Chapter 398: Interlude: Gold and Silver (3)

0% …..So what if it was?

If so, what would she do?

Delphine’s question was strikingly simple, but that only made it cut deeper.

Ian and Delphine had spent the night together.

Every time Seria recalled the events of the previous night, her mind went blank.

And what tore through that blank canvas were feverish moans and breaths drenched in ecstasy.

I have been robbed.

That was the only thought that echoed in the emptiness.

Seria was too overcome with anger and sorrow to even shed tears. All she could do was tremble, biting down on her lips and fingers.

Her reason had long since collapsed.

A girl whose first love had been stolen had no need for rationality.

However, in this very moment, as if by some miracle, a sudden ray of light shone upon Seria’s tangled thoughts.

It was as though she had encountered a beam of sunlight cutting through all the fog in her mind.

Delphine’s voice held that much weight for Seria.

She was the woman who had burdened her with a lifetime of defeat–and the one she would forever look up to.

Seria’s body swayed, tilting slightly. Accompanied by a ragged breath, the girl was granted a brief respite–

A chance to think with some semblance of sanity.

Of course, even that ‘sanity’ was far from complete. It merely slowed her from racing toward the most extreme conclusions.

But for now, that was enough.

Seria’s demeanor softened ever so slightly.

But in return, the trembling she had suppressed returned, and her aquamarine-like blue eyes began to quiver once more.

Silently, she repeated Delphine’s question to herself.

So what?

Ian and Delphine were adults.

Which meant they were at an age where they could be responsible for their own chastity and choices. A man and a woman, drawn to each other, spending the night together–it was the most natural thing in the world. There was no space for Seria to intrude.

After all, she was nothing more than a junior.

A gloomy girl who nurtured a one-sided love alone and ended up hurt.

Faced with a truth she had dreaded to confront, Seria’s face turned deathly pale.

Throughout this, Delphine didn’t speak, she simply gazed at her rival in silence with her crimson eyes.

In the end, Seria had only one option.

“…G-Give up.”

At that pitifully trembling response, Delphine let out a scoff in disbelief.

Give up?

It was an absurd solution, especially coming from a Yurdina. Delphine let out a sigh, filled with disappointment.

And just before she was finally about to speak–

There was a dull thud, as if something had collapsed. Surprised, Delphine looked straight forward again.

It was Seria.

Kneeling on the floor, the girl’s shoulders trembled minutely. And her plea that followed was soaked in tears she could barely hold back.

“Can’t you give up on him, Eonni…? I know it sounds shameless, but even so… that senior means everything to me.”

It was the first time she had ever spoken her true feelings aloud.

Not even Celine–arguably Seria’s closest friend–had heard such a confession from Seria’s own lips. As for Delphine, who was both her elder sister and the head of the family, she naturally occupied a precarious position.

She had never been on the receiving end of such a declaration before.

And so, for once, Delphine was at a loss for words.

Yet Seria’s desperate plea continued.

“P-Please, I’m begging you. You know, don’t you, Eonni…. I have nothing. No mother, no father–just the empty surname of ‘Yurdina’ that was handed down to me. In my entire life, I had nothing except the sword… No, I was the sword itself! And yet, he was the first to give me a heart.”

Now, it was Delphine’s turn to be troubled.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. She remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a sigh-like acknowledgment.

“…I see.”

A trace of softness had returned to her voice.

After all, no one could remain unmoved when their own blood relative knelt before them in tears. And beyond that, Delphine bore the duty of watching over all Yurdinas as the family head.

Perhaps sensing the slight crack in Delphine’s composure–

Seria’s forehead slowly descended further toward the floor.

“P-Please… hic… I’m begging you… You’ve taken everything since we were children, haven’t you? Everything I ever wanted… the swords, the family’s recognition, their love! But… But I have nothing. Senior is the only thing I have… Eonni, so please…”

Huuu, Delphine let out a long sigh, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Then, settling back against the chair, she folded her arms. Her eyes now brimming with obvious reluctance.

The sound of Seria’s quiet weeping set the backdrop for Delphine’s deepening dilemma.

And after some time passed–

As though she had finally made up her mind, Delphine quietly rose to her feet. Then, step by step, she walked over and crouched down in front of Seria.

In those blood-red eyes, for once, there was a rare hint of compassion.

“I know, Seria. I know how lonely and difficult it’s been for you… And I know that I’ve been far too indifferent to you.”

Her voice was unusually gentle.

Seria couldn’t even remember the last time she’d received such gentle comfort from Delphine.

Overwhelmed by both sorrow and gratitude, she swallowed back her tears.

“I’m sorry for neglecting you all this time, Seria. And when it comes to husband–you’re free to act as you wish.”

At that, Seria’s body jolted slightly, and her tears gradually subsided.

Her wide-open blue eyes fixed on Delphine.

Bathed in the light, Delphine’s golden hair shimmered like the sun. For a moment, Seria almost felt entranced by her beauty.

Is she serious?

Is she truly willing to give him up?

Delphine’s expression, as if answering those desperate doubts, was nothing but warm.

“As you know, my position is precarious. I may hold solid ground within the family, but ever since Father was detained, the public eye has been less than kind. I’m hardly in a state to announce an engagement or marriage right now. So do whatever you want with him.”

