Chapter 324: Bread and Dagger (22)
Chapter 324: Bread and Dagger (22)
Senior Delphine’s voice was sweet.
Her fragrant scent made my head spin. Before I knew it, her sharp nose, ruby-like eyes, and alluringly curved lips were right before me.
If I let things continue like this, it felt as though we would end up kissing.
Delphine was just that captivating of a woman.
That was why I clenched my teeth and squeezed out every ounce of superhuman patience I possessed.
“……I cannot.”
Despite my refusal, Delphine simply stared at me intently.
She was demanding a justifiable reason.
One moment she was calling herself a ‘female slave,’ and the next, she was acting with utter audacity.
“There are many servants and vassals outside the door. What if someone sees us on the way to the bedroom?”
“Hmm, should I introduce you as my fiancé then?”
At that brazen reply, I couldn't help but let out a bitter chuckle.
“Only if you want to have a life-or-death struggle with Senior Elsie….”
“Yes, I heard. That girl confessed first, didn't she? Ah, that makes this even more tempting….”
Delphine let out a soft, charming laugh.
“I’ll hold back for now. I’m the one who asked for help, after all… But I’d love to see it someday. The look on that pet dog’s face when her precious person is stolen away.”
She really was a woman with peculiar tastes.
When I shook my head in a gesture of surrender, Delphine finally pulled away from my arms, looking satisfied.
In the process, I suddenly realized something: Delphine was currently wearing armor.
Of course, I had known this from the moment I saw her. But as our bodies pressed together, the reality of it hit me anew.
I couldn't feel the touch of her supple body at all. There was only the sensation of something hard.
It was likely because cold metal encased her feminine form.
While feeling a faint sense of disappointment, I couldn't take my eyes off her.
At the Academy, Delphine always wore her uniform. Perhaps because of that, seeing her in armor felt uniquely different.
Was the last time I saw her in armor during the Hunting Festival?
It was so long ago that I couldn't quite remember.
Back then, I had been in such a trance that I had simply smashed everything, armor and all.
It was then that Delphine reached toward the reception table.
Though I was momentarily lost in nostalgia, I wasn't so distracted that I failed to understand her intent.
Accepting her unspoken invitation, I sat across from her at the table. It seemed Delphine had anticipated this development from the start.
The proof was the warm tea that began to fill the cup placed before me.
It meant she had prepared the tea in advance.
In the end, I had been played by Delphine’s mischief once again. Her gaze had seemed seductive, but it likely wasn't sincere.
The emotion Delphine felt for me wasn't romantic love.
Rather, it was something closer to a calculating and murky admiration.
I wasn't hurt by it. It was a fact I had known for a long time.
My hand naturally reached for the teacup. The fragrant aroma of the tea tickled the tip of my nose.
It was a high-quality blend.
If it weren't for Delphine, I likely would never have even seen such tea leaves. Even though my income had surged recently, I wasn't prepared to spend a fortune on luxuries.
I’d rather buy a nice hand axe instead.
Clearing my stray thoughts, I asked Delphine, “Couldn't you have had a maid prepare the tea?”
“But I am Master’s maid, aren't I? And a slave to boot.”
Her tone was relaxed.
And it was a voice that didn't even hold a hint of playfulness. Delphine truly considered herself my slave.
It was a claim so absurd I couldn't even laugh.
To think the master of this mighty fortress served the second son of a rural viscount as her master.
It was a secret that must never be revealed to the world.
With a troubled expression, I said, “Please, don't do that, Senior Delphine… You have your dignity as the Young Family Head of Yurdina to consider.”
It was a sound argument.
Even if we conceded that the Academy was a foreign place, this was the city where Yurdina reigned supreme. A noble should never lower their head lightly within their own territory.
This was a matter directly linked to the honor of the entire domain.
If it were the Delphine I knew, she would have reached a reasonable compromise by now.
She possessed a very strong sense of noble pride.
She might have said she’d only call me ‘Master’ when we were alone, or she might have tried to place herself on equal footing with me through more mischievous pranks.
But the tactic Delphine chose was neither of those.
