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“A part of the body?”
At Count Ferdo’s question, Delsia nodded.
“When you say a part of the body…”
Count Ferdo trailed off, looking at Delsia. She swallowed hard. She had intentionally spoken vaguely, avoiding directly mentioning the heart, fearing his opposition—but her vague answer seemed only to pique his curiosity.
As she pondered what she could offer instead, thoughts of body parts that wouldn’t endanger life came to her mind.
“Yes… a little of my… fingernails and hair…”
“Do you really think you can bring someone back to life with something like that?”
This time, Arnold asked incredulously. In the end, she had lied to her family. Delsia nodded with a pale face. But she had no choice; if she hadn’t lied, she wouldn’t have been able to tell her family at all.
She silently whispered hundreds of apologies to herself.
“Delsia, honestly, I don’t understand. Bringing someone back to life with a few nails and hair—that’s like black magic, isn’t it?”
“No.”
“It’s not like you’re putting a beating heart back into someone. Using nails and hair to revive a dead person… that’s… too strange.”
Delsia’s heart sank at Arnold’s words, and her eyelashes trembled. Should she confess everything? Or would they forbid her from saving Edwin? The worry gnawed at her.
“Arnold, stop. Delsia wouldn’t lie to us,” Count Ferdo said.
“Of course, I assume so, but it’s just… a little strange,” Arnold replied.
“For now, Delsia, let’s discuss this again at dinner, okay? This is too sudden to make any decisions right now.”
“…Yes.”
Count Ferdo spoke warmly, smiling as he rose from his seat. He ruffled Delsia’s round head a couple of times before leaving the study with Arnold.
Delsia’s body trembled as she was left alone. She hated herself for lying to her family, even if it was to gain their approval. How could she face the family that had always worried about her, even in that moment? She blinked back the moisture in her eyes and got up, stepping out of the study.
“Father, I think—”
“Arnold, don’t be so negative. Delsia has no reason to lie to us—”
She could faintly hear Count Ferdo and Arnold’s conversation. A faint smile appeared on Delsia’s lips as she went upstairs to her bedroom. Sitting on the edge of her bed, chastising herself, she was joined by Ella.
“Miss, are you feeling unwell?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You look troubled. Is something worrying you?”
There were worries she couldn’t even share with Ella, which was why she kept quiet. Delsia shook her head weakly and held Ella’s hand tightly.
“Miss?”
“I realized I’ve never really held your hand like this, Ella.”
“Why… all of a sudden?”
“Just… we’ve known each other for a long time, but I haven’t really taken care of you carefully.”
Delsia smiled faintly as she spoke. Would there ever be a day when she could hold Ella’s small, warm hands again?
Judging from the conversation between Count Ferdo and Arnold, a positive outcome probably awaited her.
If she gave her heart to Edwin, she would never see Ella—or her family and the servants—again. She hadn’t prepared herself for that, and her heart ached.
Indeed, what she was willing to sacrifice and what those around her were willing to accept were completely different matters. She could close her eyes, thinking, I sacrificed for Edwin. It’s a reasonable choice. But the people left behind wouldn’t see it that way.
Thinking this way made her feel guilty toward Ella. She had never given Ella a proper break, always leaving her worried. Perhaps now was the time to give her a proper holiday.
It was also better for Ella to be away while this plan unfolded. Ella would notice Delsia’s state and thoughts too keenly, and the plan might be exposed.
Delsia looked down at Ella’s hand, her eyes heavy, and quietly said:
“Come to think of it, I’ve never given you a proper break.”
“Huh?”
“Ella, take a week off starting tomorrow.”
“But how could I leave you, Miss, especially when—”
Delsia interrupted firmly:
“It’s fine, Ella.”
“Miss, it’s sudden, and with the Count—”
“I’ll explain to Father myself. It’s fine. Just go.”
Ella’s face darkened slightly. Normally, she would have been excited to plan a trip, but something felt off. Delsia’s unusual demeanor worried her. Still, she nodded, thinking she should inform Count Ferdo about what Delsia said.
The day passed, and morning came. After breakfast, Delsia sat in the study with her family, looking somewhat tense. She realized her family might oppose her plan.
Moreover, their hesitant, careful manner as they waited to speak only added to her tension.
“Hmm, Delsia.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Before we discuss anything else, we should talk about Ella first.”
“…Ella?” Delsia asked, puzzled.
“Yes. I heard that you offered Ella a break. Of course, I’m not saying anything against it.”
“Then…”
“However, Ella said she was concerned because your expression didn’t look good when you offered her the holiday. So, I wanted to ask.”
Count Ferdo looked at Delsia with concern.
“Were you trying to keep something from Ella?”
“Yes?”
“Your plan to save Edwin.”
“…Ah.”
Only then did Delsia understand why Count Ferdo brought it up. He assumed her holiday offer was connected to that plan, though it wasn’t. She nodded, pretending his assumption was correct.
“Right, Delsia. I understood your intentions. I told Ella to take the holiday for now.”
“I’m sorry. I should have told you earlier…”
“It’s fine, Delsia. You have nothing to apologize for.”
After reassuring Delsia, Count Ferdo exchanged glances with Arnold and gave a small nod.
“Delsia.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve thought carefully about what you said—from multiple angles.”
“…Yes.”
Her face tensed at his words. Count Ferdo paused briefly before speaking.
“If hair and nails are truly all that’s required… then you may proceed as you wish.”
“R-Really?”
“But everything must be done in front of Father and Arnold. Understood?”
“…In front of Father and my brother?”
It was a difficult topic to respond to casually. In reality, it wasn’t just hair or nails—it was her heart that would be used. Seeing it might make Count Ferdo and Arnold panic, or worse, intervene before Edwin could be revived.
Delsia hesitated, and they waited, puzzled.
“Why the hesitation?”
“It’s….”
“Is it difficult?”
“N-No, it’s fine. I think I can do it.”
Fearing her family might change their minds, Delsia quickly assured them. She smiled slightly, feeling both relief and guilt. She had deceived her family, but at least she secured permission.
It was certain that her actions would be discovered on the day Edwin was revived, but she was grateful she could save him. She shivered at the thought of visiting Vianna that afternoon to inform her family and begin the revival.
After speaking with her family, Delsia returned to her bedroom. The joy of being able to save Edwin was brief; guilt and self-reproach soon followed.
She squeezed the hem of her dress tightly, thinking there was nothing to be done now. All she could do was pray for forgiveness as she silently apologized to herself, but first, she had to save Edwin.
To revive Edwin, who would be alone and cold…
Delsia spent the rest of the morning in that resolve.
