Chapter 22.
The Beginning of the Contract Relationship
Having gotten what she wanted—the chance to ride in Saliphe’s carriage—Yesica went pale at his proposal, then quickly regained her composure as she looked at him.
“Become Your Highness’s fiancée?”
“You heard correctly.”
“Why would you make such a proposal to me?”
Yesica looked genuinely curious, but Saliphe couldn’t give her a real answer. He himself didn’t know why he was making this offer.
If he simply wanted to help, he could have sent money or jewels to House Bittern. But he couldn’t just say he didn’t know, either.
I can’t give her an opening.
After finishing his calculations, Saliphe finally spoke.
“Do you know why the Third Prince frequents House Bittern?”
“……”
Yesica did not answer right away. But Saliphe caught the flash of hatred in her eyes.
So something did happen between her and Darten.
Otherwise, there was no reason for Yesica—who once floundered helplessly in infatuation with Darten—to show such an expression. That was one of the reasons Saliphe had kept his distance from her in the past.
He had seen too many young ladies mesmerized by Darten’s pretty façade, give him everything, and be betrayed. To Saliphe, Yesica had simply been another pitiful girl. What good was giving your heart, when the other person never returned it?
Darten’s handsome face was wasted on someone with such a filthy personality. Saliphe didn’t even want to deal with him.
“I don’t know.”
After a long silence, Yesica finally spoke. Her voice trembled slightly, as if those four words were hard to say.
She’s realized something.
That made the conversation easier. Saliphe decided to speak more plainly to the guarded Yesica.
“In exchange for giving you a place at my side, you will give me information on the White Spinel.”
“That information is something I promised to give to Isanna. I can’t give Her Highness’s due to Your Highness instead.”
“I figured you’d say that. Then how about this: what if you give the information in the presence of the witch from the general store and myself?”
“What?”
“If both of us are present, that settles the matter, doesn’t it?”
At his words, a memory suddenly surfaced in Yesica’s mind—pieces of the past. When she was already a duchess, standing before Darten.
“So, what I’m saying is…”
“You seem to have a lot of free time.”
It was back when Darten had called her to the palace, complaining endlessly—mostly about how Saliphe was too overbearing. At that moment, Saliphe passed by and threw out a single comment.
Darten’s face reddened, but he couldn’t offer a single retort.
“If they have so much free time, does that make you free as well, Your Highness?”
It was Yesica who spoke up instead of Darten. Saliphe stared at her in silence, then walked away without another word.
In his eyes, she had seen an emotion—regret. Yes, regret. Because of that, she stopped hearing whatever Darten said afterward. Saliphe’s gaze lingered in her memory.
That was why this felt so strange. After returning to the past, Saliphe had looked at her with complete disinterest—yet he was now making such an offer?
“A place where both are present… but I’ve already received my payment from Isanna.”
“That information alone won’t be enough. You know there are many who are targeting House Bittern.”
Yesica’s eyes sharpened. She already knew there were those who sought to bring ruin to her family. But to hear the First Prince repeat it meant the matter was far more serious.
If someone was bold enough for the First Prince to mention them… then truly, many were after House Bittern.
“Many, you say?”
“I can even tell you who. Well? Will you accept my proposal?”
Saliphe’s slight smile, the way the corners of his eyes lifted—it made him more handsome than ever. Though the carriage was cramped and uncomfortable, he sat with elegant ease, confidently proposing this deal. Yesica nearly answered yes without thinking.
But the more she pondered, the more she noticed flaws in his logic.
No matter how she looked at it, this contract benefited her far more than him.
If she became Saliphe’s fiancée, she would have the authority to openly dig up the Plenaton ore. She would be free from Darten’s interference.
The problem was that if she became engaged to Saliphe, she could no longer keep Darten close. She would lose her chance to monitor and interpret his motives.
“If you’re worried about Darten, I can tell you a solution.”
Saliphe spoke as though he had read her mind, making her glare. Cutting off every path of escape, he pressed for her answer.
“Well? Your decision?”
She couldn’t easily respond. As she bit her lip, Saliphe spoke again.
“That’s a bad habit, you know.”
“Your Highness need not concern yourself with my habits.”
“And why not? You’ll soon be my fiancée.”
She had no other choice. Saliphe was not a man who forced things directly through brute authority, but that made him even more frightening.
If she rejected him here, he would simply find another way—any way—to make acceptance come from her lips. Knowing his skill in manipulation, Yesica sighed.
“You seem to have already made up your mind, Your Highness.”
“Consider it an honor, Yesica. You’re the first person I’ve ever personally approached.”
“I doubt this is a request. More like an order.”
“Do you want me to make it an order?”
No—she did not. If Saliphe had intended to give an order, he wouldn’t have come all this way in secret. He had enough power to force anything without effort. Still… she hesitated.
Could she truly join hands with the man she had killed in her previous life? Would she be crushed by guilt every time she looked at him?
That fear gnawed at her.
“Yesica Bittern.”
He spoke her name when she remained silent. It was completely different from the way Darten called her. His voice wasn’t smooth—it carried firm will, wrapping around her with its low timbre.
She couldn’t refuse that call.
Pulled from her thoughts, her eyes met Saliphe’s deep blue ones. Unlike her violet eyes, his were a darker, heavier shade—pulling her in.
Within them lay loneliness, sorrow… and she felt her heart sway. She looked away, afraid of being consumed.
“You called, Your Highness.”
“What is it that you want?”
She couldn’t answer honestly. She wanted revenge—but how could she say she sought vengeance for a crime that hadn’t occurred yet?
So she only bit her lip again.
“I know what I want.”
“And what is that?”
“To strike down those who covet my position and to warn all who dare threaten the Empire of Ert.”
“That is all?”
“No. I want to find those who killed my mother—and kill every last one of them.”
Yesica’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected him to speak such words to her.
Why? Why tell me this?
What had changed in this life for him to reveal such things? Her hand tightened around her fan.
“My mother was the Empress of this nation—slain by those blinded by ambition. I have suspicions, but without proof, I cannot strike.”
“Why tell me this…?”
“Because you seem to be someone I can trust.”
Yesica closed her eyes at those words.
To hear this again…
In truth, Saliphe didn’t trust her at all. But he knew well how to handle people—that was the essence of leadership, the wisdom passed down from the Empire’s founders:
To gain someone, first show trust.
He was simply applying those words.
He did not know how deeply it would shake Yesica.
“Your Highness.”
“Have you decided?”
“I’m not someone worthy enough for Your Highness to trust.”
“Worthiness has nothing to do with giving trust.”
“Then why?”
“Let’s just say it is trust in Duke Bittern, not in you.”
Her heart solidified at that. Toward accepting his proposal.
Her father, the Duke of Bittern, spent his life protecting the borders for the Empire. Yet few ever recognized his efforts. No noble ever thanked him properly for his lifetime of service.
If Saliphe was someone who understood and valued her father’s contributions… then perhaps he truly could protect him.
If he’s out there on the battlefield, then yes—he can.
Saliphe often rode into war beside her father. He could act faster than she ever could. The Plenaton ore was the secondary issue—losing her father would render even the ore meaningless.
Saliphe valued Duke Bittern. He would do everything in his power to protect him.
“If I stand at Your Highness’s side… could you protect my father?”
“You should be worrying about the White Spinel, not that.”
“That is nothing to worry about. As you said, it is information I may reveal in Isanna’s presence.”
“Is that so?”
“I can give the information, but the White Spinel may not move as either of you command.”
“That will be my problem.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Then very well. I will protect Duke Bittern. He is someone I, too, need.”
“Then… shall we draw up the contract?”
