HRNGDS 93

~Chapter 93~

Delphina looked at Sestia and said,

“About that matter, the Saintess will explain.”

Sestia turned to the Duke of Fuat.

“Lord Jerian was afflicted by black magic.”

The Duke of Fuat’s face hardened.

“Afflicted by black magic?”

“Yes, it is a truly corrupt power.”

Sestia looked at Jerian with pity. The Duke was so shocked that he couldn’t speak for a while.

Sestia slowly continued,

“I believe Lady Ivelina attacking Lady Delphina is also connected to this.”

“Who on earth would do such a thing…?”

“Most likely, those who would benefit most if Lord Jerian were harmed.”

The Duke’s face grew grim.

He was a seasoned noble. He understood exactly what Sestia meant. He wasn’t a fool, just a man with a kind nature.

‘The Duke must have realized it too.’

Naturally, the Duke could not help but suspect Kassen.

His eyes turned sharp.

Delphina could easily guess that Kassen’s future had turned pitch black.

Kassen must be feeling like he had fallen into ruin today.

He failed to inherit the title he thought was certain, Jerian had risen as a strong rival, and his fiancée Ivelina had caused a huge scandal and was awaiting punishment.

Delphina didn’t feel the slightest pity.

‘Serves him right. I hope he falls even harder.’

Just as the god Frad had said, misfortune was piling upon Kassen.

Of course, it was Delphina herself who had dealt him much of that misfortune.

She narrowed her eyes.

‘Lord Frad, something feels strange. The quest gave me rewards for success, but for failure… it feels like I’m the one handing out the penalties.’

<The god Frad coughs awkwardly and looks away. He excuses himself, saying he only revealed the cause-and-effect. He cheers for his apostle, saying she is only making the results more effective.>

The Duke, lost in thought, finally asked,

“So, Delphina, what should be done with Ivelina? I will personally keep Kassen under watch, but I entrusted Ivelina’s punishment to you.”

Ivelina had now been separated from Kassen. With black magic involvement almost certain, she could not simply be left as she was.

“I’ll take Ivelina to the Grand Duke’s household in Rohaim.”

“To the Grand Duke’s household?”

The Duke’s face showed surprise. He still saw Delphina as too kind, almost naïve.

Since Ivelina could no longer stay in either House Rikeion or House Fuat, he thought Delphina was generously taking her in.

But Delphina had no intention of correcting that misunderstanding.

‘Once she’s there, she’ll spend some time in the underground cells, then be sent to her uncle’s house. That will be the end of her.’

After all, her attempt had failed—she had not succeeded in killing Delphina.

She would live under the knights’ surveillance with her uncle forever. But Delphina wanted Ivelina to face something harsher.

<The god Frad admires his apostle’s ruthlessness, saying even harsher trials await Ivelina in the North.>

The others looked at Delphina in shock. She smiled shyly.

“I plan to give her some character training in the Grand Duke’s house, then have her work in the new northern temple. In the North, there are people I can trust.”

Northern character training was well-known. Even hopeless Sophia had become a loyal maid of the North after Sana’s Spartan education.

Delphina was certain Ivelina would change if entrusted to Sana.

“If she stays there, she’ll eventually talk without even needing interrogation.”

Of course, Delphina knew Ivelina probably didn’t know much. Still, if she confessed something voluntarily, Delphina was willing to listen.

Delphina then looked at the people before her—the Duke and Duchess of Fuat, Jerian, Layla, and even Johannes.

She asked Johannes,

“Is it fine for you not to return to the imperial palace?”

“Delphina, how could I stay there when you’re leaving? Besides, I just witnessed such a serious event with my own eyes! I’m restraining myself from going north with you right now.”

Calix chimed in, laughing.

“Haha, I’ll follow Lady Delphina. But Your Highness Johannes, you can’t leave the capital, can you?”

“Forget being a prince! I’ll—”

Elcayan cut in,

“If you do that, Prince Fiaje will become crown prince.”

In other words, don’t even think about it.

Johannes’s face stiffened. Imagining Fiaje as crown prince, he shook his head violently. He could never allow that. Elcayan smirked faintly at him.

Johannes said bitterly,

“Then I’ll just finish my work quickly and come to visit the North.”

Alfonso spoke up smoothly.

“Delphina, why don’t you inherit the title of Duke of Rikeion? At my age, it’s troublesome to keep holding it. Coming to the duchy and training as my successor wouldn’t be bad.”

At those words, Johannes’s face brightened with hope.

Elcayan stayed silent. He couldn’t oppose this. If Delphina wanted to stay and inherit the duchy, he couldn’t stop her.

He knew how much House Rikeion meant to her. It had been stolen from her unjustly by her uncle’s family.

If she wanted to claim it back, he had no right to object.

But Delphina shook her head.

“There’s still too much to do in the North. And Grandfather is healthy again, isn’t he?”

Alfonso and Johannes both looked crestfallen. Indeed, Alfonso was far too healthy now for her to take over.

Finally, Layla hugged Delphina.

“Delphina, thanks to you, Jerian is healthy again. I’m so grateful. Just as you’ll educate Ivelina, I’ll take care of Kassen’s training. Of course, it won’t heal your anger, but at least it’s something.”

Delphina nodded politely, though she had no intention of forgiving Kassen so easily.

Delphina’s eyes met Jerian’s. He gave her a small, reassuring smile.

He silently mouthed words to her, hidden from the others.

<The system interprets Jerian’s lip movements.>

Jerian: Leave my brother to me. I’ll truly show him hell.

Delphina nodded at his dependable face. She knew well how terrifying a determined mage could be.

Delphina and Elcayan then departed for the North, with Ivelina among the procession.

Inside the carriage, Ivelina clenched her teeth.

She thought to herself,

‘Maybe Delphina still has a soft heart after all? After being so cruel, perhaps she isn’t.’

But of course, that was only Ivelina’s misunderstanding.