Misfortune 81

Chapter 81

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Delnia stared blankly at the hand in front of her.

Nothing about the situation made sense, but what was most absurd was that the person who claimed to be helping her escape hadn't even bothered to ask her opinion.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Your Excellency.”

Delnia didn’t take Marcel’s outstretched hand; instead, she stepped back from him and replied coldly.

At that, the gray eyes that had been hardened like stone showed a slight crack.

However, he didn't give up and composed his voice.

“I understand. It must be strange seeing me just show up like this. If you find it hard to believe, you can leave on your own. Whatever choice you make, I will help you.”

Marcel, who had misjudged Delnia's intentions, quickly offered an alternative plan.

She decided she couldn't tolerate him any longer. It was clear that vague refusals wouldn't convince this man.

“No, sir.”

Delnia’s firm voice cut through the air.

Though she saw his outstretched hand flinch for a moment, she did not stop speaking.

“I won’t run away.”

“………………You won’t run away? Did I hear that correctly?”

Marcel repeated the question, as if he couldn’t believe his own ears.

Regardless, there was not a hint of wavering in Delnia's voice.

“I’m the one who wants to ask. Why did you think I would run away?”

“Why? Well………………” 

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Marcel couldn’t continue.

Delnia’s sunset-colored eyes, gazing at that man, were colder than ever.

Delnia was not the least bit grateful that he had assumed she would want to run away. Instead, it felt like an insult.

“Well, you can’t possibly be happy now….”

A moment of confusion flashed across Marcel’s eyes as he answered uncertainly. As if he were doubting whether someone in such a situation could possibly be happy.

However, he quickly concealed his petty feelings and changed the subject.

“No, whether you were happy or unhappy doesn’t matter. The core of the issue is that the fact you became a slave is itself an unjust act.”

This time, as if he had found the right answer, his neck tensed.

"No one can deny that the punishment His Majesty imposed on the Eperne family was excessive. Not only did he exterminate the entire family, but he also handed over a weak woman like you as a reward to such a barbaric man... This is something that could only happen in primitive ancient times."

The renowned historian Marcel couldn’t contain his anger and trembled.

Though his words were tinged with personal emotion, Delnia did not entirely disagree with his argument.

Especially since the annihilation of Eperne was acknowledged by all as a symbolic punishment aimed at the old nobility.

But still.

“Just because it’s unfair doesn’t mean we can run away.”

Delnia raised her head and straightened her back, showing that the insult he had inflicted could not shake her in the slightest.

Running away was never a solution, no matter the circumstances. She already knew all too well what the consequences would be.

No, that wasn't it. It wasn't just that.

Even if it were a problem that could be solved by running away, Delnia had no desire whatsoever to resolve issues in that manner anymore.

"Delnia."

Feeling a sense of crisis at her unwavering resolve, Marcel called her name in a soothing tone.

However, Delnia spoke clearly with strength in her voice.

“No matter what you say, my decision will not change.”

She no longer wanted to run away from any problem. She did not want to resolve anything by closing her eyes and turning away in a cowardly manner.

She knew better than anyone how pitiful and lonely it was. 

She was truly sick of running away.

So.

“I will never run away.”

Even if this straight path leads to a cliff.

"How…."

Marcel couldn't even think of trying to persuade her anymore; he just let out a sigh.

He had prepared for every possible scenario, but he had never considered the possibility that she might not want to run away.

The shock was all the more intense as a result.

But it wasn't just that.

Every word Delnia spoke, that unwavering resolve that no one could break, struck Marcel like a blow to the back of the head.

To Marcel, Delnia Eperne had never been anything but dazzling. But now, she seemed more noble and pure than ever before.

Her resolve to face any injustice head-on, even if it meant breaking herself, and her nobility in leaving no regrets, awakened the pride of the nobility that had long since faded.

Even though she had fallen to the lowest status in the world and was dressed in rags, she was more noble than anyone else.

In her presence, Marcel could only bow his head. For the first time, he felt ashamed of his own life, which he had spent rejecting his family for the sake of escaping the stigma of being a bastard.

“I will pretend this meeting never happened.”

Leaving Marcel behind, Delnia calmly sorted out the situation.

“I am doing well enough. No matter what happens in the future, that fact will not change.”

Delnia spoke the lie skillfully. After all, the suffering imposed on her life was not something she could share with Marcel.

So it was appropriate to part ways with this degree of hypocrisy.

“I hope you’ll be well wherever you are.”

Instead of telling him not to come back, Delnia wished him well for the future. Then she turned her back on him.

Marcel could only watch her receding figure disappear beyond the back gate. Accepting the painful truth that this would be their final parting.

***

Not long after Marcel had left dejectedly, the news Delnia had been waiting for finally arrived.

“Delnia, a letter has arrived!”

Leticia, who was well aware of her waiting, rushed to Delnia's room and handed her the letter.

Delnia joyfully took the letter and immediately opened the envelope. Sophie's familiar handwriting was immediately recognizable.

“Thank you, Leticia.”

“It’s nothing.”

Left alone by Leticia’s consideration, Delnia quickly read the letter.

However, despite her joy at receiving a reply after such a long time, the letter contained news that was far from welcome.

[Miss Delnia.

Although Lady Marian asked me not to tell you, I couldn't stand by and do nothing, so I am sending you this letter without her knowledge.

The truth is, Lady Marian's health has been quite poor lately.

We have been eagerly awaiting her recovery, but unfortunately, her condition has been deteriorating as time passes. Now, even the medicine is not working, so there is no need to say more.

Even in such circumstances, Marian continues to miss the young lady as always. Seeing her like this breaks my heart.

Though you must have your own struggles, please make time to visit Marian.

This old woman begs you.]

Delnia's heart sank as she read the short letter.

Her mother's illness was critical. In the previous letter, she had assured her that while there was no improvement, it hadn't gotten worse.

‘But Mother could easily be like that.’

As a noblewoman, Countess Marian Eperne prided herself on her dignity and detested anything that might elicit pity from others.

Moreover, having been born frail, she often brushed off her symptoms as insignificant.

So it wasn't surprising that she had her loyal servants keep quiet about it.

‘How ill she must be. What should I do?’

She couldn't sit still and paced restlessly around the room.

Delnia desperately wanted to go see her mother right away, but she was in a situation where she couldn’t move freely. There was no way she could just leave her post.

But she couldn’t just sit idly by either.

In the end, Delnia impulsively rushed out of the room. As she descended the stairs, Leticia, who was sitting in a rocking chair sewing, greeted her.

“Delnia, do you need anything?”

“Leticia.”

Delnia approached Leticia anxiously, moistening her dry lips and speaking cautiously.

“Um, when do you think the Colonel will be back?”

“Well, the funeral for the Second Prince won’t be over until this afternoon, so considering the remaining procedures, I think it will take at least two more days.”

Leticia, who had been muttering uncertainly, gave Delnia a mischievous smile when she saw her face grow even more gloomy and poked her in the side.

“Why? Do you already miss the Colonel?”

Her expression, which had been filled with the intention to tease, quickly hardened when she saw that Delnia's complexion did not brighten at all.

***