CH 80

*******

Unlike the peaceful Pionia, where no one cares about the attack on the wedding, the Imperial Palace was as quiet as the eve of a storm. It was because Deltinus did nothing for a while, locking himself in the bedroom like a beast that had been beaten by an opponent who was competing for territory.

At first, he did not call for a woman, or drink alcohol, or kill anyone, so the nobles and servants spent several days on pins and needles.

Then he finally appeared in his office. His hair was scattered here and there and his unshaven, bushy beard made him look terrible, but his eyes were fiercely sharp. He didn’t look like the rabid tyrant people described. However, he was in a state of revenge towards Yulif.

“Your Majesty, Rena Harrodsell has arrived.”

“Bring her in.”

The door to the office opened, and the woman who had entered with Count Enderk immediately knelt on the floor of the office. Deltinus’ eyes flashed for a moment with interest.

“This is an overly polite greeting for an esteemed lady of a county. Are you Rena Harrodsell?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am the eldest daughter of the Harrodsell family, Rena.”

“Lift your head.”

Rena raised her head. She was an impressive beauty with black velvet-like glossy hair and blue-gray eyes. She looked like a proud black cat, perhaps because of her raised eyes.

Deltinus got off his desk and walked over to her. Then he grabbed her slender chin and turned her left and right. Rena didn’t groan even once, despite his strong grip that wouldn’t be strange if her neck was broken.

‘Are you sure? That’s how determined you are?’ Deltinus let go of Rena’s chin with a satisfied smile.

“Do you have any idea why I called you?”

“To some extent, yes.”

“Then I want to hear.”

Deltinus sat on the edge of his desk and poured the wine into a glass. He had a relaxed attitude as if he was in front of the entertainment district. Clearly, the handle of the knife was held by Deltinus.

The Harrodsell family was a member of the imperial faction. It was not a family that supported the emperor from the beginning like Count Enderk. During a tug of war between the emperor and the duke, when rumors spread that the duke had lost contact in the north, Harrodsell urgently supported the emperor.

That was a rumor that Deltinus spread to filter out opportunists.

From then on, Count Harrodsell fell out of favor with Deltinus, and in the end, he was imprisoned without being acquitted of tax evasion charges.

“I dared to think that Your Majesty was trying to give me an opportunity to be washed away from the sins of my immoral father.”

“It’s half-right and half-wrong.”

Deltinus drank half the wine. The red wine in the glass swayed weakly following his leisurely gestures. Just like the fate of the Harrodsell family.

“It’s true that I’m trying to give you a chance, but it can’t wash away your father’s sins. How can he be forgiven for the sin of pushing the tax owed to the empire into his stomach with just one chance?”

“You’re right. I was presumptuous.”

“Isn’t it possible to save lives instead?”

Deltinus continued walking slowly around Rena.

“I was in a hurry to return to the palace, so I couldn’t properly deliver the wedding gift to the duke. If Count Harrodsell had not been imprisoned, he would have been in charge, so you should go instead.”

“I will follow you no matter what. But, can I dare to visit the duke as Your Majesty’s messenger?”

“I thought your mind was rolling well on it’s own, but you’re stupid.”

Deltinus clicked his tongue. Rena hardened her body at the sound of his ridiculing voice.

“Did you really think I’m going to bring a present?”

Deltinus stopped his steps in front of Rena and whispered softly in her ear.

“The gift is a justification for sending you to the duke’s castle. Without it, the duke won’t accept you. Shake the duke by any means. It would be better if you could get a spot.”

“But that seat is…”

“Do I have to tell you everything? You’re meant to be a one-night stand.”

A crack appeared in Rena’s face, which had remained unchanged throughout her life. It was a huge disgrace to ask a noble lady who was not yet engaged, moreover, the eldest daughter of a county, to be the duke’s one-night stand.

But Rena quickly took hold of her expression and lowered her head more deeply.

“The duke won’t be swayed easily, but try to do to the best of your ability. If you show your ability, I will spare your family. Everything, even your father.”

“And if… What will happen if I fail?”

“How do you think it will be?”

Deltinus snickered as he spoke in a creepy voice. Rena bit her lips, which leaked blood.

The woman the emperor favored had recently become the duchess. It wasn’t hard to guess that making such an order had something to do with the duchess. So, the emperor wants her to intervene between the duke and duchess and shake up their relationship.

Could she do it? Against Duke Rubius, who said he was interested in women as much as he was interested in a piece of wood? Wouldn’t it be difficult to even talk to him, let alone drag him into bed?

“…I’ll do it.”

However, Rena had no choice because he held her family hostage. Deltinus nodded his head and got up.

“Then I wish you success with a drink.”

Deltinus poured the remaining wine from the glass in front of Rena’s face. Then he ordered the hesitant Rena.

“What are you doing? Not drinking the wine that I gave you.”

Rena slowly lowered her head and licked the carpet soaked in wine. “Hahaha!” The sound of Deltinus’ laughter reverberated throughout the office.

