HRNGDS 45

~Chapter 45~

Delphina and her group arrived safely in the capital.

As soon as they got there, Elcayan slipped away quietly. There was a certain place he always visited when in the capital.

It was an old, shady tavern.

But the moment he stepped into the hidden underground room, the atmosphere completely changed.

Inside, a handsome man with long hair and a tired expression sat waiting.

“Your Highness, the First Prince.”
“Welcome, Elcayan.”

Even though it had been a long time since they’d met, there was no warmth in the greeting.

“We’ve known each other forever, but it’s still awkward. I guess we’re just not meant to be close.”

“Well, we’re both using each other for our own goals. Trying to act like friends would be weird.”

Elcayan had been allied with the First Prince, Johannes, for a long time.

The prince had little support from his maternal family, and Elcayan needed to protect the North. So their alliance wasn’t strange.

‘Our loyalty goes back to our fathers.’

Elcayan’s father had supported the Empress and Prince Johannes. In fact, he was killed while pledging loyalty after a carriage accident.

Meanwhile, the Second Prince, backed by the Southern nobles—who were historically enemies of the North—had aligned himself with the noble faction.

So Elcayan and Johannes kept up this alliance strictly for political reasons—not friendship.

At best, there was some camaraderie.

“So, I guess you’ve stopped wearing that weird mask?”
“Yes. I’ve decided not to wear it anymore.”
“About time. That thing was awful. Covering that face of yours was a crime against the empire.”

Johannes looked completely drained. His sunken eyes showed clear signs of overwork.

“And I bet Delphina likes you better without it too.”
“Thankfully, she does like my face.”

At that, Johannes suddenly perked up.

“She likes your face?”
“She has good taste.”
“Tell me more—anything about Delphina. Even the little stuff.”
“You should ask her yourself.”

Johannes frowned at that.

“I plan to. I’ve been meaning to talk to her in person.”
“Good idea. It’s always best to hear things directly.”

Then came the big question:

“So, what are you going to do about your engagement to our Delphina?”

Elcayan’s expression soured.

“Our Delphina?”
“Why act surprised? You know how much I care about her.”
“You care, but you haven’t even approached her.”

Elcayan sighed.

“Elcayan, it’s only natural I care. She lost her family because of me.”
“That wasn’t your fault.”
“Still, who knows what Delphina believes?”

Elcayan went silent. He had nothing to say about that.

After the accident, Johannes had tried many times to contact Delphina—sending dozens of letters.

But she never responded.

The Duke of Rikaion had even replied on her behalf:

“Your Highness, Delphina is uncomfortable with your letters. She’s probably confused by the sudden loss of her parents and holds some resentment toward you.”

After hearing that, Johannes stopped writing.

Elcayan asked, somewhat incredulously:

“And you believed that?”
“What choice did I have? I couldn’t help her. What if the Duke had started mistreating her even more?”
“I didn’t think you were the type to believe something so ridiculous.”
“I’m not that stupid. I knew being close to a powerless prince could bring her even more harm.”

Johannes looked dark and somber.

He felt deep guilt when thinking of Delphina’s late parents.

That’s why he had kept his distance all this time—it was the only way to protect her and himself.

“If you hurt her, Elcayan, I won’t forgive you. Even you. If you break off the engagement, that sweet girl would be devastated.”

Sweet girl…?

Elcayan was speechless.

‘Is that how he sees her?’

If Johannes knew what Delphina had said to Ivelina in the North, he’d never call her sweet.

‘She’s strong and determined, not fragile.’

Elcayan didn’t love the way Johannes talked about Delphina. But seeing how little Johannes actually understood her… gave him some relief.

“If you’re going to break it off, at least tell her. Don’t lead her on with that handsome face of yours. You don’t realize it, but just standing near people, you make them fall for you.”

Elcayan was getting irritated by this conversation.

He didn’t know why—but Johannes acting sentimental about Delphina was starting to annoy him.

His suppressed urge to rebel against royalty was flaring up again.

Even though he knew that Johannes’ feelings were more like brotherly affection, it still rubbed him the wrong way.

‘Even if I had a sister, I’d be mad if she was being forced to marry someone she didn’t love… but that doesn’t mean the prince is her big brother.’

What bothered Elcayan most was this:

The prince’s concern was completely useless.

“You don’t need to worry. Delphina doesn’t like me.”
“Huh?”
“It’s just a contract. She doesn’t love me.”

Johannes stared at him, dumbfounded.

“And you don’t love her either?”

Elcayan didn’t answer.

“Delphina always followed the Duke’s orders, didn’t she?”
“She’s changed. Her goals now align perfectly with mine.”

“That’s odd. The Duke is a careful man. I wanted to meet Delphina again after gaining some influence, but the Duke never allowed it.”

Johannes sighed.

He had sent Delphina letters even during her time at the academy.

But she always replied coldly:

“I owe my life to my family. I won’t be speaking with the First Prince.”

Every time he asked to meet her, her replies were completely emotionless.

‘I guess childhood conditioning really works. She followed the Duke completely.’

Had Delphina really broken free from the Duke’s influence?

Elcayan spoke calmly:

“Your Highness, even though you’re royalty, you and I share aligned goals.”
“That’s true.”

Johannes nodded.

Then his eyes sharpened.

“So, you’re in a fake relationship with Delphina now? Acting in love to reach your goals?”

Elcayan didn’t want to say contract relationship out loud. It made him feel weird.

Then he noticed the book Johannes was holding.

He glanced at the title.

<The Princess’s Clever Revenge Through a Contract Romance>