I’m a studious young lady, but I’ve been accused of a lie, so please sign a pledge!

Chapter 2

“I like you. Please, go out with me.”

The very next day, Harrymel was summoned to the courtyard during lunchtime by a letter from “Rojis Collis” that had been slipped under her desk. She couldn’t help but sigh at his eagerness to act so quickly. With a forced smile, she strolled into the courtyard.

Rojis’ face was stiff as he uttered the words he had prepared. His expression was not one of nervousness but rather of reluctance. 

You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, you know?

She sighed inwardly before flashing her best fake smile.

“Alright, I’ll go out with you,” she replied.

Rojis looked somewhat triumphant at her response. She was sure that Dian and Teona were watching from somewhere nearby, snickering.

Before Rojis could say anything else, Harrymel quickly pulled out something she had prepared beforehand.

“However, I am aware of the difference in our social standings. So, let’s keep our relationship a secret from everyone else.”

“Huh? Oh, uh, okay.”

His eyes widened in shock as she had taken the words from his mouth.

Quickly, she handed him a piece of paper.

“Since we’re on the same page, please sign this document.”

“What?”

Rojis took the paper from her and frowned.

“Hey, what’s this?”

“As you can see, it’s a written agreement stating, ‘Both Party A and Party B agree to keep this relationship a secret from all third parties. If either Party A or Party B reveals the existence of this relationship to a third party, the contract shall be immediately terminated, and the relationship shall not be continued.’ I have already signed it.”

“What kind of contract is that?!”

“These days, it has become a practice among the lower nobility to put detailed agreements in writing when entering into relationships.”

Harrymel ensured that the contract she had was similar to the contracts exchanged during engagements or marriages. Rojis must have noticed too, as he almost choked on his disbelief.

“Why are you carrying something like this around?” he chided.

“Just in case I ever needed one.”

While Rojis seemed skeptical of her casual explanation, he did want to keep their relationship a secret from others, so despite his doubts, he took the pen Harrymel offered and signed.

“All done?”

“Yes. However, if people see us, a baron’s daughter and a duke’s son, talking casually, they might suspect our relationship. So, please sign this document as well.“

Harrymel calmly handed him a second document.

“‘Party A and Party B shall maintain a proper distance from each other and shall not converse in the presence of third parties. If Party A or Party B addresses the other, the party being addressed may remain silent without incurring any responsibility.’”

“What is this?!”

“Simply put, you can ignore me if I speak to you in public. So, even if I, of a lower class, approach you, the Duke’s son, in a familiar manner in front of others, you don’t have to respond, and I can’t complain that you ignored me. Even if I mistakenly act like your lover in public, you can ignore me. Isn’t that a good deal?“

“Is that… so? No, something doesn’t add up…”

Rojis was clearly confused, but Harrymel pressed on, demanding his signature.

“It’s alright, isn’t it?  There’s no reason for the Duke’s son to be inconvenienced by these terms! Both documents are simply to ensure that we keep this relationship a secret. It’s more like a pledge for me to refrain from acting like your lover carelessly, so please sign it!”

“U-um? But…”

“If you don’t agree to keep it a secret, then I suppose there’s nothing I can do…”

“N-no, I don’t mind keeping it a secret, but a written agreement…”

“If you agree, then please sign!” she insisted.

Rojis was quite perplexed, but no matter how many times he read the documents, they seemed to have no effect other than ensuring the secrecy of their relationship, as Harrymel had said. There was no harm in signing.

He didn’t think there was any need to sign such a strange agreement, but if he hesitated, it would seem as if he was the one who didn’t want to keep their relationship a secret. His pride wouldn’t allow that.

“Fine. I’ll sign.”

“Thank you very much! Here’s your copy. You can just show me this agreement whenever I act too familiar!”

“Ah, alright?”

“Well then, I’ll be counting on you!”

And just like that, she left Rojis standing there dumbfounded.

Rojis was left alone, completely at a loss as to what to do with the two documents in his hand.