Senior Delphine’s voice was sweet.
The fragrant scent had me dizzy. Before long, I was faced with Senior Delphine’s prominent nose, her eyes resembling rubies, and her lips, which formed an alluring curve.
If left as it was, it felt like we would kiss.
Senior Delphine was that much of an attractive woman.
That was the reason I had gritted my teeth and summoned all my superhuman patience.
“…It won’t do.”
Yet, Senior Delphine merely gazed at me intently.
It meant she wanted a satisfactory reason.
Wasn’t she the one who first called me “slave”? What an incredibly audacious attitude.
“There are many servants and retainers outside the door. What if someone sees us on our way to the bedroom?”
“Um, should I introduce you as my fiancé?”
With that shameless response, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
“If you’re looking to settle things with Senior Elsi…”
“Yeah, I heard. That girl confessed first, right? Ah, that makes me even more tempted…”
With a soft laugh, Senior Delphine flashed an enticing smile.
“I’ll hold off for now. After all, I’m the one asking for help right now… But someday, I want to see that face of the precious pet who lost their loved one.”
She certainly was a uniquely tasteful woman.
As I shook my head in surrender, Senior Delphine slowly distanced herself from my embrace, seemingly satisfied.
In the process, I suddenly realized that Senior Delphine was wearing armor.
Of course, I had known this since the first time I saw her. However, as we pressed our bodies together, I realized it anew.
The sensation of her resilient body didn’t come through at all. I could only feel the hard texture.
It must be because the cold metal encased her female form.
I felt a slight disappointment, yet I couldn’t take my eyes off Senior Delphine.
She had always worn a uniform at the Academy. Perhaps that was why her armored appearance felt remarkably different.
It had been quite some time since I last saw Senior Delphine in armor, probably since the Hunting Festival.
I couldn’t remember clearly as it was too long ago.
At that time, I had been so caught up in the moment that I had smashed everything, armor and all.
It was then that Senior Delphine’s hand reached towards the coffee table.
Though I was momentarily lost in memories, I wasn’t so out of it that I couldn’t grasp her intent.
I responded to her offer and sat down opposite her at the table. Senior Delphine seemed to have anticipated this development from the start.
The evidence was clear as warm tea was poured into the cup placed before me.
It meant she’d prepared the tea in advance.
In the end, I had once again fallen for Senior Delphine’s prank. Though her gaze seemed alluring, I doubted it was sincere.
The feelings Senior Delphine had for me were not based on affection.
Rather, they seemed more like a calculated and sinister infatuation.
I wasn’t offended. I knew this fact all too well.
My hand instinctively grasped the teacup. The fragrant aroma tickled my nose.
It was a high-quality product.
If it weren’t for Senior Delphine, I probably would have never laid eyes on such tea leaves. Recently, while imports have increased dramatically, I had no intention of spending a fortune on luxury goods.
If that was the case, I would rather have a stylish hand axe.
As I organized my wandering thoughts, I asked Senior Delphine.
“Can’t we just have a maid fetch the tea?”
“I’m your maid, aren’t I? And, in addition, your slave too.”
Her tone was relaxed.
And her voice bore no hint of playfulness. Senior Delphine genuinely saw herself as my slave.
Such words didn’t even cause me to smile.
The mistress of this sturdy stronghold serving a mere second son of a country baron as her master was a secret that shouldn’t see the light of day.
I spoke with a troubled expression.
“Please don’t say that, Senior Delphine… As the second house of Yuridina, I have my pride.”
That was the reasonable viewpoint.
Even if I conceded that the Academy wasn’t in this territory, this place was a city ruled by Yuridina. Nobles shouldn’t bow their heads carelessly in their own territory.
After all, it was a matter directly connected to the honor of the entire domain.
Knowing Senior Delphine as I did, she would likely find a proper compromise at this point.
She had a tremendously strong sense of pride as a noble.
When we were alone, she’d say she’d call me “master,” or perhaps she’d tease me again while trying to contend with me.
But the strategy Senior Delphine chose was neither of those.
She merely murmured in a somewhat dispirited voice.
“Heh, pride… ”
She chuckled weakly and took a sip of her tea.
