Chapter 8: A Formal Contract

Irene called for Momo and asked for a cup of tea. In the meantime, Irene sat on the bed facing the beauty. The beauty was well behaved. Her back was ramrod straight as she folded her hands over her thighs, she looked like her mother's friends that would occasionally frequent by.

"So, how did you find me?" Irene asked. She subconsciously straightened her back to match the beauty's.

"It wasn't hard, you left a very obvious trace," She said as if she didn't lose her way once in the city.

Irene had no idea about the beauty's embarrassment, so she was very impressed. The beauty could read it all over her face.

"That's very cool." Irene clapped her hands together. "I guess I'm not very good at adventuring," she chuckled.

The beauty was perplexed, so she asked, "What do you mean by adventuring?"

"I mean, my journey to the palace was not planned. I had no map but my head and gut to guide me. So it was sort of like an adventure but usually, adventurers would have weapons to keep themselves safe," Irene explained. "It was also quite hard to find the soldier gate, the only clue I had was very hard to understand. Not to mention, I was defeated by the door! I'm just not cut out for it."

"Someone gave you a clue about the emergency tunnel. Who?" The beauty could spot the slightest irregularity in Irene's words.

Irene panicked. "Uh, n-"

"Irene?" came the saving knock on her door. Momo had arrived in the nick of time with a cup of tea.

The beauty accepted the tea with grace, her lips puckered as she blew a long breath over the warm brown liquid. The tea was sweeter than the ones she prefers; clearly, it was brewed to suit Irene's tastes. After the initial sip, she returned the teacup to the saucer with a soft clink.

"Now, back to the matter at hand," said the beauty.

Irene's eyes were blown wide with panic. "I- I can't."

The beauty's hold over the saucer tightened ever so slightly, but she was in control of her strength. It would be embarrassing to lose control of herself numerous times in front of a human child.

"Why not?"

Irene held her breath, she wasn't good at lying, but if she tells the truth then the commander might get in trouble. It was a secret that he didn't want to share in the first place. It was only after her countless badgering only did he budge and speak vaguely about it. Though he was no longer part of the royal guard, he still obeyed its principles. He was a man of honour, and by telling the beauty, Irene would taint it.

"Look, I can't. The person who told me about the gate is very important, I respect him a lot. I only used the gate because there was no other way to get in. Trust me, I'd go through the front gates if I could. But I'm too young to enter the palace without an invite," Irene explained in one long breath.

The beauty's instinctual reaction to Irene's refusal was to jump to her feet and physically shake the truth out of her. Seriously, does the child not know who she is? If Irene were of age, it was legal for the beauty to send her straight to the dungeon for attempting to conceal information regarding the royal family.

"Fine," the beauty placed the cup of tea down. "Then I will speak to your father. He was the one who knew of this truth, correct?" She stood up abruptly, but not a drop of tea was spilt.

Irene hastily stood up, that would be disastrous! Her father's away at work, and usually, he requires a lot of energy and focus to get his things done, at least that's what Irene was told. He would get angry if someone interrupted him.

She waved her hands and exclaimed, "No, no! He's not home right now."

A growl of dragon fury crawled up her throat. Irene had denied the beauty one too many times and she was starting to truly despise it. Irene was rather sensitive to emotional changes, so she knew the beauty was furious this time.

"Please, let me speak to him about the king, I'll tell you what he tells me. I won't hide anything at all." Irene's hands fell into a prayer pose. She bowed her head forwards; her hair shielded her face like a veil of gold.

The beauty began reconsidering. It would be helpful in the long run to have a human ally who could freely enter and leave the palace. Irene snuck in well enough the first time, and since Irene was hers, Kolfor won't be able to interfere. No one else other than the soldiers knew the existence of the emergency tunnel, and since Kolfor was the commander, he could easily silence the others.

"I accept your proposal," The beauty started, "but I want to make a formal deal."

Irene grew a little nervous at that, but she didn't shy away from the unknown. "How does the deal go?"

The beauty placed the teacup on the desk not far away, then she gestured for Irene to give her both her hands. Irene hesitantly placed her hands on hers, which slipped backwards slightly so their fingers would be interlocked. "I'm going to do a contract, you'll have to swear willingly. Do you know what that means?"

Irene thought about it and eventually shook her head.

"It means, you promise to help me with this on your own. You'll help me, right?"

Now that the beauty's explained it, it seemed to make sense. She didn't know why the formality was necessary because she already decided she was going to do it anyway, but she inclined her head in agreement.

"Okay, then you'll have to repeat after me, but use your own name for it. It must be a full name, and your real name."

Irene thought that was strange, the beauty already knew her name, but she didn't interrupt as the beauty closed her eyes. Irene closed hers as well, feeling oddly at peace.

"I, Ayu Azule of the Azule Dragon Clan," the beauty murmured, "initiate this soul contract with a willing participant. As the initiator, I solemnly swear to protect the willing participant from harm with all my strength. With this, I swear."

Ayu's voice resonated clearly despite the low volume. Irene heard every single syllable clearly as if they were spoken right next to her ears.

Irene waited for the beauty to continue, but instead, the Ayu's voice whispered, "Your turn."

Irene's eyes shifted, but they remained firmly shut as she said her part of the contract.

"I, Irene Wincott of the Wincott Family," she hoped she was saying it right, "initiate-"

"It's 'agree," Ayu interrupted.

Irene swallowed nervously and changed her words, "-agree,"

"To take part in this soul contract willingly," Ayu said.

Irene simply repeated it.

"I solemnly swear to tell the truth and repay my protector's goodwill. With this, I swear," Irene parroted Ayu's words.

Then, there was a warm sensation from Ayu's hands to hers. It felt like sticky honey that dripped into her veins and filled her body. She felt very sleepy suddenly.

Ayu caught Irene who fell forwards, the human was warm to the touch and very light. Ayu cocked her head to peer at Irene's sleeping face, whose mouth was slightly parted. Her rosy cheeks were pressed against Ayu's navy shirt. Ayu's soul crooned, the contract had enlightened her in ways she was too young to understand. She reached out to comb through Irene's golden hair. Meanwhile, Irene had no memory of what happened after as she drifted off into a dream of crimson, black and gold.

As the initiator, it wouldn't be good if she let Irene stay cooped up in this stuffy room with a choking bitter scent. Ayu gently lowered Irene back to her bed, ensuring that her ward was comfortable. Then, she left the room, Irene's warmth was like a firm imprint on her body. She needed to get a couple of strong potions to accelerate the healing.

Momo entered shortly after to check on Irene and was surprised to see the girl asleep. She habitually reached out to touch her forehead. Once she was sure that Irene did not catch a fever, she quietly left the room to inform Irene's visitors that Irene was asleep and that they should come by another time.

"I'm sorry Mister and Miss Kinstone," Momo said.

The boy released a bone-deep groan as he clutched the sword in his hands while the girl goodnaturedly pulled the boy away.