Chapter 398: Gold and Silver (3)
Chapter 398: Gold and Silver (3)
'If that’s the case...?'
If that were true, what would she do?
The question Delphine posed was exceedingly simple, which only made it sharper.
Ian and Delphine had spent the night together.
Every time the memories of last night resurfaced, Seria’s mind went white with shock.
And scratching across that pale, blank void of thought were the echoes of feverish moans and breaths soaked in ecstasy.
He had been taken.
That single thought was the only thing echoing in her lonely heart.
Seria was so frustrated and sorrowful that tears wouldn't even come. All she could do was tremble violently, biting her lips and fingers.
Her logic had long since shattered.
A girl who had her first love stolen from her had no use for reason.
But like a miracle, in this very moment, a flash of light suddenly pierced through Seria’s tangled circuits of thought.
It was as if she were facing sunlight breaking through a thick fog.
Delphine’s voice held that much weight for Seria.
The woman who had made her feel inferior her entire life, yet whom she would look up to forever.
The girl’s body swayed and tilted. With a ragged gasp, she was granted a brief moment of respite.
It was an opportunity to think with a shred of sanity.
Of course, even that ‘sanity’ was far from whole. It was merely a brake applied to a conclusion that kept spiraling toward the extreme.
For now, that was enough.
Seria’s posture softened slightly.
In its place, the tremors she had suppressed returned, and her blue eyes, resembling aquamarines, began to vibrate in resonance.
The girl repeated Delphine’s question to herself.
‘If that’s the case...?’
To be honest, there was no room for Seria to interfere.
Ian and Delphine were adults.
It meant they were at an age where they were responsible for their own chastity and purity. It was only natural for a man and a woman who shared an attraction to spend a night together; there was no gap for Seria to wedge herself into.
After all, Seria was nothing more than a ‘junior.’
A gloomy girl nursing a one-sided love in secret, only to end up wounded.
Seria’s face turned deathly pale at the truth she was terrified to face.
Even then, Delphine did not speak. She simply stared at her romantic rival in silence with her blood-red eyes.
In the end, Seria had only one choice.
“...Gi—Give him up.”
At that one pitifully trembling sentence, Delphine let out a hollow, incredulous laugh.
‘Give him up.’
It was an absurd solution coming from a Yurdina. Delphine exhaled a sigh filled with disappointment.
And just before she could finally speak—
Thud.
The sound of something collapsing rang out. Delphine looked forward again, surprised.
It was Seria.
The girl, now on her knees, had shoulders that convulsed with small tremors. A plea, thick with suppressed tears, followed.
“Could you please give him up, Sister...? I know how shameless this sounds, but Senior is... he’s everything to me.”
It was the first time she had ever bared her true heart.
Even Celine, who could be called Seria’s closest friend, had never heard such a statement out loud. Furthermore, Delphine was in the delicate position of being both her older sister and the Head of the Family.
There was no way she could have heard such a confession until now.
And so, Delphine found herself at a loss for words.
Nevertheless, Seria’s entreaty continued.
“P-Please, I beg of you. You know, Sister... I have nothing. No mother, no father... I only received this empty shell of a surname, ‘Yurdina.’ My life was truly nothing but the sword... No, I was the sword! He was the first person in my life to gift me a heart.”
Now it was Delphine’s turn to fall into contemplation.
The woman’s fine brow furrowed. Delphine remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a sighing response.
“...I see.”
Delphine’s demeanor had also softened considerably.
No one could fail to feel sympathy when their own flesh and blood was kneeling and shedding tears. Moreover, Delphine was the Head of the Family, burdened with the duty to look after all Yurdinas.
Perhaps sensing that crack in her resolve, Seria’s forehead slowly touched the floor.
“P-Please... hic, I beg of you... Since we were children, you’ve always had everything, Sister. Whatever I wanted... starting from the sword, to the family’s recognition and love! But, but I have nothing. Senior Ian is the only thing I have... Sister, so please...”
Delphine let out a long, heavy sigh and placed a hand on her forehead.
Soon, the woman leaned her weight back against the chair. With her arms now crossed, her eyes were clearly filled with a sense of conflict.
Against the backdrop of sobbing, Delphine’s deliberation deepened.
After some time.
Having finally made up her mind, Delphine silently stood up. She walked over and crouched down in front of Seria.
In those blood-red eyes, a rare emotion of ‘pity’ was visible.
“I know, Seria. How lonely and difficult it must have been for you... and the fact that I’ve been too indifferent toward you.”
Her tone was uncharacteristically soft.
Seria couldn't even remember the last time she had heard such warm consolation from Delphine.
Her heart felt so sorrowful yet grateful that she swallowed back her tears.
“I’m sorry for not being better to you, Seria. And as for my husband, you may act as your heart desires.”
Seria’s body flinched, and her crying subsided.
Her wide-open blue eyes looked up at Delphine.
Delphine’s golden hair shimmered like the sun under the light. Seria felt as if she were being bewitched by that beauty.
Was she serious?
Was she truly saying she would step aside?
The expression on Delphine’s face as she answered that desperate question was nothing but warm.
