~Chapter 114~
Delphina thought to herself.
‘Even if Prince Ruan doesn’t know my teacher, talking with someone from the Eastern Empire isn’t a bad idea.’
She looked at the system window floating above his head.
<Prince Ruan of the Eastern Empire, Second Prince.>
Currently drowning in a huge misunderstanding.
Delphina took a step toward him. If there was a misunderstanding, it was something that could be cleared up.
Prince Ruan was full of complaints.
Coming to the Western Empire for this hunting competition had been fine. But the person he was looking for was nowhere to be seen.
‘So she really couldn’t come to the hunting competition, just like Father said?’
Father had said that his disciple was certainly a high-ranking noble.
But if she couldn’t even attend a place like this, it meant House Rikeion was still treating her badly.
He regretted not sending his informants first before coming straight to the hunting competition. Now he was only exchanging greetings and checking people’s identities—but he still couldn’t figure out who was who.
‘Who exactly is Father’s cherished disciple? I want to take her with me no matter what. Maybe not right now, but it’s not impossible.’
His father, Isthar, the one who ended the long civil war and brought peace, had once left behind a beloved disciple in the Western Empire.
After his children had grown, Isthar gave up all claim to the throne and lived as a free traveler. Though he had been one of the closest heirs to the throne, his elder brother had become Emperor.
Isthar had always longed for freedom since childhood. He threw away all chains and wandered the world.
But then, when Isthar’s brother the Emperor died, he had no choice but to return to the Eastern Empire.
‘And so Father eventually inherited the throne.’
Prince Ruan sighed. The way his father had fought his enemies then had been shocking. With overwhelming determination and political power, he had crushed his rivals mercilessly. It was truly iron-blooded.
Ruan deeply respected him for that.
And this disciple of Isthar’s was someone his father longed to see again. He wanted, more than anything, to bring her to the Eastern Empire.
‘Even though Father’s body became worn and muscular from overwork, the Eastern Empire was stabilized thanks to him.’
Ruan’s mission this time was to deliver a message to Delphina.
It wasn’t that Isthar had abandoned her on purpose. It was that he couldn’t take her into a place where she might die.
When Ruan had asked why he hadn’t told her everything, Isthar answered:
“She was already a child who had lost someone precious. Cowardly as it was, I couldn’t tell her I might die. She would have worried too much.”
Even during the civil war, Isthar had tried to send letters to Delphina.
But no replies ever came.
Isthar guessed the reason.
“The Rikeion family must have stopped my letters. They never liked Delphina having anyone precious to her.”
Isthar had also warned him:
“That girl won’t be able to attend the hunting competition. House Rikeion won’t let her out. If there is a Rikeion young lady here, it’ll be Evelina. She was the one who always bullied our Delphina.”
It had been so long since the Eastern and Western Empires had exchanged. That was why the Easterners didn’t know who the Western nobles were.
Coming straight to the hunting competition meant Ruan hadn’t even had a chance to get a portrait of this young lady Delphina.
‘Father told me to bring her back at all costs.’
Isthar had wanted to come himself, but since the civil war had only just ended, it was impossible for the Emperor to leave his throne.
So the heavy duty had fallen to Prince Ruan.
‘I must go to House Rikeion.’
But he couldn’t just take her by force. That would look like kidnapping a Western noble lady.
Even so, Prince Ruan’s heart burned to take Delphina away, even if it meant confronting the Western Emperor directly.
‘Once the hunting competition ends, my informants will bring me the information.’
When it was over, he would deliver his father’s will to the Western Emperor and then go to House Rikeion to bring Lady Delphina back.
‘I should stay as far away from the Rikeion Duke and his granddaughter as possible for now.’
That was his thought as he glanced at the young lady of House Rikeion.
Strangely, he couldn’t stop looking at her.
In fact, if the Duke of Rikeion hadn’t pointed to her and introduced her as his granddaughter, Ruan might have actually felt drawn to her.
‘To think such a kind-looking face could do such cruel things. Truly, you can never tell a person by their face alone.’
All he had to do was wait for the hunting competition to end, then go to their house, and take Lady Delphina away. After that, he would never have to see these people again.
That was what he believed.
But then, the Rikeion young lady suddenly approached him.
“Hello, Your Highness.”
Prince Ruan’s body stiffened. He wanted to speak sharply, but it was strangely difficult when faced with this girl who looked so gentle.
“Young Lady Rikeion, what business do you have?”
“Do you know me?”
“Yes. I’ve heard much about you.”
“You’ve heard a lot? But how could you know me, when I live here in the Western Empire?”
He tried to keep his voice cold. He had already heard how cruel Evelina Rikeion was.
‘To bully her younger sibling, to act so wicked—and then open those big eyes and pretend to be innocent and kind. Really…’
Again he reminded himself: never be fooled by appearances.
But it wasn’t easy. The rabbit-like girl looked up at him with those wide eyes, and every time he tried to be harsh, his heart softened.
“There are ways of knowing things.”
After saying that, he quickly turned his head away—making it clear he didn’t want to continue the conversation.
Prince Ruan was already famous in the Eastern Empire for being cold. Normally, once he rejected someone like this, they would never try again.
But Delphina calmly spoke once more.
“Does the food suit your taste?”
Prince Ruan glanced down at his plate.
It was empty except for the sauce. The chef from Northern Chicken had prepared the meal, and it had been so delicious that he had eaten everything without realizing it.
Feeling oddly embarrassed, he cleared his throat.
“Hmm.”
After the Emperor’s opening speech, he had proudly introduced this as his favorite food, inviting everyone to try it. The bright red, spicy meat dish had excited Ruan’s appetite.
And the sweet and savory noodle dish had been exactly to his taste.
‘The chef’s name was Walton, I think. He called this spicy ribs and japchae.’
Ruan wasn’t someone who lied.
“It was delicious.”
“I’m glad.”
“What do you mean, glad?”
“Well, Northern Chicken is run by me. If Your Highness enjoyed it, then the chef will be happy too.”
“You seem to know something about cooking.”
“Yes. Cooking is what I love most.”
“I don’t know much about the Western Empire, but I doubt many nobles take cooking as a hobby.”
“…”
“But it’s a fine hobby to have.”
Delphina’s face brightened, and she tried to keep the conversation going. Talking about food had made his expression much softer.
But then Piaje cut in.
“Prince Ruan doesn’t look like he wants to talk to you. Why are you bothering him?”
“…”
“Don’t be a nuisance.”
Prince Ruan kept silent.
In truth, he had been a little surprised at himself—because talking with the Rikeion young lady had almost started to feel enjoyable.
‘Get a hold of yourself, Ruan!’
