HRNGDS 62

~Chapter 62~

The Duke frowned. Sophia wasn’t the only spy he had sent to the Grand Duke’s house.

All of them had reported that Delphina and Elcayan weren’t close. The Duke wondered if they had lied to him. If so, it would be a big problem—his spies at the Grand Duke’s house would be useless.

“I thought Delphina stopped obeying us because she broke free from black magic. I wanted to know how she did it. If it was because of strong love, then if that love disappears, the black magic might come back.”

The Duchess shrugged.

“Even if the Grand Duke is handsome, is that really enough to break black magic?”

“Well, we’ll know soon. Didn’t we prepare only one room for them? If they aren’t close, they’ll ask for separate rooms.”

The Duke gritted his teeth nervously. The Duchess spoke in a soft voice, telling him not to worry.

“If things go your way, that’s good. If Delphina feels betrayed by Elcayan, things will be easier for us. She’ll go back to being the old Delphina.”

Just then—

“What are you talking about?”

Ivelina, who had been quietly listening, spoke up with a sharp voice.

“Why did you give them one room? I heard they always used separate rooms at the Grand Duke’s house.”

“That’s just what Sophia told us. That maid hasn’t contacted us in a while, right? Her information can’t be trusted anymore.”

“But…!”

The Duke warned Ivelina in a serious voice.

“Ivelina, be nice to Delphina. You must also apologize to her.”

Ivelina’s eyes widened.

“Be nice to Delphina? Why should I apologize to her?”

“Like I said before, your grandfather is coming here!”

The Duke bit his lower lip.

“How could Grandfather tell me to apologize to her?”

He looked at Ivelina with disappointment. She didn’t understand the situation. Delphina had changed a lot since leaving, and now had many people on her side.

Calix, a strong swordmaster, and even the Saintess liked Delphina.

‘And if Father comes here, we’ll be in real trouble.’

If Delphina wanted to take back the family after breaking free from the black magic…

‘If she tells Father everything we’ve done to her…’

Just thinking about it was frightening. Alfonso, his father and Delphina’s grandfather, still had great influence.

‘He still has the family seal. If he wants to remove me, he can.’

The Duke was especially nervous because of some secret news he had received.

‘Maybe Father is thinking clearly now. If he finds out what we’ve done to Delphina, he won’t forgive me.’

The Duke knew he couldn’t handle Alfonso’s anger.

The Duchess tried to calm him.

“If Delphina says she’s fine, what can Father do? You worry too much. She can’t go against you.”

“But isn’t it strange? Delphina seems to have overcome that power.”

The thought scared him.

What if Delphina had truly broken free from the black magic?

The Duke’s face turned pale. He had always been afraid of his father. If his father wanted, he could use the elders’ council to take away his position.

‘I can’t let that happen until Delphina is gone.’

He regretted sending Delphina to the North. He never thought she’d be able to break the spell.

The Duke shouted at Ivelina,

“Calix is on Delphina’s side. And not just him—the High Priest and the Saintess are also close to her. Hardin messed up everything.”

“So what!”

“That’s why you have to persuade Delphina. Do you want everything to go wrong? Do you want to lose the family again?”

Ivelina shut her mouth, unhappy. She couldn’t understand why her parents were so worried.

She shouted confidently,

“Then I’ll just win over the Grand Duke!”

“What are you saying?”

“Just like I won Kassen’s heart, I’ll win over the Grand Duke too!”

The Duke sighed deeply.

“Are you sure you really won Kassen’s heart?”

Ivelina’s face turned red.

“I heard he’s been avoiding you since the banquet.”

“That’s…”

“Your influence in high society isn’t as great as you think.”

And that was true.

After the banquet, Ivelina’s reputation had hit rock bottom.

She remembered what Kassen had said to her:

“It’s better if we don’t see each other for a while. I’m confused and need time to think.”

Ivelina wasn’t stupid. She knew Kassen was confused because of Delphina.

‘He’s attracted to Delphina.’

Even though she knew it, she didn’t want to admit that everything she thought she owned was just an illusion.

The Duchess tried to comfort Ivelina.

“Don’t be too hard on her, dear. Ivelina feels wronged. Maybe Kassen is just going through a phase. Men’s hearts waver all the time.”

“…”

“Besides, Kassen spent a long time with Delphina, so it’s natural for him to feel attached. He’ll get over it soon.”

She smiled and grabbed Ivelina’s shoulders.

“If you can win over the Grand Duke, that’s even better. You haven’t known him long, unlike Kassen and Delphina.”

“…”

“For the Grand Duke, making a deal with our family might be more attractive than just being with Delphina. Just like with Kassen.”

Ivelina’s face brightened. She felt like her mother was the only one who really understood her.

“Right, Mother?”

“Of course. First, win the Grand Duke’s heart. After that, you can choose between Kassen and the Grand Duke. When this is all over, our family’s position will be higher than ever.”

The Duke held his aching head. He thought his wife and daughter’s plan was foolish.

“This is no time to talk about such things! If Father comes back and Delphina tells him what we’ve done, we’ll be in serious trouble!”

The Duchess quietly smiled.

“You’ve always been too afraid of Alfonso. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”

“…”

“Alfonso hasn’t come to the family home in years. Do you really think he’ll show up now? That’s impossible. It could all be just a rumor.”

The Duke sighed at her strong words.

He was worried, but the Duchess thought he was just overreacting.

To her, Alfonso was too far gone in black magic to ever be a threat again.

Even if he came to the estate, she didn’t believe he could break free and help Delphina.