IGCHPM 14

CHAPTER 14

Arpad is already twenty-three years old.

Frankly, that’s a little late to be getting married.

‘Most nobles get married in their late teens or early twenties.’

The emperor didn’t push for his son’s marriage because he didn’t trust him as his successor.

In fact, he even went so far as to pair me, someone from the powerful Duke Delphine family, with his nephew.

‘But an engagement and a romantic relationship are two very different things.’

I’d heard the rumor in all three of my past lives before the regression—that Crown Prince Arpad had a secret lover.

Though I never figured out who she was exactly.

Roughly speaking, she was someone forbidden. He lost her—or she was taken from him—and the Crown Prince went mad. That sort of story.

That was the extent of the information I had.

And then—

“He had someone he loved… I only found out after my son had died. After I had failed to protect her.”

The person who said that was none other than the current emperor, Walter Istrid—Arpad’s father—standing right in front of me.

Was it in my second life?

Back then, the emperor had killed his crazed son with his own hands and secluded himself in a remote temple. I’d spent some time close to him then.

He was like an empty shell of a man.

His hair had gone completely white.

Even though it had only been two years from now, in this timeline.

Considering the source, the information seemed fairly reliable.

That’s why I added the “right to divorce freely” clause into the contract—for his sake!

I seriously couldn’t understand why he was so upset!

‘If he doesn’t have a lover yet, he could find one later!’

As I blinked in confusion, Arpad asked again.

“Why did you put that clause in?”

“Because, well… Your Highness could have someone you love—or might fall in love in the future?”

Arpad tilted his head at my answer.

Then, he said something absolutely ridiculous.

“Or was it a safety net for you? So you can back out any time?”

“What?!”

What kind of nonsense was that?

Arpad looked at me like I was a con artist with a getaway plan, carefully prepared to escape with all the money.

And then he added even more nonsense.

“Planning to take what you want from me and run? Like some scoundrel abandoning a poor, innocent maiden!”

“What is with your wording today?!”

Arpad’s eyes lit up dramatically.

“So it was your plan to suck me dry and throw me away!”

I couldn’t hold back anymore. I reached out and slapped my hands over his mouth, stopping him from spouting any more nonsense.

“……!”

“…….”

I realized a bit too late that I had leaned in way too close to him.

As our breaths mingled, my palms tingled.

His lips were warmer and softer than I expected—reminding me of that pledge-kiss earlier…

No, no! Focus!

Snapping out of it, I shouted with everything I had, refusing to be swayed by a handsome face.

“…Still, that clause stays!”

“And why is that?”

He asked, still speaking against my hand. His breath tickled my palm.

“Eek!”

Goosebumps ran all over my body.

I couldn’t take it anymore and pulled my hand away.

Somehow, it felt like I had lost. I was annoyed.

It felt unfair. That clause wasn’t even for me—it was for him.

‘By that time, he’ll have met his lover anyway.’

So I said provocatively, with a triumphant grin.

“Just don’t come thanking me for including that clause later on.”

You’ll be bowing and begging for that divorce when the time comes!

But Arpad crossed his arms, looking displeased.

“And what if I don’t?”

“…Pardon?”

“What if, at that time, instead of being grateful, I resent that clause?”

Both Arpad and I seemed to be the type who couldn’t stand losing.

But the Crown Prince clearly didn’t know the future.

“There’s no way that’ll happen.”

“I don’t understand how you can be so sure.”

Being unhappy with the freedom-to-divorce clause meant he wouldn’t want to divorce.

But that wouldn’t happen. I knew the future. I was confident.

After staring at me with clear disapproval, Arpad suddenly made a proposal.

“Then how about we revise the clause slightly?”

“How?”

“If I end up resenting that clause, it gets nullified. But if I end up appreciating it like you say…”

Hmm. Something about this felt off.

He was speaking as if he was sure he wouldn’t want to get divorced in the future.

That couldn’t be right.

I tilted my head in confusion.

“If you do end up grateful for the clause?”

“I’ll give you this palace as alimony.”

“Deal!”

Call!

I happily modified the contract.

‘Great! More property is always welcome!’

To me, someone who knew the future, this bet was already won.

Or so I thought at the time.

After a long back-and-forth, we finally finished the contract and signed it.

