Chapter 407: Gold and Silver (12)
Chapter 407: Gold and Silver (12)
“The Yurdina family already has a history of protecting Elves. Furthermore, one of those Elves performed a great service in the recent battle.”
“Right, by sacrificing his very life.”
The words were tossed out as wine was poured into the glass before me. Trickle, trickle.
I felt a slight lump in my throat at that blunt statement of fact.
That ‘Elf’ was none other than Old Man Hanson.
However, I was soon able to regain my composure.
His death had ultimately paved the way toward the future.
“And the Imperial Household wishes to bring the Elves into the Empire’s fold. To do that, they must first resolve the long-standing grudges between humans and Elves. Wouldn't they need a figure who could serve as a symbol for that?”
“An Elf who sacrificed himself for humanity…”
Senior Delphine closed her eyes and tapped the table with her index finger.
Tap, tap. Only after the sound echoed a few times did the woman’s voice drift out again.
“It’s not bad… No, it’s actually better than I imagined.”
“The family that was protecting that Elf is the Yurdina family.”
“But there’s no way the Imperial Household would let it end at just that.”
It was a sharp observation.
The task of settling Elves in the North was an issue directly linked to the interests of the Yurdina family, not just the Imperial Household.
No matter what anyone said, the North was Yurdina’s jurisdiction.
This was far too lenient a punishment for a family that had colluded with the Dark Cult—even considering the fact that the successor had arrested the traitor with her own hands.
At the very least, the Imperial Household would want a punishment, even if it was just for appearances.
Reto, who had conveyed this plan to me, was also well aware of that fact.
“You simply need to provide full support for the Elves' settlement process.”
“Ah, I see… There was that way, too.”
It was a clever move in its own right, but Senior Delphine’s reaction was somewhat lackluster.
It couldn't be helped.
The Yurdina family’s current situation could not be called good, even as a polite lie.
Out of nowhere, the head of the family had been branded a traitor.
The military had been severely depleted while preparing for the battle against the flesh monsters, and countless resources, including provisions, had vanished. There hadn't even been time to react to the sudden transfer of power.
And yet, they were expected to take responsibility and provide support for the Elves' settlement?
“In the end, we’ll have no choice but to rely on the Imperial Household to stabilize the people's livelihoods. So, the Imperial Household wins by putting a leash on Yurdina, and if the Elf settlement goes well, it couldn't be better for them. They increase their subjects, reduce uncultivated land, and even bolster their forces for the upcoming battle against the Dark Cult.”
“And to control the Elves, who still harbor deep grudges, the Yurdina family’s private army will need to be reorganized. Of course, since those troops are meant to keep the Elves in check, they won't actually be able to move elsewhere.”
“But they can be utilized in an emergency. For instance, a war that determines the future of the Empire?”
Senior Delphine let out a hollow laugh. Heh.
“It’s so clean it’s annoying.”
“This result only came about because the Imperial Household didn't want to make this issue public. If they had announced the fact that the family colluded with the Dark Cult…”
“I know.”
As if there were no need to say more, Senior Delphine raised her hand to stop me.
The end of that hypothetical scenario was obvious anyway.
Extermination of a family.
At the very least, a disaster equivalent to that would have befallen the Yurdina family.
Of course, the process of negotiating with various councils, including the Holy Kingdom, still remained, but that was something the Imperial Household could smooth over one way or another if they stepped in.
In other words, the crisis had passed.
The Imperial Household was satisfied because they saved a loyal hound and gained practical benefits.
And the Yurdina family was fortunate to have avoided the worst-case scenario.
A long sigh escaped my lips now that I had obtained Senior Delphine’s agreement.
It was finally over.
As if to confirm that fact, Senior Delphine slowly picked up her wine glass and stood up.
Even her light, airy footsteps were incredibly alluring.
With the atmosphere shifting in an instant, I could now guess Senior Delphine’s intentions to some extent.
Right, this flow again.
Senior Delphine leaned her head slightly against my chest and spoke.
“You’ve worked hard, Husband. It seems you have a rather capable strategist under you?”
“Yes, well. I suppose so.”
I replied with an awkward smile.
In truth, many memories came to mind as Senior Delphine approached.
For example, Seria, or Emma.
Unaware of my inner thoughts, Senior Delphine gave me a smile full of affection.
The breath tickling my neck was hot.
It probably wasn't just because of the alcohol.
“Well done. After all, the ability to manage subordinates well is also a leader's skill… I’ve ended up owing you a great debt, haven't I, Husband? What should I do? How should I repay this debt?”
It felt like a question with a predetermined answer.
However, I didn't voice that thought.
Instead, I merely broached a topic with Senior Delphine while trying my best to feign composure.
“Um, but that’s not the only problem.”
“……?”
And so the story continued.
As she heard about Seria’s berserk state and what had happened with Emma, Senior Delphine’s expression became complicated.
Eventually, she let out a deep sigh and sat back down as she pleased.
Then, with a sulky expression, she filled her glass and emptied it a couple of times.
I felt a cold sweat break out instinctively.
To anyone’s eyes, Senior Delphine did not look happy.
In fact, she was making it very obvious that she was annoyed.
This was also why I couldn't take Senior Delphine’s absurd solution at face value.
Sleep with Seria for a night?
Was that really such a simple thing that could be done just by saying it?
I cautiously watched Senior Delphine’s reaction and asked.
“Um, Senior Delphine?”
“What.”
Her voice was blunt.
I was surprised that the always confident and haughty Senior Delphine could make such a sound.
It was the quintessential look of a pouting woman that one could see anywhere.
