# Chapter 34: 34
—No... but what does the Third Prince's smile have to do with it? Prince Olivier was just…he was just being nice. That was it. There is nothing beyond that.
Oliver.
Even the name that sounded so sweet was difficult for Radis to pronounce out loud.
Marquis Russell straightened his posture and crossed his arms over his torso.
—That is for me to judge. Anyway, I've told you everything. If the Third Prince would show you his favor at least once, then he would be very happy to meet you again. And all the people worried about her taste in men would be relieved. That alone would be enough merit to get you out of this place. Of course.
—I don't understand how aristocrats think.
—Don't try to understand. Simply choose: Will you follow me willingly or do you prefer to be dragged by my hands?
—What happens if I reject both?
Marquis Russell's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
—Will your family leave you alone?
Radis frowned slightly at his words.
He was right.
Margaret wouldn't want to miss an opportunity like this.
If Marquis Russell had already said that he would give money in exchange for taking Radis, Margaret herself would send Radis to the Marquis even if it meant tying her up.
—I want to leave this house, it's true, but I don't want to be sold to such a strange person.
Radis sighed as he leaned against the fence.
-That…?
Marquis Russell murmured.
—Why are you sighing?
Suddenly, he grabbed Radis's shoulder.
Surprised by the unexpected contact, Radis looked at him.
And the Marquis spoke in a sharp tone.
"It wouldn't benefit you to stay here." Get rid of all hope. You should abandon them before they abandon you.
—…!
—Grab the bull by the horns while you still can.
—Is this even an opportunity to sell yourself?
—What's wrong with being sold? If it's not fair for other people to sell you, then sell yourself!
—…!
Marquis Russell spoke quickly and with a cold voice.
—Let's sign a contract. I think you already know what a contract entails. I will pay you one hundred million rupees a year. You are now sixteen years old... and the minimum contract period is two years. Until you turn eighteen and celebrate your coming-of-age ceremony, Marquisate Russell will take care of you.
Radis's eyes widened.
—What did he just say?
—Should we put it in writing?
-No no! Don't write it. Wait, but why? Why does he behave like this? You can take me anyway without having to sign that contract, right?
—I could take you by force, but that's not what I want to do. I need your voluntary cooperation. And for that, money doesn't matter.
As if Radis' reaction was satisfactory to him, Marquis Russell eased his impatience and waited for her to respond again in a relaxed manner.
Radis's eyes trembled.
One hundred million rupees.
And in two years it would be two hundred million rupees…!
That money would be enough to buy a cherry farm and much more.
It was too much money to even care about the fact that it was being sold.
“A cherry farm!”
Radis's shoulders shook a little, just a little, but then he straightened up again.
“With that money… I can establish as many cherry farms in the borders as I want!”
In an instant, his bleak future was enveloped by the bright hope of cherries.
Radis stared at his employer, no, Marquis Russell, and asked.
"Are you... serious?"
—Of course I am.
Suddenly, a bright halo seemed to appear above Marquis Russell's head.
The effect of the magic words "one hundred million rupees" was enormous.
Radis, who could not hold a single copper coin in his two lives, had to force himself not to kneel in front of the Marquis.
Marquis Russell looked at the calm Radis and spoke.
—I don't make meaningless proposals. Don't make me repeat what I tell you. I need you.
Radis looked at the black-robed man in front of her, agonizing over what to do.
In the end, they were selling it, but the terms were so good that there was no better contract to reach.
In order to leave the Tilrod household as a minor, Radis still had to find a guardian for her, along with a place to stay.
If both requirements were met, she was even willing to become a squire, no, a servant during the subjugations.
But she couldn't believe that they gave her such favorable conditions.
“This is really ridiculous, but in its own way… Isn’t this a good opportunity?”
Radis thought deeply for a moment as he bit his lower lip and finally opened his mouth to speak.
-Very good. Let's sign that contract.
And it was only then that Marquis Russell broke into a satisfying smile.
Valiz