It was unlike her. It had been a long time since she appeared so powerless.
The last time I remembered her acting like this was when our relationship wasn’t good at all. Even then, she used to glance at me nervously, often trembling.
While she looked more stable than back then, it was clear that Senior Delphine wasn’t herself.
If she were, she wouldn’t lack energy.
As I looked at her with concern, Senior Delphine winked at me.
The alluring curve of her eyes was captivating. My heart nearly raced for an instant, but I managed to hold on.
That gaze of hers seemed to carry a hint of sorrow.
“…So, how was Yuridina City? It’s the best large city in the Northern Region.”
That was an unexpected question.
Was she trying to change the subject, or was there some hidden motive behind it?
I decided to match Senior Delphine’s rhythm.
It would only be my banal impressions spilling from my lips, though.
“It was magnificent. I finally realized Yuridina’s true power. I never knew so many people could live in such a cold place.”
“Really? I wouldn’t know, honestly… I’ve lived here since childhood.”
Simultaneously, Senior Delphine’s eyes naturally closed.
It seemed she was resurrecting long-ago memories. No matter how highborn a noble was, they would surely have one or two pleasant memories.
Though the North was a cold and barren place, it was Senior Delphine’s hometown.
The affection she had for it couldn’t help but be special.
“I was such a tomboy back then. I would never listen to anyone, so I wandered around everywhere secretly every day…”
“I can easily imagine the burden placed on the retainers back then.”
“That’s right, at that time, Alex had quite a bit of trouble finding me… It was when I was at the height of my father’s favor. As you know, I was the only heir to Yuridina. He must have shouted my name all day long looking for his precious golden child.”
Alex, huh?
He might have made quite the impression.
To think of the sturdy man roaming around shouting for a little noble girl.
Of course, he might see it as a black mark on his past.
Senior Delphine, lost in memories, continued her dreamy confessions.
“Looking back, there seemed to be an atmosphere of allowing my runaway from the family. After all, I was destined to be the owner of Yuridina City from birth, and the more I learned the circumstances, the better, right?”
“So, have you been getting by well because of that?”
“Yeah, that’s right… At least until recently, I thought so.”
That was a profoundly significant confession.
Instinctively, I sensed that the crux of the matter would soon be revealed.
As I silently sipped my tea, the warm liquid warmed my throat.
It was only then that Senior Delphine opened her eyes once more.
Her blood-red eyes now bore a cold light.
“The situation at the front line is suspicious.”
The front line in the North.
The identity of the two forces facing each other was evidently clear.
A sigh mixed with an incredulous retort escaped my lips.
“…Are you talking about the elves?”
“Yeah, and it’s also a problem for Yuridina.”
With a clatter, Senior Delphine dropped her teacup onto the table.
Her tone was serious.
“I’m lacking too much information… The elves’ offensive has become too fierce. Their strength has increased significantly, and above all, there might be a traitor hidden within the Yuridina clan.”
“Traitor.”
The weight of those three syllables was certainly not light.
I could now understand why Senior Delphine had been wearing such a gloomy expression.
It was time to start doubting the retainers she had grown up with since childhood.
Unless one was a woman forged from blood and steel, it would be a bittersweet burden. I looked at Senior Delphine with pity.
However, questions still lingered.
“Isn’t that too far-fetched? The change in the situation might just be due to internal issues among the elves.”
“That’s likely, but somehow information keeps leaking from somewhere. No… Information coming to me is being blocked.”
Tap, tap. Senior Delphine’s finger drummed on the table with an expression full of irritation.
I couldn’t help but deepen my questions.
“Isn’t the Yuridina clan a military faction? The reporting system must surely be clear. So if information is cut off, the reason should be filtered immediately…”
“What if the related parties disappeared?”
I fell silent.
It was one thing if individuals were deemed fugitives. If all related parties had gone missing, it would most certainly fall under the realm of conspiracy.
My voice dropped significantly.
“…Is it an inside job?”
“From the circumstances, it seems so. And right now, I can’t trust anyone.”
With a laugh, Senior Delphine mocked herself, as if finding her own predicament amusing.