*******

The feathers on their wings were very valuable to the Hwira people, but at the same time they were also very annoying. This was because cleaning up after flight was basic, and it was necessary to periodically shake off old feathers to ensure that new feathers grow well.

In particular, it was difficult to dispose of feathers that fell out in season. The wings that supported the human body were much larger and more feathery than those of birds. Of course, the amount of feathers that fell out was huge. Sometimes, there were hunters who came near the village using fallen feathers as a guide, so the Hwira picked up fallen feathers and erased the traces if possible.

Roana murmured in wonder as she peered into the box with feathers piled up like a mountain. Canaren said she was shy the first few times and asked her not to keep staring at her, but when she turned around, she went back and looked around, and she naturally gave up.

Roana marveled at her. Because that much had fallen from Canaren’s wings in just two days. To be honest, Canaren was a little surprised herself. She didn’t know there were so many old feathers.

“But why do you want to collect these? Ah! I get it!”

Roana, who was looking at the box, ran and grabbed Canaren’s hands. Canaren shifted her gaze. Roana looked at her with eyes twinkling in anticipation, which was burdensome.

“You’re doing this to give it to me!”

“Yes….?”

“You know how I’m thinking of making magic wings! Indeed, Canaren is amazing. Canaren is the only one who cares about me in this wide Pionia. I do not regret my oath to give the rest of my life as Roana Ocard to Canaren. Forever and ever! I will be by Canaren’s side!”

“Oh, hey, Well that’s… Roana, the truth is…”

“I couldn’t tell the lord because I was afraid I would be scolded, but please take care of me like this first… ahh! It’s so moving that I have tears in my eyes. Sorry. I’m not the type of person who sheds a lot of tears…”

“Um, Roana…?”

“Yes, Canaren! Please speak! Whatever orders you give, I will faithfully and perfectly carry them out!”

“Sorry, but I’m not giving all my feathers to Roana.”

Roana rubbed her eyes, and she froze in that position. Canaren added hastily.

“Er… I’ll get you new ones. Yes, new ones! I’ll give you everything you need for your research! These are my old feathers, so they will be useless.”

“You’re really going to collect new ones…? You promised?”

“Yes. Please tell me how much you need. I will collect it and give it to you.”

Then Roana smiled broadly. Canaren somehow felt guilty for deceiving her.

“Then what are you going to use this for?”

“I’m going to try to make a variety of things just like the ones I used to make in the village. I want to ask Roana for a simple thing… it’s okay?”

“I’m good at magic, but I’m also dexterous. If I hadn’t been a wizard, I would have made a living as a craftsman. Leave it to me!”

Roana rolled up her sleeves and clenched her fists. Just then, someone knocked on the door.  Derek was standing precariously with boxes stacked on top of each other.

“Hello, Canaren. The lord asked me to bring you some of these. Hey! Roana! Take this!”

“Why me? You have to finish your job. You’ve been very negligent in your work lately. You don’t want to work? I think I’ll tell the lord.”

“Oh, for pity’s sake!”

“Oh, you pathetic fellow.”

Roana sighed and stood up and took some of the boxes. There were a total of seven boxes, and they contained threads, small jewels, and materials such as circular frames. Canaren looked at the items in the box one by one and smiled brightly at Derek.

“Please say thank you to Yulif. And thank you too, for bringing the boxes to me.”

“What are you going to make? What can I do?”

“I’m going to ask Roana to make it out of three feathers. It’s called ‘Almang’ in Hwira. IIt is said to have the power to bring good luck and ward off bad luck when worn on the body.”

“Oh, it’s like a talisman. It’s like a tool made by magic.”

“Yes, that is correct. Though there is no magic on it.”

Canaren and Roana sat at a large table, lowered their foreheads, and slowly made a net. Canaren first demonstrated, and Roana observed and imitated it, and she did it without any hesitation.

Canaren clapped when she saw the net finished by Roana’s hands.

“Awesome! Roana is really dexterous! It took me a whole day to learn from my mother.”

“I told you. If I weren’t a wizard, I would have made a living as a craftsman. By the way, why are you still here?

“What, huh?”

Canaren then found Derek standing behind Roana and sneaking around. Derek glanced at Roana and scratched his flushed cheeks.

“Since it looks fun and interesting, time simply went as I was watching. Hahaha!”

“No way…”

Roana narrowed her eyes and looked doubtfully at Derek. Derek flinched and took a step back.

‘Did she notice? If Roana notices like she usually does… Did I move around too much and made it obvious?’

“Derek, did you get fired?”

“…..What?”

“Tell me honestly. I won’t make fun of you. I’m not a bad person to make fun of a fired colleague.”

“Fired? Did the lieutenant get fired? Will you not be able to work for Yulif now? Why?”

“Yes? No, no! I wasn’t fired!”

“Poor fellow. No wonder his shoulders were touching the ground…”

As Roana shook her head with a sad expression, Canaren’s complexion also darkened. It wasn’t just dark, but she looked like she was about to cry. Canaren approached Derek, who was speechless, and held out a freshly made talisman.