She merely muttered in a somewhat dejected voice.
“Hehe, dignity….”
She laughed weakly and took a sip of her tea.
It wasn't like her. It had been a long time since I’d seen her look so powerless.
The last time I remembered was back when our relationship was at its worst. Even then, she was often trembling while watching my every move.
Though she looked more composed now than she did then, it was clear that Delphine was not her usual self.
Otherwise, there was no reason for her to be so drained of energy.
When I looked at her with concern, Delphine returned a faint smile.
The way the corners of her eyes curved seductively was captivating. For a moment, my heart almost skipped a beat, but I managed to suppress it.
It was because her gaze looked somewhat sorrowful.
“……So, how was Yurdina City? It’s the greatest metropolis in the North.”
It was an abrupt question.
I wondered if she wanted to change the subject or if there was another hidden intention.
I decided to play along with her for now.
Even so, what came out of my mouth were nothing more than common impressions.
“It was impressive. I finally realized the true power of Yurdina. I never knew so many people could live in such a cold place.”
“Really? I’m not so sure, actually… since I’ve lived here since I was a child.”
As she spoke, Delphine’s eyes naturally closed.
She seemed to be recalling memories from long ago. No matter how high-ranking a noble was, they were bound to have one or two happy memories.
The North was a cold and barren place, but it was Delphine’s home.
Her affection for it was bound to be special.
“I was quite a tomboy back then. I never listened to anyone, and I used to sneak out every day to wander around….”
“I can clearly imagine the vassals suffering.”
“Right, Alex had a hard time finding me back then… It was when he was in the prime of my father’s trust. As you know, I’m the only direct heir of Yurdina. He’d spend all day shouting my name to find the precious apple of the family’s eye.”
Sir Alex did that?
It was a scene I could almost picture.
The owner of that sturdy physique, running around shouting himself hoarse to find a little noble lady.
Of course, Sir Alex might consider it a dark chapter of his past.
Lost in her memories, Delphine continued her dreamy confession.
“Looking back, I think there was an atmosphere in the family that tolerated my running away. Since I was destined to be the master of Yurdina City from birth, the more I knew about its inner workings, the better, right?”
“And are you reaping the benefits of that now?”
“Yes, I was… At least, that’s what I thought until recently.”
It was a significant admission.
I instinctively sensed that the main point was about to come.
As I silently tilted my teacup, the hot tea warmed my throat.
Only then did Delphine open her eyes again.
Those blood-red eyes now held a chilling light.
“The situation at the frontlines is suspicious.”
The Northern Frontlines.
The identity of the two forces facing each other across the boundary was obvious.
A question mixed with a sigh escaped my lips.
“……The Elves?”
“Yes, and it’s also a problem for Yurdina.”
Clack. Delphine set her teacup down on the table.
Her tone turned serious.
“There’s too little information… The Elves’ offensive has become too fierce. Their strength has increased too much, and above all, there might be a traitor hiding within the Yurdina family.”
‘Traitor.’
The weight of those two syllables was by no means light.
I felt like I finally understood why Delphine had such a gloomy expression.
She was in a position where she had to suspect the vassals she had been with since childhood.
Unless she were a woman forged of blood and steel, her heart was bound to suffer. I looked at Delphine with pitying eyes.
However, questions still remained.
“Isn't that reasoning going too far? The situation could have changed simply due to the Elves’ internal circumstances.”
“Perhaps, but information keeps leaking from somewhere. No… the information coming to me is being blocked.”
Tap, tap. Delphine tapped the desk with her index finger, her eyes tinged with irritation.
For me, the mystery only deepened.
“Isn't the Yurdina family a military power? Surely the reporting system is clear. If information is blocked, the cause should be filtered out immediately….”
“What if the people involved disappear?”
I fell silent.
Attributing it to desertion could only go so far. If everyone involved had gone missing, it had to be viewed as intentional.
My voice sank low.
“……Is it an inside job?”
“The circumstances suggest so. And I’m currently in a situation where I can trust no one.”
“Hehe,” Delphine let out a self-deprecating laugh, as if her own situation was absurd.
