Chapter 168

It was just after dawn.

Delia hurriedly left her room. Normally, at this hour, she’d be deep in dreamland, but today was an exception.

The reason? Simply that Rudine, who had been unconscious for years, had finally awakened.

Once she arrived at the North Tower, she dashed up the stairs in a frenzy.

No towering staircases or her ragged breath could stop Delia from reaching the top.

Finally, at the top of the tower, she opened the door without hesitation.

“……!”

Her eyes widened immediately.

The scene inside the room was unlike any other she had seen.

The biggest difference was that the girl who usually lay in bed was now sitting up, propped up by a maid.

“……Ah.”

Just then, their eyes met.

The girl with golden hair and bright golden eyes was none other than Rudine Arpen, Delia’s half-sister, whom she considered family.

At that moment, Delia was momentarily speechless.

So many things she wanted to say, yet her voice seemed stuck.

Rudine, who had been staring blankly, finally moved her lips.

“Sister…?”

Her voice sounded like it was stuck tight.

Delia trembled, thinking she might never hear Rudine’s voice again.

Then Rudine reached out with her thin, dry hand.

It looked like she was pleading for help, and without thinking, Delia grasped her hand. A soft smile appeared on Rudine’s face.

“Thank you.”

“……Huh?”

“Thank you for coming to see me all this time.”

The sudden expression of gratitude left Delia taken aback as she glanced at the maid helping Rudine, silently asking if she ever informed Rudine about her visits.

But the maid shook her head.

“I remember everything.”

Rudine spoke again.

Delia’s eyes widened as she replied, “You remember?”

“Yes, my body may have been frozen, but my mind was perfectly clear.”

“……!”

“So I know the reason I had to stay here and why you couldn’t visit me for a while.”

Of course, because Delia had visited daily to tell her everything.

Reading books and grooming her hair every night, she remembered it all.

Even just before leaving for the Academy, Delia had come to find Rudine.

Hearing this made Delia’s face freeze in surprise, and Rudine continued, tears welling in her eyes.

“So when I eventually woke up and could move… I really wanted to tell you.”

Thank you for being by my side.

Rudine, who had been trapped in a body that couldn’t move, had been able to endure thanks to Delia’s daily visits.

“Thank you for saving me, sister.”

“Rudine….”

Suddenly, the world blurred before Delia’s eyes.

Feeling overwhelmed with emotion, she wrapped her arms around Rudine. Rudine buried her face in Delia’s shoulder.

A miracle they had never expected.

The two sisters, embracing after years apart, cried like children. Their tears, filled with every emotion, streamed down their cheeks.

It felt like it would never end.

2.

The day after Rudine woke up, Delia wanted to throw a banquet immediately.

To celebrate the joyous occasion and to express gratitude to Ulan and Noa, who had helped in many ways, she planned a modest gathering.

But things went a bit awry.

“……I’m sorry.”

With Ulan and Noa before her, Delia bowed her head, looking guilty. Originally, it was meant to be a small celebration among friends, but circumstances had changed.

The reason? Because Erhent, the King of Arpen, got involved, switching the host to the royal family.

In other words, the event had grown larger than anticipated.

Feeling she had put a burden on the two, a shadow fell over Delia’s face.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen…”

Delia repeatedly apologized.

On the other hand, Ulan didn’t mind at all.

“I’m fine.”

“But…”

“As long as I get to eat delicious food, I don’t mind if more people show up.”

His response was genuine, not just polite.

Did Delia catch on? She smiled lightly and lowered her head.

As if to say thank you for understanding. Then Noa, who had been silent, urged her.

“More importantly, hurry up and change your outfit.”

“Okay, I’ll be right out.”

“Ah! I’ll help too, Your Highness.”

Helena, who had been waiting, followed suit.

After the two left the room,

Noa recalled what Delia had just told her about why Erhent got involved in the party.

‘What other reason could there be?’

It was likely to announce that Delia had reached the rank of High Mage. No matter how she thought about it, that seemed to be the only reason.

‘King Erhent has a goal.’

To extend the territory south, beyond the treacherous mountains, to the plains adjacent to the desert.

If he could achieve that, stable food supply and the construction of a safe city beyond the influence of monsters would follow.

‘But if that happens…’

There were factions that would inevitably clash.

Rudrik’s descendants, the Desert Order.

To deal with the cultists filled with beast tamers and sorcerers, magical forces weren’t optional; they were essential.

‘With almost no magical forces, a duchy would find it impossible to contest the Desert Order.’

But that was all a thing of the past now.

Because Delia had become the High Mage.

‘So the King’s true aim is…’

To formally announce that Delia had become a High Mage through this banquet, while also hinting at an advance toward the southern plains.

And one more thing.

There was another reason Erhent could make such a decision, stemming from a question Ulan had asked just yesterday.

“What is a consort?”

That random question led Ulan to spill all the details of the conversation he had with Erhent.

Through this, Noa realized.

That Erhent had marked Ulan as Delia’s consort.

‘Well, it was easy to misunderstand.’

He had asked for Delia outright.

But that was only meant in the context of being a hero and requesting permission to be together.

Knowing Ulan’s character, Noa concluded that it was nothing to worry about.

A little while later.

Creek!

The sound of the door opening could be heard.

Then Delia, who had just gone to change, peeked her head out.

“……I’m all ready.”

“Come in quickly.”

