~Chapter 32~
Delphina realized something strange—Kasen now looked… average to her.
It wasn’t that his face had changed. It was her eyes—after seeing Elcayan, her perspective had completely shifted.
“I guess there’s no need to worry about Delphina anymore,”
Elcayan said with a smug smile Kasen must have found really annoying.
Delphina recognized that smile well.
‘That’s the smile of someone who knows they’re good-looking. He only uses it when he knows he’s completely won.’
Elcayan knew Kasen couldn’t compete with him in terms of appearance.
Kasen had clearly lost all will to fight. Not surprising.
‘Kasen was always confident in his looks. He’s probably never met anyone better looking than him.’
He was known as the most handsome noble in the capital, after all.
Delphina glanced down from the balcony. Ivelina had been watching them from below.
Her reaction wasn’t much different from Kasen’s. She stared at Elcayan like her soul had left her body.
If anything, she looked more shocked than Kasen.
Delphina thought:
‘Yep. Being good-looking wins every time.’
Any idea that Elcayan’s looks didn’t matter? Completely gone now.
Then Elcayan said to Kasen:
“I’d like to spend time with my fiancée. Don’t you think it’s time you stopped clinging to your ex?”
Kasen’s face turned red—but he couldn’t come up with a reply.
Elcayan naturally took Delphina’s hand and started walking.
✦ ✦ ✦
As they walked, Delphina noticed Elcayan’s ears were red.
‘He must be really angry about what just happened.’
She followed silently until Elcayan suddenly stopped.
“I’m sorry.”
“Huh?”
“For grabbing your hand like that. If it made you uncomfortable, please tell me.”
“Oh—no, it’s fine,”
she quickly shook her head.
Actually, she was in a great mood.
Seeing Kasen’s pride in his appearance completely shattered felt amazing.
He probably thought he was the best-looking noble in the Empire his whole life. But Elcayan had crushed that belief.
“You only did it to help me. I know there were no feelings behind it.”
“That’s…”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I’m not shameless enough to misinterpret your kindness.”
“You don’t have to think that deeply about it…”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to comfort me. I really am fine, Your Grace.”
Elcayan looked at her quietly. Then his lips moved.
“Call me Elcayan.”
“…What?”
“It’s better than calling me ‘Your Grace.’”
“Alright. Elcayan. Since we’re engaged now, it does sound too formal. It’s better for appearances, too—for our perfect fake relationship.”
Elcayan pressed his lips together tightly.
Delphina thought:
‘It’s not good to feel too distant. We are tied together through a contract, after all.’
He gently let go of her hand, very slowly.
Delphina tilted her head.
‘Why does it feel like he’s taking forever to let go?’
She forced herself to focus.
‘This isn’t the time for that.’
It was almost time for the Grand Madam’s meal.
Even though she had started eating again, she refused to eat unless Delphina made the food.
“I should go prepare the Grand Madam’s dinner. Please excuse me.”
✦ ✦ ✦
That evening, Delphina went to see the Grand Madam—and Elcayan came with her.
‘How did I end up in this situation?’
The Grand Madam had summoned them after hearing rumors about what the Rikaion family had done.
She grabbed Delphina’s hand and asked,
“Delphina, is it true that man grabbed your wrist?”
Delphina nodded.
‘I have to be honest. Otherwise, it might look like I’m helping the Rikaion family.’
So she told her everything—what Kasen said and how he acted.
“Actually, it’s not the first time.”
“He kept trying to contact me, even after I came to the North.”
“Ugh…”
Even when angry, the Grand Madam stayed elegant. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief, frowning.
Suddenly, a system window popped up:
<Aris Roheim’s True Thoughts>
‘XX,XXXXXXXXXXX.’
The system had a strange habit of translating even the angry muttering.
‘This kind of thing doesn’t need to be translated…’
The Grand Madam looked angrier than Delphina had ever seen her—but she still smiled politely.
Then she asked Elcayan:
“Elcayan, did you just let them leave? There was something you were supposed to do, wasn’t there?”
<Aris Roheim’s True Thoughts>
‘You should’ve cut off his head. XXXXXXXX.’
“…”
“You should’ve at least punched him in the face. How dare he grab Delphina’s wrist? Can’t you see the bruise?”
Elcayan lowered his head, looking genuinely remorseful.
“It’s not too late. Go throw him to the wolves.”
Elcayan nodded and started to leave.
Delphina began to feel like she was the strange one.
‘But Kasen is still a noble… If we throw him to wolves, that would be a political disaster…’
‘She’s joking… right?’
But both the Grand Madam and Elcayan looked completely serious.
‘At least Elcayan already punched him—with his face.’
Crushing Kasen’s pride with his appearance had been enough.
“Wait a moment.”
Delphina gently held onto Elcayan’s sleeve.
“I’d rather deal with him properly—legally. Not with violence.”
The Grand Madam looked touched.
“Oh, Delphina… How are you this kind?”
“I want Ivelina to experience the taste of power. And I want to see Kasen in a tough spot too. I’m not going to be the only one who suffers. I want them to feel what I felt.”
Then she added,
“If Elcayan and I ever go to the capital, we’ll probably see them again.”
“True. We can throw him to the wolves later if needed. But first, let’s pour hot tea on their heads.”
Delphina didn’t think the Grand Madam was joking—she probably would do it.
“Next time I see them, I’ll dump a bucket of wine on their heads. That should get the message across.”
Delphina nodded. Honestly, seeing that wouldn’t be too bad. She didn’t feel the need to stop her.
Then the Grand Madam turned to Elcayan.
“By the way, how long are you staying?”
“…?”
“Bringing Delphina was your job. Now go back—you must be busy preparing for winter.”
“…”
“I want some alone time with Delphina. So off you go.”
“…Understood.”
Elcayan sensed something odd, but the Grand Madam was too smooth with her dismissal.
He nodded politely and stood up.
The Grand Madam clicked her tongue as he left.
She waved Delphina over.
“Come here, Delphina. Let’s have some strawberry cake together. Walton made it—it’s delicious.”
Delphina blushed.
Walton’s desserts were always amazing. Her eyes locked onto the cake in front of the Grand Madam.
<Strawberry Cake Walton Made for the Grand Madam>
Grade: B
Walton is sometimes surprised by his own baking skills.
This cake, made to please the Grand Madam, glows with flavor and dedication.
Delphina took a bite. The soft, fluffy cake melted on her tongue.
It felt like she was floating on a cloud.
It was so delicious, it made her forget all about Ivelina and Kasen.
✦ ✦ ✦
The Rikaion family had completely left. Now, Delphina and Elcayan began preparing to head to the capital.
“We have to go to the capital,”
Elcayan said.
“We need official approval for our engagement. And we need to visit the priests to ask for help with my mother’s illness. We have to move quickly—before winter arrives.”
