a contract?! I didn’t do anything!”
Maybe it was because of the rumors about her making a deal with a demon, but Bellaxina flared up the moment she heard the word “contract.” She suddenly felt a wave of dread.
[No need to panic. You’ve just been registered as a system user. Do you even realize how lucky you are?]
“A system?”
[Yeah, me!]
…Is that the system’s name?
Bellaxina thought it was a strange name but let it go. Clearly, this thing wasn’t human, so it didn’t really matter what its name was.
[To put it simply, you can now get help from me—just like Mirinae.]
Like Mirinae…
Bellaxina’s heart began to race.
The Maiden of the Stars, Mirinae.
The saint from another world who saved the Empire of Calhorn from ruin.
It was said that miracles followed her everywhere, and every hardship just disappeared before her.
If not for Mirinae, there would’ve been no hero Magnacron and no unified Calhorn Empire.
Does that mean I can perform miracles too?
She couldn’t help but feel hopeful.
After all, Bellaxina was once a duke’s daughter and a future empress—but now, she was a slave. More than anyone, she needed a miracle.
(For the record, “miracle” here meant bloody revenge.)
[Of course, there’s a price. Nothing in the world is free, you know.]
“A price…?”
Hearing such a heavy word, Bellaxina tensed and swallowed hard.
“You’re not going to ask for my soul, are you…?”
[You still think I’m a demon?! What would I even do with a soul?!]
Before she could finish her sentence, the system stomped its feet on the floor like an angry rabbit.
Thinking about it, it was pretty rude to ask an angel that sort of thing. Bellaxina awkwardly cleared her throat and asked again.
“Then what kind of price do you want?”
[Come on. Isn’t it obvious?]
The little creature formed a circle with its thumb and forefinger and gave her a big smile.
[Money. I want money.]
“…What?”
Bellaxina’s expression twisted in disbelief.
What kind of angel asks for money in exchange for help?
[To be specific: gold coins, gold bars, gold dust… anything made of gold will do!]
The little one looked so thrilled just thinking about it that it started doing ballet twirls on the book.
With its chubby hamster-like body and fancy spins, it looked kind of cute and funny—but Bellaxina couldn’t bring herself to laugh.
Of all things, why gold?
If only she’d found this magic book a year earlier, she wouldn’t be in this mess.
Back then, she had more gold than she knew what to do with.
The mines in Odiberti were overflowing with gold, silver, iron, copper, salt, tin—everything. Especially gold. It was like a never-ending fountain.
But now? The only gold Bellaxina had left was 24 gold coins.
“Wait a minute.”
She suddenly remembered—wasn’t the amount “24 GOLD” written on the first page of the book?
Bellaxina shoved aside the system, which was now doing a fancy ballet move called an arabesque, and flipped the book to the first page.
[24 GOLD]
She pointed at the number and asked the system,
“What’s this? What does this mean?”
The system, now lying on its side from being shoved, answered with a pout.
[That’s the amount you’ve deposited with me!]
Bellaxina knew what “deposit” meant. In Odiberti, the banking business was the second biggest industry after mining.
So this meant the money wasn’t spent yet—it was just temporarily stored in the book.
…So it wasn’t stolen after all.
She now realized what must have happened: the coins got sucked into the book, and Natasha only found the empty pouch. So Bellaxina had punished someone who did nothing wrong.
She let out a deep sigh.
At that moment—
“Lady Bellaxina, it’s Ingrid. May I come in?”
It was Ingrid’s voice from outside the door—she sounded urgent.
“J-Just a minute!”
Bellaxina panicked and looked at the system, mouthing the word “Hide!”
The system shrugged, then leaped between the pages and pulled the cover shut like a blanket.
“Come in.”
As soon as she gave permission, the doors opened, and Ingrid entered with a group of maids.
Ingrid bowed properly as expected, then looked around the room and quickly spoke.
“I apologize for the late hour, Lady. I was worried and came to check if you’re all right.”
“As you can see, I’m fine.”
Bellaxina replied defensively, then looked around her messy room.
The chair had toppled over, the bed was a mess, and even the carpet had been kicked up—thanks to her earlier screaming.
Oh right… I did scream pretty loudly.
Now she understood why Ingrid had rushed over.
