Narberal nodded with newfound determination and left the room. As the door closed Albedo walked over to the bed and collapsed on it.
'How could I forget about the contract?!' She wanted to pull at her hair but refrained from doing anything that could disturb Adam two rooms away from her.
The source of her trouble was the contract. She remembered making one with Adam, but she forgot about the price she had to pay in return. Rather than forget, her mind missed majority of the information he gave her because of her elation. The price for the contract was one of them and one of the worst things to forget.
'I am sure he is disappointed in me after all!!' She noticed his expressions too but wished it wasn't true.
But Narberal shoved the facts in her face. So, Albedo couldn't run away from it. Digging for the memories in her head regarding the price did nothing. There was no recollection of them, and to have him ask for it was the last thing she wanted.
She would give him everything, but first, she had to know what it was. Rolling in her bed she cursed her past self for being such a fool. But, if she was in that position again the result would be the same.
'If I could just see that contract again…' A desperate plea left her heart. She didn't want to disappoint him any further, and as if hearing her wishes a white ball left her body and turned into a sheet of paper.
The contract she made appeared before her. Her signature at the bottom next to Adam's proved it was a genuine article. She leaped to her feet and grabbed it with glee. Her eyes ignored the excess words and conditions stated and landed on the part she required.
Task: To become the Sole ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
Contract period: 6 Months
Payment: Albedo has to engage in Intercourse with Adam for 7 days.
Payment Deadline: 6 Months
Albedo's body froze as her knees struck the floor. Her lips trembled as her body shook like a leaf. And after 15 minutes she could only mutter three words.
"I…Is this heaven?"
.
.
.
The next morning came quick. Adam got out of his bed and entered the dining room after cleaning himself with a spell. He hadn't lost the habit of taking a bath, but sometimes he used the convenience of magic to take care of himself.
His bed—that he is used to taking care of—would be handled by the second maid as Narberal followed him. Soon an extravagant meal arrived at the table that could seat 41 people, yet he sat alone in the head seat and enjoyed his meal in silence.
After that, he walked into his empty, spotless office, and sat down on his comfy chair. Without another word, he took out a light novel from his spatial storage and started to read. Narberal prepared fresh tea for him at regular intervals with the bespectacled maid and waited for any other orders.
However, Adam was engrossed in the light novel. Why would he do that? Because there was nothing else to do. Albedo would arrive near noon. And there was not a document in sight on his table. So, all he could do was pass his time by reading rather than staring at the wall.
'They really have no intentions of letting me do anything.' Adam flipped the page with a sigh, but things changed as someone knocked on the door.
"May I come in… Lord Adam?" Albedo arrived.
"You can." The maid Yuri opened the door upon his words.
"…I apologize for my tardiness," Those were her first words when she walked in.
"It isn't a big deal." Adam didn't mind her arriving a few minutes later.
Albedo handled all of the tasks and personnel in his stead. So, like any boss who lived free of any stress and work because of his component employee, he could overlook her mistakes. After all, being nice didn't cost one anything.
"Then give me a report," He said with a small smile.
"Y-Yes Lord Adam…" However, this small instance caught his attention.
Throughout the report, Albedo didn't look at him. No, it would be true to say that she didn't look in his general direction altogether. Before this, she wouldn't take her eyes off him, staring at every corner of him like she wanted to etch it into her mind. But suddenly, she didn't do that for the entire time she relayed the report.
'Could it be that she made a mistake?' With Albedo's fanatic personality that was the only logical explanation.
Adam wondered what small mishap she had caused that changed her so much. He surely wouldn't mind forgiving her even if the mistake was catastrophic. After all, a competent employee like Albedo was an integral part of this organization.
'I guess I'll ask her tomorrow.' After dinner Adam returned to his bedroom, he planned on finishing the current volume of the light novel in his hand before going to bed.
A distance from him two maids once again waited for his orders. But, this time the second maid changed, she was here last night too. Her name was Lupusregina, and she still sported a curious smile.
However, his plans for the night changed as an abrupt knock interrupted his reading time.
"May I come in… Lord Adam…?" Hearing her anxious voice again made him smile.
He knew this would happen eventually. The door opened as he gave a nod and she walked in. Now standing before him she still couldn't look at him. Her fingers fidgeted as her golden eyes darted around the room. He could feel her building anxiety, the two maids—even if they didn't want to—couldn't ignore this side of Albedo.
He understood that she had come to talk about her mistake, and it looked like she made a big one or she thought so. It wouldn't be good if there were more people here aside from him, as that puts pressure on her, and considering how she will react it was better if no one else saw her.
After all, he didn't want them to think less of her with just one blunder. That is why, to protect his best employee, Adam made his move.
"You two stand outside,"
"As you order My Lord," They bowed and left without a single glance.
Now they were alone in the room. Just the two and somehow Albedo's condition became worse. It was like she held it in not to disgrace herself in front of the Maids.
Adam felt good about his decision from before, but there was still work to be done.
"Albedo you can speak freely. I won't be angry with you after you work so hard." He tried to keep a warm tone to comfort her.
But that did anything but comfort Albedo. Her condition became worse. Her body shook like a leaf as her legs gave out. Adam's eyes widened, this turned out to be more serious than he imagined. However, his bubble was soon burst.
"I am sorry that I forgot about the contract, Lord Adam!" Her cry resounded in the room.
"..."