ITHTJ 06

Chapter : 06

I’ll Sign a Lifetime Contract (2)

Did I see this wrong?

I rubbed my eyes hard with both hands.

This can’t be real. This is my salary? You’ve got to be kidding. You’re offering something this outrageous just to hire me? Why? For what reason?

There was only one person who could answer that question.

Moistening my bone-dry lips with difficulty, I finally forced myself to speak.

“Um, Your Grace the Grand Duke… may I ask why you wish to hire me?”

When he opened his mouth again, I went blank once more.

“I heard that you saved my younger sibling’s life.”

“What? Me?”

What was he talking about now? I saved someone?
If it was Eclipse’s sibling, there was only one person that could be…

No way.

“So… you’re saying I saved Your Grace’s sister, Saint Lynette…?”

At that moment, a bell rang in my head.

The bell announcing the end of my smooth, carefree life.

No way. I saved the very woman who’s destined to destroy me—with my own hands?

And on top of that, the female lead’s brother was offering me a job.

So that means I was about to scam someone who might become my employer?

No way. You’re just trying to scare me, right? There’s no way I saved Lynette—ah.

As I shook my head in denial, something suddenly flashed through my mind.

I remember… those golden eyes.

The girl I’d saved in the alley had golden eyes too.

I’d thought they sparkled like gold coins back then.

And Lynette on the book cover definitely had eyes like that, didn’t she…?

Tall stature, slender frame, dark navy hair contrasting against pale skin, and golden eyes.

That was exactly how Lynette was described in the novel.

And the girl I met was…

She was taller than me. I couldn’t see her clearly because of the hood, but her hair seemed dark. Her skin was pale too.

After turning it over in my head again and again, I finally reached a conclusion.

Oh no. I think it’s true.

With trembling hands, I stared down at the contract I was holding.

So this is the “gratitude” you were talking about, female lead…?

While I was still reeling from the unbelievable revelation, the office door suddenly flew open and someone strode inside.

“Snatching away my guest like this… I didn’t know my dear brother could be so underhanded.”

At the familiar-sounding voice, my head turned on its own.

Golden eyes gleaming beneath dark navy hair like the night sky.

No way. No way…!

That’s impossible! It’s really Lynette!

She had appeared.

The woman who would one day destroy me was smiling right at me.

Lynette von Rudeau was the female protagonist of the novel The Saintess Doesn’t Want to Believe in God, the very story I had reincarnated into—and Eclipse’s younger sister.

On top of that, she possessed both divine power and magic, an absurdly overpowered existence.

So that’s why they want me to be her magic tutor?

That seemed to be the case.

In the original story, Lynette did indeed have exceptional magical ability.

But she never received proper magical training.

The reason was simple.

Her latent divine power far surpassed her magic.

What a scam. She really has everything just because she’s the protagonist.

Even so, Lynette had one fatal flaw.

Despite being a saintess, she didn’t believe in God.

After struggling in every way possible to avoid becoming a saintess, she astonishingly ended up becoming the Grand Duke of Rudeau.

Though at this point in time, that title belongs to Eclipse.

But only temporarily.

On the day Lynette came of age, Eclipse was obligated to hand over the title to her.

Because Lynette is the only legitimate heir of the ducal house.

Eclipse had originally been a commoner, but he was adopted into the Rudeau family after catching the eye of the Grand Duke, who had no heir at the time.

Lynette was born not long after, but when the previous duke and duchess passed away one after the other, the older Eclipse inherited the title.

Before her death, the former duchess Aileen made Eclipse swear a vow.

The vow was to relinquish the title to Lynette when she came of age. The problem is—that vow was actually a curse.

Just as I was thinking that far, I suddenly jolted at the sensation of something poking my side.

Lynette, now seated beside me, was pressing a finger into my ribs.

“Eek!”

Startled, I widened my eyes, and Lynette burst into laughter.

“What were you thinking so hard about?”

“Oh—nothing.”

“Nothing, my foot. You’re clearly tense.”

Of course I was tense.

I thought I’d been caught red-handed sneaking in to scam them.

“By the way, I can talk casually now, right, Elsie?”

“Yes! Of course!”

What choice did I have?!

Overwhelmed by the difference in status, I nodded faster than anyone in history.

Seeing that, Lynette giggled softly.

For some reason, I felt afraid.

What’s with her? We’ve barely met—don’t act so friendly. It’s scary!

Originally, I was supposed to be a minor villain who got utterly destroyed by Lynette.

Thanks to the plot going off the rails, I’d barely managed to survive so far—but who knew when danger would strike again?

Someone, please save me!

In moments like this, the only option was to appeal to a third party.

I shot Eclipse a desperate look, silently begging for help.

Your Grace, please!

Even though I shamelessly tried to fleece you, please help me just this once!

Perhaps my plea reached him.

Watching the pitiful prey being harassed by the apex predator named Lynette, Eclipse let out a shallow sigh.

“Lynette, don’t be rude to our guest.”

“Hm? Was I rude? I was just being friendly.”

She twirled her hair with the same finger she’d used to poke me.

Was the kind girl I saved really Lynette?

For a brief moment, I denied reality.

But I accepted it soon enough.

Playful to no end with people she likes, despite her cold and aloof appearance… Exactly like her character profile.

The girl before me was Lynette through and through.

If she wasn’t Lynette, then who else could she be?

She’s a good actress too—able to act like the purest saint when necessary. Like when she’s deceiving someone.

At that moment, Eclipse, who had been quietly listening, let out a low groan.

“So teasing someone who’s clearly uncomfortable is your idea of friendliness… I’m starting to question Ash Hart’s teaching methods.”

At the familiar name, my ears perked up.

Ash Hart—that was Lynette’s etiquette tutor.

He’d once been known as a delinquent before changing completely one day.

Whatever the case, I was just relieved that Lynette’s attention had shifted away from me.

“If that’s truly how you were taught… I’m disappointed. I’ll have to find you a new tutor immediately.”

Eclipse pulled a file from his desk and began flipping through it slowly.

Completely excluded from their focus, I watched their exchange in peace.

“Come on, it’s hard to even joke around. Don’t worry, brother. Ash didn’t teach me that.”

Lynette explained, but Eclipse didn’t look up.

“I was just happy to see Elsie. She’s my savior, after all.”

“……”

“It’s true. And she’s cute too—so small. I can’t help wanting to tease her.”

“Lynette.”

“Honestly, aren’t you the same, brother? What, is it just me?”

What? Small?

My ears shot up at the utterly unacceptable remark.

Excuse me? I’m not small—you two are just ridiculously tall!

According to the original story, Lynette was 170 cm and Eclipse was 187 cm.

Seriously huge. Are they giants?

Must be nice being tall. I’m barely scraping 160 cm.

With my young-looking face and short height, people often underestimated me.

That’s why I wore a jet-black robe and a wide-brimmed hat to look more imposing.

But in front of these two, I’m nothing but a tiny kid.

It felt like being a stunted sapling growing between two towering trees.