~Chapter 94~
Ivelina sat with her arms crossed, deep in thought. Being taken to the North must mean they were going to treat her well. Otherwise, why bother taking her all the way there?
‘It’s better to go to the North than to the place where my parents are.’
Delphina had said she would give her character training. Ivelina didn’t understand what that really meant.
‘That doesn’t mean I’ll obediently reveal everything that’s happened until now.’
She was sure Delphina’s plan was to dig out everything she knew.
‘I’ll keep my pride. I’m a noble. I am Ivelina Rikeion.’
Before long, a woman entered Ivelina’s carriage.
Ivelina’s eyes shook. The woman’s appearance was so fierce it frightened her.
‘Come to think of it, she looks familiar somehow.’
Her eyes trembled ominously. She even thought Delphina might have sent an assassin to deal with her. But then the woman spoke, and Ivelina let out a sigh of relief.
“I am Lady Delphina’s maid, Sana.”
“Delphina’s maid? Then why do you speak this way?”
“You’re a commoner now, so there’s no need for honorifics.”
Sana continued,
“I came to tell you what you’ll be doing in the North. Once you arrive, you’ll be sent to the kitchen to wash dishes.”
“What? You expect me to do kitchen dishes?”
“That’s right. More precisely, not the kitchen of Rohaim Castle, but the dishes used by the northern field workers.”
Ivelina’s face turned pale. Sana went on.
“There, you’ll also find Sophia, who used to be your maid. The two of you can lean on each other.”
There was no way she could lean on Sophia. Sophia surely held a deep grudge against her for abandoning her. If Sophia learned Ivelina was in the same situation now, she would certainly not let her off.
“Wh-why should I go there!”
Ivelina shouted in anger, but Sana only smiled calmly.
“Elcayan entrusted your education to me.”
With that, Sana gripped her arm firmly.
Sana had already begun Sophia’s character training in the North—and it had been excellent.
She raised one corner of her mouth and placed a hand on Ivelina’s shoulder. At that moment, Ivelina felt a chilling shiver.
Sana said to her,
“Let’s get along from now on, rookie.”
The journey to the North went smoothly. There were many knights capable of handling monsters when they appeared.
‘With Lord Calix here, there’s nothing too difficult.’
Calix’s performance was remarkable. But even more surprising than him was Elcayan.
‘When did he become this strong?’
Delphina wasn’t the only one thinking this. Calix muttered in astonishment.
“Lady Delphina, since when has our Elcayan become this strong?”
“Even I, who don’t know much about swordsmanship, can see how outstanding he is.”
“Indeed, eating Lady Delphina’s meals every day has brought about this miracle.”
Calix looked at Elcayan with satisfaction.
“This much strength is enough to prepare for the Northern winter. At least in terms of force. Of course, there are still other problems afterwards…”
The road to the North was always difficult. Passing through the monster forest meant facing swarms of beasts.
So on the way to House Rohaim, the group decided to fight and clear monsters to protect nearby villages.
In that situation, Elcayan was at the front, cutting down the monsters.
“Ha-ha-ha, with him rampaging like that, things are much easier.”
Delphina looked at Elcayan with concern, but Calix only shrugged as if to reassure her.
“It’s fine, Lady Delphina. Don’t worry. For Elcayan, this is just warming up.”
Delphina shook her head. She was thinking of something else.
“Ah, it’s not that. I was wondering what to make for dinner. With that much movement, he’ll use up a lot of energy. Meat dishes would be good. And some soup too—it’s the best thing for a tired body.”
“…Yes, indeed. You’re worrying about something truly important.”
Calix nodded in agreement. Even he thought Elcayan’s movements were excessive—the monsters cut by his sword looked pitiful.
“Of course, I do worry. But I trust Lord Elcayan. I’ll just do what I can.”
She wanted to serve him warm food after the monster hunt.
Calix tilted his head, puzzled.
‘They said they’re in a contractual relationship… but both of them act like they deeply care for each other. If even I can notice this, others must see the strange atmosphere between them too.’
‘Could it be… only the two of them don’t realize it?’
Calix crossed his arms, dissatisfied.
‘But no matter how I see it, Lady Delphina deserves better.’
He decided he should spar with Elcayan sometime soon.
When Delphina arrived in the North, the first person she met was the Grand Madam. She hugged Delphina tightly as soon as she saw her.
“Good heavens, Delphina. I heard what happened, that House Rikeion mistreated you. You didn’t just let them walk over you, did you? You look so thin now. Oh, if only I could…”
The Grand Madam’s face was icy cold.
Next to her, the knight commander Karen sighed.
“It was difficult stopping her from rushing to the capital right away.”
The Grand Madam frowned deeply.
“Why stop me? Even now, I could go to the capital. It’s unbearable that I haven’t smashed the ones who bullied our Delphina with these fists of mine!”
“….”
“Oh, my poor Delphina, how much you must have suffered there…”
Delphina smiled gently.
“I’m all right. I actually made many good connections there.”
The god Frad had kept his promise with Delphina. The Grand Madam even looked healthier than when Delphina had left for the capital.
Delphina carefully held her hand.
“I’m glad—you look so well.”
The Grand Madam’s gaze shifted to Sestia and Ahin, who stood close by Delphina.
“And these people are…?”
Sestia blushed slightly and bowed.
“Hello, Madam. I am Sestia. You are indeed as strong-spirited as I heard.”
Ahin looked at her with admiration.
“Amazing. I heard the rumors, but you truly have a powerful physique. You’re a knightly figure who could rival Lord Calix.”
The Grand Madam smiled warmly.
“I’ve heard about you—the Saintess and the future holy knight.”
Sestia answered.
“Yes, I came to the North following Lady Delphina. I felt she’s someone I couldn’t let slip by.”
“You have a good eye for people.”
“Yes, I’ve tasted the bitterness of the world, so I’m excellent at judging character.”
The Grand Madam looked at her with satisfaction. Delphina tilted her head curiously.
Although it was their first meeting, Sestia and the Grand Madam seemed quite close.
‘This is like…’
The strong connection in their eyes was like people who had just found out they share the same favorite person.
