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“Delsia, if that is your wish…”
Delsia’s eyes widened at her father’s words. Evening had come, and she had barely noticed the passing hours, so consumed was she by unease.
Sitting tensely at the dinner table, Delsia listened as Count Perdo spoke carefully.
“It pains this father’s heart… but considering how little time you have left… I think it would be best to let you do as you wish.”
There was a quiet addendum in his words, laden with disappointment and sadness. Delsia, fully aware of it, pressed her lower lip between her teeth and fought back tears.
“Delsia, why are you crying? This father is fine. Truly, I am fine.”
Count Perdo smiled gently and clinked the dishes, signaling the start of the meal. Arnold, who had remained silent in accordance with his father’s wishes, began to chew his food carefully.
Even as he ate, Arnold’s gaze remained fixed on his frail younger sister.
After dinner, Arnold would head to the training grounds, while Count Perdo and Delsia planned to stroll through the gardens and talk.
Delsia, unable to walk alone without assistance, was about to be followed by Ella, but Count Perdo stopped her.
“I will help Delsia; it’s alright.”
With that, Count Perdo gently held Delsia’s hand. She smiled, feeling the warmth of his large, comforting hand.
Delsia was somewhat excited for this rare walk. Count Perdo shared in her quiet delight, but the melancholy of knowing she would soon be sent to the Ducal house weighed on him, keeping his cheerfulness subdued.
“Delsia, Delsianor.”
“…Yes, Father.”
“This father worries that you may be hurt there, or that only distressing things might happen.”
“It’ll be fine.”
Even thinking about it made Count Perdo’s head ache. The small hand he was holding might have to reach for a handkerchief to wipe away tears, and the thought alone tore at his heart.
“If Duke Adelio treats you harshly, Delsia, your heart will surely be wounded… yet you truly wish to go?”
“That’s not a problem.”
Delsia hid her true feelings. She would inevitably be hurt, but she prioritized not wanting to be a burden to her family. She forced herself to smile, suppressing her deeper anxieties.
Seeing her smile, Count Perdo squeezed her hand. Delsia responded, holding his hand tightly in return.
“Are you alright, brother? You must have been surprised too. I… I feel I didn’t take proper care of you.”
“Oh, Delsia. You were worried about Arnold? He is alright.”
“…I hope he stays that way.”
Even knowing that Arnold might feel guilty because of her actions, Delsia could not change her mind.
Slowing her pace, she looked at her father. His eyes, the same shade of blue as hers, shone warmly back at her.
“Is it tiring to walk?”
Delsia nodded at the gentle question. With such a reassuring hand guiding her, how could she feel weary? They walked half a loop around the garden before ending the stroll.
After a walk where neither fully revealed their inner thoughts, Delsia returned to her bedroom. Count Perdo himself had escorted her.
He stayed by her side, claiming he would watch over her until she slept. The sight reminded Delsia of her childhood, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Good night, Delsia.”
“…Good night, Father.”
Watching Delsia tuck herself under the covers, Count Perdo’s eyes glowed with warmth.
He gently stroked her head. The tender gesture soon lulled Delsia to sleep.
“Our Delsia…”
Count Perdo recalled the little girl who had once braided her blonde hair to imitate an angel.
“When did you grow up so much…”
The child who had chirped that she could become an angel just by wearing white had grown before his eyes. He reached out, caressing her soft hair.
“Please… please don’t suffer.”
Though belated, the plea was all the more earnest. He could tolerate anything, but seeing Delsia in pain was unbearable.
Watching her sleep peacefully, Count Perdo choked back his emotions.
“…I love you, Delsia.”
Suppressing the lump in his throat, he finally spoke and slowly rose. Yet, he could not immediately leave the room, as if his feet were anchored to the ground. The weight of his love and concern held him there.
On a night when the full moon rose high, Count Perdo’s heart was like a lake rippled by the wind.
Early the next morning, Delsia insisted on leaving the house, complaining that staying indoors made her restless and listless. Count Perdo hesitated, suggesting a simple walk, but Delsia clarified she wanted to go out—not just a stroll.
After some struggle, he sighed and reluctantly agreed.
“You must go with Arnold, understood, Delsia?”
“Ella alone will do. It’s not a grand outing anyway.”
“Oh, Delsia. There could be danger, or something unpleasant might happen. We must prepare for the worst.”
Delsia made an awkward face. If Arnold went along, she would be safe and enjoy herself. Yet, since she had a clear purpose—buying gifts for her family—she resented having a chaperone.
She also noticed her father’s eyes flicker as he spoke of Arnold, sensing he suspected something. Perhaps she intended to see Edwin secretly, or to do something without her father knowing.
Lost in thought, Delsia spoke softly.
“I promise. Until I go to the Ducal house… I won’t meet Edwin.”
“But Delsia…”
“I swear.”
Even at her oath, Count Perdo hesitated, lips twitching as he struggled to decide. Finally, he nodded.
“Very well. Then take a bodyguard with you.”
“…Yes.”
Not wanting to refuse the escort, Delsia quickly agreed.
And so, Delsia left for the city with Ella and three bodyguards. She descended from the carriage and, with Ella’s help, walked carefully.
Though her steps were still uneven, she had improved significantly from before.
“Are you looking for something in particular?” Ella asked.
“Yes. Gifts for Father… and for my brother.”
“You should have told me! I could have gone for you. Walking is so hard for you…”
“It’s alright. I… wanted to buy them myself.”
Speaking while walking proved harder than she expected. Delsia took several deep breaths, then smiled faintly. She paused once, catching her breath, as a cough threatened.
“You… are sure you’re alright?”
“Y-Yes.”
Despite her pale and strained face, Delsia nodded. Ella looked at her with concern, knowing that once they reached the Ducal house, she would not have the comfort of her father or Arnold.
Furthermore, Duke Adelio might not even recognize his guest, meaning both physical and emotional hardship awaited her. The thought pained Ella.
“What do you plan to buy?”
“Cufflinks and…”
Delsia stopped mid-sentence, eyes wide. Ella halted, puzzled, and followed her gaze.
“…Ah.”
Delsia let out a small sigh through clenched teeth, gripping Ella’s arm tightly. Startled, Ella followed her gaze.
“…Mistress.”
It was Duke Adelio’s carriage. And seated within was none other than Duke Adelio himself, staring out the window with an impassive expression.
If they remained there, he might spot Delsia. And seeing her would surely hurt her—unknowing and indifferent as he was.
Ella wrapped her trembling mistress tightly in her arms. Delsia murmured Ella’s name and turned her back to the carriage.
It was the first time she had avoided Edwin. No matter her anger, she had never avoided him before. But today was different. Today, she had deliberately avoided him. Unbelievably so.
And perhaps because of that, a strange, bittersweet feeling settled in her chest. To turn away from someone you love to avoid being seen was far more piercing than she had imagined.
