Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: A Relationship Meant Only for Mutual Gain
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Around that time, Helios von Evgenia, whose memories had fully returned, was heading toward the castle's back gate. There wasn't a shred of hesitation in his steps.
Elick, who had barely managed to keep pace beside him, couldn't hide his bewilderment.
"Your Highness, what on earth do you mean? Didn't you avoid going to the Elpis Merchant Group precisely because it would look like you were admitting your feelings for her?"
"......"
"Your Highness?"
Finally, Elick threw himself in front of him, risking his life to question his actions once more.
"Step aside."
"Your Highness, you know that if you go like this, she'll be in danger too!"
Helios glared at Elick, grinding his teeth. Of course, Helios had once thought the same.
He had convinced himself there would be no regrets in his choice, that ignoring her was the best way to help her, justifying his inaction as mere observation.
He had even stepped back, believing it would benefit her.
"I won't say it twice. Move, Elick. That's an order."
But not anymore.
He could never forget how his actions had only hurt Esther more deeply, or how devastating the consequences had been. No, he mustn't forget.
"......"
Finally, overwhelmed by Helios's intense presence, Elick reluctantly stepped aside.
"I can't leave her alone like this."
Helios clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth fiercely.
This time, he had no intention of letting the Emperor have his way. Ever since he realized that, his only goal had been revenge against him.
And now, with the Emperor's weakness in his grasp, he no longer had to let Esther suffer alone. He wouldn't have to cowardly watch her from the shadows.
"I can change it now."
Helios recalled every moment he'd shared with her, frustrated by the resentment in her eyes without understanding why.
But now he knew the answer.
Esther undoubtedly had memories of her past life too. That was why she'd been so wary of him, probing to see what he remembered and how much.
"I can undo it."
The mere fact that Esther hadn't died was enough. As long as he could protect her from now on, that would suffice for him.
"Your Highness, the carriage is ready."
"Understood."
At Baron's words as he appeared from somewhere, Helios quickened his pace even more. He wanted to see Esther as soon as possible, to resolve everything.
"To the Elpis Merchant Group at top speed."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As soon as the coachman swiftly acknowledged Helios's order from inside the carriage, it sped off. Helios stared out the window, fidgeting restlessly with his feet.
"How ridiculous. To think that the worst day of my life could turn into this."
Helios muttered to himself with a low scoff.
It had been his twenty-first birthday, the day he considered the lowest point of his life. The despair of feeling like the woman he loved was stolen by that brat.
"Now I'm even grateful for today."
But things were different now. That event hadn't happened.
"Esther......"
As the familiar Elpis Merchant Group building came into view, a horrific memory surfaced, forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut.
Everything had started that day—Helios's twenty-first birthday, when he'd realized his own powerlessness, forced to watch their meeting like an idiot.
Damn!
Helios's mind was filled with anxiety and unease after turning away upon merely seeing Esther with Noel.
Why, of all people...!
Helios raked his hair roughly, muttering to himself.
The scene from earlier haunted him, driving him mad. It was unmistakable—that feeling was definitely affection for her.
And witnessing him openly confess his love made it impossible to deny.
Really, to a guy like that...?
Helios yanked off his tie roughly and flung it onto the bed, letting out a sigh. He couldn't control his emotions. Who did that woman think she was?
I should have gotten rid of him when he became a nuisance.
Yet he paused, surprised by his own words, then draped his arm over his eyes and sneered.
Just like the Emperor...
Seeing himself mirror the Emperor he despised so much, Helios let out a low laugh. It was a depressingly bleak birthday.
Even knowing he should forget Esther, Helios couldn't restrain his interest in her.
No, he knew it was his own lingering attachment that kept it going.
Esther attended Countess Daon's banquet today?
Helios frowned as Baron reported on Esther again today.
He knew that family's invitation couldn't possibly be out of pure goodwill.
Baron continued undeterred by Helios's expression.
Yes, it seems the Countess intended to publicly humiliate her. No one spoke to her, so she stood there awkwardly before heading to the deserted rear garden.
What happened after? She didn't cry or anything, did she?
