“Accept this binding Equal Contract and work for me. Or, I will immediately pack you up along with your ‘seller information’ and toss you to the Black Market Enforcement Team—I am certain they would be very interested in a dangerous element capable of disguising themselves as a low-risk slave to lurk in the market.”
Lyra stared at the slowly rotating Contract Array.
An Equal Contract meant relative freedom and personal independence, but it inevitably carried magical binding clauses; the price of violation could be extremely high.
As for being handed over to the Enforcement Team… based on her knowledge of the Black Market, her end would be worse than death.
Given her current situation, she knew which choice was more beneficial for her.
With almost no hesitation, she began to laugh, a smile that carried a near-innocent cruelty and pure interest.
“Of course I choose you, Lady Freya,” she said sweetly.
“I will sign whatever contract you want. However…” She drawled the words out on purpose.
“Since we will be spending a lot of time together from now on, could you let me down first? Also, I am a bit hungry. That fight earlier used up a lot of energy.”
Freya: “…”
‘Is this decision solving a problem, or am I personally inviting an even larger, more unpredictable one?’ Freya wondered.
With a tap of her finger, the Wind Binding dissipated into spots of light.
Lyra landed gracefully, stumbling for a moment before steadying herself.
She paid it no mind, brushing off non-existent dust before looking up with her red eyes, full of expectation toward her new “employer.”
The days ahead were long, and their “cooperation” had only just begun.
Lyra’s fingertip touched Freya’s.
The moment they made contact, the Equal Contract was established. Purple-red runes sank into their fingertips before disappearing.
Lyra whistled playfully.
After stretching her body, she asked Freya where they were going to eat.
Her stomach was truly empty…
Freya ignored Lyra and said flatly, “Home.”
Upon hearing the word home, Lyra followed behind Freya with a beaming smile. “Right away, Lady Freya.”
After walking for a while, a carriage was waiting at the street corner.
That was where Freya had entered the Black Market earlier.
The entrance to the Black Market was also a Teleportation Array that appeared randomly, so Freya had arranged for her carriage to be ready there in advance.
Once inside the carriage, Lyra lazily reclined opposite Freya, looking like she owned the place.
“You certainly make yourself at home — ” Freya huffed.
Lyra laughed cheerfully. “If you didn’t like it, you would have kicked me out already, wouldn’t you?”
That was just her personality — carefree and informal.
“Whatever.” Freya looked out the window, lost in thought.
After an unknown amount of time, just as Lyra felt like she was about to fall asleep, the carriage finally stopped.
Freya stepped out, with Lyra following close behind.
However, Lyra was stunned when she saw the mansion in front of them.
Lyra’s jaw dropped. “You really are a young lady, aren’t you…”
Freya ignored Lyra’s whining and opened the door to enter the house.
Lyra followed, feeling a bit awkward for the first time.
Inside, a row of maids and a row of servants bowed in unison toward Freya.
“Welcome home, Lady Freya.”
An elderly man at the head of the line, wearing a black suit and gold-rimmed glasses, stepped forward and bowed slightly. “Welcome home, young lady.”
Freya nodded and asked the old man, “Grandfather Aru, where is my grandfather?”
The butler, whom Freya called Aru, bowed slightly.
“Master Calanso is out on business and hasn’t returned yet. Master St — “
Before Aru could finish, Freya interrupted him, seemingly unwilling to hear more.
“I understand, Grandfather Aru. I am tired and want to rest for a while.”
She then pointed to Lyra, who was acting like a curious child behind her, looking all around.
“Get her cleaned up and make her something simple to eat. I am exhausted and want to sleep.”
Aru looked curiously at the dirty young girl.
“Pardon my curiosity, young lady, but this little urchin is — “
Freya glanced at Lyra and simply said, “Merchandise.”
Then she turned and went upstairs.
‘Merchandise?’ Aru adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze sharp as it swept over Lyra.
Lyra immediately straightened her back, trying to look like… well, more like a piece of “qualified” merchandise?
She blinked her red eyes, flashing a smile she thought was quite obedient and harmless. “Yes, merchandise.”
Freya had already reached the turn in the stairs, her voice floating down. “I bought her at the Black Market. Clean her up. Don’t let her die, and don’t let her run away.”
With that, she disappeared at the end of the second-floor hallway.
Lyra: “…”
‘Young lady, do you really think these people could stop me if I wanted to run?’
She turned to the serious old butler and gave a dry laugh. “Um… hello there, Grandfather Butler.”
