* * *

Unfortunately, there was no time to dwell on it leisurely.

At the bottom of the system window, a bomb icon—one that looked eerily familiar—was ticking down with a menacing “bzzt” sound.

Hmm, I don’t know exactly what it is, but since there’s supposed to be a compensation plan, I might as well accept it, right?

It’s not like the already chaotic situation could get any worse…

I quickly pressed “Yes,” and the system window flashed brightly before vanishing altogether.

What? Is that it? It’s gone just like that?

Hey, system!

Come out right now!

Where’s my compensation plan?! You said you’d tell me!!

Feeling as frustrated as a raccoon washing cotton candy in water, I snapped angrily, only for a small system window to timidly reappear.

[SYSTEM: To be revealed later★]

Why does it feel like there’s some mockery hidden behind that text?

Am I seriously being deceived by the system now?

Admittedly, it never explicitly said it would tell me right away.

But still, if this keeps happening, rationalizing my way through it is just depressing… What choice do I have, though?

I glanced sideways and noticed Baek Yigang was unaffected by Delcia’s sudden actions.

He simply sipped his hot coffee with an expression of boredom.

So… does that mean the conversation is already over?

“Alright then.”

Ian’s face crumbled as if he’d lost everything, but there was no helping it.

If he really wanted to hold onto me, he should’ve presented a hidden quest or something.

“See you next time.”

I gave a brief farewell to the two princes, who had essentially lost me on the spot, and followed Delcia and Baek Yigang to another reception room.

Baek Yigang and I sat side by side, while Delcia took the seat across from us.

For a moment, I thought the two of them should’ve sat together, but neither Baek Yigang nor Delcia showed any intention of changing seats.

Why exactly did they want to see me?

The way they moved in sync made it seem like they’d coordinated beforehand.

Baek Yigang remained silent, and so did Delcia.

A peculiar silence lingered until the maid placed some light refreshments on the table and quietly left the room.

Thud.

Finally, the maid closed the door. In the stillness, it was Delcia who spoke first.

“How old are you, Wizard?”

Asking my age out of nowhere…?

Judging by her innocent expression, she didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives.

If only Delcia hadn’t died so early in the original story, I might’ve known more about her.

Still, no matter how bad she might be, she couldn’t possibly be worse than Baek Yigang.

That thought made me feel a little more at ease.

“I’m twenty-five.”

For a moment, a strange light flickered across Delcia’s green eyes.

It was a reaction quite unbefitting her poised and regal demeanor thus far.

“Oh my, same as me! We’re the same age. Should we drop formalities?”

What an unexpected and awkward reply.

Did I just hear her suggest dropping honorifics?

“…Pardon? Well, but considering your status—”

I was so flustered that my hesitation was evident.

Delcia, noticing this, gave a sly smile and waved her hand dismissively.

“Oh, how old-fashioned. Why bother with that when it’s just us?”

“You’re no better.”

“What nonsense? Where else would you find a woman as progressive as me! Hmph.”

Baek Yigang, who had been listening quietly, furrowed his brow and retorted bluntly, prompting Delcia to immediately counter.

The two bickering seemed so natural, as if they’d argued countless times before.

But seriously, what’s even going on here?!

Unable to wrap my head around the situation, I simply stared at the two of them in turn, my mouth agape.

Suddenly, Delcia fixed her gaze on Baek Yigang and me sitting side by side, then let out a small exclamation.

“Wow. You two look great together. Just get married already.”

“That’s the plan.”

Before I could even react, Baek Yigang answered smoothly, as if he had the response ready beforehand.

“…What… What the hell are you saying?!”

“Why? Don’t like it?”

“Oh my, did I just witness His Highness get rejected? What a rare sight!”

When I turned to Baek Yigang and shouted, he looked at me with wounded eyes and asked in return.

Delcia, amused, commented in a playful tone before bursting into laughter.

Until a moment ago, I thought Delcia and Baek Yigang got along well.

They’d seen each other as children, and during meals, their relationship didn’t seem particularly strained.

But now that I think about it…

“Who’s getting rejected? Watch your words, you dim-witted princess.”

“Excuse me? That’s rich coming from you, insufferable crown prince.”

…Yeah, no.

They absolutely do not get along.

If anything, Delcia’s blatant disdain for Baek Yigang was crystal clear.

Her expression of contempt was steeped in long-held resentment.