Imagining Esther hurt in the meantime made his own heart ache, so Helios asked urgently.
She didn't, but soon after, Noel de Micarus appeared, and the two conversed in a secluded spot. It was almost like...
......
Like lovers meeting in secret.
At Baron's following words, Helios sighed, wishing he hadn't heard. He couldn't let go of the hope that they were nothing to each other, pathetically hovering around her. It was laughable, denying everything he knew.
As he dry-washed his face in bitter frustration, someone knocked on Helios's door.
Your Highness, are you there?
What is it?
When Helios responded curtly to the servant's voice outside, the man got to the point.
His Majesty the Emperor summons you.
For what?
He didn't tell me.
Helios frowned at the Emperor's overbearing summons without explanation.
Understood. I'll go to him now.
He had always found the man repulsive, but Helios knew he couldn't defy the Emperor. Doing so would mean the Emperor wouldn't hesitate to discard him too.
Yes, just like he'd unhesitatingly eliminated his own mother. Helios had already experienced the man's cruelty.
Helios rose and spoke to Baron standing before him.
I'll be back. Then tell me more details about the situation.
Take care.
With a brief wave in response to Baron's bow, Helios left the room.
He didn't know what the man wanted this time, but one thing was certain: it wouldn't be anything good.
"You summoned me, Your Majesty?"
Helios bowed to the Emperor, who skipped any preamble and got straight to the point as if he'd been waiting.
"I called you to hear your thoughts on your betrothal to the Elpis Merchant Group leader who received her countess title on your birthday. I've given you plenty of time to think. What say you?"
It was obviously not the caring father seeking his son's opinion.
Thus, Helios found it absurd. In the end, the Emperor would do as he pleased, regardless of Helios's will.
"......If I voice an opinion, will Your Majesty actually heed it?"
He'd pondered the Emperor's question endlessly without an answer. Agreeing or refusing would only lead to his own misery.
Helios lacked the confidence to watch the woman he loved gaze at another man. So, unlike usual, he gave a somewhat cheeky response.
"Quite insolent today, unlike your usual self. What's your grievance?"
The Emperor smiled as if amused by Helios's uncharacteristically aggressive demeanor.
Suppressing his rising anger, Helios continued.
"I have no desire to take as my fiancée a woman who has her heart set on another noble heir. Surely Your Majesty doesn't wish for the imperial family's prestige to fall to the dirt?"
He said it partly to protect his fragile pride, but also to keep Esther from getting entangled in political strife.
He had to distance her from the Emperor's attention somehow. The Emperor surely knew that too.
"Do you think I'd suggest this without knowing that? To think you'd fail to separate public duty from private feelings."
The Emperor openly admitted knowing about Esther and Noel's relationship, but Helios couldn't comprehend the words that followed and asked back.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Don't ruin a grand affair over childish whims and foolish emotions, Crown Prince. Has your judgment become worse than a commoner's? Even that countess title holder would be better."
"I don't understand what you're saying."
Noting Helios's confusion at the cryptic words, the Emperor smirked.
"That woman agreed knowing the betrothal wouldn't truly proceed. You're just a pair that grabs benefits and parts ways—what's there to worry about? We get the merchant group, and she uses your position to enter noble society."
At those words, the image of Esther's smile in Helios's mind twisted.
She didn't love him. His belief that she'd been sincere was mere delusion.
"She said she'd use my status to secure her own place?"
Even hearing she'd approached him only to climb using his position, Helios couldn't let go and asked again.
"Yes, she already said that's the best option and agreed to it."
But that belief was cruelly shattered once more. Accepting the contract despite knowing his feelings was no different from mocking him.
"Is that so."
"Yes. So, what are your thoughts? You're not still clinging to childish excuses, are you?"
"And if I refuse?"
"Wouldn't that just shorten the time before she ends up penniless?"
Helios drew in a sharp breath at the Emperor's words, which seemed to pierce everything.
No, he knew. He knew his own feelings and who they were for.
Helios had only one choice. And it was what he'd always done.
"I shall follow Your Majesty's will."
In the end, Helios became mere words bending to the Emperor's taste once again.