HRNGDS 88

~Chapter 88~

The Duke and Duchess of Fuat began apologizing the moment they saw Delphina.

“Oh dear, Delphina, we’re truly sorry.”
“We have nothing to say in our defense.”

They kept apologizing over and over.

The Duke of Fuat was such a timid and weak person that it was hard to believe he was a duke.

Layla clicked her tongue at the sight.
“I told you to go and apologize right away, but you dragged your feet… See? Now that you’ve met her in person, you have even less to say.”

Layla always disapproved of the Duke and Duchess of Fuat, believing that their indecisive parenting had turned Kassen into a scoundrel.

While still apologizing to Delphina, the Duke went to see Jerian.

Delphina turned to look at Kassen.

He too had come upon hearing that the Duke and Duchess had returned.

Before long, the Duke and Duchess emerged from Jerian’s room looking even more haggard than before—they had realized his condition had worsened.

“We must hurry the succession ceremony, Mother.”

“Do you really mean to give the title of Duke of Fuat to Kassen?”

“We have no choice. We want to spend whatever time is left with Jerian.”

Delphina saw it—
Kassen covering his mouth and smiling.

The day of the succession ceremony arrived.

The Fuat estate bustled with countless guests.

Piaz looked around. The Duke of Fuat had clearly been determined—everything for the ceremony had been prepared on a grand scale.

The Fuat succession ceremony was unique, famous for being held in the family’s giant tower.

The towering structure shimmered with mysterious magic. Flowers decorated every corner in dazzling colors, and the outdoor banquet hall was luxuriously set up.

Piaz could tell that much of the ceremony reflected Kassen’s tastes.

He frowned—the guests seemed far more glamorous than expected.
“How did you persuade Lady Delphina to attend?”

Kassen cleared his throat.
“I put in some effort.”

Piaz eyed him suspiciously but didn’t push.
“Well, it looks like you tried in many ways.”

He clicked his tongue—Kassen’s current appearance was almost laughable.
“Still haven’t recovered from that wound from the assailant?”

It was a fair question. Kassen looked terrible—so much so that it was grotesque. Makeup and magic had improved it a little, but they couldn’t hide everything.

Kassen turned his gaze away. Piaz sighed.
“Even my mother has come for your sake.”

It was remarkable that the Empress had left the Imperial Palace for the Fuat succession ceremony.

Kassen nodded and glanced toward Jerian.

Jerian, looking gaunt, was slouched in a chair. Layla, beside him, had tears in her eyes.

‘Hmph, he insisted on attending the ceremony. He could have just sent a representative to give his answer.’

Jerian had come to personally relinquish his rights.

To Piaz, it seemed foolish for him to be there in his condition. Only the Saintess and the High Priest’s holy power allowed him to sit there at all.

But the black magic on Jerian’s body was now beyond the reach of holy power. Without a legendary blessing, he could not be healed.

The Duke of Fuat stepped forward.
“Thank you to all who have come to the succession ceremony.”

He gestured toward Kassen.
“This is my son, Kassen Fuat.”

Kassen walked forward with a triumphant expression. He felt relieved and happy—finally, the eyes of the other nobles were all on him.

He thought it was better this way. Since childhood, he had always been compared to his outstanding younger brother. Everyone had expected Jerian to be the next Duke of Fuat.

But against all expectations, he had taken the position.

‘The one who survives is the strong one.’

His face soon stiffened, though. As maids began bringing in trays of food, the crowd’s attention shifted away from him.

“What is this food?”
“It looks so unusual.”
“There’s bright red and also some orange-colored ones.”

Kassen eyed the dish in front of him suspiciously—a vivid red food.

People marveled at the dishes Delphina had prepared.
“I’ve never seen this before. What is it called?”
“They say it’s tteokbokki. And if you dip this fried item into the sauce, it tastes even better. Those who can’t handle spice should eat the orange ones, and those who like spice should try the bright red ones.”

Even the way of eating it was unfamiliar.

Hearing the guests, Kassen clicked his tongue in displeasure. He told Piaz,
“That food is Delphina’s doing.”

“Lady Delphina’s?”

“Yes. She wanted to present her own dish at the ceremony, and I allowed it—but I think she plans to ruin the ceremony with such a mess.”

“That can’t be. She contacted each family attending the ceremony.”

“What did she say?”

“She asked if they could handle spicy food.”

Piaz himself loved spicy food, often eating Eastern cuisine. Delphina’s food looked spicy and smelled both spicy and sweet.

But he decided not to eat it—maintaining the dignity of a prince came first.
“Hmph, I won’t eat it. I can’t have my tongue burning through the whole ceremony like some uncultured man.”

Kassen nodded in agreement.
“True enough.”

As if mocking them, two people were already devouring the food in the center of the banquet hall—Johannes and Calix.

Beside them, Elcayan wasn’t eating as greedily, but he was finishing his portion more quickly than usual.

Shocked by the flavor, Johannes turned to Calix.
“What… what is this, Lord Calix?”

Calix replied proudly,
“That is boneless fried chicken. A new masterpiece created by our Lady Delphina.”

“What meat is this? The outside is crispy, yet the inside is so moist. Fried chicken is usually greasy, but dipping it in this red sauce balances it with spice—it’s heavenly!”

Johannes’s eyes widened. His taste matched Piaz’s—meaning he handled spicy food well. He let out an involuntary sound at the heat on his tongue.
“Shhhhp.”

Calix laughed heartily.
“That red-sauce dish is called tteokbokki.”

“Tteokbokki?”

“Yes, Lady Delphina’s ambitious creation.”

“Lord Calix, how does Delphina come up with such brilliant ideas?”

Calix crossed his arms, smiling with satisfaction.
“Lady Delphina truly is an amazing person.”

Even so, his fork never stopped moving—partly because he was aware of Elcayan silently and quickly finishing his own plate beside him.