“Lieutenant, take it. It will bring good luck to you. Oh… can I not call you ‘lieutenant’ now…?”

“I am still the lord’s lieutenant! I didn’t get fired!”

“I think the shock of being fired has been too much. You can’t accept reality and so you’re avoiding it.”

“Hmm… Roana, how about if the two of us ask Yulif?”

“I’m not fired! I’m not!”

“I don’t know why he was fired, so I don’t even want to ask for it. If Derek was fired because he made a mistake, His lordship might be even more angry and expel Derek out of the estate.”

“No! I said no! How many times do I have to say no!”

Canaren was now looking at Derek with completely sympathetic and compassionate eyes. Derek, one of the most capable lieutenants in the empire, would quickly become a vagrant sitting on the street.

Derek became very miserable. Worse still, even Roana looked at him with the same kind of eyes as Canaren.

“Hey, come and sit down.”

Roana pointed to the empty seat next to her. What are you going to say again this time? Derek crouched and sat down on the chair. Roana sat close to him. The distance was enough for their shoulders to touch. Derek’s ears turned red.

“Why, why, why are you doing this? Why? What else did I do wrong, now?”

“What are you talking about? I want to teach you a skill. You got fired, so you don’t have something to do to make a living.”

“Good idea! I will teach you other things besides Alman.”

Canaren also quickly returned to her seat and laid out materials from the box on the table. Derek answered in a weeping voice.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you… for thinking about my future…”

Derek’s mouth was smiling when he said that, but his eyes were weeping.

‘This isn’t it. I just wanted to talk to Roana a little more!’

‘Why did this happen! And I have to go now. I’m going to really get fired if I do this!’

(TL/N: Poor Derek… his crush is so mean to him!)

*******

‘Why the hell is he doing, to be so late?’

Yulif looked at the clock and frowned. It’s been over an hour since he sent Derek to deliver items to Canaren. It wouldn’t have taken this long unless Derek was kidnapped.

Did something happen to Canaren?

Yulif closed his eyes for a moment and concentrated his mind. It was an act of checking the barriers placed on the castle. There was no impure being caught in his sharp senses.

Even though he knew it couldn’t be, the ominous thought that entered had no sign of leaving his mind. In the end, Yulif left the office after an hour and a half.

The closer he got to Canaren’s room, the more he killed his presence.

The door was closed, but not locked. Security was messed up. Yulif opened the door slightly, thinking that he should call Ocard and give her a firm reprimand. But Canaren’s voice leaked out through the narrow gap.

“You can’t tie a knot like that! The other way. The other way around!”

“Sorry. I know this in my head, but my hands are not following.”

“Concentrate. Uh? Everything we’re doing now for you.”

“Yes… I am a sinner.  I am a sinner.”

“You’re not a sinner. Cheer up and try again. Get some rest. It’s new for you.”

It seemed that Canaren, Roana, and Derek were all in the room. Yulif pushed the door a little further, widening the gap.

The three of them sat together at a table. All had the posture of sitting hunched over and looking at something with their heads put together. Yulif’s eyes began to grow cold as he noticed Derek was sitting quite close to Canaren.

It’s been a long time since he sat next to Canaren. He wanted to get closer to her. Sit face to face and see if the food suited her, and what tasted the best. There were a lot of things he wanted to ask.

But because nothing was allowed to him. He had to keep his distance, so he somehow forced himself to endure it. Seeing Derek casually befriending Canaren made him suddenly upset.

“Hah… I probably can’t. I’m just going to look for another skill set…”

“Where are you going when you have nowhere to go? Complete at least one and go. If a man draws a knife, he must be able to cut even a carrot!”

“Try it one more time. If it doesn’t work this time, I’ll send one to you. Okay?”

“Ah, I really have to go… The lord will be really upset…”

Canaren even grabbed Derek’s arm when he stood up. In an instant, the heat stretched up towards Yulif’s head, and there was a crunching sound. When Yulif looked down, he saw that he unconsciously broke the handle with his strong hand.

‘This.’

“What was that sound just now?”

“I will go out. Stay here.”

“I will go too.”

Roana and Derek approached the door with grim expressions. Yulif hid behind the door and met the two people who opened the door. He closed their mouths with magic and took them a little further away from the room.

“If you keep popping out like that, my heart will drop and I’ll die!”

“I came here because the employee I sent to deliver the goods didn’t come back. What are you doing?”

“Well, that is…”

“Didn’t he get fired?”

What the hell did this mean? Incomprehensible things kept happening. The already uncomfortable face of Yulif scrunched up completely.

“Do you want to get fired?”

“No! That’s not it!”

“Yes. It sounds like you want to die rather than get fired.”

Yulif smiled coldly. Roana had a bad feeling and she hurriedly left the place, giving Canaren an excuse why she returned alone.

Just before closing the door, a distant scream, presumed to belong to Derek, echoed. Roana quietly closed the door.

Beyond the door was hell, inside the door was certainly heaven.