Aru did not respond to her greeting.
He simply looked her up and down, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
Filthy, tattered clothes, skin covered in fine bloody scratches, messy white hair, and a strange aura that was clearly not that of a commoner… the “merchandise” the young lady brought back this time was truly special.
“Follow me.” Aru’s voice was calm and flat as he turned and signaled for Lyra to follow.
Lyra followed obediently, looking around curiously.
The spacious, bright hall, the magnificent crystal chandeliers, the polished marble floors, and the oil paintings and decorations on the walls that looked incredibly expensive… the air was filled with a faint, pleasant scent of incense.
Everything was completely different from anywhere she had ever been before.
They crossed the hall and followed a hallway with soft carpeting to the back of the mansion.
Aru pushed open a door to reveal a simple but fully functional bathroom.
Two young girls in neat maid dresses were already waiting inside, with clean towels, bathrobes, and toiletries prepared.
“Lina, Sarah, help this…” Aru paused, seemingly searching for the right word.
“Help this lady get cleaned up and change into the prepared clothes. Be sure to check and treat the wounds on her body.”
“Yes, Mr. Aru,” the two maids replied respectfully.
“After she is finished, take her to the small dining room in the side hall. The kitchen will have food ready,” Aru said to Lyra.
“Please cooperate with them and do not cause trouble. Otherwise…” He did not finish, but the warning in his eyes was clear.
Lyra immediately raised her hands in surrender. “I will cooperate! Absolutely! I love taking baths!”
Aru nodded without further words, turned, and left, closing the door behind him.
Only Lyra and the two slightly tense maids remained in the bathroom.
“Uh, hello?” Lyra tried to ease the tension.
Lina was the older of the two and seemed more composed.
She stepped forward, polite but distant.
“Miss, please take off your dirty clothes first. We will draw the water for you.”
Lyra did not mind at all.
In a few quick motions, she stripped off the rags that barely passed for clothes, revealing a thin but lithe body covered in both old and new scars.
The two maids flinched slightly when they saw the scars, but their training kept them from asking questions.
Their movements simply became gentler.
The water temperature was perfect, with a faint floral fragrance.
Lyra buried herself in the large bathtub and let out a comfortable sigh.
The hot water stung her wounds slightly, but it brought more relaxation than pain.
She could not remember the last time she had enjoyed such a comfortable bath.
Lina and Sarah carefully washed her hair and body, scrubbing away the blood and dirt.
Once clean, Lyra’s long white hair was exceptionally smooth, almost shimmering silver under the lights.
They also carefully applied healing salves with a cool, medicinal scent to the small cuts on her body.
Throughout the process, Lyra was surprisingly cooperative, even becoming a bit drowsy.
Occasionally, she would curiously ask what scent the soap was or comment on how comfortable the towels felt.
Her natural and casual attitude gradually allowed the two nervous maids to relax.
After the bath, she changed into a simple linen shirt and trousers. The fabric was soft and the size was mostly a good fit. Her wet hair was wrapped in a large, soft towel.
“Please follow us, Miss,” Lina signaled.
Lyra was led to a small, exquisite dining room in the side hall.
A small round table covered with a white tablecloth was set with food—a bowl of steaming, fragrant thick soup, a few slices of perfectly toasted bread, a small dish of butter, and a glass of water.
It was not a feast, but to the starving Lyra, it was undoubtedly a delicacy.
She nearly threw herself at the table but paused as she picked up the spoon.
She glanced at the maids standing nearby.
Lina nodded slightly. “Please, enjoy your meal.”
Lyra did not hold back and began to eat ravenously.
The soup was delicious, and the bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
She ate quickly but not crudely, focused entirely on the food.
Soon, the bowls and plates were empty, with not even a crumb left.
She wiped her mouth contentedly and leaned back in her chair, finally having the mind to examine the room.
The decor was elegant, and the window was half-open, offering a glimpse of a well-maintained garden outside.
“What does Lady Freya… usually do?” Lyra suddenly asked, looking at Lina.
Lina did not seem to expect the question.
She hesitated for a moment before answering cautiously.
“It is not our place to speak of the young lady’s affairs. If you wish to know, you may ask her directly.”
“Fine.” Lyra did not push it.
She unconsciously rubbed the tip of the finger that had signed the contract.
A faint warmth of magic still seemed to linger there.
‘An Equal Contract… what exactly does that young lady want from me?’
Just as her thoughts began to wander, the figure of Aru appeared at the dining room door.
“Miss Lyra — “