"Honored sir, your companions have returned safely. What a cause for celebration! How could Rainbow House's illusions possibly withstand your divine might?" To make Angel believe it had truly surrendered, Shlaikem seized every chance it got to shower him with flattery and praise.
Angel said, "It was a trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning. What is there to celebrate? Or perhaps, deep down, you hoped this trivial matter would become a major one? Hmm... preferably with none of them returning?"
Shlaikem hurriedly shook its snake head. "How could that be? Absolutely impossible. I have never thought that. I am about to become your most loyal servant, sir, so naturally I hope everything remains safe and sound."
"Is that so?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a parchment scroll glowing faintly appeared in Angel's hand.
"There is no need for 'about to.' You can become my servant now, as long as you sign this contract."
All manner of characters circled the parchment scroll. Though Shlaikem could not make out their meaning, it could sense the binding force unique to contracts.
Shlaikem stared at the glowing contract and suddenly froze.
"What, you are unwilling? It seems everything you said before was a lie..."
Before Angel could finish, Shlaikem abruptly cut in, putting on a display of grief and indignation. "Sir, please do not misunderstand! It is not that I refuse to sign a contract. I became the door spirit of the Princess's room because I had signed a contract with the Princess before. Yes, that vicious woman bound me."
Seeing Angel narrow his eyes, Shlaikem hurriedly continued, "But how could I be willing to bow my head to that demon forever? Through my coaxing, the Princess, who was only three years old at the time, signed not a master-servant contract with me, but...