Ch#14

Episode 14

Crown Prince Arpad is already twenty-three years old.

Actually, that's a bit late to get married.

'Because nobles usually marry in their late teens to early twenties.'

The Emperor, unable to trust his son as a successor, did not push for his marriage.

On the contrary, he even attached me, with the backing of the Delphin Ducal Family, to his nephew.

'But betrothal and love are separate matters.'

In all three lives before my regression, I heard rumors that Crown Prince Arpad had a secret lover.

Though I couldn't know specifically who it was.

A forbidden partner, roughly. After having her taken away, or losing her, the Crown Prince went mad. And so on...

This was all the information I had.

And.

"That child... seems to have had a woman he loved. I only learned that after my son died, after failing to protect him."

The person who said that was none other than Arpad's father, the current Emperor Walter Istrid, right before my eyes.

It was during my second life, perhaps.

I had spent time close to the Emperor, who had killed his mad son with his own hands and chose to live in seclusion in a remote temple.

At that time, the Emperor seemed like a person who had become a mere shell.

His hair had turned completely white.

Even though, chronologically, it was only about 2 years from now.

Given that the source of the information was the source, it was quite credible.

That's why, out of my consideration, I added the 'right to free divorce' clause!

I really don't understand why he's getting angry!

'If it doesn't exist yet, it could come into existence later!'

As I blinked my eyes, Arpad asked again.

"Why did you insist on putting this clause in?"

"Because Your Highness might also have, no, might come to have someone you love?"

At that, Arpad tilted his head.

Then he spouted nonsense that would make one's head spin.

"Isn't it rather that you're setting up a safety net so you can pull out at any time?"

"Huh?!"

What kind of nonsense is this again?

Arpad acted like a picky customer looking at an insurance scammer, ready to take the money and run at any moment.

He added insult to injury.

"Aren't you planning to take only what you want from me and then run away whenever you please? Like a scoundrel abandoning a frail maiden!"

"Why are your expressions like that from earlier?!"

Arpad's eyes gleamed.

"So you were indeed planning to suck out the sweet stuff and abandon me any time...!"

Unable to bear it, I reached out both hands and covered the mouth of the man who had been spouting nothing but nonsense since earlier.

"...!"

"......"

I realized a bit late that I had leaned in first, pressing myself too close to him.

When our breaths met, the inside of my palm felt ticklish.

Arpad's lips were hotter and more moist than I expected.

And soft, like when we exchanged the vow's kiss earlier...

No, that's not it!

I barely grabbed hold of my sanity and shouted. Who did he think would fall for a handsome guy?

"...That's still not allowed!"

"What's not allowed?"

Arpad asked, still directed at my outstretched hand.

Because of that, his breath strongly tickled my palm.

"Eek!"

Shudder. A feeling as if all the hairs on my body were standing on end.

I couldn't bear it and ended up removing my hand.

Somehow, it felt like I had lost, and anger surged.

It was unfair. This clause was for Arpad's sake, not mine.

'Because by then, he would have already met his lover.'

That's why. The words I declared provocatively with a smile were:

"Don't come thanking me later for putting this clause in the contract for you."

By then, you'll be bowing gratefully, asking for a divorce, right?

At that, Arpad crossed his arms, looking displeased.

"What if it's not like that?"

"...Huh?"

"What if, at that time, I'm not grateful for that clause at all, but rather dissatisfied?"

It seemed both Arpad and I were personalities that absolutely couldn't stand being at a disadvantage.

But the Crown Prince, who doesn't know the future, is asking a foolish question.

"That won't happen."

"I don't understand why you're so certain."

Being dissatisfied with the free divorce clause means not wanting to divorce.

There was no way Arpad would feel that way. This is the confidence of someone who knows the future.

After glaring at me with a dissatisfied expression for a moment, Arpad suddenly made a suggestion.

"Then, how about we modify the clause a bit?"

"How?"

"If later I'm dissatisfied with the free divorce clause, the clause's content gets deleted. But if, as you said, I'm happy and grateful about it..."

Does something sound a bit off, or is it just my mood?

It sounds like Arpad is confident that he'll say he doesn't want to divorce later.

But there's no way that would happen.

I tilted my head, puzzled.

"If you're grateful and happy about the free divorce?"

"I'll give you this villa as alimony."

"Deal!"

Call!

I happily modified the clause in the contract a little.

'Great! Increasing assets is always welcome!'

This bet was practically already won by me, who knows the future.

At that time, that's what I thought.

* * *

After quite a long argument, we finished drafting the request contract and even signed it.

