HRNGDS 65

~Chapter 65~

Delphina shook her head.

“No, actually, this is what I wanted. Unlike my uncle, Ivelina is simple-minded. If I just push a little, I might get information about the black magic he used.”

Elcayan nodded at Delphina’s firm voice.

“If you’re okay with it, Delphina, then I understand.”

Delphina felt grateful to Elcayan. He also trusted her and accepted her opinion easily.

‘I also trust Elcayan.’

Actually, because she lost Kassen, she might have been scared for Elcayan to meet Ivelina.

But after seeing how Elcayan looked at Ivelina, her mind changed.

‘He looked at her the same way he looks at food made by Calix…’

Not knowing Delphina’s thoughts, Elcayan spoke with a complicated face.

“And… like I said before, we’ll probably have to share a room. Is that okay, Delphina?”

Delphina answered awkwardly.

“Ah, yes, yes. We already talked about it in advance. It’s fine with me.”

Just looking at Elcayan made Delphina’s face burn.

‘Is Elcayan really okay with this?’

With a stiff face, Elcayan led Delphina to the bed.

Delphina realized she was the only one feeling nervous.

“I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

“But it’ll be uncomfortable. I’m small, so I’ll sleep on the sofa. If you do, you won’t be able to stretch your legs.”

Elcayan glanced back and forth between the sofa and his legs.

It was obvious he’d look ridiculous if he slept on the sofa.

“Then I’ll sleep on the floor.”

“You can sleep next to me. That’ll make it easier for others to get the wrong idea.”

“…”

“And it would be silly to switch places in the morning when the maids come with water.”

If they shared the bed, Delphina knew her night would be uncomfortable. She wouldn’t be able to sleep with Elcayan next to her.

‘But I don’t want him to sleep uncomfortably because of me.’

She knew kind Elcayan wouldn’t let her sleep on the sofa, either.

So sharing the bed was better. The bed was also really big.

Delphina said boldly,

“Don’t worry. I won’t even touch you.”

Elcayan gave a small laugh.

“You’re saying you won’t touch me, Delphina?”

“Yes, we’re just contract lovers. There’s no way I’ll cross the line.”

Elcayan looked at Delphina seriously. Did she really think he was the one who should be worried?

‘What is she even thinking in that little head?’

Elcayan realized he was the one who should be nervous about sharing a room and bed with Delphina.

Thump, thump.

His heart beat fast. Just seeing Delphina made his heart race—how would it feel to share a bed?

Delphina coughed awkwardly and lay on the bed. She was already tired from all her plans.

“Let’s sleep quickly, Elcayan. You said we have to go hunting tomorrow. Dealing with my uncle will be tiring.”

Nervous, Delphina shut her eyes tight. She felt Elcayan’s large body lying next to her.

Before sleeping, Delphina had something to do.

‘Lord Frad, don’t watch me right now, okay?’

<Lord Frad is startled and pretends he was just about to leave. He says he was planning to leave only a blessing and go.>

After that, Delphina really felt like Lord Frad was gone.

And then something strange happened. She thought she’d never be able to sleep well here.

But maybe because she was so tired?

‘Huh? I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep at all in the Rikeion house, but why…’

Her eyelids grew heavy.

Delphina unknowingly fell into a deep sleep. Elcayan stayed up all night, listening to her even breathing.

Ivelina walked around her room with an angry face. The Rikeion house was her world. Delphina had walked into it herself.

‘So why do I have to apologize to Delphina?’

After Delphina left for the North, everything got strange.

Her father kept having weird talks with her mother, and after meeting the Grand Duke last night, he yelled at Ivelina to apologize to Delphina.

‘All this because of the compensation money.’

The more she thought, the more wronged she felt.

‘Delphina was just our maid. And now I have to treat her well because she took my fiancé? That place should be mine!’

Ivelina glared at her maids. The Duke said she should spend time alone with Delphina today.

He said he’d leave with Elcayan and Calix.

“So you’d better make up with Delphina, understand? If you mess things up again, I’ll throw you out of the family!”

He didn’t forget to add one more thing.

“I know you’re using the family’s information guild for your schemes. But if you’re going to scheme, do it properly.”

The Duke had caught on that Ivelina was planning something.

‘Of course he knows—I used the family’s guild.’

Ivelina had many complaints about her father lately.

He acted like Delphina was his real daughter.

‘Delphina only acts so boldly because of Elcayan.’

Until she spoke to Elcayan, Ivelina didn’t believe he truly loved Delphina.

She didn’t want to admit that Elcayan, who treated her like a stone, loved Delphina.

But this morning, the maids were making a fuss.

“Did you see Lady Delphina’s face today?”

“She looked so healthy—her skin is even better than yesterday.”

“But Lord Elcayan looked exhausted!”

“Maybe Lady Delphina was satisfied last night?”

It was embarrassing.

‘How could Delphina tire out a strong northerner like Elcayan and be fine herself?’

Yesterday, Elcayan smiled at Delphina, but today he looked ruined.

So one thing was clear.

‘They really are in love.’

That meant if her father’s plan was to work, their love had to break.

‘If love weakens the black magic, then if their love disappears, the black magic will come back.’

She only needed a crack in one of their hearts.

Ivelina was skilled at breaking trust between men and women.

‘The easiest way is to destroy trust.’

She gritted her teeth.

She turned to her maid.

“Hey, Roni. Did you find what I asked for?”

“You wanted someone with a pretty face and a hidden past, right?”

“Yes, someone mysterious. If our family’s information guild can’t find his past, no one can.”

“We found the perfect person in the Rikeion lands. A man so handsome, he couldn’t be a commoner.”