~Chapter 35~
Delphina listened to Walton’s dramatic reaction with a proud smile.
“It’s definitely not something you should eat often… But it was delicious.”
He had chicken crumbs on his face.
Alex nodded beside him.
“I can eat it often.”
Delphina let out a soft laugh at their silliness. She didn’t plan to make chicken often anyway.
Oil was scarce, and fried food—while tasty—wasn’t healthy.
Still, seeing how happy it made them…
“Walton’s right. Let’s save it for special days, like once a month.”
Alex pouted but nodded obediently.
While they were chatting, Calyx returned—the basket in his hands was empty.
Seeing that, Delphina smiled brightly.
Calyx asked her,
“Are you heading to the Grand Madam now?”
Now that the chicken had passed the taste test, it was ready for the most important person.
“Yes. This is the most important part. I also have something to tell her.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Before visiting the Grand Madam, Delphina showed the special chicken to Elcayan and Calyx.
“After she eats this, the monster poison won’t progress anymore.”
Calyx’s eyes widened. He sensed something unusual about the chicken Delphina was holding—different from the others.
“Could it be…?”
“Yes. God Prad blessed it.”
Elcayan tilted his head, puzzled.
“What do you mean?”
Calyx immediately understood—he’d felt stronger after eating Delphina’s food before.
‘So that was the blessing of Prad!’
It all made sense now. Calyx quickly spoke up.
“Let’s take it to her right now! Fried chicken is best when it’s hot. Letting it cool during conversation is an insult to the food!”
Alex and Walton nodded intensely.
“He’s right. It should be eaten warm.”
From there, everything moved quickly.
Delphina, along with Elcayan, Calyx, and Walton, visited the Grand Madam.
She welcomed Delphina warmly.
“What kind of food is this, Delphina? I’ve never seen it before.”
“It’s called fried chicken.”
“Hmm… Never heard of it. But I like the name—it reminds me of Prad.”
Thanks to Delphina, the Grand Madam had regained her appetite. Once again, she enjoyed the food Delphina brought.
A short while later, her hand tremors stopped. Delphina watched as a system message appeared.
<Save Aris>
The quest is temporarily paused.
While Delphina is away in the capital, the monster poison will not spread further.
The Grand Madam whispered in disbelief.
“This… my hand’s coming back. The monster poison stopped moving.”
Calyx nodded as if he expected this. Walton looked at her in awe.
A nearby doctor, alerted by Elcayan’s signal, began checking the Grand Madam’s condition. He mumbled in disbelief.
“A-Amazing. The poison has truly stopped. With this, Her Grace can endure until Your Grace returns from the capital.”
Calyx muttered proudly.
“It was Lady Delphina’s chicken that stopped the poison’s progress.”
Walton looked confused.
“Lady Delphina’s… chicken?”
“Yes. After she ate it, the Grand Madam’s tremors stopped. Her condition is clearly improving.”
Walton gasped.
“Could Lady Delphina… be a saint?”
“What?”
“I mean, food that carries divine power? Only a saint could do something like that.”
But Calyx cut him off sternly.
“That’s nonsense, Walton. Don’t say things like that.”
Elcayan and the Grand Madam agreed immediately.
“A saint? Please. It’s just that the food was too delicious. I happen to have a special constitution—good food heals me.”
“If she were a saint, the poison would be healed, not just paused. Delphina just delayed it. She’s not a saint.”
Their rejection was firm and immediate—almost intense.
Walton went quiet, sensing their mood. Everyone knew how obsessed the temple was with saints.
Even a hint of someone being a saint would lead them to drag that person to the temple, no matter what.
Elcayan glanced at Delphina with a tense look.
He was relieved the poison had stopped—but he knew there would be others who thought like Walton.
‘The rumors will spread no matter what.’
Without thinking, he grabbed Delphina’s hand.
If the “saint” rumor spread, it would be hard to keep Delphina away from the temple’s eyes.
‘I need to go finalize our engagement immediately.’
Delphina looked at him in surprise.
Elcayan was about to speak, looking like a man preparing for battle—but someone interrupted.
The Grand Madam took Delphina’s other hand, and spoke with passionate energy.
“Delphina, waiting to go to the capital for an engagement might take too long. Why don’t you just become my adopted daughter instead?”
“Adopted… daughter?”
“Yes. Since I’m from the East, the process could be faster. And if you really have such abilities, this would protect you better.”
Her words left the room in silence.
Everyone glanced nervously at Elcayan.
It was technically possible.
Everyone knew Delphina and Elcayan’s engagement was more political than romantic.
And marriage in the North was complicated—engagements needed approval from the capital.
Elcayan had royal blood, however faintly.
Meanwhile, the Grand Madam was prepared to adopt Delphina at any time, if she wished.
She narrowed her eyes at Elcayan.
He knew what she was thinking—that her idea was faster, more logical, and safer.
‘I already think of Delphina as my daughter. Her sincerity proves she’s worthy.’
But Elcayan replied firmly.
“We will proceed with the engagement.”
“Hm?”
“She will not become your adopted daughter.”
The Grand Madam frowned.
“Elcayan, why? Are you saying you’re okay if Delphina is taken by the temple?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then why oppose it? You’re not being greedy about power, are you? Or unwilling to share family wealth?”
“That’s not it either.”
“Good. I didn’t think my son was that kind of man. Still, I’ll adopt her.”
“You can’t.”
Her face hardened.
“Elcayan, what exactly are you trying to do here?”
Elcayan usually agreed with her. She was wise, and her opinions were almost always for the good of the North.
But this time, he stood his ground.
The tension between them grew. Neither backed down. They stared each other down fiercely.
Calyx just listened silently, a serious expression on his face. Delphina clenched her fists nervously.
‘They’re fighting because of me…’
She looked at Calyx with pleading eyes—hoping he would stop them.
Calyx noticed and smiled at her reassuringly. He nodded gently, as if to say:
<Calyx>
“Leave it to me, Lady Delphina!”
And then…
He egged them on from the sidelines.
