~Chapter 121~
Delphina and Elcayan were on their way back to the North.
Delphina’s eyes turned to the window.
The first time she went to the North, the roads were so bumpy that traveling by carriage had been difficult.
But now, the roads were smooth and flat.
Elcayan smiled faintly.
“Road maintenance has been done very well.”
“Yes, it changed so quickly.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Delphina.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“If trade with the Eastern Empire begins, the North will become even more prosperous.”
The North was the region closest to the Eastern Empire. If exchanges began, as Elcayan said, they would no longer need to fear winter.
Delphina nodded. “We just need the trial to end now.”
“Yes. But Prince Johannes said he would finish it quickly.”
“If it’s His Highness handling it, I can trust him.”
Delphina nodded again. Perhaps because she was returning to the North, it finally felt real that everything had been resolved.
The trial of Piaje and Yuria was still underway. When it ended, they would be transferred to the North.
Delphina carefully touched the Wish Ticket hidden inside her pocket. She looked out the window, lost in thought.
She didn’t know what to use the wish for.
‘When I first received the quest, I had so many wishes I wanted. But now… everything I wanted has already been resolved.’
She remembered her family—wanting freedom, wanting revenge. But after receiving the Wish Ticket, all those desires had already been answered.
She thought about the events that had happened.
Piaje and Yuria, desperate to reduce their punishment, started exposing each other’s secrets.
Through that, it was revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Rikeion were also involved in black magic.
So too, the truth about Delphina’s parents’ deaths came to light.
‘Black magic always leaves traces. Once the temple began tracking it, they couldn’t hide anymore.’
Piaje and Yuria confessed themselves, but the crimes were too severe. They could not avoid punishment.
Even Delphina’s uncle and aunt (the Rikeion couple) were now facing stronger punishments.
She remembered Alfonso’s words to her:
“If you’re thinking of me, don’t worry. Stronger punishment for them is fine.”
Her grandfather too had said:
“I no longer think of the man who harmed our family as a son.”
Johannes, soon to be Crown Prince, had told Delphina that if she wished, he could sentence them to death.
But Delphina knew:
“Sometimes, life is more painful than death. Let them live and atone.”
The Duke and Duchess of Rikeion hated physical labor. Forcing them to live without noble treatment, working in the freezing northern mines—that would be more miserable than execution.
She thought of Ivelina, whose health was worsening while working in the North.
And she thought of Kasen too.
The temple had discovered Kasen’s black magic traces and revealed his attempt to kill Jerian.
Delphina recalled Jerian’s recent letter:
[I always knew my brother was hopeless trash, but seeing it confirmed feels strange.
I would have cast him out when I became heir anyway, but he ruined himself first.
Of course, he’s been expelled from the family. He’ll serve a long time in the dungeon and then be sent to the western mountains, where he’ll spend his life killing monsters.
Is that too easy for his crimes? I asked for it myself. I know him better than anyone—he’s extremely obsessed with cleanliness.
Imagine him covered in monster blood every day. That alone will torment him more than death.
Our parents fainted when they learned the truth. They couldn’t accept that their eldest son was such a disgrace.
But still, they thank you. They didn’t say everything, but they know I survived thanks to you.
Because of you, our house and the North will have a good relationship for a long time.
Thank you, Delphina.]
Kasen’s punishment was fitting, and Delphina agreed with Jerian’s decision.
She tightened her grip on the Wish Ticket.
‘My restaurant dream is already fulfilled… What should I use this for?’
In the past, she would have wished for a real family. But now, only Alfonso remained.
She smiled bitterly.
Yet strangely, she no longer felt lonely or empty.
‘That’s right. I never truly had a family before.’
Even so, realizing that all of her fake family was now gone left her with mixed feelings.
But she wasn’t anxious about the future. Elcayan had told her she would never be alone again.
She touched the necklace he had given her. Each time she felt it, her heart warmed.
‘Yes. I’m not alone anymore.’
When she lived with the Rikeion family, she always felt lonely.
But now, in the North, she finally knew what it meant to be loved.
The carriage stopped.
Elcayan stepped down first and offered his hand.
“We’ve arrived home, Delphina.”
She took his hand and stepped out.
Her eyes widened at the sight before her.
The first person she saw was the Grand Madam, holding a large sign. Beside her, the servants of the Lohaim estate also held signs.
<Welcome Delphina!>
<We missed you, Lady Delphina!>
<Held our breath until you returned!>
Delphina burst out laughing without meaning to.
‘These people… are my family now.’
The Grand Madam beamed and shouted:
“Delphina, next time you go to the capital, take me with you! I nearly died from missing you. Leave the North to Elcayan!”
Delphina threw herself into the Grand Madam’s arms.
“I missed you!”
At first, the Grand Madam looked surprised, but then she smiled warmly and patted Delphina’s back.
It was rare for Delphina to act so affectionately.
Then, while hugging Delphina, the Grand Madam cast sharp eyes at Elcayan.
Their gazes spoke silently:
‘You didn’t make Delphina suffer, did you?’
‘No, I did not.’
‘Then why is she acting like this?’
Elcayan shook his head quickly.
‘She just missed you, Mother.’
‘Hmph. I feel the same. Don’t think you can fool me so easily.’
Even as she continued hugging Delphina, the Grand Madam’s suspicious eyes stayed on Elcayan.
‘We’ll talk later.’
