The Reward for Saving The World is a Husband - Chapter 7
With my mouth firmly shut, I lay almost flat as I matched his standing gaze.
“If not that, tell me if there’s any way I can gain your trust. I’ll do my best to prove it.”
“Why? What’s the reason? Why should I trust you?”
“Obviously. We’re meant to be a Pair.”
The furrow in his brow deepened, clearly clueless about what being a ‘Pair’ meant.
I explained it to him, trying to make him understand.
“In simple terms, it means being together like one body until death.”
His expression gradually began to change.
“To collaborate and even create a child.”
At first, he seemed incredulous, then appalled, and finally, his expression questioned my sanity.
“Are you… proposing to me right now?”
Tilting my head in confusion, I then smiled brightly and nodded.
“Yes! I’m proposing!”
It seemed in this world, the process of forming a Pair was expressed as ‘proposing,’ so it felt right to go along with it.
Truthfully, I didn’t know much about how a Pair is established. I only guessed it might be similar to the process of forming contracts with spirits or summons.
So, how does one form a contract with spirits or summons?
Although it varies depending on the entity’s characteristics, usually, one has to appeal by demonstrating the strength worthy of being acknowledged and followed as a master.
If that doesn’t work, things get complicated because one must directly confront and discover what conditions need to be met.
Fortunately, unlike spirits or summons, Elias was a ‘person’ capable of communication, which was a relief. If necessary, I could simply ask him directly.
“Will you do it with me?”
Having shown him how I defeated the dragon, I should have satisfied any concerns about my strength.
“Let’s do it, okay? I’ll treat you well.”
While I was smiling brightly at him, he frowned deeply and watched me for a while, then roughly rubbed his eyes with his palms and turned to leave the room abruptly.
The door slammed shut with a bang, and I rolled my eyes.
‘Maybe this isn’t it…’
I suddenly had a suspicion that the process of becoming a Pair might be quite challenging.
Moreover, listening carefully, I could hear a concerning conversation happening outside.
“Did she say anything? Did you get any information about the dragon?”
After a moment of silence, Elias spoke firmly.
“Don’t let anyone inside without my permission. Absolutely no one.”
It seemed like he was ordering someone standing guard at the door.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Obviously, she is not to leave the room either. If the woman tries to engage in conversation, do not respond and report immediately.”
Elias’s voice, emphasized repeatedly, sounded as if he was gritting his teeth.
Then, footsteps faded away.
“Did something happen?”
Though the distance made it faint, it wasn’t too soft to hear if I concentrated.
“What happened, you ask?”
Elias let out an irritated laugh.
“She proposed to me.”
“What? Is she crazy?”
“…It’s not that simple.”
With that, Elias fell silent and walked away so quietly that his footsteps could no longer be heard.
After his presence had completely vanished, I returned my senses’ limits to their normal range.
‘Strange…’
Considering the language of my world and Elias’s world were clearly different, it’s possible the cultural and daily life differences might have caused a miscommunication in conveying the meaning.
But…
‘I should have felt it instinctively. This bond I’m feeling.’
Having never had a Pair, nor spirits or summons under my command, I hadn’t understood at first.
I simply assumed Elias was meant to be mine because he was the only thing that appeared along with the message that a reward had been granted.
However, as I shared a bit of time with him, albeit short, I became increasingly certain.
The reason I woke up in this world was because of Elias. It was clear his soul had drawn me here.