<5>
Bianna let out a sigh as she watched Delsia, who had come to her claiming that she had obtained her family’s permission. Honestly, she had never thought her family would approve, so part of her felt somewhat relieved. Yet Delsia’s bold and sudden declaration weighed heavily on her heart.
Bianna didn’t know exactly how Delsia had managed to get her family’s approval, but even the mirror that reflected only the truth remained silent, so she had to accept that at least this much was certain. What remained now was the contract and its execution. Hiding her mixed emotions, Bianna served tea to Delsia and spoke.
“As promised, I’ll grant your wish. But first, we need to make a contract.”
“A contract?”
“Yes, a magical contract. Until it’s fulfilled, a mark will appear on the back of your hand.”
No matter what it required—sacrifice, pain, or otherwise—it didn’t matter as long as Edwin could be saved. Closing her eyes deliberately and opening them again as if steeling herself, Delsia nodded and agreed to the contract.
“It won’t hurt, and it won’t be unpleasant. It’s really a simple contract.”
“Okay.”
“It’s simple, but serious, so it can’t be broken. This is your only chance.”
“No. I must save Edwin, no matter what.”
“…People always talk about love and such.”
Bianna shook her head, amused, and took Delsia’s hand. When Bianna closed her eyes, a bright yellow light surrounded them. Delsia, blinking at the unfamiliar glow, soon gasped in awe.
Following Bianna’s words, the light branched out and moved toward the back of Delsia’s hand.
“Delsianor Ferdo and Bianna Terrium, in exchange for the source of life, hereby conclude a contract that violates the unspoken laws. This is solemn and binding. For the execution of this contract, Delsianor Ferdo and Bianna Terrium swear to exert every effort without exception.”
As the words ended, the light flowing toward Delsia’s hand stopped.
When the light disappeared, a magical seal shaped like a tree, composed of abundant leaves and branches, remained on the back of her hand. Delsia stared at the shimmering golden mark, speechless.
Only now did it fully sink in: she had truly made a contract at the cost of her heart. And she also felt the weight of the undeniable fact that it could not be undone.
“So… this is a magical contract.”
“Yes. Not much to it, right?”
“No, it’s beautiful and amazing. I’m glad I got to see it before… you know, dying.”
“Dying?”
Bianna’s voice was puzzled at Delsia’s words.
“Since I made the contract at the cost of my heart, wouldn’t I die without it?”
“Where did you get such scary ideas? You’re not going to die.”
“Excuse me?”
“The world’s come far enough that one heart isn’t a death sentence.”
Even after hearing this, Delsia looked at Bianna with a confused expression.
“There’s a perfectly good artificial magical heart. We’ll replace it with that. If your body adjusts well, you could live a long, long life.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Though… there is one problem.”
Delsia’s joy immediately froze as Bianna continued.
“The issue is, until we actually try it, we won’t know if your body can sustain the artificial magical heart.”
“…I see.”
“Don’t worry too much. Almost all bodies are compatible. Selena’s worked fine, so yours should be… well…”
“Huh?”
“Never mind. It’s nothing you need to hear. Sometimes I say things unnecessarily over time. It’s a story you don’t need to worry about.”
With that, Bianna helped Delsia to her feet. Delsia, about to drink the now-cold tea, was stopped. Bianna took the teacup from her, led her to the door, waved, and spoke.
“Why drink cold tea? Be careful. I’ll come by tomorrow.”
“But… you don’t know where we are.”
“You have the contract seal. What’s there to worry about?”
Bianna raised her hand, showing a tree mark identical to the one on Delsia’s hand.
Relieved, Delsia nodded and bid her thanks.
“Bianna, thank you. I’ll wait.”
Morning came. Delsia, who had gone to bed early, woke up and stretched. The sun was slowly rising outside her window.
“Miss.”
Anne came knocking in place of Ella, who was on leave. Delsia responded softly, and Anne helped her get ready. After preparing, Delsia went down to the dining room, where her family had not yet arrived.
Sitting down to wait, Delsia’s eyelids grew heavy. Her excitement at soon meeting Edwin, now that the witch had come, combined with the guilt of deceiving her family, had kept her from sleeping well.
Just as her eyelids were about to close completely, Count Ferdo and Arnold entered the dining room, pretending it was morning training with swords, to soothe their complex feelings.
“Delsi, good morning.”
“Delsia, did you sleep well?”
Delsia’s eyelashes trembled at their greetings. Once the trembling stopped, she opened her eyes. Despite the sleepless night, she had nearly dozed off while waiting for her family in the dining room. Smiling awkwardly, she picked up her utensils and began her meal.
The clinking of cutlery accompanied their breakfast.
“So, the witch is coming today, right?”
“Yes.”
“Strangely, I feel uneasy. By your account, nothing harmful should happen to you… and yet.”
Count Ferdo said, feigning concern.
Delsia shivered slightly, shook her head, and smiled.
“It’ll be fine.”
“Yes, Delsi. I hope it will. If anything were to happen to you…”
“No, it won’t. Please rest assured.”
Delsia pretended to chew her food normally, though it didn’t go down her throat. The more she forced herself, the more her throat tightened. The discomfort of having deceived her family gnawed at her—unavoidable, as telling the truth would have stabbed her family in the heart.
Arnold, sitting across from her, carefully observed the change in her expression.
“If the Duke Adelio wakes successfully and all stabilizes, there’d be nothing more to wish for. I suppose this is what they call greed.”
“…Delsia, are you hiding something from us?”
At Arnold’s question, Delsia lifted her bowed head. Her brother’s piercing gaze, the same deep blue as hers, made her frown and shake her head.
“No, nothing.”
“Strangely, something feels off. Your expression too.”
“…What is?”
“Just… your face doesn’t look happy.”
Arnold glanced at Count Ferdo, who seemed to sense the same unease but didn’t show it. After breakfast, as Delsia left the dining room, Lento came running toward her, out of breath, and spoke without pause.
“Th-the Duke Adelio’s coffin!”
“Edwin’s coffin has arrived?”
“Y-yes! Just… a little while ago.”
“Thanks, Lento. Could you place it in the room next to mine?”
“I’ll do that.”
Watching Lento leave, Delsia turned back. She needed to wait for Bianna to arrive and enact the contract, so she decided to read a book. In the main library, she took out a novel she liked—one she had once read and shared with Edwin.
- Delsia, what do you think of love that sacrifices for someone?
- Noble, but a little foolish, I think.
She had answered this before: love that sacrifices for someone else is noble but somewhat foolish. Now, she was living that foolish love herself. But if this sacrifice could save Edwin, she would do it over and over again.
“…Edwin.”
At that moment, Edwin had smiled softly at her words, closing the book, and said:
- If my sacrifice can save you, I will gladly do it.
Delsia laughed at the goosebumps it gave her, but she knew he had been sincere. He had truly sacrificed for her… She couldn’t let him go this time.
Just as he had sacrificed for her, now it was her turn to sacrifice for him.
