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~Chapter 17~
For the first few days, she hated that he kept visiting her.
But before she realized it, she became afraid he might stop coming.
There was a day when her mentor couldn’t come to see her—because of Evelina’s interference.
Evelina, thinking that he was comforting Delphina, picked a petty fight with him and ended up beating him.
“Lady Delphina, I’m sorry. I was late because of something I had to take care of.”
Even that day, her mentor visited Delphina and handed her a bowl of porridge.
That was the first time Delphina ate the food he made.
She had cried as she ate it—
And that porridge, to this day, remained the most delicious thing Delphina had ever eaten.
It was also the moment that made her decide to start cooking for herself in this life.
“I want to be like my mentor. Someone who can comfort another person’s pain.”
Delphina understood the Duchess’s heart better than anyone.
It was something only those who carried the same kind of wound could do.
“In the end, I ate the food he brought me.
I still can’t forget how it tasted.”
“It was the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life.
I hope the Duchess gets to know that taste too.”
The Duchess didn’t reply to Delphina again.
But unlike usual, she didn’t coldly push Delphina’s hand away either.
She just quietly listened to what Delphina was saying.
Even after Delphina finished speaking, the two women continued holding hands for a long time.
* * *
Elkeian knew that Delphina had gone to visit the Duchess last night—she had come to tell him herself.
Then, early the next morning, a butler visited him and informed him that the Duchess said she was willing to meet a doctor.
The stubborn Duchess had finally opened her heart—thanks to Delphina’s persuasion.
“Lady Delphina is truly incredible,”
the butler said, eyes brimming with tears.
Just the fact that the Duchess showed a will to recover made him overjoyed.
Elkeian was just as happy—but also surprised.
‘That tiny woman managed to do what no one in the North ever could?’
Delphina was smaller and more fragile than anyone else in the North.
Even Nana, the northern dog raised by Alex, was likely stronger than her.
Elkeian looked down at the letter in his hand.
It was from the Rikeion Duchy. He already had something he needed to deliver to Delphina.
‘Rather than sending it through a servant, I should hand it to her myself.’
He spoke to the butler.
“Call for Delphina.”
Not long after, Delphina arrived at his office.
Elkeian looked at her as she entered. She had the brightest expression he’d ever seen on her face since coming here.
She must have heard about the Duchess’s change of heart.
Her smile made Elkeian pause.
She looked just like she had back when the Duke and Duchess of Rikeion were alive.
“How did you manage to persuade my mother?”
“Let’s just say sincerity worked.
She still hasn’t eaten, but I’ll make it happen before she loses all her strength.”
There was determination written all over Delphina’s face.
Elkeian stared at her for a long moment.
For such a small person, she was truly impressive.
The Duchess hadn’t eaten yet. The poison from the monsters hadn’t been cured either.
But just being with Delphina made him think that maybe, they could overcome all of it.
A slip of honest admiration escaped his lips.
“You’re amazing.”
Delphina looked at him with wide eyes. Elkeian, after a pause, changed the subject.
“Lady Evelina of Rikeion and Lord Karsen of Huat are coming to the North.”
“What? Evelina and Karsen are coming?”
“Yes. The Lady wanted to check if you were doing well.”
Delphina easily guessed the meaning behind that visit.
Sofia must have reported something to the Rikeion family.
The Duke of Rikeion seemed to be sending them to monitor her.
‘As expected. Sofia probably wrote to them saying I was acting suspiciously.’
This visit from Evelina and Karsen was clearly a warning from the Duke.
“It seems my uncle sent them to keep an eye on me.”
“What would you like to do?”
“For now, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to go along with their plans.
We shouldn’t provoke them yet—at least not while we still need to survive the northern winter.”
“Will you be alright?”
Delphina silently nodded. She knew exactly what Elkeian was worried about.
‘Once Karsen and Evelina arrive, I’ll have to see them face to face.’
“I’ll be fine. Thank you for your concern. Oh, and I do have one favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
“Please spread a rumor that the Duchess and I don’t get along.
I think it’s better that way.”
Elkeian found the request a bit odd.
But seeing how firm her expression was, he nodded.
It wasn’t a difficult thing to do, after all.
“Understood. I’ll do as you ask.”
* * *
After speaking with Elkeian, Delphina returned to her room.
She needed time to think.
That’s when she saw it.
A bird tapping lightly on her window with its beak.
‘Pepper…?’
Pepper was Karsen’s messenger bird—used only for personal or secret communications.
Delphina opened the window.
She had no feelings left for Karsen.
After confirming that he sent the annulment letter to the Rikeion family, she had completely let go of her lingering emotions.
She didn’t even want to read the letter the bird had brought. She didn’t want to talk to him either.
Still, she opened the window—because as awful as Karsen was, it wasn’t Pepper’s fault.
‘If I send the bird back without taking it, Karsen will probably mistreat it again.’
Karsen had never been a kind master.
He would often harass Pepper for no reason.
Delphina took the letter from Pepper’s leg.
On the back, there was a familiar seal.
‘It’s Karsen’s personal seal.’
Without hesitation, Delphina opened the letter on the spot.
[Delphina, I think there’s been a misunderstanding.
We have a lot to talk about.
I’m on my way to the North with Evelina.
Let’s clear things up when we meet.
Waiting for your reply,
Your forever, Karsen.]
‘What the hell is this?’
Without hesitation, Delphina started tearing the letter to pieces.
Pepper looked on in surprise.
She was speechless. “Your forever, Karsen”? As if.
‘This guy always messes up and then tries to win me back with sweet words.’
He still thought she’d take him back.
In her past life—before she regained her memories—she had always fallen for it.
‘Delphina the pushover.’
That was the nickname people gave her at the academy.
Back then, she never understood why people called her that.
As she shook her head at her past self, Delphina’s eyes gleamed.
‘Fine. Let’s settle this once and for all in the North.’
She had already been annoyed that Evelina delivered the news of the annulment.
‘If you wanted to break up, you should’ve said it to my face, not through Evelina.’
Saying everything was a misunderstanding—the academy incidents and even the annulment letter—wasn’t just nonsense.
It was delusional.
This time, when they met again, she planned to end it properly.
“Pepper, if Karsen bothers you again, just come to me anytime.”
“Chirp? Chirp chirp chirp chirp!”
“Is that a yes? I’m really worried about you. Karsen’s always bullying you.”
“Chirp!”
At that moment, a system window popped up.
<Pepper>
“Karsen is pathetic.
When Delphina tore up that letter, it made me feel so much better.”
Delphina’s face filled with surprise.
‘Wait… I can translate bird language now?’
Pepper casually flew up and perched on her shoulder.