I looked at it with a proud expression.

"Do you like it that much?"

"Of course! This is so important!"

At that, Arpad muttered in a grumbling voice.

"You really have no awareness of what day today is."

"What day? It's the important day the contract was finalized!"

This is so important!

I had gained a powerful ally in Arpad.

And I had tied him to me tightly through marriage.

'This never happened in my previous lives!'

This alone was a huge step forward.

"......"

For some reason, Arpad was rubbing his temples with a pained expression.

"Fine. Since it's such an important contract anniversary, I'll ask just one thing."

"Go ahead."

Having even secured the contract, I was feeling quite content.

"How you knew about the Mercenary King, how it's possible to make me ascend the throne without going mad, and if it's really possible..."

He looked at my expression and changed his words himself.

"...you probably won't tell me willingly anyway."

"That's right. No matter how much it's the contract anniversary, I can't tell you now."

Between him and me, suspicion and wariness were still greater than trust.

If I talked about regression or something...

It would only increase Arpad's suspicion of me.

'After showing results and evidence and gaining his complete trust... do I even need to tell him?'

Anyway, by then, Arpad would have met his lover.

Wouldn't I be a free person after the divorce?

As long as I handle the possessor and Ludwig before that, it doesn't really matter.

Arpad furrowed and unfurrowed his handsome brow several times, then finally seemed to have chosen a question.

"What exactly is your relationship with that man?"

"Huh? That man? Who?"

As I stared blankly, Arpad explained more specifically.

"The one who was the only one to draw his sword before me three days ago during the wedding procession."

"Ah, Sir Beltane!"

"Yes. That man. What exactly is your relationship with him?"

I tilted my head.

"Just a knight and a Lady."

Ah, maybe it's a bit different this time.

Because on the first day of regression, I received a heartfelt oath of loyalty from him.

So I corrected myself.

"Ah, liege and knight? Well, he's practically my only knight. As you pointed out earlier."

The situation back then was still a bit embarrassing.

Among all the knights in the wedding procession, only one had properly drawn his sword to protect the bride from the intruder.

Sir Beltane wasn't the only Delphin knight in the procession.

In the end, the situation itself was proof of how little control I had over my family.

But Arpad didn't seem satisfied.

"Could you explain in more detail?"

I answered very, very honestly.

"Hmm. A very grateful person? So someone I want to protect?"

"That's something I already heard."

"Because that's all there is?"

I scratched my cheek. I don't know what kind of answer Arpad wants.

At that, Arpad let out a long sigh and asked bluntly.

"Let me ask frankly. Is he perhaps your lover?"

"...Huh?!"

I jumped in surprise.

But Arpad's strange speculation didn't stop.

"The fact that you insisted on putting that divorce clause in earlier is also suspicious. Aren't you planning to use me to block Ludwig, and then remarry that man?"

Just as I was about to say it was too absurd, I remembered the day Sir Beltane ran away with me in my third life.

That day, he became a knight who betrayed his honor by running away with a bride the day before her wedding.

And yet... and yet he...

"Please don't make such a sad face. If I could be of any help to you... that's enough..."

As the memory of his terrible end came to mind, my body stiffened without me realizing it.

Because of that, I completely missed the timing to answer Arpad's question.

At that, Arpad smiled sharply.

"...Forget it. No need to answer. Your expression and silence are answer enough."

"......"

It seemed like he had misunderstood something, but it didn't matter.

After all, ours is a relationship formed by contract.

And since Arpad had opened the conversation first, I mentioned something I had been worried about.

"Seeing you prepared this villa in advance, you're also keeping tabs on the situation in the Capital, right?"

"Should I say thank you for trusting my abilities to that extent?"

Arpad, openly sarcastic, didn't seem to be in a very good mood.

"Yes, with that sufficiently reliable ability, please check on the well-being of Sir Beltane and the maid Annie."

"...Don't you think it's too transparent to slip in a maid's well-being while asking about your lover's?"

"Misunderstanding Sir Beltane as my lover is an insult to an honorable knight. And this isn't an excuse; it's because these two are the people in the Delphin family who give for my sake."

"......"

"Please."

I bowed my head.

"This is a request unrelated to our contract."

For a moment, Arpad seemed to ponder, stroking the corner of his mouth.

But he didn't refuse outright.

"...I'll look into it."

"Thank you."

This time, I could offer my thanks without any ulterior motives.

Meanwhile, Arpad found it a bit absurd.

'Asking your husband to check on your lover's well-being... isn't that too brazen?'

He didn't believe Hilia's protestations at all.

Translator: Nox