HRNGDS 81

~Chapter 81~

The door finally opened. Delphina’s eyes widened in surprise.

Pepper fluttered over and landed on her shoulder.

‘Delphina, I missed you. Kassen bullied me a lot! And Jerian has been really sick. Leila cried often because of it.’

Jerian was a handsome man with silver hair and blue eyes.
In Delphina’s memory, even though he was a wizard, he had a solid, muscular body.

He had been sharp-tempered and sensitive, yet still active.

Now, his face was pale and his body thin. The healthy boy Delphina once knew was gone.
Before her was only a young man who looked like he was waiting for death.

Delphina felt her emotions rise.
Seeing Jerian’s changed appearance hurt her heart.

But when Jerian saw her, he gave a playful smile.

“Delphina, it’s been a while.”

There wasn’t the slightest awkwardness despite their long separation.
He even felt warmer than before—back then, Jerian had often been frustrated with her.

“Yeah, it really has been a while.”

“I heard you broke off your engagement with Kassen and left for the North. See, I told you before he wasn’t the one. Objectively, Kassen is trash. I could give you 150 reasons for that. If you want, I can list them all right now.”

Jerian talked a lot—like a typical wizard, he loved to explain things.
Even sick, his mouth was still working fine.

Knowing his explanations could go on forever, Delphina shook her head.

“You don’t need to explain. I already know. Honestly, I knew before too, but I ignored it.”

“Well, I understand. I know all 56 situational reasons why you had to do that, so I’ll let it go. I get why someone as smart as you had to make that choice.”

“…”

“I’ve learned myself what it’s like when circumstances don’t match your brain. I know Kassen should never be given the title of Duke, but my body just won’t cooperate.”

Delphina’s expression stiffened.

“I was worried about you… but seeing your face, I guess I worried for nothing. Are you happy now?”

“Yeah, everyone in the Grand Duke of Rohime’s family is good to me.”

“I’m glad you’re happy. Ivelina joining our family isn’t great, but I trust our strict grandmother will deal with her.”

Jerian gave a teasing smile, then turned his eyes to Elcayan.

“Greetings, Your Grace.”

“Sir Jerian Fuat, this is our first meeting.”

“I met you once when you were with Prince Johannes at the academy.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, but it was just a quick greeting, so you might not remember. The Grand Duke doesn’t really pay attention to others. The fact that you didn’t remember me, even though I was being talked about as the heir of the Ducal House, proves it.”

“…”

“Well, you were too busy with the North to care about the South’s succession matters. And you probably knew I’d never be your enemy.”

Elcayan didn’t deny it.
It was true—he only saw people as either enemies, allies, or those not worth paying attention to. Jerian had been in that last category.

“You read people well.”

“Yeah. I worried a bit, but I guess it was for nothing.”

Jerian smiled faintly, relieved to have one less worry.

To him, Delphina was like a little sister he cared for.
He knew the Grand Duke’s personality—if Elcayan had no interest in her, he wouldn’t have come.

Following her here showed just how much the Grand Duke cared for Delphina.

And those warm eyes… Jerian shivered—they were unlike anything he could ever show.

Jerian sighed in relief.
It was good to know there was someone who would protect her.

“Can I talk to Delphina alone?”

Elcayan nodded easily.

Delphina was left alone with Jerian.

“Jerian, there’s a reason you wanted to be alone, right?”

“Yeah. I have something to tell you.”

“Something to tell me?”

“But first, let me ask—are you truly happy now? Does the Grand Duke treat you well? I’m just making sure you didn’t say that earlier because he was here. At least… he’s better than my brother.”

It was a sudden question.
Delphina knew she wasn’t in a purely blissful situation.
She liked Elcayan, but she wasn’t sure if the feelings were mutual.
He was always kind to her, but that didn’t mean it was love.

Even so, she could answer right away.

“Yeah, like I said earlier—I’m really happy now.”

She was happier than when she was in the Rikeion Ducal House or engaged to Kassen.

Jerian sighed. After hesitating, he spoke.

“Sorry, Delphina.”

“Sorry?”

“For talking carelessly back then without knowing your situation. I’ve always regretted it. I was frustrated—someone like you being with trash like Kassen.”

Delphina stayed silent.

Jerian was speaking like a man facing death.

“That’s not like you, Jerian. I preferred you being your usual sharp self. I thought you just wanted to show me your new magic circle.”

Jerian coughed awkwardly.
That wasn’t entirely wrong—he had perfected a magic circle and wanted to show it off.
But now, showing her felt meaningless.

“I’m about to die, so being prickly would be weird. I knew my mistake—I should’ve blamed Kassen more instead of snapping at you.”

“You bullied Kassen enough.”

Delphina shook her head. She understood why Kassen hated Jerian.

When Kassen’s name came up, Jerian’s face hardened.

“I wanted to meet you to talk about Kassen.”

“You have something to say about him?”

“Be careful of Kassen.”

Delphina tilted her head.

“I’m already careful. Even after cheating with Ivelina, he still seems hung up on me.”

“That’s exactly why you should be more careful. That guy… he’s using some strange power. Of course, it’s only my suspicion. But since I’d be the one whose death benefits him most…”

From his words, Delphina realized Jerian knew his own situation.

“Remember how my brother’s behavior was pathetic recently? Even Grandmother scolded him a few times. After that, my health declined rapidly.”