“Ugh… don’t…”
A faint milky scent lingered at Liyakade’s nose, and the soft touch made her feel a bit dazed.
“It must have been really hard, right?”
Field didn’t want to let go.
“You endured so much on your own, and I doubted you like that—I must have hurt you a lot, right? Please forgive me?”
“Forgiven, forgiven! Just let go first, okay? I… can’t breathe!”
“Ah!”
Field only then realized she’d been holding Liyakade pressed against her chest, her face flushing slightly. “Sorry, sorry, I didn’t notice.”
“Hah—it’s fine.”
Liyakade recalled the softness and the scent from just now, and couldn’t help but reply, “Let’s just say it’s a benefit from Princess Field. Actually, I quite like this feeling.”
“W-what benefit?! That’s gross!!!”
“Miss Liyakade, has Irina Zi always been making you bully me?”
Alice shifted the topic to the serious matter at hand. Having learned Irina Zi’s true nature, Alice spoke without any honorifics.
“Yes.” Liyakade nodded.
“Always, but after you helped me with the healing that time, I couldn’t bring myself to keep doing it, so I’ve been hiding it from that she-tiger.”
“But didn’t you say you have eyes watching you? What if they find out you’re not following Irina Zi-sama’s orders? Wouldn’t you be in serious danger?”
Field asked worriedly, now more composed.
“It’s okay. At least they haven’t noticed yet. I’ve managed to hide it from them for now.”
“So why exactly does she target Alice so much?”
Field was puzzled about Irina Zi’s motives.
“I told you—it’s because she likes Princess Field.” Liyakade added, “Because Alice is a commoner but is very close to Princess Field, Irina Zi tries everything to suppress Alice.”
“Really?!”
Field couldn’t believe it.
“We hardly interact! Being targeted by someone like that is terrifying! Why on earth would she like me?”
“I don’t know either. I tried asking her, but she won’t say.”
Liyakade shook her head, indicating she had no answer.
“Tch… whatever.”
Field clenched her fists.
“I’ll go see her tomorrow and have her cancel the contract for you!”
“Don’t be impulsive!”
Liyakade warned the flushed Field.
“She definitely won’t just cancel the Contract because you asked.”
“Then I’ll expose her misdeeds and let the Academy and the Law punish her.”
“Even if the Academy punishes her for bullying, she still won’t cancel the Contract.”
Liyakade shook her head again.
“Besides, she’s the Chancellor’s daughter. Even if she goes to court, the punishment won’t be harsh. And… we don’t have any evidence.”
“Aren’t you the best evidence?” Field countered.
“If you confess to the abuse you suffered, wouldn’t that be enough?”
“It’s not that simple. Witness testimony alone isn’t enough, and I was legally traded. Even if she cancels the Contract, I’d have to pay her a huge sum to redeem myself.”
Liyakade showed the cursed mark on her arm, explaining her concerns one by one.
“She can control my words and actions freely. I can’t admit I was abused. Besides, what if she goes all-in and uses a curse to kill me? I’ve already lost my noble status. Even if she commits murder, her family will protect her.”
Field thought it over. Liyakade’s concerns were valid, but how could Field tolerate such a thing?
“Are you just going to let her do whatever she wants to you?”
“Of course not. I just think direct confrontation won’t work. If only we could find a way to cancel the Contract first.”
Liyakade shared her thoughts with them. “Princess Field, do you know any way to cancel a Contract?”
“I do.” Field was royal after all, and the royal family had used Slave Contracts to control criminals and slaves before, so Field was quite familiar with their restrictions.
“Contracts have no effect on the Demon Race. Even if they sign one, they can break free at will. Also, if you find the Contract Scroll signed at the time and destroy it, that cancels the Contract—but slaves can’t touch the Scroll. The last method is killing the Contract holder.”
“Even high-ranking mages can’t forcibly cancel it?”
Liyakade asked Field after hearing this.
“No.” Field shook her head and explained further.
“Slave Contracts are tied to the world’s laws. No matter how powerful the mage, they can’t forcibly cancel it. The Demon Race might, but the relationship between the Kingdom and the Demon Race has always been tense. It’s impossible to find a Demon Race strong enough to help.”
“In that case, killing the Contract holder is the only option…” Field’s eyes hardened, as if considering something dangerous.
“No!”
Liyakade shouted sharply.
“She’s the Chancellor’s daughter. Even if you assassinate Irina Zi, your situation will become extremely dangerous. If anyone finds the slightest clue, not only will you be punished, but the Kingdom’s political situation could fall into chaos!”
“So we’re just going to watch you suffer!?”
Field couldn’t hold back. How could she stand seeing the person she cared about endure such abuse?
“Calm down, Princess Field!” Alice urged from the side.
“Since Miss Liyakade said that, she must have a plan, right? Let’s hear it first.”
“…Alright, Liyakade, you say it.”
“I don’t know if this will work, but it feels less risky than assassination, and I’ll need Princess Field’s help.” At this, Liyakade looked at Field.
“No problem. Whatever it takes, as long as it can set you free.”
Field and Liyakade exchanged a look. If Field was even considering assassination, then anything less dangerous was acceptable.
“Good.” Liyakade nodded firmly and began explaining her plan.
“I remember nobles usually keep their Slave Contracts in a specific place in their manors for easy management. Maybe my Contract is there too.”
“Irina Zi has something she wants from you, Princess Field, so you have to befriend her and find out where her family keeps the Contracts.”
“Then destroy my Contract. Once the Contract is destroyed, even if Irina Zi reacts, she can’t do anything to you because you only destroyed an ordinary Slave Contract. She wouldn’t dare get angry at the Kingdom’s Third Princess over one Contract.”
“Hmm.” Field thought the plan seemed feasible. It was far less risky and more realistic than assassination.
“I understand. I’ll start planning tomorrow. Sorry to trouble you a little longer.”
“It’s nothing. Don’t say ‘a little longer.’ I’ve already endured so much time; a few more days won’t matter.” Liyakade smiled generously. “And I’m glad you all believe me and are willing to help. I’m no longer alone in this world.”
What did the World Will matter?
What was Destiny?
At this moment, the world line finally shifted. Liyakade believed that with her friends’ help, she could break free from the Original Ending’s chains and find her own HAPPY ENDING.