~Chapter 46~
Prince Johannes was suffering from overwork, mostly because of his troublesome family. Delphina knew he read romance novels to relieve stress.
“Well… it’s kind of like that.”
“Wow, I can’t believe it. I never thought you’d use marriage purely as a political tool.”
“We’re not married yet.”
“That’s how it goes—you fake it, and then fall in love for real.”
Johannes was serious. From what he had seen, Elcayan was boring but dependable, which made him a decent candidate for Delphina.
‘He wouldn’t be bad as Delphina’s husband.’
Johannes looked at Elcayan with a serious face.
“Contract relationships are different from contract friendships. Friendships don’t always change, but love can grow. I’ve read enough novels to be sure.”
Elcayan frowned slightly and responded, clearly not amused.
“That’s not going to happen. Delphina and I keep things simple. And I didn’t come here to talk about my love life.”
Johannes sighed deeply.
“So cold. Must be because we’re just contract friends. Still, I hope you keep that clear boundary in your relationship too.”
Elcayan noticed Johannes had really gotten hung up on the word contract.
‘When he fixates on something, he goes all in. He’s going to keep saying “contract” for days… my head already hurts.’
Still, Elcayan had no choice. Johannes was the lord he had chosen, so he had to endure it.
Then, Johannes got serious—no more jokes.
“If the Saintess doesn’t appear at this fall banquet, the High Priest plans to step down.”
“That’s ridiculous. He’s giving up just because he couldn’t find the Saintess?”
“He’s deeply devoted. Not finding the Saintess breaks his spirit.”
“And Hadin—he’s the one who’s been manipulating the priest into despair with his clever words.”
Johannes rubbed his forehead. He could already picture the chaos the banquet would bring.
“If the Saintess doesn’t appear again, Hadin will probably take over the High Priest’s role.”
“This time, I may not be able to stop it.”
Even now, fewer and fewer clerics were being sent to the North. If Hadin took over as High Priest, things would get even worse.
The Winter in the North was deadly. Monsters from the forest would invade.
And the one person strong enough to protect the North—the Grand Madam—was seriously injured.
“If Hadin takes charge, he’ll never send clerics to heal her.”
Johannes thought to himself:
‘Where did things start to go wrong?’
Maybe it was when the former Duke and Duchess of Rikaion died—his strongest allies.
Or maybe when his sister Piaget sided with the noble faction.
‘No matter what, I feel helpless. I can’t even protect the people who’ve stayed by my side.’
Even more painful was thinking about the people in the North who would suffer.
He prayed silently.
‘God Prad… you’ve ignored this world long enough. Isn’t it time you stepped in?’
Johannes had never believed in God. He thought if a god really existed, they would’ve punished the corrupt nobles long ago.
“Even if I manage to send clerics, it’ll take a long time. Maybe not until these shadows under my eyes reach my mouth.”
“And by then, the Grand Madam might not survive.”
Elcayan stood firm.
“Even if I have to do it alone, I will protect the North this winter.”
“It’ll be even harder than before.”
“It was never easy.”
“You won’t have help from the temple. Without divine power, fighting monsters will be even harder.”
“The North has never relied on the gods. We’ve always protected our land with our own strength—our people and our knights.”
Elcayan clenched his fists.
“We’ll protect it again this year—with our own hands.”
Still, he didn’t say the temple’s help was useless. Clerics could reduce the suffering of the people. Their presence mattered.
“I’ll do my best. I hope you’ll do the same from your position, Your Highness.”
“Yes. We just have to survive this winter.”
This winter was the real battle.
“If everything goes well… finish things cleanly with Delphina too. Don’t use her just for the North’s sake.”
Johannes subtly probed Elcayan again. He was curious if their contract relationship was really just that.
But Elcayan’s face turned cold.
“Delphina and I need each other. She’s not being forced to stay by my side.”
“Not forced?”
“I’m fully committed to our contract. I always give my best to support her.”
Then Elcayan turned to leave. Johannes stared at his back with a knowing look.
He glanced down at the book in his hand:
<The Princess’s Clever Revenge Through a Contract Romance>
“Hmm… This contract romance seems to be progressing nicely. Maybe Elcayan’s fallen for her on his own? Oh dear…”
Johannes’ eyes sparkled.
‘It’s time to meet Delphina. I can’t delay this any longer.’
He made up his mind:
After the banquet, he would meet Delphina.
* * *
Time passed quickly.
After arriving in the capital, Delphina stayed inside the townhouse until the banquet.
Even after her servants arrived from the North, she didn’t step out.
‘Too many people are watching my every move right now.’
There were reporters swarming outside.
This was because Elcayan hadn’t attended a banquet in a very long time.
‘The last time was at the graduation banquet. He hasn’t gone to one since.’
So now, everyone wanted a glimpse of him. The daily papers were flooded with headlines about the fall banquet:
<Lady Rikaion vs. the Northern Duke’s Fiancée—Who Will Win?>
<Who Will Receive the Blessing?>
<Will the High Priest Follow Tradition?>
‘Looks like the noble faction is pulling strings.’
Traditionally, the High Priest gives a blessing to the most outstanding noble couple at the fall banquet.
Normally, that would be Delphina and Elcayan.
But the noble faction seemed determined to push Ivelina and Kassen instead. Articles comparing them to Delphina were popping up nonstop.
And the nobles—who were close to the temple—seemed to want the High Priest to bless Ivelina and Kassen.
Still, Delphina planned to attend no matter what.
She had to introduce Sestia and Ahin to the High Priest.
She looked up at the system window floating above her.
