Zerkan's expression sharply darkened.

Raphine unknowingly turned her gaze to the knife he was holding. It was because Zerkan's eyes were like those that were sure to kill someone.

'Well.... Because Zerkan hates Antonio.'

My best friend's brother might marry an annoying half-sister. Anyone would react like that.

Raphine was so convinced and continued.

"I said I didn't want to get married, but you didn't listen at all? So, I would rather ask the Crown Prince. After all, Your Majesty is also in need of a contract marriage."

"...."

"But what.... You say that the heart is more important in marriage, so there is nothing I can do about it."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"What. Whether to find out about the spirits of other noble families that have received a marriage proposal.... Or you can only refuse to the end. haha. In the worst case scenario, what else would you do to marry Prince Antonio?"

Hahaha. Raphine laughed awkwardly as if she was self-destructing, but Zerkan couldn't laugh along.

When Raphine tried to put the steak in her mouth again with a sullen face. Zerkan interlocked his hands and lowered his upper body slightly forward.

"Actually, the most important thing in marriage is political gain and loss. The mind thinks next."

huh? suddenly?

Raphine looked at her with bewildered eyes, and Zerkan raised the corner of her mouth slightly and smiled lightly.

It was a pretty fatal smile, so Raphine flinched.

'Well, why.... Why are you laughing like that?'

Zerkan gestured with a relaxed attitude as if to continue eating.

"Once we eat, let me hear the details of the plan."

"iced coffee... Yeah."

After that, I don't know what kind of spirit I ate.

It was delicious, so I ate it hard, but my mind was complicated. He couldn't figure out why Zerkan suddenly changed his mind.

After the meal was over, dessert and tea were served on the table.

Zerkan took a sip of tea elegantly.

Raphine stared at Zerkan like that and finished the calculation inside. He seemed to understand why Zerkan suddenly changed his stance. If you think about it honestly, the answer came out easily.

'Yeah, if I marry Antonio, Zerkan may have to turn the Aston family as an enemy.'

For Adrian and his best friend, Zerkan, it must be a complicated situation.

'Okay then, let's use that excuse to flirt a bit more.'

To be honest, if you and Zerkan join hands, there is no better union than that, right?

I'm sorry that I'm doing this now, but Raphine started talking with the intention of seeing me live.

"Sir, then, would you be willing to accept my offer...."

"Let's hear the plan first."

Raphine was nervous at Zerkan's attitude like an interviewer.

However, he made up his mind that he would somehow persuade the person in front of him.

Raphine glanced around slightly.

The security of this place was certain as it was chosen as a place to meet the Crown Prince.

However, since the story I am going to tell from now on is so secret, I have to be careful.

"Actually, even if I say no, your Majesty the Emperor will not show any displeasure on the outside."

"... But you may secretly brew tea."

"Yeah, it is.... Anyway, as your Highness knows, your Majesty the Emperor is a bit stingy, isn't it? That's what I'm worried about."

"You talk a lot."

Zerkan nodded. Raphine knew my father's personality better than anyone.

"It's embarrassing, but my father is also a bit unusual in my work. So, if you ever bump into your majesty over that, it might cause damage to our family."

"Your Majesty is the one who will remain."

Zerkan knew his father very well too.

Raphine's expression brightened as she seemed to be able to communicate.

Raphine also explained what the Empress or Antonio would do if she married another nobleman Yeong-sik.

"They are enough people to do that."

Zerkan also seemed to be able to draw their reactions easily.

'Now, the bottom rice is enough.'

Actually, the hour was rushed. Because you never know when Antonio will visit the emperor.

Raphine asked cautiously, hiding her impatience.

"And worst of all, if I marry Prince Antonio, wouldn't your majesty be in trouble too?"

At Raphine's question, Zerkan's brow wrinkled. As if just imagining it is annoying.

"But the Aston family will not join hands with the Empress.... The Empress will try to take advantage of our family."