I looked at it with deep satisfaction.

“You seem pleased.”

“Of course! This is important!”

Arpad grumbled in a low voice.

“You really have no idea what today is, do you?”

“Of course I do! It’s the day our contract was finalized!”

That was very important!

I had secured Arpad—a powerful ally.

Bound to me through marriage, no less.

‘Something that never happened in my previous lives!’

It was a major step forward.

“…….”

For some reason, Arpad rubbed his forehead like he had a headache.

“Fine. Since today is such an important day, let me ask you one thing.”

“Go ahead.”

With the signed contract in hand, I was feeling generous.

“How do you know about the Mercenary King? And how do you plan to stop me from going mad and help me ascend to the throne—if that’s really possible?”

He watched my face closely and changed his wording.

“…No, you’re not going to tell me that, are you?”

“Correct. Not even on contract day.”

We still didn’t have enough trust between us. There was more suspicion than faith.

And if I started babbling about regression?

That would only make him distrust me more.

‘I’ll show him results and proof. Then once he completely trusts me… well, there’s no need to tell him at all.’

By that time, he’d have found his lover.

And I’d be free and divorced.

Once I dealt with the regressor and Ludwig, the rest wouldn’t matter.

Arpad narrowed his eyes a few times, then finally asked something else.

“What exactly is your relationship with him?”

“Huh? Him? Who?”

I blinked, confused. Arpad clarified.

“That man who drew his sword in front of me during the wedding procession three days ago.”

“Oh, you mean Sir Beltane!”

“Yes. Him. What’s your exact relationship?”

I tilted my head.

“Just knight and lady?”

Well, maybe this time it was a little different.

On the first day of this life, he had sworn an oath of loyalty to me from the heart.

So I corrected myself.

“Ah, knight and liege? He’s basically my only knight, as you pointed out.”

I still felt a little embarrassed about that day.

The only one who defended the bride in the face of danger during the wedding procession had been Sir Beltane.

He wasn’t the only knight from House Delphine in that procession.

But that scene had made it painfully clear how little control I had over my family.

Still, Arpad didn’t seem satisfied.

“Care to elaborate?”

I answered very honestly.

“Umm… Someone I’m really grateful to? Someone I want to protect?”

“You already said that.”

“Well, that’s really all there is?”

I scratched my cheek. I had no idea what kind of answer Arpad wanted.

Then he sighed deeply and asked bluntly.

“Let me ask you straight. Is he your lover?”

“…What?!”

I jumped in shock.

But Arpad didn’t stop his weird assumptions.

“Adding the divorce clause, using me to stop Ludwig, and then planning to remarry him—is that it?”

I almost scoffed, but then I remembered that in my third life… Sir Beltane had run away with me the day before the wedding.

He had become the dishonored knight who fled with the bride.

And yet… and yet he had said—

“Please, don’t look so sad. If I could help you, even just a little… that’s enough for me…”

His tragic end flashed before my eyes, and I froze.

I missed the chance to answer Arpad’s question entirely.

He smiled sharply.

“…Forget it. No need to answer. Your expression and silence say it all.”

“…….”

I think he misunderstood something… but it didn’t matter.

Ours was a contractual relationship.

Since he started talking first, I brought up something that had been worrying me.

“You’ve already prepared a separate palace. That means you’ve checked the situation in the capital, right?”

“Should I thank you for having that much faith in my abilities?”

Arpad clearly wasn’t in a good mood, and it showed in his sarcasm.

“Yes, and with that trustworthy ability, could you check on Sir Beltane and the maid Annie’s well-being?”

“…Asking your husband to check on your lover’s condition, and disguising it with a maid’s name? Isn’t that too obvious?”

“Calling Sir Beltane my lover is an insult to an honorable knight. And this isn’t an excuse—they’re both people who support me within House Delphine.”

“…….”

“Please.”

I bowed my head.

“This isn’t part of our contract. It’s a personal favor.”

Arpad looked like he was thinking, brushing his lips with a finger.

But he didn’t reject me.

“…I’ll look into it.”

“Thank you.”

This time, I could truly thank him with no hidden motives.

Meanwhile, Arpad was dumbfounded.

‘She’s asking her husband to check on her lover’s safety? Isn’t that shameless?’

He absolutely didn’t believe Hilia’s defense.