[IFITAOAMV] Chapter 47

Now that I had awakened my jewel-crafting powers, I knew he couldn’t kill me. But that didn’t mean I was completely safe. He could still find other ways to torment me, ways that might be just as bad as being dragged away by the Crown Prince. 

‘I just want to live peacefully and safely!’ 

I kept my head straight, refusing to look away from Edwin, who watched me with a crooked smile. Then, as if he had thought of something, his eyes softened, and he chuckled. 

“Bound by fate? You and me?” He pointed at both of us with his finger, his innocent smile catching me off guard.  

‘Why does he always latch onto the wrong part of what I say?’  

Still, it was a positive reaction, so I needed to seize the moment. 

“Yes, we’re bound by fate. If you want to live a long, safe life, I can’t get hurt or die, right?” 

“I like it. Bound by fate,” he said. 

“So, you’ll grant my wish?” 

“Sure, a promise is a promise.” 

“Write it down in a contract, too.” 

“Do we really need to go that far? Between us?”  

“The closer we are, the more we need to clarify things so there are no misunderstandings.” 

I didn’t know what kind of relationship “between us” was supposed to be, but I smiled sweetly at Edwin. 

“Alright, since my bride insists.” 

Edwin called for Seth and instructed him to bring official document paper and a seal. He started writing in elegant script as soon as he received the paper, promising to ensure my safety and survival. 

“And no threats, either,” I added, crossing my arms in an X over my chest as I tried to sound firm. 

“I’ve never threatened you.” 

“You said you’d hang me out the window.” 

“I didn’t plan to. It was just talk.” 

Edwin looked at me genuinely, wondering how that could be considered a threat. 

“How was I supposed to know what you were thinking? My heart was pounding like crazy when you said that. It was mean,” I protested, pouting my lips. 

Edwin lightly tapped my head. “I didn’t know you were so faint-hearted. A scared little rabbit.” 

I wanted to argue back but had no grounds to stand on, so I just turned my head away in frustration. 

“Alright, alright. I’ll write it down. See? ‘No threats’ is included,” he said. 

I cautiously glanced back at him, hearing a faint chuckle from above. But I ignored it and focused on reviewing the contract.  

I felt relieved and smiled when I saw the final clause confirming that he wouldn’t threaten me. 

“Is there anything else you want to add?” 

I shook my head, and Edwin signed the contract and stamped it with his seal. 

“Here, take it.” 

“Could you make one more copy? No, two more?” 

“Why?” 

“I’ll give one to you and keep two for myself.” 

“I don’t need one. And why do you need two?” 

“I could lose one, couldn’t I?” 

There was no way to take a picture or scan it; if I lost it, my safe life would disappear instantly. I would’ve liked to keep ten copies, but I didn’t dare ask, fearing he might tear up the contract altogether. 

“My bride doesn’t trust me,” Edwin muttered, frowning. 

‘How can I trust someone who swings a sword at the slightest provocation?’ 

I scoffed internally as Edwin gently grasped my chin, turning my face to meet his gaze. 

“Tell me, have I ever broken a promise to you?” 

‘Of course, you have,’ I was about to say, but the words got stuck in my throat. Thinking about it, I realised that Edwin hadn’t kept a single promise. He had protected me from Raven, kept my identity hidden, and even now, he was writing out this contract just as promised. 

‘Wait, this isn’t what I expected.’ 

I was caught off guard by how different the reality was from what I’d anticipated. 

“See? There’s nothing, right?” Edwin grinned triumphantly, and I reluctantly nodded in agreement. 

“Still, you seem worried, so I’ll write one more. Here, take both copies.” Edwin wrote another contract, stamped it cleanly, and handed it to me.  

“Happy now?”  

The situation still dazed me, but I nodded again, slightly bewildered. Even so, I didn’t forget to clutch the contracts tightly to my chest, afraid he might take them back.  

It was just a piece of paper, but it brought me such a sense of relief. I felt a deep sense of security for the first time since arriving at the Duke’s estate. 

“I didn’t realise my bride was so frightened. Why didn’t you say anything? I could’ve written you as many of these as you wanted.” 

Was it that easy to get this? Memories of the stressful days I spent struggling to awaken my jewel-crafting powers flashed before my eyes like a panorama. 

I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t help but look at Edwin in disbelief. He turned his head slightly, his shoulders shaking a bit.