~Chapter 48~
Delphina didn’t know much about the High Priest.
‘I’ve never met him in person, but I heard he’s weak-hearted.’
She could somewhat guess why he had that kind of personality.
<God Prad vows he will educate him properly through Sestia this time.>
‘Okay… I’ll trust you.’
Delphina turned and saw Sestia standing behind her, her big eyes sparkling as she looked at Delphina.
Ahin must be with Elcayan by now. Everything was ready.
Delphina remembered what Elcayan had told her:
“Delphina, just think of the banquet as something to enjoy.”
“Enjoy the banquet?”
“Yes. Don’t worry about anything. Just… enjoy yourself and come back. You don’t need to care about what others say or about blessings.”
He had added:
“If anyone dares to say anything weird because of the blessing result…”
Delphina had noticed the murderous look in his eyes at that moment.
Sana and Sestia were the same.
“Fight and unite!”
“Down with Ivelina!”
It seemed Elcayan was worried Delphina would be disappointed if she didn’t receive the blessing at the autumn banquet.
‘Elcayan knows too. He thinks Ivelina will get the blessing.’
There must already be a predetermined candidate for the blessing.
‘But I’m not going to the banquet for that reason anyway.’
Her eyes turned toward Ahin and Sestia. Both of them had talents that were approved by the system.
The hard part would be just getting the children in front of the High Priest. After that, everything would go smoothly.
‘It’s the first time I’m actually looking forward to a banquet.’
Banquets had always been bad memories for Delphina.
After receiving Ivelina’s letter, those memories resurfaced even more vividly.
She only remembered the mean words she used to hear:
“Delphina, your dress is always the same, isn’t it? Do you only own one?”
“How can you be Ivelina’s older sister looking this rustic? It’s so embarrassing. Ivelina is so kind for even calling you her sister.”
‘Some of the people who mocked me back then will be at the banquet hall.’
Those who had laughed at, ignored, and bullied her.
They were the nobles aligned with the noble faction and always hung around Ivelina.
Delphina clenched her fists tightly.
Elcayan’s voice came from in front of her.
“Delphina, what are you thinking so hard about?”
She looked at him and instantly blushed.
‘Elcayan… you’re way too handsome. Isn’t it unfair to look like this and dress up even more?’
Without his mask, Elcayan was dangerously heart-stopping.
‘Maybe he wore that mask because he was too good-looking?’
Delphina shook off the thought.
But then she noticed he kept avoiding her gaze, and the tips of his ears were red.
She smiled softly. She had once found him scary and intimidating, but she couldn’t even remember when that changed.
Elcayan whispered quietly:
“That dress suits you perfectly.”
Delphina nodded. She had to agree.
‘Of all colors, it had to be light pink again.’
It was similar to the dress she’d worn at the graduation banquet at the academy.
But now, she wasn’t afraid.
She reached out her hand to Elcayan.
“Let’s go, Elcayan.”
The autumn banquet began early in the day. The hall was filled with people whose names everyone knew.
The emperor sat there looking as timid as ever, and the empress was beside him.
Next to her were the two princes: the First Prince Johannes and the Second Prince Piaget.
Piaget smirked at Johannes.
“Aren’t you curious, brother? Will the Saintess finally appear this time?”
Johannes, his eyes hollow, replied:
“How could I possibly know that?”
“She hasn’t shown up in over twenty years. I’d say the chances are slim again.”
Piaget smiled like a victor. Johannes just stared at him blankly.
“It’s unfortunate for you, isn’t it? You don’t get along with Senior Priest Hadin, after all.”
Johannes shrugged.
“That’s true. I couldn’t stop myself when I saw him spill wine on Delphina at her graduation banquet.”
After watching Hadin humiliate Delphina at the banquet, Johannes had followed him and punched him straight in the face.
Piaget clicked his tongue mockingly.
“See? You never know how things turn out. Who would’ve guessed the second son of a Viscount would become High Priest? You should’ve lived a bit more… nicely.”
Johannes muttered listlessly:
“Yeah, yeah. You’re always right.”
But he didn’t regret it for a second. Delphina had looked so miserable at that banquet.
So Piaget’s taunts didn’t really hurt him.
Johannes’ eyes never left the entrance.
Ivelina arrived at the banquet hall and headed straight toward where her friends were gathered.
Delphina wasn’t there yet.
‘Trying to act like the main character today, huh? She’s actually late.’
Her eyes grew cold.
Delphina was never welcomed at banquets. No one even dared speak to her because they were worried about Ivelina’s opinion. Today would be no different.
“Ivelina, welcome!”
“Oh my, you look stunning again today.”
They were the same friends who had bullied Delphina with her during the academy days.
Daughters of a Marquis and a Count, they had always moved in a group with Ivelina.
Their faces were full of anticipation. The noble faction had spread the news widely that the Northern Duke’s people would be attending the banquet.
“Did you hear? The Northerners are coming today.”
“Yes, I heard! It’s going to be so fun.”
The young ladies’ eyes shone.
“I’ve never seen the Duke’s face in person.”
“I heard he’s so hideous that’s why he never leaves the North.”
“There must be a reason he’s hidden his face all this time.”
They were dying to see the “monster” known as the Duke of Rohaim.
Most noble young women in the Empire had considered themselves lucky not to have been married off to him.
They didn’t want to live in the frigid North, and they certainly didn’t want to marry a man rumored to be ugly.
The North was a harsh place, after all.
“Becoming the Grand Duchess is an honor for Delphina. No one else would’ve wanted to marry her.”
“Lady Janna, you’re so mean. But… it is true.”
“After seeing Kassen, do you think Delphina will ever be satisfied with someone else?”
They laughed openly at Delphina.
Ivelina didn’t correct them.
‘There’s no need to tell them the Northern Duke isn’t ugly.’
She hadn’t told anyone about what had happened in the North.
If people knew she’d been humiliated and chased out, there would be nothing worse.
‘We’re being sued, but our legal team will handle it.’
Ivelina smiled awkwardly instead of answering.
