HRNGDS 87

~Chapter 87~

Sestia wasn’t the kind of person who would tell a sick man he wouldn’t live long.

‘Even for me, saving him is impossible.’

Those with holy power could tell immediately, upon seeing a patient, whether their wounds could be healed or not.

Just like how Sestia couldn’t restore Kassen’s baldness.

The High Priest asked her,
“How is it, Saintess?”

“I don’t know about others, but I could feel it. Just as Lady Delphina said, there’s definitely the power of something foul here.”

The High Priest sighed. Jerian’s face also hardened.

“To purify the power of evil is impossible with our strength. You might be the only one who can stand against it, Saintess, but you alone cannot bear the causality.”

“But I can’t just stand by and do nothing. If this really is the power of evil, I must heal him—even if I have to bear the causality myself.”

“No, Saintess. Your life is more important than Jerian’s. You do not need to bear the causality for one person.”

Sestia stayed silent.

Indeed, this wasn’t something she could decide on her own.

Delphina quietly raised her hand.
“About that… I might be able to help.”

“You, Lady Delphina?”

“Yes. I think my food can cancel out that thing called causality.”

The High Priest’s mouth fell open in shock.

Delphina met Elcayan’s eyes. They had already discussed telling the High Priest and Sestia about the secret of her cooking.

‘They already suspected it anyway.’

After eating Delphina’s food, both of them had felt their holy power increase.

“I think Lord Frad cancels out the causality through my cooking. He always gives me missions.”

“…”

“When I cook to fulfill those missions, the blessings of Lord Frad are in the food.”

“My goodness…”

The High Priest looked about ready to faint. Sestia, as if she had expected this, grabbed Delphina’s hands and spun her around.

“As expected, Lady Delphina, I knew you were special. I felt fate the moment I saw you.”

“Fate?”

“Yes. A kind of intensity between those loved by Lord Frad.”

Delphina smiled faintly. Sestia’s behavior was just too cute. She patted Sestia’s head.

Then, Elcayan carefully took Delphina’s hand.

She looked at him in surprise—it was the first time he had initiated physical contact.

He asked,
“Delphina, then… are you alright?”

“Hm?”

“If your cooking cancels out causality, I worry if you are safe when you cook.”

Delphina’s eyes widened. She had never even thought about that. But if it harmed her body, her system window would have warned her.

‘Not that there’s no penalty at all…’

It seemed Lord Frad balanced her causality through quests. Just then, as if to reassure her, the system window appeared:

<Lord Frad treasures His apostle greatly.>

“I’m fine, Elcayan,” she answered.

Only then did he let out a breath of relief. Delphina tilted her head, puzzled.

He seemed upset even at the mere thought that she might get hurt. Slowly, he released her hand.

Her hand felt hot where he had touched it.

She covered her face with her hands—she didn’t want Elcayan to see her flushed cheeks.

‘I hope he doesn’t notice.’

Just then, Sestia suddenly lowered her head.
“I’m sorry, Lady Delphina. I was so excited about breaking the black magic that I didn’t think you might be hurt.”

“It’s alright, Sestia. Anyone would have reacted that way.”

Delphina felt relieved the topic had shifted. At least no one would notice her red face. Sestia and the High Priest were focused entirely on her words, missing the subtle tension between her and Elcayan.

Only Jerian narrowed his eyes, watching the two.

He alone noticed the faint atmosphere between them. Elcayan’s face hardened when he realized Jerian was staring.

‘He used to be such a bad person…’ Jerian thought.

Elcayan never cared about anyone else—except Delphina.

Even pointing out something the Saintess hadn’t noticed first.

Jerian knew why.
‘It’s because he likes her.’

He was glad Elcayan could see Delphina’s true worth. The reason Jerian had been angry with his brother was because Kassen never realized what a good person she was.

‘Delphina was too good for Kassen.’

Sometimes Jerian regretted it. If he had been engaged to Delphina, he wouldn’t have treated her like Kassen did.

He genuinely wished for her happiness.

Delphina came closer to him with a bright face.
“Jerian, you liked spicy food, right? Specifically spicy and greasy food.”

“Yes, before I got sick, I did.”

“Alright. I know exactly what to make now. It’s not food for a patient, but… if this really is black magic, you’ll get better right away.”

“Really?”

“You’ll probably enjoy it.”

“I hope so.”

Delphina clenched her fist in determination. Jerian looked at her with new eyes.

He realized for certain—Delphina loved cooking more than magic. Her eyes sparkled more when thinking about what to cook than when drawing a magic circle.

Jerian smiled faintly.

He had many reasons to live—not only the future of the Fuat family and his worried relatives, but also… Delphina.

But now he thought he would be alright. The Delphina he knew in the past and the Delphina now were completely different.

“You’ve always been good with your hands, so you must be a great cook too.”

Delphina grinned confidently.
“Sestia, let’s go together. I have something to test.”

Delphina, Sestia, and the High Priest left. Now only Jerian and Elcayan remained in the room.

They locked eyes. Jerian smirked.

Elcayan’s gaze felt icy and hard—completely different from when Delphina was there.

In fact, Jerian liked him more because of that. Elcayan was cold to everyone except Delphina and the people of the North.

‘Much better than Kassen, who smiled kindly at everyone but was cold to Delphina.’

Jerian shrugged.
“Your Grace, aren’t you being too cold? You’re a completely different person from when Delphina’s here.”

Elcayan didn’t reply and simply turned away.

Jerian liked that too—and laughed.

Jerian’s condition grew worse. Sitting up in bed was now a struggle.

And then, the Duke and Duchess of Fuat arrived at the estate.