Chapter 26

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: A Formal Friendship
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I hurriedly spoke to the Duchess.

“M-My Lady! This dignity maintenance clause is…!”

“What about it?”

The Duchess tilted her head.

“Is the amount not enough?”

“No! It’s too much! The very idea of you paying for my dignity maintenance is…!”

At that, the Duchess’s expression turned serious as she asked me back.

“What’s so excessive about it?”

“Pardon?”

“I can’t stand to see you being looked down on from now on, Lady Ansi.”

The Duchess crossed her arms and continued nonchalantly.

“Even though we’re friends by contract, you’re now my one and only friend, aren’t you?”

“B-but.”

“My friend being looked down on is the same as me being looked down on. And giving you gifts every time would be a hassle.”

The Duchess shrugged.

“Well, don’t worry about the amount. I’m giving it to you because I can.”

“Still, this is…”

“Honestly, are you going to make me repeat myself?”

The Duchess narrowed her eyes and glared at me.

“In any case, you have no complaints about the contract itself, right?”

Overwhelmed by her forcefulness, I nodded my head before I knew it.

It’s the sort of situation where one might cynically think, ‘Is she trying to buy a friend with money?’

But since I knew well that the Duchess had no ill intentions, I was glad I didn't have to doubt her motives or jump to conclusions.

When I interacted with Serapina, I always had to be on guard, wondering what twisted intentions lay hidden behind her smiling face.

Then, the Duchess gestured toward the contract with her chin.

“Then sign it.”

“Ah, yes…”

As if possessed, I signed the contract.

“Hmm.”

Nodding, the Duchess picked up the pen and added her signature next to mine.

Then, she extended her hand to me.

A request for a handshake.

“I look forward to our friendship, Lady Ansi.”

“…”

For a moment, I felt a surge of emotion welling up in my chest.

The owner of that fair, beautiful hand didn't look down on me, hold any prejudice against me, or underestimate me.

Even though our relationship was bound by a contract, it felt truly sincere.

The only person… who treated me as an equal friend.

I carefully took her hand in mine.

“I look forward to it as well.”

Hearing my words, the Duchess smiled brightly.

It was a radiant smile, like the sunshine on a spring day.