The maids with names starting with “Sha”—who’d been kicked out of her room—must’ve heard her scream but didn’t dare come in, so they reported it to the head maid.
“I was just looking for something.”
She offered a quick excuse to explain the mess.
“I see. Then we’ll help you look.”
“No need.”
Bellaxina sighed.
It was time to bring this situation to a close.
Not just for Natasha, who’d been fired unfairly, but for Alicia and Patricia too—who now stood behind Ingrid looking anxious and worried.
Bellaxina looked around, picked up a random object, and spoke calmly.
“I already found what I was looking for. Since Natasha’s name is cleared, reinstate her. If she needs compensation, take care of it within the budget.”
“…Pardon?”
“Was my order unclear? Or are you going deaf in your old age?”
“No, Lady. I’ll follow your instructions at once.”
Ingrid looked surprised but quickly regained her composure and answered respectfully.
The other maids, on the other hand, smiled so brightly that it was obvious how happy they were.
“If we’re done here, please leave. I’m exhausted, and all this noise is making it worse.”
“Yes, Lady. Have a peaceful night.”
“Good night, Lady!”
Their cheerful voices carried gratitude and relief. Bellaxina knew exactly how they felt.
But since the misunderstanding was her fault to begin with, she didn’t feel right accepting their thanks.
Don’t they remember it was me who accused Natasha in the first place?
She didn’t even realize that what she was feeling was guilt.
****
“She picked up the fan?”
Ingrid nodded at Avalkin with a pleased smile.
“She picked up the late mistress’s fan and said she found what she was looking for, then ordered Natasha’s reinstatement.”
“…Huh.”
Avalkin set down his pen and carefully thought over Ingrid’s words.
She picked up someone else’s fan, claimed she found a missing item, and called off the punishment? Weren’t the missing items gold coins?
So she’s pretending it never happened?
What had changed her mind?
Given how furious she’d been about the supposed theft, there must’ve been some truth to it.
And their dinner together hadn’t exactly gone well either. They raised their voices again and barely touched the food.
“Lord, I see no reason to delay any longer,” Ingrid said.
“She may be a bit fiery, but that kind of strength is necessary to survive in Yeshken. If she can reflect on her mistakes and show kindness to those below her, then she’s more than qualified to be the lady of the house.”
“I told you—I have no intention of making her Yeshken’s lady.”
“Oh, did you? I must be getting forgetful in my old age.”
Ingrid’s sly reply made it clear: even if he changed his mind later, she’d pretend she never heard him say otherwise.
There’s no winning with this old woman, Avalkin thought with a sigh.
That was just the northern way.
He took a deep breath and finally gave in.
“Do as you like.”
“Then I’ll call in Lord Redek to discuss timing. The merchant wagons from the capital should be returning soon—perfect for buying wedding supplies.”
A practical suggestion.
Yeshken had always been short on supplies. The harsh winters meant they had to prepare well in advance, and planning a wedding on top of that was no easy task.
“Make a list of everything we’ll need from outside. But have Margareta handle it—not you.”
“…I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Ingrid said.
Avalkin raised an eyebrow.
“Have you forgotten? My granddaughter Margareta is currently on leave due to health issues.”
“That brat? Sick? She’s probably faking it.”
“Even so, it doesn’t change anything. And Lord, you’re the one who let her down.”
Avalkin frowned, annoyed by her rare show of defiance. But deep down, he understood. The family stuck together.
“Then give the task to any maid who can write. As for Margareta… I’ll find her a good match.”
“Yes, Lord.”
Ingrid gave a businesslike bow and left the room.
“…Margareta.”
Ingrid’s granddaughter, Margareta, was a 19-year-old redhead.
She’d grown up in Yeshken Castle and, despite being a commoner, had a solid education. She was respected for her skills and often helped manage household affairs.
Everyone knew Margareta had secretly liked Avalkin for a long time.
She probably never hoped to become the Duchess of Yeshken, but…
She might have genuinely dreamed of being the mother of his heir.
If Avalkin’s deal with the Countess of Castiglione had gone through, that dream might’ve come true.
Marriage to the countess—and a child with Margareta.
But ever since Bellaxina appeared, that little girl’s well-laid plans had fallen apart.
Where her resentment would go now was painfully obvious.
“…Nothing comes easy.”
Avalkin secretly hoped Margareta would stay on leave for a while longer.