“Uh-huh.”

She shyly approached.

Delia’s attire soon came into view.

A crisp white blouse paired with a black velvet long skirt, topped with a slightly draped red cape.

Both neat and refined.

‘Of course.’

Because I picked the outfit.

Noa smiled contentedly.

This fulfilled the promise she made to pick out Delia’s clothes one day.

“Doesn’t it feel a bit awkward?”

But Delia seemed restless.

Feeling strange in an outfit that was out of the ordinary. Noa shook her head.

No, you look a lot better now.

“Don’t you think so, Ulan?”

Noa turned to Ulan.

Delia and Helena did the same.

Even the oblivious Ulan knew what to say in this situation.

“It suits you well.”

“Yeah, then this will do.”

Only then did Delia break into a bright smile.

It was an instant transformation, considering she had been pondering just moments ago.

‘But really, it looks good on her.’

Perhaps due to her growth, the outfit’s style suited her perfectly. While gazing at Delia with envious eyes, a knock on the door interrupted them.

It was the royal tailors.

“Excuse us.”

“We are here to take your measurements, so could you please cooperate for a moment?”

“Ah, sure. I’ll be right there.”

After responding, Noa pulled Ulan along. Ulan looked displeased but complied without complaint.

Meanwhile, at that moment, someone was watching Ulan and Noa with a meaningful gaze. It was Helena Orbant, Delia’s personal maid.

“……Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

“This opportunity may not come again.”

“What opportunity?”

“The chance to snag Ulan.”

Her unexpected remark made Delia look puzzled, prompting Helena to explain her reasoning.

“I heard about your life at Arsen Academy. And I was told there are two other female students besides you in your group?”

“Ah, that’s…”

She quickly figured out who Helena was referring to.

Ivella and Laurea.

Of course, Laurea had returned to Eloden Academy, but it was clear she had feelings for Ulan as well.

“And Noa seems a bit suspicious too.”

“Huh? Why would Noa be?”

“She seemed interesting from the moment we met, but she keeps glancing at Ulan as if she has feelings for him.”

Helena’s eyes sparkled sharply.

On the contrary, Delia shook her head.

“That is absolutely not true.”

“Your Highness, there’s no such thing as absolute between men and women.”

“Noa is different. She swore an oath with her mana, after all.”

The oath of mana.

Those words left Helena momentarily speechless.

For mages or sorcerers, the oath of mana was a supremely binding promise.

‘But still…’

That uneasy feeling remained.

As Helena narrowed her eyes, Delia spoke up.

“I understand what you mean.”

Helena was clearly worried about her.

“But don’t worry.”

“Your Highness?”

“I have my own plans.”

Her golden eyes shone brightly.

A determined gaze.

It was the face of someone who had made a resolution.

3.

That evening, the royal banquet began.

A multitude of people gathered in small groups.

Not just nobles, but also Rangers affiliated with the royal family donned their best attire to participate in the event.

Noa was no exception.

Thanks to the royal tailors, she wore a stunning dress that fit her perfectly.

‘Meanwhile…’

There were those who looked no different than usual.

After a brief sigh, she glanced sideways and said.

“Ulan hasn’t changed a bit.”

“He didn’t have any fitting clothes, right?”

“No, you need to put that more properly.”

Noa shook her head.

With an expression of disbelief, she continued.

“He barely found something that fit but then decided to rip it apart because he claimed it was uncomfortable.”

“Well, it was uncomfortable.”

Ulan responded nonchalantly.

He seemed clueless about his own mistake, prompting another sigh from her. While she looked around, Ulan curiously asked.

“By the way, where’s Delia?”

“She’s probably still getting ready.”

“Still?”

“Yeah, this is a big day for her, coming back after a long time and all, plus she has to announce she’s become a High Mage, so I’m sure she has a lot to prepare.”

And there was another reason for the delay.

“Plus, they said Princess Rudine is attending the banquet as well. So, her prep time probably doubled.”

“I see.”

Ulan nodded quietly.

That meant he somewhat understood.

While waiting for Delia to arrive, he scanned the venue.

“Ah.”

He was surprised to come face-to-face with familiar faces.

Young men who looked shocked.

They were the ones who mistook Ulan and Noa as kidnappers and arrested them, throwing them in jail.

Now that all misunderstandings were cleared up, the Rangers bowed their heads.

“We are truly sorry!”

“I can’t believe you’re really the Princess’s friend.”

“We apologize for our rudeness!”

They literally had their foreheads on the ground.

Seeing their sincere apologies, Ulan replied dismissively.

“I’m fine, so don’t worry.”

“But…”

“You all were merely doing your duty as soldiers. So you don’t need to apologize.”

His answer was sincere.

Moreover, the Arpen Rangers were heroes who fought alongside Ulan against the Abyss in their past lives.

He wouldn’t blame them for something like this.

“Thank you for your generosity.”

“We appreciate it.”

They too bowed their heads sincerely, understanding Ulan’s feelings.

After a moment of apologies passed, the Rangers hesitantly spoke up.

“If it’s not a bother…”

“Would it be alright if we guided you?”

“This is likely your first time at an Arpen banquet.”

There was no reason to refuse such an offer.

And since it seemed Delia wouldn’t be arriving anytime soon, Ulan nodded readily.

Thus, the two proceeded with trustworthy guides, ready to enjoy the Arpen Duchy’s banquet.

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