Chapter 28 – Terms of the Contract (2)
There was no playfulness in those vivid red eyes.
“You’re good at finding my weaknesses.”
Ginger tapped my cheek lightly with his finger and whispered calmly.
“That is, unless you want to be swayed by me for having your weakness caught.”
His soft-spoken words made my heart sink.
Ginger was right.
I was too anxious—more than necessary.
So obsessed with solving the immediate problem that I’d completely lost my sense of calm and perspective.
“…You don’t like the idea of being partners with my brother?”
“If that’s the case—”
“Then what about me?”
At my words, Ginger lowered his gaze and met my eyes.
Soon, the corners of his mouth lifted.
“If it’s me, I could be a pretty good partner.”
“That’s a funny request.”
“If you want something more amusing, bring me the contract. I’ll make sure you laugh out loud.”
At my words, Ginger stood up and leaned against the sofa.
And just then, someone knocked and entered the room.
“Leave it and go.”
It was a contract and a pen.
I hadn’t done anything—was someone watching us from somewhere? I glanced up at the ceiling.
“I didn’t use magic, so don’t worry. I asked them to bring it in beforehand.”
“…I didn’t think that.”
I replied curtly and picked up the pen.
“Before we get into the formal contract terms, let’s reintroduce ourselves—so to speak—”
“My first request: Think of me as Odelia. It’s not like you’ll know me for long anyway.”
I cut him off and wrote on the paper.
[Do not question the other’s identity. Do not ask for names. Even if one disappears someday—]
“And the reason for that?”
Ginger held my hand holding the pen and asked.
“There is no reason. That’s just the condition. If my identity is exposed, it’s disadvantageous for you too, right?”
“…Is that so?”
Ginger shrugged, as if uncertain.
Unfortunately, Ginger also had a secret that must not be revealed.
Compared to mine, it was minor—but politically, it was a dangerous one.
I hesitated slightly, wondering if I should say more, but Ginger pointed to the paper with his finger.
“What’s with this clause?”
I followed his finger down.
[Even if one disappears, we will not seek each other and will forget the memory of the other’s existence.]
“It’s a necessary clause for a contract. To keep personal feelings out and maintain a professional relationship.”
“…Sounds more like a defense mechanism from someone about to disappear.”
Saying that, Ginger swiped his hand across the paper.
He must’ve had ink on his index finger—a long line was drawn across the sentence.
“You’d look for me if I disappeared?”
“If you don’t want that, I won’t. So let’s remove this clause.”
Looking bored as if he’d just seen a dull movie, Ginger wiped his fingertip.
I sincerely hoped he meant it.
That I would return to my world, and the real Odelia would come back to take her place—and everyone would get a happy ending.
Even if it was an open ending, I wanted to see that final moment of eternal happiness.
“Then let’s write it as a future promise.”
“…”
“If I disappear and someone else takes my place, promise me you’ll forget me.”
“You’re so cold to me.”
“I’ll say the same to everyone.”
Equally fair. I was someone from outside the book—I had to leave everyone the same way.
With that in mind, I lifted the pen again to write the second condition.
“Wait.”
“What now?”
Annoyed at Ginger’s constant interruptions, I ran my hand through my hair.
When I looked up, he was smiling.
Not because he was amused or happy—it was just his usual, habitual smile.
Ginger lightly took the pen from my hand and said,
“Isn’t the rule one demand per person?”
“…”
“You’re sneakily trying to write the contract alone. That’s so unfair.”
He chuckled and even snatched the paper from me.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have much to give him.
I wasn’t even Odelia. What could I possibly offer him?
Even if I went to the Snifter estate pretending to be her and asked for the inheritance, I couldn’t actually return it.
Curious about his demand, I leaned over to look.
“Ugh!”
“That’s no way to react—it wasn’t that bad.”
“You’re the one who’s read too many romance novels!”
Ginger kindly read out his demand from the paper.
“When addressing each other, we must use names.”
“Then write in the fine print that my name is excluded.”
“Then it wouldn’t be a demand, would it?”
He shrugged as if disappointed.
Bullshit. Like he’s really disappointed.
Ginger just wanted to know my name.
Whether as a joke or to put a collar around my neck—it didn’t matter.
But seriously, what merit would that have?
I’m going to disappear someday anyway.
Ginger handed the paper back to me, as if it didn’t matter to him.
…Fine, it really doesn’t matter. I’m someone who will disappear eventually.
Thinking that, I added a detail below.
“Alright. But you can only use my real name when we’re alone.”
“So you’ll give me time alone with you?”
