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~Chapter 30~
Delphina let out a small laugh.
It felt like the system window had read her mind.
Just then—
“Lady Delphina!”
A butler approached with a hurried voice.
“There you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Lord Elcayan says he wants to see you immediately.”
He wants to see me?
Delphina tilted her head in confusion.
It was the first time Elcayan had asked to meet her in private.
A little while later, Delphina stood before Elcayan. Calyx was scolding him a bit.
Because of the Grand Madam, a fellow knight, Calyx and Elcayan had known each other for a long time.
So when in private, they spoke casually.
“Tsk tsk. You’ve gotten so thin.”
“People in the North are starving. I can’t be full while they’re hungry.”
Listening to their exchange, Delphina was reminded that Elcayan was still quite young.
He should be eating more at his age.
Elcayan was very tall.
He had a strong, trained body from swordsmanship, but he was still noticeably thin. Just as he said, he limited his food out of consideration for his starving people.
Calyx spoke in a firm, cold voice.
“That’s foolish. To protect the people of the North, you must grow stronger. Sure, those who abuse power deserve to starve, but not you.”
“…”
“You have to survive this winter first.”
“…You’re right. I do need to become stronger.”
Just then, Elcayan’s eyes met Delphina’s. In front of her, his status window appeared.
<Elcayan Roheim>
Age: 19
A still-inexperienced, beginner Grand Duke of the North.
A talent with the potential to become the “strongest.”
A special event is needed to unlock his sealed trait.
Tip: Strengthening the Grand Duke will greatly help the North’s winter.
Tip: Don’t want a “captured ending”? Make Elcayan your greatest ally!
Strengthen… him?
The system’s wording was playful as always. But the point was clear.
According to the system, Elcayan had amazing potential.
He might really become the strongest…
Delphina looked at him closely. Despite his nickname “Monster,” the lower half of his face—uncovered by the mask—looked handsome.
He seemed good at everything. It was strange to think of him as just a “beginner” Grand Duke.
After the carriage accident killed his father and he defeated his greedy uncle to ascend the title suddenly… compared to someone who inherited the position properly, the title of ‘beginner’ might still fit.
Delphina found herself thinking:
I wonder what his face looks like behind the mask.
While imagining his hidden face, she tilted her head slightly.
But… why does he look upset?
The system window popped up again.
<Elcayan Roheim>
Status: Angry — for unknown reasons
He’s angry?
Why was Elcayan angry?
Maybe he thinks Ivelina’s actions were an insult to the North.
Elcayan looked at Delphina and asked,
“The Lady of Rikaion is visiting the North, which makes things awkward… May I call you Delphina?”
“If you’re okay with it, I’d prefer that.”
Delphina nodded lightly. She didn’t like being called “Lady Rikaion” anyway.
She liked being addressed by her own name.
“Delphina, I heard that the Rikaion lady was very rude to you.”
“Yes.”
“Would you mind if I formally protest to the Rikaion family?”
“For what happened to Sir Calyx?”
“This isn’t just about Sir Calyx. You were almost hurt, too. The Rikaion lady clearly targeted you. So it’s only right for the North to protest.”
Delphina realized this was the perfect time to make things clear.
That she truly had nothing to do with the Rikaion family anymore.
She had never intended to follow the Duke’s orders when she left.
Right then, Elcayan asked her,
“Did the Rikaion lady try to dump that hot soup on you?”
Delphina put on a pitiful expression. She had no hesitation now about spreading Ivelina’s bad reputation.
“Yes. If Sir Calyx hadn’t stopped her, I would’ve been burned by that hot soup. I might’ve gotten serious burns.”
Elcayan’s face hardened.
“I should’ve asked your opinion before deciding to protest.”
Delphina replied in a clear, determined voice.
“Please do it, Your Grace.”
Ivelina’s actions weren’t just an insult to Delphina.
They were also an insult to the people of Roheim who had treated her kindly in the North.
Ivelina looked down on the entire Roheim family.
Delphina had always endured Ivelina’s mistreatment. But now she understood.
Nothing will change if I just stay silent.
Elcayan nodded, his gaze icy cold.
“I’ll issue an expulsion order tomorrow. You won’t have to see her again.”
✦✦✦
Delphina watched as the Rikaion family’s servants packed their things.
Just as Elcayan said, they were being kicked out of the Grand Duke’s estate.
“Why am I being thrown out?!”
“Ivelina, please be quiet.”
Ivelina and Kasen’s argument could be heard in the background.
“Kasen, I didn’t do anything wrong! Why am I being kicked out?! If the Rikaion family finds out what I went through, they won’t let this go!”
“You can think you’re innocent if you want. But yelling about it here won’t help anything.”
Delphina watched the scene coldly. She didn’t want to listen to them argue, but they were being so loud, she had no choice.
Then, her eyes met Kasen’s.
Without hesitation, Delphina turned away.
She didn’t want to talk to him.
But not long after, she heard Alex shouting.
“Lord Kasen Huart! You’re not allowed to go further!”
Delphina sighed.
Alex wouldn’t be able to stop Kasen. Elcayan wouldn’t punish Alex for trying, but if they fought, Alex would be the one hurt.
And Delphina didn’t want to see that happen.
“It’s okay, Alex.”
Delphina walked forward.
There stood Kasen Huart. It had been a long time since they faced each other.
After graduating from the academy, he had avoided her.
Maybe that was around the time he became engaged to Ivelina.
Kasen looked at her with warmth.
“I’m glad. I got to see you before leaving.”
He spoke as if nothing had ever happened between them.
As if they hadn’t broken off their engagement.
“Delphina, I missed you. There’s so much I want to say.”
His voice sounded meaningful—like there was still something between them.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
Delphina stared at him calmly. She already had a good guess about what he was going to say.
He’s going to ask me to help Ivelina. He probably thinks Calyx will listen if I ask.
It was always the same.
Whenever Ivelina did something wrong and caused a scene, Delphina ended up taking the blame for her.
Because she thought it was the right thing to do. And most of those requests… came from Kasen.
