I'm a Villainess, Can I Die?-Chapter 55

As soon as I finished speaking, Jacob, who had been confused, suddenly froze, his eyes wide open.

The corners of his mouth seemed to lift slightly, likely thinking that I was considering the idea favorably.

"Of course, Lady. If I could convey only my true feelings and sincerity, I would even drink poison."

Why the sudden mention of poison?

Well, at least his determination didn't seem bad.

Though it wasn’t poison, what I was about to present was probably close enough to it.

I pulled a neatly written paper from my bag, and Jacob asked what it was.

What this is, it’s like the forbidden fruit.

Bite into it, and there’s poison; don’t bite, and it looks so tempting.

Of course, the problem is that it might only look that way to me... The real question is, would Jacob bite into this apple, or would he not?

"It’s nothing special, just a simple contract."

"A contract?"

"Yes, a contract. It's something I’ve been meaning to give to someone who might one day become my lover... I never imagined I’d be showing it to you, Jacob."

His expression, which had been bewildered, quickly turned into one of that unmistakable grin. It seemed like the tension had dissipated since he thought he’d won me over, and the shift in his expression was utterly simple.

He looked like a well-meaning fool... but how could I have thought such a devious thing? Plus, with that silly skill of just blinking his eyes... No matter how I thought about it, this didn’t seem to be his calling. After this meeting, I seriously wanted to recommend something other than being a matchmaker.

Jacob happily accepted the paper I handed him and unfolded it wide.

His lively eyes met mine, nodding as if to say, "Go ahead, read it."

As Jacob began to read the paper with an excited face, his smile gradually faded. When his eyes reached the bottom of the page, his face had turned as pale as a ghost.

It reminded me so much of Aiden.

He gripped the paper with both hands so tightly that it crinkled slightly.

Oh, what a waste of paper.

"Uh... Lady? What is this...?"

"It’s a contract. A contract that must be signed if you’re going to be my lover."

Jacob's mouth dropped open, then snapped shut just before his Adam's apple made contact with his gaze. His face, as white as a sheet, became pinched with deep frown lines, and he read the terms aloud, his voice wavering.

"First, we shall not interfere with each other's privacy. However, if one of us were to have an affair... the fingers must be well..."

Jacob stopped reading halfway through the first clause, staring at me. He was reading perfectly, but why did he look so confused? Shrugging, I made a sour face, and Jacob hesitated before continuing the second clause.

"Second, each other's property belongs to the other. Do not covet what belongs to others. Third, marriage will occur at least five years after the contract is signed..."

"Fourth, if either party dies during the relationship... should we be buried together?"

Perfect.

Jacob read it with perfect accuracy, though the handwriting was a bit messy. I almost clapped for him, but his expression didn’t look like one that deserved applause, so I lowered my hands.

"Well, isn't this a good deal?"

"This...?"

"Doesn’t it seem like a romantic set of conditions, fitting for a heart's cry?"

Isn’t it? We respect each other's freedom, honor each other's property, guarantee a sufficient period of dating, and even promise to be buried together—how romantic is that?

I could proudly say that this was the most romantic contract of this age.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

And as it is a contract, if Jacob were to sign it, I was more than willing to uphold my end of the deal.

"...But, you know, both of us are getting older... Isn't five years of dating a bit long?"

"Fortunately, Jacob, you're the second son of the Count’s family, and I have an older brother who will inherit the family... so neither of us is the successor, right? If I, the princess, insist on a five-year relationship, both families will permit it. Isn’t that fortunate?"

I spoke the prepared response smoothly, and Jacob nodded absentmindedly. He didn’t seem to understand, but couldn’t come up with a valid counter-argument, so he reluctantly nodded along.

Ah... yes. Lucky... yes. But... aside from that, what’s the last clause?"

"The one about being buried together if one of us dies during the relationship? It’s been my long-held fantasy since childhood. If I love someone, I want to die with them.

I’m a hopeless romantic."

The fact that my life expectancy is only until I turn 23, so Jacob will inevitably be buried in the dirt after four years, I kept to myself.

Anyway, speaking so much made my throat dry.

As I sipped the remaining black tea, I glanced at Jacob, who no longer wore even the slightest trace of a forced smile.

Feeling a sense of pride in the fact that my Medusa-like ability was still intact, I set the teacup down.

"By the way, after signing the contract, we’ll get it notarized at the noble court. If any clause is broken... your fingers and toes might turn into odd numbers."

Jacob, scared out of his mind by my small joke, clearly didn’t find it funny.