“…Say something creepy like that again, and I’ll make sure we’re never alone.”
He laughed as I glared at him.
He was clearly enjoying himself.
I said I’d make him laugh out loud if he saw the contract—at this rate, he’ll laugh his whole life in just one day.
With that, I finally put the pen down.
“Before the third condition, I’ll tell you my name.”
“I’m honored.”
Ignoring Ginger’s teasing smirk, I spoke.
“Jinah. That’s all you need to know.”
“Jinah… That’s a nice name.”
“Do you know the meaning?”
“Are you going to tell me too? So kind—”
I sighed at Ginger’s chuckle and picked up the pen again.
The final demand was very personal, so I debated whether to write it.
But since I didn’t know what his demand would be, I decided to go big.
Reading it, Ginger let out a long, amused whistle.
“Grant each other three personal wishes…”
“Only three. No more.”
As he quietly reviewed it, Ginger scribbled something in the fine print.
“Any wish that endangers life or honor may be refused.”
“…Do I look like someone who’d threaten your life or honor?”
“If you won’t, maybe I will.”
He shrugged like it was nothing, and I met his eyes.
He wasn’t joking.
In that moment, I remembered Odelia’s request in the dream.
Odelia, who needed to change something. Had she perhaps tried to change the personalities of the male leads?
I added one more clause.
“Under no circumstances shall we request anything that harms each other. Doing so will void the contract.”
“…How thoughtful.”
“I’m not some tragic duke from a melodrama, unlike you.”
I signed my name at the bottom and handed it to Ginger.
“I hate getting hurt—but I hate seeing others hurt just as much.”
I could see a fleeting sadness pass over Ginger’s eyes.
It disappeared quickly, but I had clearly seen it.
“Are you trying to burn holes in me with that stare?”
Ginger smiled as he signed his name beside mine.
The emotions I’d seen earlier were completely gone now.
Hiding emotions isn’t ideal, but forcing someone to reveal what they want to hide isn’t good either.
So I pretended not to notice and took the contract.
“For now, this will be a provisional contract. You keep it. Later, we’ll make it official—one copy each.”
“Sounds good.”
Ginger leaned back on the sofa, satisfied.
“Then let’s start with the first wish.”
“You’re fast.”
Wishes—except the last one—are best granted quickly to make life easier.
“I’m going home. Give me a carriage.”
“So bold.”
“What, you want me to beg?”
It’s my wish. And it doesn’t violate any fine print. It’s clean and perfect.
I said proudly, hands on my waist. Ginger laughed, covering his mouth.
It didn’t help—his laughter burst out anyway.
He wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes and continued.
“By home, you mean the Snifter Marquis’ residence?”
I nodded.
“That’s not your home, Jinah.”
“Don’t break the contract. Clause one—no questioning identity. I’m Odelia right now.”
“Whether the marquis agrees is another matter. If you return, you’ll only face his suspicion.”
Ginger folded his arms and looked at me.
He was right. If I go back now, I’ll have to face Visen’s suspicion.
But not going back won’t change that either.
You shouldn’t rush things—but putting them off forever isn’t the answer either.
“I’ll handle it.”
“Sounds like you’re planning to lie.”
“…My lies will benefit Odelia in the end.”
It was only a self-made excuse—but still.
I clenched my fist.
In the dream, and while reading the original story, I kept wondering—
Why did Odelia have to suffer so much?
Maybe I became Odelia to create a happy time for her—because she’s taking a break right now.
Even if it’s just my made-up excuse…
Still, I no longer felt like I was here just to follow the original plot.
As I stood there thinking, Ginger sighed with mild annoyance.
“I’ll get you a carriage. But in return, grant my wish too.”
“…What is it?”
“Now that’s a tone full of reluctance.”
“Would you expect me to be thrilled?”
I spoke seriously, and he responded with nonsense. It was exhausting.
I clicked my tongue and nodded for him to speak.
Ginger hesitated briefly, then said something with an unusually expressionless face.
“Be my woman.”
“…Huh?”
“Don’t act like you don’t understand. You’re not the innocent Odelia. You know exactly what I mean.”
I leaned back, pretending not to get it. Ginger smirked—not playfully, but almost irritated.
Saying something like “You know it, but Odelia wouldn’t.”
…So now this R-rated male lead is asking me what, exactly?
“Uh… Why would I?”
“It’s my wish.”
“Can I refuse?”
“Would you prefer I force you?”
“That’s a crime.”
“…So?”
Ginger stood, as if to threaten me.
I swallowed hard.
Wow… I really picked the wrong guy to mess with.
