Contract (3)

A soft silence flowed between them. Dante, having lent his body to Esilia, waited patiently for her to calm down. It was the first time. The first time Princess Esilia had shown such vulnerability. The first time she had leaned on him like this. So Dante didn't find the silence uncomfortable. Esilia often hid her true feelings well, but he liked that she was, at heart, an ordinary woman with real ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠emotions.

"Esilia."

"...Yes."

"Are you feeling a bit calmer now?"

"I don't know. If I just burst into tears right now... would that make me feel better?"

"How about talking to me instead of crying?"

"...Okay. Dante."

The two pulled out chairs from the table and sat down. Dante took the seat facing her directly. Esilia gazed at his face for a moment before breaking into a wide smile.

"I'm suddenly jealous of Sara."

"Why?"

"She has a big brother she can whine to when things get tough."

"Esilia. Who do you think is sitting right in front of you?"

"...A big brother she can whine to when things get tough?"

Dante smiled faintly, and Esilia burst into a bright, tinkling laugh.

"Yeah. Sorry for moping around so gloomily. It's just harder to accept than I thought."

"You mean His Majesty the Emperor."

"Yes. They say Father's condition has worsened a lot."

"..."

"The Prime Minister brought up the matter of imperial succession. He said a few more years are needed. It looks like they're planning to finalize preparations within that time."

"Preparations for what?"

"One of two things. Stabilizing the empire. Or... preparing to turn the next emperor into a puppet."

"..."

Esilia had spent years investigating the Prime Minister from behind the scenes. But at just nineteen, she hadn't been able to conduct a perfect inquiry. She still couldn't fully grasp his intentions. The Prime Minister of the Empire wasn't the type to carelessly expose his weaknesses, after all.

So she was anxious.

"We don't have much time."

Esilia's voice was much lower than usual, a sign of how seriously she was taking it. Dante comforted her.

"This is exactly when you need to stay calm."

"Well, you're right, but~"

Princess Esilia tapped the table lightly and said,

"Still, we need an investigation right away."

"You mean up north."

"Yes. We've got a big lead with this Rakraban Elder. I really want to dig into it."

The investigation into the Prime Minister was still incomplete. That's why Esilia wanted to fully uncover the connection between the Hand of Power and the Prime Minister. And that lead was surely hidden in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the territory of the Northern Duke.

"But the north is land I can't touch. I have connections with the Duchess... but entrusting something this important to outsiders feels off."

"That's true."

Esilia had built her own network among the young ladies of the court. She wielded near-absolute influence in the palace and among the nobility. But outside the capital, that power weakened dramatically. Investigating the Northern Duke's domain was beyond her people alone.

What she needed was talent who could roam the empire freely and accomplish tasks for her. Someone like Dante.

"Dante."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"If I asked you for a favor right now... would I seem too shameless?"

"What shame are we talking about at this point?"

"...I've tried several times to properly reward you. But you've refused every time."

"I'm already receiving plenty. You're looking after the Aision family, being a strong support for Sara and Valentina."

At Dante's response, the princess gave a faint smile.

"Why don't you ever ask for rewards for yourself, Dante?"

"..."

"The Aision family. Lady Sara and Lady Valentina. They're all precious to you, but not you."

Dante hesitated briefly but answered honestly.

"I don't want for much. I've already got most of what I desire."

"...Is that so."

"I have parents who love me. A family I love. The Aisions aren't short on money. I can live ordinarily and be perfectly happy."

Princess Esilia closed her eyes briefly. Then she murmured tiredly,

"People like you are the ones I hate most, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Dante."

"I'll assume that doesn't mean you hate me."

"It's been that way since we first met. You take such good care of your siblings and family... but you never ask me for anything..."

The princess opened her eyes. Her clear, innocent gaze fixed solely on Dante. He met her eyes.

"You don't need money. I can't help with your magic. And I'd look after Sara and Valentina even if you didn't want me to."

Her lips moved.

"So... what can I give you, Dante?"

Dante placed his hand gently atop her head, as if soothing a child. It was an act of utmost irreverence, but neither the princess nor Dante paid it any mind.

"It started as a simple contract."

"..."

"You help Sara, I help you. That's how it began."

"Doesn't it still feel that way?"

When the princess asked coyly, Dante chuckled softly.

"Do you really think so? I believe the bond between us is one of friendship and trust."

"...You're right about that too."

Their relationship had begun with a contract, but that contract was now outdated. They no longer needed it—the princess helped the Aisions, and Dante helped her. It had evolved beyond that.

Why would friends need a reason to help each other?

"But I want to reward you, Dante."

"I'll gladly accept whatever you offer."

"...Anything at all?"

The princess cleared her throat, then spoke in a solemn tone.

"Then, Dante. If you help me and we successfully complete everything... I'll grant you the right to one wish, no matter what it is."

"A wish?"

"Yes. Anything. Since you never specify what you want, I'll give you the right to wish for anything."

This was no empty promise. It came directly from the princess of the empire.

"I'm serious. No limits. When it's all over, I'll make whatever you desire come true. Treasures if you ask for treasure. I'll back your family if you want that..."

Esilia brushed her beautiful hair back gently and continued,

"If you need a wife to marry... I can introduce you to any lady in the empire."

"..."

"Of course... including... me..."

"Impressive."

At Dante's words, Princess Esilia flushed red and turned her head away.

"That's how serious I am...!"

"Understood."