"I will."

"Besides, crucially, I...."

Raphine looked at Zerkan with her hands together with a desperate expression on her face.

"I really do not want to marry Prince Antonio. It makes me want to leave the empire."

"...."

"So, if your Majesty is in need of a contract marriage.... How about holding hands with me?"

Raphine blinked and asked pathically. Zerkan paused for a moment as he looked just like a kitten.

As Zerkan's expression hardened, Raphine hesitated and added more.

"And... The position of His Majesty is already strong, but it is also true that the Empress and Viscount Tedler are offended. I can perfectly be your right arm."

Raphine said confidently.

"A helper like that would be hard to find anywhere in this empire!"

Anyway, Raphine's goal also included making Zerkan the emperor safely.

It was also an advantage to become the Crown Prince, making it easier to check the Empress and Viscount Tedler.

"majesty...?"

Raphine called out to him earnestly, and gently held out her hand. as if begging to be caught.

Zerkan, who was staring blankly at Raphine, naturally took his fingertips as if possessed by something.

And the moment when the two fingertips touched. Raphine grabbed his hand with both hands like a water ghost and pulled him closer.

"Good idea!"

Raphine's eyes, which had been moist with earnestness until a while ago, were curved into a half moon.

Zerkan let out a smirk as she looked at Raphine, who was holding my large hand and waving it.

But.

"The contract period will not be long. The day you ascend to the throne, our contract will end on that day!"

At Raphine's next words, Zerkan's expression hardened subtly.

* * *

The two moved to have a more intimate conversation.

The place we arrived at was in Zerkan's wagon, near the Aston family mansion.

In fact, for security purposes, Raphine's room or the Imperial Palace would be safe, but it was not yet open to the public.

Fortunately, the wagon was wide enough to negotiate the terms of the contract.

A small table was spread out between them.

Raphine wrote down all the terms of the contract she wanted and offered it to her. And I checked the paper handed to Zerkan.

It was a process of checking the terms and conditions of the contract that each other wanted.... Raphine's head tilted to the side as she looked down at the paper.

"Is this all?"

"yes."

There was only one contract condition that Zerkan wanted from Raphine.

'Keep confidential.'

On the other hand, the condition with less raffine was enough to fill the page.

Zerkan checked all the conditions with a serious expression and put down the paper.

"Do you agree to all the terms of the contract?"

"yes."

Now that the conditions have been set, only the last contract remains. Raphine used mana to create a contract in the air just like when making a contract with the spirits.

"If there is something to be added, we will add it after consultation."

When the contract was completed, the two signed without hesitation.

The contract written using mana soon disappeared from my sight. You can take it out and view it at any time, but to edit or remove it, it was only possible when the two of them were together.

"You won't regret it."

Raphine offered a handshake and held out her hand.

As Zerkan met each other, the corners of Raphine's lips drew an arc.

"Now then, I just...."

It was at that moment when Raphine was about to leave the carriage saying she wanted to stop.

"however...."

Raphine turned her head at Zerkan's gripping voice.

"Why?"

"Won't people wonder if we suddenly get married in one day?"

"Oh. You forgot that story. I have a scenario I prepared for you!"

Raphine sat back in her chair and leaned forward. Then he clapped his hands.

Zerkan hesitated for a moment at the gesture that seemed to come closer.

And as soon as Raphine began to whisper, the nape of Zerkan's neck began to harden with tension.

"So I...."

Raphine's breath seeping into her ear tickled her chest. A good scent permeated through the tip of his nose.

But it wasn't the time to worry about that. Rafine's scenario was truly shocking.

"how about it? Are you okay?"

"...."

To be honest, I don't know if it's okay, but it felt like it had to be.

When Zerkan forced her to nod her head, Raphine smiled as if not to worry and left the carriage.

After Raphine had left, the empty space felt particularly wide.

After that, Zerkan did not start the carriage and stayed there for a long time.