“As you know, my position is unstable. My standing within the family is solid, but since Father was detained, the public eye hasn't been kind. I’m not in a position to announce an engagement or marriage right now. So, do as you please.”
“R-Really...?”
It was a miserable, pathetic sight.
To be begging a romantic rival because she couldn't achieve love on her own.
Seria was well aware of that fact. Nevertheless, an irrepressible hope bled through the girl’s stammering voice.
She could get Senior back.
Even if it was just sympathy or pity thrown to a worthless being, it didn't matter.
Even if she had to take charity, even if her pride was crushed.
As long as she could be by Senior’s side, Seria was confident she could do anything.
And that wish had been granted.
By none other than the sister Seria loved so dearly.
With clear tears, the girl’s hope was exhaled.
“Is it really... okay for me to do that, Sister?”
“Of course.”
The answer was so cool and refreshing it felt almost hollow.
Not a single shred of regret or lingering attachment could be seen on Delphine’s face. Only an alluring smile graced her lips.
Seria trembled with overflowing joy and gratitude.
It was done.
She had finished this without losing either of the two people precious to her.
Though it was the result of a terribly selfish request, Seria was certain there could be no better conclusion.
She also felt guilty for owing her sister so much.
How could she ever repay this grace?
Seria decided and accepted deep in her heart that she would serve this woman for the rest of her life.
Delphine’s consolation continued.
“I didn't know your heart was so desperate. If you bare your feelings to my husband, I’m sure he’ll understand. Yes, and if you do that...”
Stroking Seria’s shoulder, the woman’s lips drew close to the girl’s ear.
Intoxicated by the sweet fantasy, Seria didn't even think to look at Delphine.
And so, she didn't see it.
The way the corners of those eyes curved with such wicked intent.
“Maybe you can receive the scraps of his affection?”
It was just a single sentence.
The peaceful atmosphere inverted in an instant.
In that split second where time froze and even the sound of breathing stopped, Seria, unable to immediately process the meaning, let out a dazed voice.
“...Pardon?”
“It’s exactly as it sounds.”
Her tone was incredibly calm.
At that voice, as level as a still sea, Seria could only lose her senses even further.
Delphine slowly stood up and added more words.
“I said you might be able to get the scraps of his affection. Go to my husband. Beg him, just like you’re doing now. Beg him to love you, to give you affection... Pfft.”
As if the mere thought was hilarious, Delphine bit back a short laugh.
No matter how naive Seria was, there was no way she could fail to grasp the intent.
It was ridicule.
The mockery directed at a loser.
A pure white void began to consume Seria’s thoughts once again.
“Ah, Seria. This sister of yours was wrong. I should have told you sooner—love isn't something you get by begging. In fact, everything in this world is like that... Weren't you educated as a member of the Yurdina family?”
She couldn't breathe.
Nevertheless, Seria squeezed her lungs, her shoulders heaving up and down as she gasped for air.
Her body was still trembling violently.
If it had been joy until a moment ago, now it was due to a different emotion entirely.
Her muscles tensed.
“There is only struggle.”
As her thoughts stopped, her heartbeat grew quiet instead. Her vision cleared, and the surrounding scenery became vivid.
Her mind was lucid.
Perhaps it had to be.
Seria was perfectly sane.
More so than ever before.
Delphine, walking with light steps, stopped in front of a wall.
Hanging there were numerous swords.
Famous blades that Seria had longed to own even one of.
Delphine stroked her chin and added, almost like a song:
“Do you know how I won my husband’s heart? It was quite difficult. As you know, he’s a cautious man. My husband is... but when the alcohol starts flowing, a person loses their mind. You just have to give them a tiny push then. Even so, he hesitated until the very end. So, in the end, I forced him...”
“...K-Ki...”
Broken syllables that couldn't even form words.
The girl, who had been hanging her head for a while, looked straight ahead.
That was the signal.
A blue light flashed in her eyes, and immediately after, the world was split apart.
It was a pure white dagger.
Tearing through the atmosphere and crushing the scenery, a single line of light shot forward, carving a jagged cross-section.
A sword.
And another sword blocking it.
It was a clash at supersonic speed, a moment where even the word 'instant' was insufficient. After a flash of light, the two women were already pressing their blades against each other.
Seria, who had shot forward after kicking off the ground, shouted through gritted teeth.
With emotions more vivid than ever before.
“I’m going to kill you!!!”
“Yes, that’s the spirit.”
Delphine grinned and put strength into the hand holding her sword.
A golden Aura flared up.
The surrounding scenery began to distort from the heat that ignited with a roar. It was a power that could lead to a fatal wound if one wasn't careful.
Even so, Delphine did not hesitate.
Because a dark blue Aura was already coalescing on Seria’s sword.
Her eyes, burning with murderous intent, bore witness.
That she wanted to kill her so badly she couldn't stand it.
At that murderous intent, which was almost erotic in its intensity, Delphine burst into a loud laugh for the first time in a long while.
The golden flames flickered and soared.
"This is more like it... This is the Yurdina way!"
A sharp clashing sound echoed, and soon, an untimely gale erupted within the room.
It was the beginning of a sisterly brawl.