"So! Let's make a new contract!"

Princess Esilia grabbed the longsword hanging on the wall and declared,

"Dante Aision. Kneel."

Dante knelt before the princess. She drew the sword. It was a decorative piece from the wall, but a real blade nonetheless. She laid the flat of the blade across his shoulder. A cool, heavy sensation pressed down. Dante's head bowed naturally.

Dante answered. There was no reason to hesitate or flee. They had come this far. He would see it through.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"From this moment, Dante Aision, I appoint you as my secret inspector."

"..."

"As proof of loyalty... a kiss of oath."

The princess sheathed the sword and extended her hand. The ritual every knight serving royalty performed.

'Not a knight, but...'

Dante kissed the back of Esilia's hand. A citrus scent brushed his nose. Sunlight streaming through the window illuminated the two. The empire's princess standing nobly, receiving the oath of loyalty. The mage kneeling, lips to her hand.

A brief silence passed.

"Dante Aision."

The princess spoke his name. Her expression was endlessly bright and light.

"Looking forward to working with you."

"Of course, Your Highness."

Dante formally accepted her commission. Their immediate goal: scouting the north.

The contract was sealed in secrecy and silence. Just like when he was fifteen. No one knew of the pact ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠made in the princess's chambers. Not even Dante's family.

"Mother. Father."

Dante gathered his parents.

"I'm thinking of heading north for a bit."

"The north?"

They were mildly surprised but didn't try to stop him. Dante was already twenty. For an ordinary noble, it was the age for debuting at balls or seeking a match. If not marriage, then devoting oneself to something else.

A knight aspirant might train for a knight order. A mage might write theses and prepare for the Magic Tower.

But Dante fit none of those. No marriage, no job, no preparations to inherit the house.

His parents trusted him. They knew he practiced the unique bug magic. So when he said he was going north,

"Alright. Go ahead."

They sent him off without hesitation. It was a parent's duty to support a child's ambitions.

"Thank you."

"Take whatever you need. Use as much for expenses as you want."

With their permission secured, Dante prepared for the trip at once. The only issue was Sara whining once a day.

"Oppa! You're really going on a trip?!"

"Yeah."

"Really! Really going all the way north to find bugs?!"

"Really really."

"..."

"I'm busy, so see you later."

To those around him, he said he was 'going north to find rare bugs.' Not entirely untrue. According to the empire bug guidebook(?) gifted by the Magic Tower Lord, the north had plenty of interesting insects. If he found a good one, he'd tame it. Like the Noon Fairies. It might prove useful.

Of course, the real purpose was investigating the Carmilton Liberation Army and the secrets of the Hand of Power. But outwardly, he'd cosplay as a 'mage seeking bugs.'

The day of departure arrived.

"Don't do anything too dangerous. Come back safe."

"Fight in moderation, Dante!"

"Yes. I'll be back soon."

His parents gave their usual warm farewells.

"Oppa..."

Valentina sniffled, tears in her eyes. Dante couldn't understand his little sister. He wasn't going to die or anything—why cry...?

"Come back safe..."

"Yeah. Will do."

Surprisingly, Sara sniffled too. Truly surprising.

"Why are you crying?"

"I don't know...! Just come back quick! You jerk...!"

"???"

Was it that sad? He wasn't staying north forever. Just a trip...

"Hyung! Have a good trip!"

"Yeah."

"Bring souvenirs!"

The youngest, Eric, saw him off with the vibe of a typical middle-school boy. Dante's expression relaxed. If even the little one had cried, departure would've felt awkward.

"Sure. Your big bro will bring back a cool northern hand axe."

"Whoa...!"

Eric's eyes sparkled. Dante chuckled. I know exactly what kids your age like~

"Then, I'm off."

Dante gave his family a final goodbye and left the mansion. In the carriage to the station, his heart thumped oddly. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't excited. Leaving home to roam the world was always like that.

"Northbound! Carmilton Ducal Train departs in 10 minutes—!"

Arriving at the station, a loud announcement rang out. People dragging luggage, waiting for the train. Vendors selling snacks and newspapers. Passengers reuniting with eagerly awaited loved ones, laughing and chatting...

As Dante stepped down from the carriage,

"Ah!!!"

Someone rushed toward him.

"Are you... passenger Dante Aision?"

"Yes."

"Ahh...! Thank you so much for choosing our train!"

The attendant was in a crisp uniform. He bowed 90 degrees at the sight of Dante. Because...

"Carmilton Cross-Country Train! 8 nights, 10 days, Noble Suite class reservation. Correct?"

"Yes."

The train Dante booked was insanely expensive...!

"This way, please! I'll escort you!"

Dante handed all his luggage to the attendant, who took it eagerly with a grin. A customer dropping 4,500,000 celon on an 8-night, 10-day ticket! Clearly a VVIP with money to burn!

And Dante was indeed a noble with money rotting away. He burned two months' wages of an average worker without blinking. His father, Lennon Aision, was the same.

'Ticket's 450 celon?'

'Yes.'

'Hmm... Nothing better?'

'Too lazy to search. Picked something decent.'

'Fine. Do as you like.'

The Aision family business was booming daily. As heir, Lennon needed to focus on trade. He was swamped, so whether his son burned 450 celon on a ticket didn't faze him. Money grew mushrooms from excess anyway!

"Welcome aboard our Noble Suite class train—!"

Dante boarded the northbound train with light steps, passing attendants bowing 90 degrees.