HRNGDS 73

~Chapter 73~

Delphina looked at the system window that appeared above her and gave a small smile.

Sensing the strange mood between the two, Calix gave Elcayan a dark smile. He went over to Elcayan and whispered in his ear.

“Elcayan, I wonder how long you can stay happy.”

“What?”

“Do you know what kind of man Alphonso is? And why he and I became friends?”

“You’ve never told me.”

“Hmph… Alphonso Rikeion was a man whose sword skills could match mine. In other words, the strongest in the empire. He once told me something.”

“…?”

“He said whoever marries Delphina must defeat him first. If Alphonso were in normal condition today, I’m not sure you’d still be standing.”

Elcayan’s face grew serious. For swordsmen like Calix and the Grand Madam, a spoken promise was something they always kept.

Calix began to chuckle, as if amused at the idea of Elcayan being put in a difficult situation. It seemed he was looking forward to seeing the perfect and stoic Elcayan flustered.

But Elcayan nodded with a determined look.

“It’s fine.”

“…It’s fine?”

“I already have many mountains to climb. One more won’t make a difference.”

That was true.

The Grand Madam and Calix had no intention of letting Delphina go to Elcayan if he was just some half-trained boy.

Calix turned to Delphina.

“Shall I let them in, Lady Delphina? If you don’t want to, we can leave them standing there.”

Delphina shook her head. If it had been just her uncle, maybe—but she couldn’t leave her grandfather outside.

“They can come in.”

As soon as she spoke, the door opened. The duke came in, his face pale, with Alphonso beside him.

Duke Rikeion tried to rush toward Delphina, but Elcayan stopped him. The duke clenched his teeth but couldn’t push past Elcayan.

In a desperate voice, he called out, “Delphina, I need you. There’s a misunderstanding I need you to clear up.”

Delphina just looked at him. As a child, she had always worked hard to hear those words from the duke.

When he needed her, and she fulfilled that need, he would give her a reward.

“Right, sometimes you are useful. Prince Johannes is not a good influence on you, so refuse him firmly.”
“Well, you did well this time.”

But the praise never lasted.

The duke never let her feel happy for long.

“You should be grateful I took in useless you. Don’t get arrogant over doing well this time—it was just your duty.”
“Do you know how hard it’s been for me since your parents ruined the Rikeion house and left?”
“Your grandfather abandoned you too, so you should be thankful we stayed by your side.”

Delphina had always believed those words were true. She thought her parents’ deaths were her fault.

They had been returning early to the family because she said she missed them, and on the way, they had the carriage accident.

Even if that made her grandfather hate her, she thought it couldn’t be helped. If she hadn’t existed, none of the tragedy would have happened.

So she had done her best—to fix everything that had gone wrong because of her existence.

But now she knew.

‘It was my uncle who planned it all.’

Delphina felt disgust at his words.

He had pinned all the blame on her and manipulated her for years.

“What misunderstanding are you talking about?”

“The engagement to the Grand Duke of Rohaim happened because you strongly wanted it, but your grandfather misunderstood.”

Delphina looked toward Alphonso. He was quietly waiting for her answer, but she noticed his complexion was bad—cold sweat on his forehead, his face dark.

It looked like he was enduring something. It was unnatural.

The Alphonso she knew was talkative.

Calix seemed to sense something was wrong too; he swallowed and came closer to Delphina.

He waved his hand.

She realized he had blocked the sound.

“This is strange, Lady Delphina. Alphonso being this calm? With his personality—jumping in with fists first when seeing injustice—and his affection for you, Duke Rikeion walking in unharmed makes no sense. At least one of his legs should be broken.”

“That’s true. It’s strange that Grandfather is just quietly looking at Elcayan too.”

Calix looked surprised. He hadn’t expected Delphina to think that far ahead.

“Even before I knew you, Alphonso would sometimes say that if his granddaughter brought a man, he’d challenge him to a duel immediately.”

Delphina nodded.

Alphonso’s calm gaze at Elcayan was definitely not normal. She had even prepared herself for Alphonso to rush at Elcayan the moment he came in.

‘Just like Calix said, there’s no way he would stop at this over something Ivelina did. He must still be under black magic.’

Though he was moving, Alphonso didn’t seem in good condition. Delphina looked up at the system window above his head.

<Alphonso Rikeion> Status abnormal. He’s holding on with mental strength, but there isn’t much time left. His ability to feel emotions is dulled.

While in this abnormal state, Alphonso Rikeion is unlikely to fully express his true feelings!

Restore Alphonso Rikeion’s vitality to hear his true feelings.

Reward: A great trial and misfortune will befall Duke Rikeion.
Failure: Events will unfold peacefully as Duke Rikeion wishes.

Delphina knew what she had to do.

‘If he eats my food, he might get better. I need to make it with as much blessing as possible.’

But there wasn’t much time. The kind of snacks served to guests for tea weren’t things she could make quickly.

Luckily, Alphonso had been a victim of her cooking when he was young, just like Johannes.

So she knew exactly what he liked.

‘Grandfather liked apples.’

He liked apples and nuts, but because of his teeth, he couldn’t eat them often.

‘Now he’s younger again.’

Delphina answered Duke Rikeion.

“For a conversation, we’ll need tea. Please wait. I’ll get some food from the shop next door.”

The duke’s face brightened. She was answering more gently than he expected.

“There’s no need to go that far, Delphina. We just need to talk briefly.”

She shook her head.

She deliberately lowered her head with a fragile expression. There was no way she’d skip this—she had to make dessert to strike her uncle and save her grandfather.

“No, I really want to serve something to Grandfather. It’s been a long time since we met.”

The duke gave a sly smile.

‘Maybe this will go more smoothly than I thought.’

It seemed she still had a soft spot. Maybe the words “I need you” had weakened her.

‘That’s why she wants to serve me food.’

The duke chuckled. If everything ended well, he could eat her cooking as much as he wanted.

Duke Rikeion’s earlier panic had settled.

From Alphonso’s current state, it seemed possible to cover up Ivelina’s wrongdoing.

When Alphonso sat down, sudden fatigue showed on his face.

“Father, you must be tired from the long trip. Once we’re done talking, let’s return to the ducal house.”

The duke smiled slyly, trying to please Alphonso. Alphonso didn’t respond.

His gaze was fixed on Elcayan’s face.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Elcayan Rohaim.”

“Grand Duke Rohaim…”

Displeasure flickered across Alphonso’s face. There was something he had to do, but he couldn’t summon the will.