Her body sunk deeply into the soft backrest.
“Am I a fool? Leaving my grip on the clan weak while I went off to the Academy… If only I had won the Hunting Festival.”
Those words pierced me deeply at that moment.
Yes, that was indeed the case.
Winning the Hunting Festival was a feat that the heirs of Yuridina had always accomplished. It could be said that it was a trophy that would further reinforce Senior Delphine’s shining legitimacy.
But Senior Delphine had failed.
While it could be said that it was due to Senior Delphine’s shortcomings, it could not be denied that the main cause was me.
In the end, I let out a faint groan.
It was clear that she was targeting me with those words. Senior Delphine surely understood my feelings by now.
“…So you want me to help?”
“You wouldn’t betray me, would you? And the others wouldn’t betray you either.”
In conclusion, it became a seamless chain in which no one could betray Senior Delphine.
Even after struggling for a while, there was no way out.
Since I had received a letter from the future, it was impossible for me to withdraw from this incident. Moreover, most importantly, I couldn’t shake off the thought of Senior Delphine.
Even if I tried to act nonchalant, it was obvious.
It showed how deeply tormented Senior Delphine was.
As I silently observed her expression, I eventually raised my hands in surrender.
“Alright then. I’ll help you, but…”
Senior Delphine’s blood-red eyes flicked toward me.
It seemed she was waiting for the next words I would say.
With a bitter smile, I spoke to Senior Delphine.
“Let’s lighten your mood a bit. The strong and proud Senior Delphine suits you much better.”
Then, silence fell.
Senior Delphine stared at me blankly without saying a word. For a moment, it seemed she didn’t understand what I meant.
Only after a while did Senior Delphine finally respond.
“…Pfft.”
She covered her mouth as laughter erupted from her.
I felt somewhat embarrassed and cleared my throat. Perhaps it was because I offered an inappropriate consolation, but her laughter sounded like mockery.
However, the gaze that Senior Delphine directed at me again contained a hint of light-heartedness.
“That might be difficult. Our master, it seems, is still lacking in skills for wooing women. Do you have a more pleasing suggestion…?”
“Should I spank you?”
It was a suggestion that slipped out thoughtlessly.
The outrightness of my words made my face heat up. Senior Delphine, caught off guard by my response, looked at me with a dazed expression.
As the silence stretched on, it became increasingly uncomfortable for me.
In the end, I covered my flushed face with my hands and spoke.
“No, if you don’t like it, then…”
“…Just below?”
At that single remark, I could only halt my breath.
Now it was my turn to give a foolish stare.
Senior Delphine’s eyes had begun to shimmer with some desire.
I heard the sound of her armor clattering as it fell off her body.
In order to wear and remove armor, assistance from others was essential. Thus, expensive armor was often enchanted to allow easy removal.
Senior Delphine’s armor was one such case.
With a clank, the armor tumbled sideways. Slowly raising her body, Senior Delphine wore nothing but her thin undergarments.
She pulled at the clingy fabric of her undergarments, allowing air to circulate.
At first glance, it seemed like a gesture to escape the heat, but the alluring smile she wore, accentuating her cleavage, made her intent clear.
While subtly shifting her rear, Senior Delphine emphasized the sizes of her ample breasts.
With a wink, she said one thing.
“Master, these foolishly large breasts want punishment too… I’ve been taking care to make them pleasurable for today. Please grant the wish of this slave.”
It was a mix of pleading and flirtation.
Her breath was tinged with sweetness. Senior Delphine’s eyes were already flushed, holding a wistful glimmer for quite some time.
Ultimately, I took a deep breath.
There was no other choice. I had promised to console Senior Delphine.
Yes, it was certainly not my will.
Probably.
And then, I planned to visit Senior Delphine’s bedroom later on.
It didn’t have any special meaning, just to hear the details.
The late-night bedroom would surely be more suitable for a secret meeting than the office.
That night.
“Hello, Master.”
In the late-night bedroom, facing Senior Delphine who was clad only in her underwear, I finally covered my face with both hands.
Looking at that playful smile made me realize once more.
Senior Delphine was indeed the same.
It seemed that tonight would be a bit longer.
