~Chapter 120~
After Sestia and Johannes had completely left, Elcayan spoke to Delphina.
“Delphina, today I have something I want to give you.”
“Elcayan?”
“There are many things we need to settle between us.”
“Yes, we do have much to talk about.”
Elcayan’s face looked more tense than ever. The dark circles under his eyes surprised Delphina a little.
So even Elcayan’s looks can weaken.
But instead of fading, his appearance carried a sorrowful charm.
Is something not going well for him?
Delphina tilted her head curiously, because his pale face kept bothering her.
Elcayan still ate the food she made, but he never finished his plate. Unlike before, when he would eat so much he even fought with Calix over food.
Maybe I should make him a tonic meal. He must have a lot on his mind. Now that Prince Johannes will rise as Crown Prince, there will be much to settle.
Dealing with Yuria and Piaje’s remaining supporters would surely be exhausting.
Yes, I’ll make a tonic meal. I should make some for Prince Johannes too.
With that decision, Delphina followed Elcayan.
He led her to his office. Delphina didn’t know why but simply followed.
Once they arrived, Elcayan lifted a jewel box from the desk.
“I’m sorry, Delphina. I wanted to give this to you in a better place.”
“Elcayan?”
“I’ll do it properly once we return to the North—beneath the snowy plains you love.”
Delphina quietly watched his actions.
“These past days, I’ve felt joy and unease mixed together. Because I wasn’t sure what we really were.”
“…”
“Though we’re engaged, it could break at any time. If you said you wanted to leave, I’d have no reason to hold you.”
It was true.
Now Delphina had a place to return to. If she wanted to live in the capital among more people, Elcayan could not stop her.
Elcayan opened the jewel box and handed her what was inside.
“This is an heirloom passed down in the Lohaim family.”
It was a necklace, set with a gem carved with the Grand Duke’s crest.
At the same time, Elcayan handed her a document.
“What is this?”
“A land deed.”
“A land deed?”
“I plan to open a shop in the very center of the North.”
Delphina stared at him.
“What kind of shop?”
“A restaurant.”
“Is there a need for that? We already have Northern Chicken.”
“Because it was your dream. A place where you cook yourself. Northern Chicken isn’t a place where you cook directly.”
“…”
“You once said you prefer a small restaurant. A large one makes it hard to focus on each person.”
Delphina nodded. Yes, she had told him that once.
“So I want to give you a place where you can cook with your own hands.”
“…”
“When you first came North, we made a contract—to help each other achieve our wishes. You told me then, once everything ended, you wanted to open a restaurant.”
“I did say that.”
“And before coming here, you said we should end that contract.”
“Yes, I said that too.”
“So now our contract is over?”
Delphina nodded carefully. Elcayan held out his hand to her.
With a hesitant face, he opened his mouth, then firmly spoke,
“I love you.”
Delphina blinked.
“Maybe… I’ve liked you since childhood, when I ate the food you made.”
Even when young Delphina cooked tasteless meals, Elcayan forced himself to eat them—because he liked the passion in her eyes.
Delphina’s voice trembled as she asked,
“Many nobles hate cooking. Are you really okay with me living my whole life cooking? If I run my shop, I’ll work really hard.”
“…”
“My hands aren’t soft like other young ladies’.”
Cooking had roughened her hands. Nobles thought clean, soft hands were beautiful. Some even wore gloves while cooking to hide the damage.
Elcayan shook his head.
“I love watching you cook most of all.”
“…”
“Your shining eyes, the smile you wear while cooking—they’re beautiful. And your hands are beautiful too.”
“My hands are beautiful?”
“Yes. In the North, hands roughened by work are seen as beautiful. My mother also has calloused hands.”
Delphina nodded. Unlike in the Empire, Northerners rarely wore gloves, even in winter.
Once, she asked the Grand Madam why.
“Why not wear gloves even in winter?”
“Why hide them? My hands are pretty, aren’t they? These are something to be proud of!”
She had truly been proud of her hands.
So Elcayan’s words were true. Delphina herself had felt it while living in the North.
She took Elcayan’s offered hand.
He smiled with shining eyes. His beauty made Delphina blush.
“I’ll make sure you can live doing only what you love. I’ll do really well.”
“Elcayan.”
“I’ll prepare only the best cooking tools. I’m already better at food prep than Calix.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I’m confident now. Will you come with me to the North?”
Delphina laughed brightly. Elcayan looked cute, so serious while boasting he was better than Calix at chopping.
But she also felt it—
He’s nervous. He means it.
His hand holding hers trembled slightly.
He was more nervous than ever—more than when facing a hydra.
Delphina smiled warmly. She hadn’t forgotten what God Frad showed her: her parents’ words, that even a lifetime wasn’t enough to love with all your heart.
Her answer was already clear.
“I like you too. I was waiting for you to say it.”
“Delphina.”
“I want to open my restaurant in the North. There are many people waiting for me there.”
“…”
“Most of all, I want to be with you. That’s my home now.”
Elcayan hugged her without realizing it. Delphina buried her head against his shoulder, flustered.
She whispered softly,
“Let’s go home, Elcayan.”
At that moment, a system window appeared before her eyes.
<Quest Complete!>
Your cooking has brought great prosperity to the North. The food industry and tourism will give strength to survive the harsh winters.
Even Elcayan Lohaim, who would never have married without the Apostle of God Delphina, has now found love.
Without the Apostle of God Delphina, the Grand Madam would not have survived, and Piaje would have become Emperor.
Impressed by your deeds, God Frad gives you a reward.
Reward: A Wish Ticket.
A paper fluttered down from the sky and landed in Delphina’s hand.
