If You Wish For Something Useless - Chapter 45

Chapter 45 – Earnest Wish (5)

There was no way to know if the throbbing in her head was due to last night’s hangover or the beating of her heart. Evelyn’s body was trembling slightly, but the words she wrote were neat. She wrote the same words on all three pieces of paper in front of her and lifted her hand. As if following the sequence, Cesar wrote his name on three pieces of paper. As he lifted the quill, Evelyn took a deep breath and stared at the man standing opposite her. Following Evelyn and Cesar, Sabron, the priest Cesar had called for today’s pledge, wrote his signature on three pieces of paper.

“With this, I hereby certify in the name of God the pledge of the two people here with me today.”

As Sabron finished speaking, a golden light flashed from the papers he was holding in his hand. As if a plant was stretching out its stem, a beam of light reached Evelyn and Cesar. There was an intense shiver. As she let out a ragged breath without realizing it, Evelyn felt Cesar’s gaze. But it didn’t matter. She had put a leash on him.

“You each can have a copy of the pledge.” Sabron handed out the pledge documents.

Evelyn left her feelings behind and took it. What was written was the result of a long discussion that lasted more than eight hours.

《*One, the unnamed woman must contribute by providing useful information to Cesar Rebellot Arangis.

—Useful information here refers to helping to purge the remnants of the dethroned Emperor Anterman; seizing the territory of the former Hereos Empire; and strengthening the imperial power of the Neo-Arangis Empire. However, this includes only information to stabilize the civil situation.

*One, while the pledge is being fulfilled, Cesar Rebellot Arangis must ensure the well-being and life of the unnamed woman by sending Pharrell Eiss Hesselia as her guard.

—Pharrell Eiss Hesselia can only be absent with the permission of the unnamed woman, and if the unnamed woman dies due to his mistake, Cesar Rebellot Arangis will be deemed to have violated the oath. Fulfilling an order due to an unexpected accident without intervention has nothing to do with the pledge. However, if an accident occurs while fulfilling her command, it will be deemed irrelevant to the pledge.

*One, from the 30th day of the fifth month of the 441 in the imperial calendar and until the end of the pledge, Pharrell Eiss Hesselia cannot disclose to others what he sees and hears while serving next to the unnamed woman. If he does not comply with this, Cesar Rebellot Arangis shall be deemed to have violated the pledge.

—However, with the permission of the unnamed woman, exceptions are permitted. If this clause has already been violated, Cesar Rebellot Arangis will die as soon as the pledge is signed.

*One, if the unnamed woman intentionally hides helpful information from Cesar Rebellot Arangis, it will be considered a breach of the pledge.

—However, if the person’s life is endangered by disclosing the information, it is considered that the pledge is not violated even if it is intentionally hidden. In addition, information that may affect the situation abroad is not included in this clause.

*One, Cesar Rebellot Arangis must accept the unnamed woman’s request in recognition of her contributions when the goal stated in the pledge has been fully achieved.

—However, there is only one request that the unnamed woman can make, and it’s limited to not causing any real damage to Cesar Rebellot Arangis.

*One, the unnamed woman can claim her wish only when the date of Cesar Rebellot Arangis’ coronation ceremony is confirmed.

*One, if the unnamed woman makes a request that violates the pledge, Cesar Rebellot Arangis can refuse it, and there will be no punishment for killing the other party.

On the first day of the sixth month of the 441st year in the imperial calendar, the unnamed woman and Cesar Rebellot Arangis pledge in front of Priest Sabron》

Below the neat writing were the signatures of three people. In the case of Evelyn, in order not to use her name, she proved her participation by mixing her blood with the divine ink–ink mixed with divine power– From that moment forward, the oath will be protected by the power of the gods, so it will never be damaged until the day the pledge comes to an end. And when it all ends, it will turn into ashes.

To test it, Evelyn grabbed the upper part of the pledge with both hands and pulled it in different directions. It should have been easily ripped apart, but the paper held its shape no matter how hard she tried. It was a miracle that could not be explained by humans.

A satisfied smile hung on Evelyn’s lips as she rolled the pledge and put it in her sleeve. With her languid hand rubbing her chest, she turned her gaze away, and her eyes met Cesar’s. Although it couldn’t be seen with the naked eye, a small mark was engraved on his left chest. The same was true for Evelyn. A very small mark in the shape of a seed. It was a divine constraint that would not go away until the day when all the clauses of the pledge were fulfilled.

When Evelyn thought of the invisible mark, she couldn’t hide her feelings. Eventually, Evelyn laughed out loud.

“Ha ha.”

Cesar’s life, as well as her own, was used as collateral, but it didn’t matter. The day when she breaks the pledge will never come.

Contrary to the smiling Evelyn, Cesar frowned slightly. It was because of her joy. While rising, Evelyn spoke to Cesar,

“Then I’ll get going.”

“Have you forgotten the contents of the pledge already? From now on, you must tell…”

“Is there a clause that requires information to be given verbally?”

Cesar’s cheeks twitched.

“I will give you what you need when you need it. So, don’t get too excited already.”

‘You can’t do anything without me, right?’ The added comment must have touched Cesar’s nerves. Evelyn faced him as he approached her in the blink of an eye. She could clearly feel the calluses on his hand as he touched the nape of her neck.

“I hope the things you bring are worthy. If not, there’s no reason why I should let your cocky attitude remain.”

Cesar was clearly threatening her, holding Evelyn’s neck with one hand. Yet, it was a meaningless threat in a situation where he couldn’t do more because of the pledge. Nevertheless, it was a different attitude, considering he used to take a step back and paid attention not to offend her.

“Am I cocky?”

Either way, it was something she had expected to some extent, so Evelyn did not lose her composure. The pledge gave her some control over Cesar and vice versa.

“You will have to endure it, though.”

“. . .”

“If you want to save your time.”

Cesar couldn’t say anything. In the meantime, Evelyn removed his hand and turned around. As she took light steps, she urged Pharrell, who stood still.

“What are you doing? You must come with me.”

Pharrell bowed to Cesar and followed Evelyn. She glanced at him askance. The warmth that covered her last night was still vivid. She hadn’t even walked to bed on her own feet, but strangely, she woke up in her bed. She also remembered the large shadow hidden in the darkness.

Although hazy, Evelyn tended to keep her memories while drunk. Because of this, she even remembered the time when she clung to Ethan while staying at the Grand Duchy.

That was why she was sure someone came into the bedroom, and she was certain it was Pharrell.

——

[tl/n: Cesar’s second name is, actually, Rebelotman. Is it me or does it sound like ‘rebel man’? lmao why author]