~Chapter 109~
Delphina spoke to Elcayan directly.
“Our contract… let’s cancel it.”
“Elcayan?”
“Instead, once everything is over, let’s talk again properly.”
“…”
“Prince Johannes once joked that you and I were just ‘contract friends.’ But because of that, I don’t even know what a real friend is supposed to be.”
Johannes had said it playfully, but Elcayan knew there was truth in the words.
“I don’t like this kind of contract relationship.”
“Then… how about making it real?”
“What?”
“A real… relationship. As lovers.”
Delphina couldn’t answer right away. She never thought he would bring up something like this so suddenly.
“If you dislike the fact that it was based on a contract, then making it real should be fine.”
“Th-that’s true, but…”
Suddenly, a system window popped up.
<God Frad is furious! He’s shouting: how dare you sneak in such tricks?!>
Elcayan frowned, waving his hand. Smoke suddenly started rising from the top of his head.
Delphina quickly thought while staring at the sight.
‘Lord Frad, calm down. Of course I’m grateful for Elcayan’s words, but this isn’t something I can answer right away.’
At that, the smoke above Elcayan’s head disappeared. He tilted his head in confusion.
Delphina fanned her face with her hands, trying to cool down her flushed cheeks. Elcayan really was skilled at this.
“I don’t think I can answer that yet. I need a little more time.”
Because God Frad had shown her glimpses of the future.
As long as there was danger ahead, she couldn’t easily tell Elcayan she would stay by his side.
‘Because I know what it feels like to lose someone precious.’
At least, not until she figured out what Yuria and Piaje were planning.
Elcayan quietly nodded. But Delphina noticed.
‘Is that… a sulky face?’
It was hard to tell. He always wore the same expression. But this one reminded her of when he tried to gift her the Hydra’s head and failed.
She squeezed her eyes shut. Looking at him any longer, she might say yes without thinking.
‘No. I have to hold back.’
Elcayan’s voice was calm and low.
“It must be… because I’m still lacking. I haven’t tried hard enough.”
“Tried hard enough?”
“To have a real relationship, I should’ve worked harder to court you.”
His eyes curved softly as he smiled. Delphina covered her mouth quickly. She almost answered “yes” on the spot.
“Time is what you need. So I’ll do my best to court you from now on.”
Delphina froze. She knew he liked her, but she never imagined he could say things like this. Especially with that stoic face.
“Wh-who taught you things like this?”
“After the Hydra incident, I’ve been practicing on my own.”
“…”
“I don’t listen to anyone else’s advice. I just follow what my heart tells me.”
“Your heart?”
“Yes. I realized I shouldn’t keep holding back. Life is too short not to say what’s in my heart.”
His thoughts matched hers exactly. Delphina hurried to change the subject. If she kept listening, she’d fall completely into his words.
“I want to join the hunting competition.”
“The hunting competition?”
Elcayan tilted his head, puzzled. He had been considering skipping it and going straight back North. He didn’t like others stealing Delphina’s time, or showing her off to more people.
Nobles from other countries had also been invited.
‘That’ll just mean more strange people around her.’
He had no desire for her to meet anyone new. Only after meeting Delphina did he realize how jealous he really was.
He hated others looking at her. He hated others falling for her.
Already, there were far too many pests buzzing around her.
But then—
“Would it be impossible?”
Looking at her eyes, Elcayan couldn’t bring himself to say no.
“May I ask why?”
“I might be able to find evidence that Her Majesty the Empress and Prince Piaje used black magic.”
At once, Elcayan surrounded them both with mana, blocking her voice from leaking outside.
“Evidence of black magic? What do you mean?”
“Well… I haven’t told you everything yet.”
Delphina let out a quiet sigh.
“I’m not a Saint, but… I am God Frad’s Apostle.”
It was something she had never dared tell anyone else. She felt she couldn’t say it to the Temple.
Elcayan’s face turned grave.
Delphina braced herself. She knew how strange “God’s Apostle” would sound. Even if he thought she was odd, she decided she wouldn’t be hurt.
“Then this is serious.”
“Yes, it is…”
“Don’t worry. The Northern army is strong. We can protect you from the Temple.”
“What?”
“The Saintess will surely try to bring you to the Temple. She may even try to confine you there. If that happens, I’ll do everything to—”
“That’s not true! Sure, Sestia does like me a lot, but she wouldn’t go as far as locking me up.”
But Elcayan remained serious. Delphina didn’t realize how obsessive Sestia could be.
‘Given the chance, that girl would keep Delphina at her side all day long.’
But Delphina didn’t know.
“That’s not why I brought this up. It’s because of what God Frad showed me.”
“…”
“If I use it, we might be able to prove Yuria and Piaje really used black magic.”
Elcayan felt uneasy. It was as if Delphina might disappear from before his eyes at any moment. He shook his head, trying to dismiss such foolish thoughts.
“Very well, Delphina. If you wish it, then I will attend the hunting competition too.”
Johannes stopped walking.
That morning, he had been in a good mood.
‘Sure, Father’s been calling me often lately, but it’s not turning into anything bad.’
Politically speaking, the Emperor’s actions were giving him strength.
‘Looks like the hunting competition will be even grander than I thought.’
The Emperor was enthusiastic about it. Johannes usually didn’t enjoy their time together, but this time their talk had been different.
‘So even Father likes Delphina.’
The conversation had been surprisingly pleasant. When you talk about something you both like, time passes faster.
‘I’ll catch the biggest prey, win first place, and dedicate the glory to Delphina.’
Of course, his competitors were formidable.
The moment the hunting competition was announced, Kalix had rushed from the North to join.
The Emperor even opened a teleport gate specifically for the event.
Allowing such a military tool to be used was a huge favor to the North.
‘Why is everything going so smoothly?’
Whatever the reason, it was good for Johannes. The more prestigious the attendees, the better for the North.
Just then, Piaje appeared, blocking his way.
“Long time no see, brother. You look cheerful. Was your talk with Father that satisfying?”
“Whoa, you startled me. Piaje, don’t tell me… you’ve been waiting here the whole time while Father and I were talking?”