She leaned back into the plush backrest.
“Am I a fool? To let my control over the family weaken while I was away at the Academy… Ah, if only I had won the Hunting Festival.”
The words suddenly stabbed deep into my chest.
Right, that had happened.
Winning the Hunting Festival was a feat that Yurdina’s successors always achieved. It was a trophy that would have further strengthened Delphine’s shining legitimacy.
But Delphine had failed.
If one were to be critical, it was because Delphine was lacking, but it couldn't be denied that I was the primary cause.
In the end, I let out a faint groan.
She had clearly said that on purpose. There was no way Delphine didn't know how I’d feel.
“……So, you want me to help?”
“Master wouldn't betray me, would he? And the others won't betray Master.”
In conclusion, it was the completion of a chain where no one could betray Delphine.
No matter how much I agonized over it, there was no way out.
Since the letter from the future had arrived anyway, it was impossible for me to stay out of this incident. And above all, I was concerned about Delphine.
Even though she tried to act as if nothing was wrong, it showed.
Just how much mental anguish Delphine had been through.
After silently observing Delphine’s complexion, I finally raised both hands in surrender.
“Fine. I’ll help you. In exchange….”
Delphine’s blood-red eyes flickered toward me.
As if waiting to see what else I would say.
I gave Delphine a bitter smile and said, “Cheer up a bit. Senior Delphine, you look better when you’re acting dignified.”
Then, silence.
Delphine stared at me blankly without a word. For a moment, she seemed not to have understood my meaning.
Only after some time had passed did Delphine show some reaction.
“……Pfft.”
It was a laugh that burst out as she covered her mouth.
I coughed awkwardly, feeling embarrassed. Perhaps because I had offered an uncharacteristic comfort, Delphine’s laughter sounded like mockery.
However, the gaze Delphine turned toward me again held a faint sense of enjoyment.
“That might be difficult. It seems our Master still lacks the skill to woo women. Is there no other proposal that’s more to my liking…?”
“Should I spank you?”
It was a proposal I threw out without thinking.
My face flushed at the overly blunt words. Delphine also seemed not to have expected me to come out like that, as she stared at me with a dazed look.
The longer the silence lasted, the more agonizing it became for me.
Finally, I covered my burning face and said, “No, if you don't want to, then for—”
“……Just the bottom?”
At those words, I had no choice but to stop breathing.
Now it was my turn to give her a stupid look.
Delphine’s eyes were now wavering with a certain desire.
Clang. The sound of armor falling away from Delphine’s body echoed.
Normally, help from others was essential to put on and take off armor. Therefore, expensive armor was often enchanted with magic to allow for easy removal.
Delphine’s armor was one such example.
The armor fell to the side with a thud. As Delphine slowly stood up, she was wearing nothing but thin undergarments.
Delphine pulled at the collar of her tight-fitting chemise to let the air in.
At first glance, it looked like an action to escape the heat, but seeing her alluring smile and the way she pushed up her breasts to emphasize her cleavage, her intention was clear.
Pushing her hips back slightly, Delphine emphasized her prominent chest.
Then, with a flirtatious smile, she spoke.
“Master, my stupidly large breasts want punishment too… I’ve been taking good care of them for today, so they’ll feel good to hit. Won't you please grant this female slave’s wish?”
It was hard to tell if it was a plea or coquetry.
Her feverish breath let out sweet sounds. Delphine’s eyes had long since heated up, holding a desperate light.
In the end, I took a deep breath to steady myself.
It couldn't be helped. I had decided to comfort Delphine, after all.
Yes, it was definitely not by my own will.
Probably.
*
And so, I promised to visit Delphine’s bedroom later.
It didn't mean anything special; it was just to hear the detailed circumstances.
A late-night bedroom would be more suitable for a secret meeting than an office, after all.
That night.
"Hello, Master."
In the late-night bedroom, facing me alone, Senior Delphine was dressed only in her underwear.
I ended up covering my face with both hands.
Seeing that mischievous smile, I realized anew.
Delphine hasn't changed at all.
It seemed tonight was going to be a bit long.