As for why… well, it didn’t take a genius to figure it out.

Considering that Philip was the only one who’d ever survived a conversation with Baek Yigang with his sanity intact, the answer was obvious.

“Your name’s Cheong Dowoon, right? You don’t have a last name?”

“My surname’s Cheong, and my given name’s Dowoon.”

“Wow, what a unique name. As expected of a talented Wizard, you’re different in every way!”

Her unfamiliarity with my name confirmed that Delcia was undoubtedly from this world.

But that absurdly easygoing personality of hers felt strangely familiar.

Ah, right. It reminds me of my older sisters.

That’s probably why her unfiltered words and actions didn’t feel all that strange.

On the other hand, even though Baek Yigang had known her longer than I had, he didn’t seem to have adjusted yet.

Whenever Delcia laughed heartily, he sighed and turned away, clearly irritated.

“There’s no way I could ever live with someone like him. I prefer kind men! Honestly, Dowoon is more my type.”

Delcia clicked her tongue as she watched Baek Yigang’s expression darken, then smiled softly at me.

Her tone was obviously teasing, but for some reason, Baek Yigang’s violet eyes glinted sharply as they fixed on me.

What?!

Why are you glaring at me?

I didn’t even say anything…!

“Enough. Let’s get to the point. I can’t stand being in the same room as you any longer.”

“Dowoon, as you might’ve guessed, we’re against this marriage. My main goal is to cancel this national marriage and return safely to Arte.”

Ignoring Baek Yigang’s words with practiced ease, Delcia got straight to the point with a serious expression.

It wasn’t what I’d expected, but it didn’t surprise me either.

I had a pretty good idea why Delcia wanted to go back to Arte.

In the original story, Delcia wanted to return to Arthe because the person she loved was there.

“Why?”

“Because the person I love is there.”

Of course.

In the original story, she’d been used by Piel to secure his ascension and was unable to leave, ultimately meeting a tragic end.

But this time, with Baek Yigang uninterested in the marriage, their goals seemed aligned.

Wow, things have really taken a turn.

So, does Baek Yigang have some other goal?

It’s hard to believe he’s simply uninterested in marriage.

“Then Baek—no, Hail. What about you?”

“I’ve already told you. I’m going to marry you.”

…Yep.

Still not planning to listen to what I have to say, huh.

“Anyway, that’s why, Dowoon. We need your help.”

“My help?”

At that moment, Baek Yigang, who had been uncooperative until now, nodded his head.

“Right. Cheong Dowoon, we need you for this plan.”

Suddenly becoming so proactive after staying silent all this time was unsettling for some reason.

“Don’t worry. We’re not just asking you to help without a plan. Hail and I have thought it all out. Though, thanks to that jerk running off last night out of boredom, we didn’t finish everything, but we’ve got the framework in place.”

“You’re talking too much. Just get to the point.”

“Ugh, do you always have to nitpick? Especially when you’re not even contributing anything.”

…They’re at it again.

Their relationship seems worse than I thought.

Is this okay?

Can things even work like this…?

“Oh, and about last night at dinner…”

It finally made sense why Delcia hadn’t reacted at all after witnessing Baek Yigang kiss me on the forehead.

No matter how in love you are with someone else, how could you be so indifferent about your own fiancé?

Turns out, it’s because they absolutely despise each other…

Honestly, I had been secretly worried—yeah, I’ll admit it—that Baek Yigang might end up having a rosy romance with Delcia.

Deep down, there was this pathetic little feeling that if they fell for each other, I might feel left out.

But not anymore.

While I didn’t need them to have a romance, I at least hoped they’d show each other some basic human respect.

Just look at the way they glare at each other.

They don’t even see each other as human beings.

“Hmm. I knew it from the moment that lunatic groped you in public. Marrying someone that shameless would utterly ruin my life.”

For someone speaking with a soft smile, the words were incredibly harsh. But I agree.

Baek Yigang is insane.

“But when did you two start dating?”

“W-what are you talking about? We’re absolutely not in that kind of relationship!”

I frantically waved my hands in denial, and Delcia tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

“What? But Hail said he was going to marry you… Wait. Oh my God! Earlier, I thought he was joking, but you were actually dumped?! Wow, this is headline-worthy!”

Delcia burst into laughter, thoroughly entertained.

Meanwhile, a murderous gaze bore into me from the side.

Uh… Did I deny it too strongly?

* * *