~Chapter 108~
Time passed.
Elcayan and the Grand Duchess wore black clothes.
The funeral was held in a solemn atmosphere.
No tears flowed from young Elcayan’s eyes. From the moment he learned of his father’s death, he had already become the Grand Duke who had to protect the North.
That was also when his chubby cheeks disappeared. Elcayan had no time to enjoy anything.
“You are still young. Isn’t the position of Grand Duke too heavy for you?”
“Think carefully about what it means to protect the North.”
They were lonely, painful days. Even the broad back of the Grand Duchess was not enough to fully support the young boy.
‘Elcayan must have suffered too.’
Of course he did.
Just as Delphina had suffered, he too lived through hardship. Even with the Grand Duchess at his side, there were many harsh moments.
Their childhoods were shattered under the desires of adults.
Delphina only pitied young Elcayan, who shed not a single tear.
Time flowed again.
Now, Piaje appeared, his eyes bloodshot red.
“I won’t let you go, Johannes. The one you care about most—I’ll destroy that person first.”
Delphina instantly knew who he meant.
‘The person Prince Johannes treasures most…’
It was her, Delphina.
<Trait – Heaven’s Secret has ended.>
Elcayan was listening to Issian’s report early in the morning.
“Tourists to the North are increasing. Hanging the Hydra’s head on the city wall seems to be effective. Truly, Your Grace’s foresight is remarkable.”
After a moment, Elcayan replied:
“Good.”
“Among the tourists, many are nobles. Their spending is considerable. We may need to increase the staff at Northern Chicken’s northern branch far more than expected.”
“I’ll give you authority. Hire as many as you need.”
Issian’s voice trembled with emotion.
“Truly, the North… now has the foundation to stand on its own. Not only from the mana stone business, but also from other sources of income, after the Monster Forest disappeared.”
“…”
“As a child, I always feared winter. The falling snowflakes felt so cruel. But now, winter no longer feels frightening.”
Issian’s face was filled with emotion.
“If the former Grand Duke could see this…”
He trailed off, realizing he had spoken too freely.
Elcayan pretended not to hear and only nodded. Issian quickly changed the subject.
“Releasing new menu items exclusively in the North has worked positively. What worries me is that His Majesty may one day forbid Northern Chicken from operating in the capital. But so far, there are no signs of that.”
If the Emperor interfered, things would become troublesome.
But strangely, the Emperor was favorable toward Delphina.
Delphina had a charm that drew people in.
‘Wherever she goes, people show her goodwill.’
Without realizing, people were drawn to her—just like the Northerners had been.
Elcayan narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Issian.
“Even the Emperor’s restraint toward Northern Chicken is thanks to Lady Delphina. He pretends otherwise, but I believe His Majesty truly enjoys her cooking. In fact, he secretly asked if new dishes from the North could be reserved only for him.”
“Only for himself?”
“Yes. He even sent a private letter asking if Lady Delphina could cook for him personally.”
Elcayan’s face hardened. Matters of Northern Chicken were outside his authority. He had entrusted all of it to Issian and Delphina. All he could do was listen to these reports.
“What does Delphina intend to do?”
“She said—even for His Majesty—she isn’t a personal chef. She can’t abandon Northern duties just to go to him.”
Unknowingly, Elcayan smiled with satisfaction.
“That’s good.”
Issian added cautiously: “Perhaps someday we could invite His Majesty to the North instead.”
“Yes. Delphina cannot always be the one going to him. She’s too busy.”
“Th-that’s right, of course.”
The Emperor was the busiest man in the Empire. Still, Issian was smart enough not to comment further.
“His Majesty also announced a grand hunting competition, to celebrate the conquest of the Monster Forest. He especially requested your participation.”
Elcayan frowned in displeasure.
“Such needless events…”
“Lady Delphina hopes you will join.”
“Honestly…”
At that moment, the Chief Attendant’s flustered voice came from outside the door.
“Your Grace!”
“What is it?”
“Lady Delphina has come to see you.”
Elcayan was surprised. Delphina had never visited him unannounced before.
“She may enter.”
The door opened. Delphina stepped in, her cheeks flushed as if she had come straight after preparing in the morning.
Elcayan immediately ordered Issian firmly:
“Leave us.”
Issian bowed and vanished quickly. Elcayan removed his outer coat and placed it over Delphina.
“Delphina, why have you come all the way here?”
She answered right away:
“I came because I wanted to see you.”
“You came… because you wanted to see me?”
“Yes.”
Delphina was confident.
She remembered her parents’ words in her dream. Life was too short not to speak honestly about love.
Her suspicions had turned into truth—she now knew who had orchestrated their tragedy. And she also knew Piaje might try to kill her at any time.
So she wanted to be honest, no matter what. For the future.
‘Life is unpredictable. Piaje could come for me at any moment. I don’t know when the memories God Frad showed me will come true.’
The image of Piaje grinding his teeth burned in her mind. The threat could happen any day.
‘That’s why I want to be honest.’
Elcayan stared at her with a blank face. But Delphina noticed—
His ears had turned red. This shy Grand Duke definitely liked her.
<God Frad asks if you need his help. He says he can tell you exactly what that man is thinking, with his hands on his hips.>
‘No, Lord Frad. Please don’t. This isn’t something someone else should tell me.’
<God Frad nods with a sulky expression.>
Elcayan’s answer was something Delphina never expected.
“Then… may I also come to see you whenever I want?”
“…What?”
His face was serious.
“I often want to see you, Delphina. But I’ve been holding myself back.”
“I-I didn’t know.”
“Yes. I hid it, so it wouldn’t burden you.”
His unexpected words left Delphina stunned. She never imagined such a stoic, cold man could say things like this.
‘So Elcayan can talk like this too.’
Thinking back, Elcayan had always been kind to her—completely different from how he treated others.
Delphina asked him:
“I had a dream about when I was young.”
At those words, Elcayan’s face stiffened. If it was about her childhood, it likely wasn’t a happy memory.
“No, no. It was a good memory. I don’t know if you would think so too, though.”
“A good memory?”
“When I often cooked food for you.”
“…”
“Why did you eat my bad cooking back then?”
“To be honest… if I said it tasted good, that would be a lie.”
Delphina laughed quietly. Truly, Elcayan was someone who couldn’t lie.
“But I thought the way you tried so hard to cook was admirable.”
Delphina froze for a moment.
Was this man… actually a master at this?
From earlier, every word out of his mouth felt like he was seducing her.
She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.
