Chapter 138: Becoming Partners
When Sophie Wexler and Cillian Forrest arrived, they were led inside by a dedicated official.
"Do you voluntarily sign this agreement to become each other’s partners?"
The official looked at the pair seated before him. ’A 3S Healer-class and the Marshal himself!’ If the Marshal hadn’t given prior instructions, he would have jumped to his feet to salute.
He did his best to suppress his excitement and maintain a calm expression.
"Yes." The man’s reply was simple and firm.
After speaking, he turned to look at Sophie Wexler, who was sitting beside him. When she met his gaze, she also spoke: "I am."
"Very well. Next, I will inform you of the relevant matters," the official said.
"Your spiritual power compatibility is approved. No conflicts occurred during the trial period, and you have cohabited harmoniously... Having confirmed all the above is true, you may now sign the marriage agreement."
"Finally, there is one more regulation I must inform Miss Wexler of."
Sophie Wexler nodded. "Please, go on."
"According to Imperial law, once you are partners, Mr. Forrest will have the duty and full responsibility for Miss Wexler’s safety. In the event of an incident, or if the Healer-class individual no longer wishes to continue the marital relationship, they may file a request to dissolve it following an investigation and verification."
Hearing this, Cillian Forrest’s head snapped up, his gaze sweeping toward the official.
Sophie was amused by this. "You inform people how to dissolve the marriage right after they’ve become partners?"
The official flinched under Cillian Forrest’s glare. Hearing Sophie’s question, he answered cautiously, "This... this is a regulation of the Empire. It must be disclosed to every Healer-class individual."
This was to prevent Healer-class individuals from being mistreated after marriage. Disclosing it in person immediately after the signing also served as a deterrent to the other party.
It was meant to regulate their behavior and ensure they wouldn’t harm the Healer-class individual in their future life together. Otherwise, the Healer-class individual had the right to appeal to the Empire and dissolve the marriage.
Every couple who came to sign the agreement had to be told this.
He had to follow the rules.
Seeing the official’s cautious demeanor, Sophie gently tugged on Cillian Forrest’s sleeve. "Don’t be angry. He’s just following procedure."
"It’s not like I’m going to appeal to the Empire."
’If he finds someone he likes in the future, we can just get a peaceful divorce. There’s no need to take it as far as an appeal.’
Cillian Forrest retracted his heavy gaze.
The official finally breathed a sigh of relief. If it weren’t an Imperial regulation, he never would have wanted to bring this up in front of the Marshal.
Wiping away non-existent sweat from his brow, the official handed the agreements to the pair.
"These are your agreements. Each one is in duplicate."
"Once signed, the agreements take effect immediately, and you two will officially become partners."
There was more than one document.
Among them were the marriage agreement, the Healer-class protection directive, a document on the legal rights of a Healer-class individual post-marriage, and a whole series of other papers.
There was a lot, but most of it consisted of various addendums created to protect the Healer-class individual.
Looking at the stack of documents in front of her, Sophie finally felt the reality of their impending marriage, even if it wasn’t like an ordinary person’s.
But it was, without a doubt, her first time getting married.
She lifted her gaze to the man beside her and saw that Cillian Forrest had already finished signing the agreements at some point. His eyes were fixed on her.
For some reason, meeting Cillian Forrest’s stare sent a momentary flutter of panic through her heart.
She could even feel her face and ears growing hot.
Sophie reached up and pinched her ear, scolding herself internally. ’It’s just signing a marriage agreement! He just looked at you for a second, so why are you blushing?!’
’Pathetic.’
"It’s your turn." As the voice spoke, a pen was offered to her.
Sophie blinked slowly a couple of times, then reached out to take it, staring at the agreement for two seconds.
Then she lifted the pen and wrote her name.
After signing, she looked at the text on the agreement.
Marriage Agreement signed. Both parties have confirmed the contents of the aforementioned documents and consent to become partners.
Signatory: Cillian Forrest
Signatory: Sophie Wexler
Their two names were right next to each other, as if tying them tightly together.
"These copies are yours," the official said, handing them the agreements.
"These will be filed with the agency." As he spoke, the official placed some of the newly signed supplementary agreements into a folder and put it away securely.
Cillian Forrest had long since concealed the displeasure from before.
Most of the Empire’s marriage laws were designed to protect the legal rights and interests of Healer-class individuals.
Sophie was right. The official’s disclosure was merely him carrying out his duties.
Cillian Forrest looked at the freshly signed agreement in his hand.
’Dissolve the marriage?’
’He would not let that happen.’
"Congratulations on becoming partners." The official offered his blessing. "I wish you both a happy life together."
Cillian Forrest: "Thank you."
Sophie, a beat later, also said, "Thank you."
Walking out after the signing, Sophie felt a sense of unreality.
She looked at the marriage agreement in her hand. ’Did I just get married like that?’
Obviously, yes.
She took a moment to compose herself, then looked at Cillian Forrest. "Thank you for this. For sacrificing your own matching slot for me."
If her inability to find a match hadn’t been such a difficult problem, Cillian probably wouldn’t have matched with her.
"Don’t worry, if you ever find someone you like in the future, I can dissolve this marriage agreement with you immediately." Recalling the official’s words, Sophie quickly added, "Of course, I definitely won’t file an appeal. We’ll just dissolve it peacefully."
’If I filed an appeal, wouldn’t that be repaying his kindness with cruelty?’
Cillian Forrest silently watched her talk, completely oblivious to the fact that she was dancing on his last nerve.
Cillian Forrest suppressed the turmoil in his heart. He looked at Sophie and said slowly, word by word, "Are you finished?"
Sophie hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I’m finished."
The instant she finished nodding, her hand was enveloped in the man’s large palm.
He held her hand, his eyes full of sincerity, and said, word by word, "Sophie Wexler, there will be no one else."
It was incredibly solemn, like a vow.
There will be no one else. Only you.
Without waiting for Sophie’s reaction, he kept hold of her hand and led her all the way to the aircraft.
Ever since Cillian Forrest had said those words, Sophie’s mind had been completely stunned.
Huh?
’There will be no one else?’ What does that mean?
’Is he saying he won’t fall for anyone else, so we don’t need to dissolve the marriage?’
’That has to be what he means, right?’
Sophie’s thoughts were a tangled mess, and a certain idea was faintly trying to surface in her mind.
On the aircraft, Sophie stealthily glanced at the man beside her, who wore a perfectly composed expression.
’Ugh, just say what you mean!’