“R-Really…?”

She must have looked utterly miserable and pathetic.

To be denied her love, driven to beg her rival for mercy–

Seria knew that better than anyone. And yet, despite everything, the unsteady voice that escaped her carried an unmistakable hope.

I can have him back.

Even if it was a gesture of pity or sympathy thrown at someone as insignificant as her, it didn’t matter.

Even if she had to accept it as charity, even if it meant crushing her pride.

As long as she could stay by her Senior’s side, Seria was willing to do anything.

And in the end, that wish was granted.

By none other than the sister she loved so dearly.

With clear tears in her eyes, the girl spoke her fragile hope aloud.

“Really, can I truly do that… Eonni?”

“Of course.”

Her answer was so effortless, it felt almost empty.

There wasn’t a hint of regret or hesitation in Delphine’s expression–only her ever-alluring smile.

Seria trembled, overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.

It’s done.

Moreover, she had done it without losing either of the two people most precious to her.

It might have been the result of her dreadfully selfish plea, yet Seria was convinced–there could be no better ending than this.

She also felt guilty for incurring yet another huge debt to her sister.

How could she ever repay such kindness?

Deep in her heart, Seria came to a firm decision– that she would devote her entire life to serving this woman.

Delphine continued in a soothing tone.

“I didn’t realize your feelings ran this deep. If you open your heart to husband, I’m sure he’ll understand. Yes, and in time…”

As she gently stroked Seria’s shoulder, her lips drifted toward the girl’s ear.

Seria was so lost in her sweet delusions that she didn’t even think to look up at her sister.

And so, she failed to see it.

The way Delphine’s eyes curved almost slyly.

“Maybe then you’ll get to taste the scraps of his affection.”

It was just a single remark.

And yet the once-peaceful atmosphere flipped in an instant.

Time froze; even Seria’s breathing halted in that fleeting moment.

Seria, unable to grasp the meaning of Delphine’s words right away, blurted out in a daze,

“…What?”

“Exactly what I said.”

Her tone was unbearably calm.

Like a still sea, without so much as a ripple. Seria found herself even more at a loss.

Rising slowly, Delphine went on.

“You might manage to get some scraps of his affection, you know. By going to him, begging like you just did to me: ‘Please love me, give me your affection’… Pfft.”

As if the mere thought of it was amusing, Delphine stifled a short laugh.

No matter how naive Seria was, there was no way she couldn’t grasp the meaning behind those words.

Mockery.

A victor’s sneer at the defeated.

“Aah, Seria. This elder sister of yours has failed you, hasn’t she? I should have taught you sooner–love isn’t something you can obtain by begging. But then again, isn’t that true of everything in this world… Weren’t you raised to understand that, as a member of Yurdina?”

She couldn’t breathe.

Even so, she forced air into her lungs, gasping for breath as her shoulders rose and fell.

Her body was still trembling.

Moments ago, it had been from euphoria–now, it was from something else entirely.

Her muscles tensed.

“There is only struggle.”

Her thoughts slowed to a halt, yet strangely, her racing heart grew quiet. Her vision sharpened, and the world around her became unnervingly clear.

Her mind felt startlingly lucid.

Perhaps that was precisely it–

Seria’s mind was clear.

Clearer than it had ever been.

Delphine, who had been walking leisurely, stopped in front of a wall.

Hung upon it were countless swords on display.

They were the famous swords Seria had once yearned to possess, if only just a single one.

Stroking her chin thoughtfully, Delphine continued, as if reciting a melody.

“Do you know how I won husband’s heart? It was quite the challenge, you know. As you’re aware, he’s such a cautious man… But once the alcohol starts kicking in, people aren’t quite themselves anymore. At that point, all it takes is the slightest push. And even then, he hesitated until the very end. So in the end, I had to force it…”

“…Ki–kil.”

A fractured syllable–that couldn’t be even called a proper word–escaped Seria’s lips.

The girl, who had kept her head bowed, slowly lifted her gaze.

That was the signal.

Her blue eyes gleamed–and in the next instant, the world split apart.

A gleaming blade tore through the air, rending the scenery and carving a jagged trajectory as it slashed forward.

It was Seria’s sword.

And meeting it head-on was another sword.

Even the word ‘instant’ felt too slow to describe the speed of their exchange. It was as if a light had flashed, and in the next moment, the two women were already standing face-to-face, their blades locked together.

Seria lunged, kicking off the ground, her teeth clenched as she roared–

In a voice filled with more raw emotion than ever before,

“I’LL KILL YOU!!!”

“That’s right. That’s how it should be.”

Delphine sneered, tightening her grip on her sword.

Golden aura flared to life.

With a sudden whoosh, the ignited heat distorted the air around them, its power was enough to inflict a lethal wound.

Yet, Delphine did not hesitate.

Because Seria’s sword was already enveloped in a deep blue aura.

Her eyes, ablaze with murderous intent, testified to her resolve.

She wanted nothing more than to kill her.

That raw, almost exhilarating bloodlust drew a rare, delighted laugh from Delphine.

Golden flames flared upward, surging higher.

“Now this… this is how a Yurdina should be!”

A sharp clash rang out, followed by an unnatural gust of wind roaring through the room.

Thus began the battle of the sisters.