His face, now pale to the point of almost being green, shook his head muttering, "I knew it... she really is crazy..."

If that "crazy" comment was aimed at me, I would be a bit upset... You didn’t mean me, right, Jacob? I trust you a lot.

A person like you, who would shout about "heart’s cries" in a public place... surely you wouldn’t be calling me crazy over just this tiny little clause, would you?

In that case, I raised my hand and called for the waiter.

Raising my hand to summon the waiter, Jacob looked at me with what seemed like a question in his eyes.

"I’ll have a strawberry cheesecake and a cup of black tea. Oh, Jacob, would you like another?"

"...No?"

I thought I’d enjoy a sweet piece of cake that suited the romantic atmosphere, but Jacob didn’t seem to feel the same.

"Then, please bring two of the finest cakes to the table where the platinum-haired man and the one with white hair are sitting."

"Yes, young lady."

As I looked at the polite waiter departing, Jacob let out a hollow laugh.

Then, with a sharp tone, he asked,

"Are you making fun of me?"

All the looks of affection he'd been showing were suddenly gone, and in their place was a strangely formal, almost mocking look... it seemed like he might even strike me.

If that were the case, I wouldn’t just stand by. I’d strike him back.

Of course, it would be Lukas and Aiden doing the hitting, not me.

"Of course not, I’m being completely serious."

It seemed Jacob had already concluded that I was mocking him in his mind. He vigorously shook his head before gulping down the remaining tea.

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"Are you not joking with this ridiculous contract? Is playing with people's hearts your hobby, Princess?"

He leaned in, sneering in a way that reminded me of a thug from a novel. Thugs never ended up well in stories.

And what? Playing with people’s hearts is my hobby? Ridiculous.

If someone else said that, I’d apologize and move on, but Jacob, you shouldn’t be saying things like that.

Who was the one who started planning to take advantage of people?

Should I blame myself for figuring that out and turning it against you, or should I blame you for considering being a matchmaker for a job? Anyone would give the clear answer if asked.

"Is that so. Is that my hobby? Well, then, if we go with that..."

It was time to end this. I could feel Jacob’s name being written on the "List of People to Never See Again" in my mind.

Just then, the kind waiter brought the cake and tea.

Despite the complicated situation, the excellent waiter continued doing his job, and after he left, I took a sip of the steaming tea in front of me.

I savored the sweet, bitter taste before slamming the cup down.

"Is it your job, Jacob, to play with people’s hearts and scam them?"

Yes, this kind of sound effect is necessary to highlight the moment.

As I spoke bluntly, Jacob's face, once filled with anger, slowly shifted to one of confusion.

His face was as pale as it had been when he first read the contract, and his mouth was tightly shut.

Just moments ago, he had been free to mock me...

"Did you think I wouldn’t notice such careless behavior? More importantly, when did you start planning to take advantage of me?"

I tapped my nails on the table, making a clicking sound.

Tap, tap, tap. In sync with the sound, Jacob’s lips started to nervously bite down.

He was clearly anxious, but he didn’t answer.

So I leaned back in my chair and decided to give him more time to respond.

But it seemed Jacob had no intention of speaking.

Without a word, his lips became ragged from all the biting.

I stabbed my fork into the strawberry on the cake with force. The strawberry split messily, and Jacob trembled visibly.

It was like watching a child shaking before being scolded by their parents.

I used to tremble like that too... Don’t worry, Jacob. You’ll get used to it after a few more times.

"If you don’t want to speak, you don’t have to. I am curious, though... but it’s not my hobby to torment the poor. As you know, my only hobby is playing with people's hearts. Instead... you’ll need to be careful that no one finds out about this."

I decided to show Jacob some mercy.

Although I was curious about the answer, I had already given up on that earlier.

"If it gets out that you were trying to take advantage of a princess, it won’t just end with your fingers and toes."

As I said that, I pointed between my legs, then made a slicing motion across my neck. This should be a good enough explanation.

Jacob, who had said nothing until now, let out a shocked gasp.

I waved my hand dismissively, signaling for him to leave. Without a word, he stood up and hurriedly bowed before running off.

Looking at his retreating back, I finished the remaining cake in one bite.

Mm, strawberry cheesecake is the best.

"Selina. Where’s Jacob?"

Just as I was enjoying my cake time alone after a long time, Lukas and Aiden approached, calling my name.

It seemed they’d ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ noticed Jacob running off in a hurry from their seats.

"I’m not sure. Maybe he had something urgent to do."