Chapter 5- The Contract

PAIGE

A sharp knock pulled me from a deep sleep. Pale morning light filled my room, falling across the rumpled silk covers of my large bed.

"Miss?" a voice called softly from the other side of the door. "It's time to wake."

I groaned and buried my face deeper into my soft pillow. The room was warm and quiet. A book lay open on my nightstand next to a burned-down candle.

"Just a little longer," I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep. "Please. Just a few more minutes."

I heard a quiet sigh from the hallway. "Very well, Miss. But only a few." I smiled, curling back under the warm blankets, grateful for the small victory.

The maid’s knock came again, a little louder this time. “Miss, you really must get up now.”

I pulled the velvet covers over my head. “Five more minutes,” I begged, my voice muffled by the blanket.

“I’m sorry, Miss, but I can’t,” the maid insisted, opening the door just a crack. “There’s a message. It just arrived.”

“Just leave it on the desk,” I sighed, not moving. “I’ll read it later.”

“Miss,” the maid said, her voice suddenly serious. “It’s from the Duke.”

My eyes flew open. The Duke.

In one quick move, I threw the covers aside and jumped out of bed, my heart suddenly pounding. “Give it to me. Now.”

Miss, Rimestone

I request the honor of your presence at my estate this afternoon at three o'clock. There is a matter of mutual interest we should discuss.

A carriage will be sent for you.

The Duke of Wisteria.

The rest of the morning felt like it took a year. My maid helped me into a simple but fine dress of deep blue. She fixed my hair, her hands quick and sure.

I couldn't sit still. I paced my room, my stomach a tight knot of nerves. I kept glancing out the window, watching for any sign of a carriage.

Finally, I went downstairs to the main hall. I sat on a stiff bench near the door, my back straight. I listened to the loud ticking of the grand clock.

Every sound from the street made my heart jump. I smoothed my skirt over and over, trying to calm my restless hands. I was ready. And now, there was nothing to do but wait.

I use this time to pick up a book on how to write a contract, a book even a monkey can

Since I got reincarnated into this world, I realise that I can understand every language, and so far there are five I've seen.

I drafted out a contract, and soon after, it was 3 o'clock. The carriage arrives.

Right on time, a fine carriage arrived. It was black and shiny, pulled by two tall, elegant horses. A driver in a sharp uniform stepped down and opened the door for me with a bow.

I climbed inside. The seats were deep and soft. The ride was quiet and smooth, the clip-clop of the horses' hooves the main sound.

I watched out the window as the busy city streets slowly changed to quieter, wider roads with huge houses. Finally, the carriage turned onto a long, private driveway.

At the end stood the Duke's mansion. It was a massive stone house with rows of windows and towering pillars. The carriage rolled to a stop on the gravel in front of the grand entrance. My heart beat fast. This was it.

I walk into the mansion, being led by the butler to the Study where he sat—The Duke, Noah Wingknight.

The door shut behind me leaving just me and the Duke, “Good day, your grace,” I curtsied

“Skip the pleasantries, you know there's nothing good about this.” He said in a cold but calm tone. “I suggest you get right to the point. You said you know something about the seal that went missing?”

“Yes I do, I know exactly where it is,” I say confidently.

I know this story like the back of my hand, so the whereabouts of the seal was no mystery to me.

“You have it, you have the royal seal,” I say with a smirk on my face.

“I see you just came to waste my time. Use the door.” His expression was one of indifference.

I knew that he had the seal. That he was just trying to call my bluff. But I wasn't bluffing.

“Behind the church, lies a private royal tomb, there in the tomb of the to of Nathan Wingknight the fourth lies the Royal seal” I was brimming with confidence.

Nobody knew the whereabouts of the Royal tomb. I watched his expression shift from Indifference to shock and quickly back to indifference.

“Use the door, Miss Paige,” he says, going back to the paper on the table.

I'm sure he is hoping that I would doubt myself. I need this, I need him to help me evade my coming death, but I can’t make him think I'm bluffing, so I walk toward the door very confidently.

But…

I stop in my tracks, sighting the chessboard, there's no queen, and it seems like the puns have the king checkmate. It doesn't look like one that is being played.

‘The current governmental system”, I think to myself and smirk.

“Pardon me, can you please move that? Can you move that rook to the right? It's the rook in this case, which was the Duke and he's the only one who can save the king.

He saw that I knew his plans,” What is your proposal?”

“I need protection, you see my fiancée is trying to kill me. And I need a way to get out of the engagement,” I reply with hope.

“How do you suggest I do that?” he locked both hands together, giving him an expectant look.

“We have already set the ground for that, you told him that I was you, and I was engaged, remember? .Let our little charade continue. Six months is all I ask, and after that, I will make it my mission that you never see me again.” I propose.

He thinks for a while, but then smiles, and he sees my contract. “You really came prepared, since that's the case, you will have to be my fiancé when I want, how I want, and wherever I want, and you will have to move into my mansion.” He smirks.

“That won't be necessary,” I shake my head and hands, stepping back trying to avoid dismissing his statement.

“It is, you are my blackmailer after all, and I need to keep a close eye on you, and I'm the Duke, and also a Prince, you are posing as my fiancé, I can't have you not acting the part. You will move in tomorrow.” He was enjoying my frustration.