Unintentionally, a faint smile played on my lips.
“Are you perhaps upset?”
It was a question that could be considered beyond obvious and even rude.
I was a man she had already shared a deep physical relationship with.
If her lover was going around meeting other women, of course she wouldn't feel good.
But Senior Delphine was a woman who exceeded my expectations in many ways.
“Me? Upset? Hmm… why?”
Her tone suggested she truly didn't understand.
Yet, seeing the annoyance she couldn't hide in her eyes, I deliberately gave an oblivious answer.
“Aren't you jealous?”
“Me, jealous? Of other people? Pfft, as if…”
At first, Senior Delphine tried to laugh off my remark.
But then, as if something had suddenly occurred to her, her laughter began to subside.
It didn't take long for the woman’s face to stiffen.
Senior Delphine eventually let out a long sigh.
It was a sign of surrender.
“Jealousy, jealousy… Right, I guess I was.”
Her voice was tinged with a sense of futility.
As if she never imagined she would end up like this, Senior Delphine wiped her face with both hands.
“……I must be crazy.”
Of course, it was an absurd lament.
If anyone was crazy, wouldn't it be me for wandering off while having a woman as charming as Senior Delphine?
I decided to try and comfort Senior Delphine in the warmest tone possible.
“No, it’s not your fault, Senior Delphine. It’s my fault, so if you find it uncomfortable…”
“No.”
I immediately shut my mouth at that firm refusal.
Senior Delphine moistened her throat with wine and muttered with a dazed face.
“I won't be able to get married for a while anyway. And you already have women with bright futures all around you… There’s no reason for you to be tied down to me. I don't want to block your path.”
“Senior Delphine, even so…”
“Do as I say.”
Saying that, Senior Delphine suddenly stood up.
It only took a split second for the woman to close the distance between us.
Then, her voice followed, almost like a plea.
“I knew from the beginning. That you—no, that my Husband is a man I cannot monopolize… I did it knowing that. Besides, Seria is a pitiful child, too. So, don't worry about me too much.”
What should I say to this?
When I let out a sigh of frustration, Senior Delphine’s two hands quietly clasped mine.
And with eyes full of sincerity, she spoke once more.
“This is my love.”
In the end, I wore a bitter smile and pressed my lips against Senior Delphine’s.
For a while after that, we only felt each other’s warmth.
It was a strange thing.
It felt good just being like this.
A languid sense of fulfillment that nothing else could provide filled my heart.
The peaceful time continued on like that.
Until Senior Delphine let out a faint laugh.
“This has turned into quite a funny situation… The Yurdina sisters serving one man, and there’s another commoner too? If you had told me this a few months ago, you wouldn't have escaped death.”
Her attitude was as if she had heard a funny joke.
That was why it was so hard for me to bring it up to Senior Delphine.
That there were still more women.
Of course, it wasn't something I could hide forever.
As I hesitated for a long time, Senior Delphine’s questioning gaze turned toward me. And in the end, I had to squeeze my eyes shut and confess all my relationships.
Including the stories of Senior Elsie and the Saintess.
The warmth faded from Senior Delphine’s eyes once again.
Suppressing the urge to fall to my knees, I stammered a question.
“Um, so… will it be okay?”
“Will it be okay? Ah, of course it’s okay. Why don't you just rotate bedrooms every night? No, if even that’s too much trouble, why don't you just sleep with two women at once?”
I had no words, even if I had ten mouths.
When I began my silent penance with my mouth tightly shut, Senior Delphine let out a hollow laugh as if she were appalled.
I suppose I should settle things.
Just as I made that resolution and was about to open my mouth.
Senior Delphine kissed me as if pouncing on my lips. Then, our tongues intertwined, and the sweet scent of wine flowed through the gap.
Having exchanged wine along with saliva, I looked at Senior Delphine in surprise.
Yes, at the woman who was wearing such an incredibly alluring smile.
“Instead, report to me every time… who you felt the best spending the night with.”
Isn't this also a question with a predetermined answer?
I was about to retort, but I stopped.
All that remained now was to prove it.
Senior Delphine’s body and mine overlapped on the bed once again.
The next day, I was walking down the corridor of Yurdina Castle, letting out a yawn.
Most of the urgent problems had been resolved.
All that remained now were minor loose ends. Other than that, it was just trivial tasks like going to see Senior Elsie, getting nagged by the Saintess, or checking on Avian’s well-being.
The thing that caused a crack in my peaceful daily life was the visit of a certain girl.
It happened just as I was walking and talking alone with Avian.
“……Brother!”
The moment I recognized a familiar voice from afar.
I was sent sprawling onto the ground by a powerful impact. The girl who had charged at me like a cannonball was sitting on top of me like a conqueror, wearing a tearful face.
Black hair and golden eyes.
The symbol of a certain family.
“Oh, what should I do… You’ve suffered so much, haven't you? You can't even hold yourself up properly……”
I wanted to cough out a dry hack and protest.
That the reason I couldn't hold myself up right now was something else entirely.
But the girl reacted before I could.
Not toward me, but toward Avian, who was beside me.
“What is this… this dirty Elf?! Hey, you! What’s your relationship with my brother!”
Seeing that, I finally relaxed my neck as if giving up.
She didn't even use honorifics despite it being their first meeting. She was even being rude.
This was proof that the girl was extremely agitated. So, she wouldn't listen even if I tried to talk to her anyway.
However, my younger sister’s visit informed me of another fact.
It’s time to go back.
To the Academy.
My daily life in the North was coming to an end.