Daedric stared at me excitedly, his eyes full of expectation.
“Was I good?”
I wondered: Was he asking if he had succeeded in raising me?
When did he become so powerful?
As I stood there with a stunned expression, Deidrick seemed disappointed that he didn't get the reaction he expected.
He whispered hesitantly.
“About the duel that was before…”
“Ah!”
I had completely forgotten about my shock when he suddenly picked me up.
I extended my arms and gave him a tight hug.
“You were amazing!
I was in shock!
I wanted to jump up and hug you, but I held myself together so no one would notice!”
"Really?
I was good?"
“Of course!
Your teacher is kind and wonderful too!”
He smiled, apparently pleased, and then rested his forehead on mine.
"Isn't it?
My teacher is great, isn't he?"
“Yes.
And you will be as great as him.”
Of course, there is no doubt about that.
Even without my intervention, Deidrick was making his own way.
I was still amazed that he chose Jacob as his mentor!
I was so happy that I didn't know what to do.
But despite my desire to celebrate, Daedric's expression seemed a little strange and dark.
He was trying to hide it with an overly cheerful demeanor, but he didn't fool my keen eyes.
"Did something happen?
Did you meet the Ugly Brothers on your way here?"
"Yes?"
He blinked, pretending not to understand.
Of course, even that was nice, but…
"You're not excited.
Did something happen?"
“…Why do you think I’m not happy?”
“Because your face looks sad.”
“But I didn't show it...”
"I know, Deedric.
I see you every day."
“…”
Finally, Daedric removed his fake smile.
She studied his worried expression, then gently stroked his face.
"Is there something?
Did something happen after I left?"
“...my father...I met him.”
“The Duke?”
In the original story, the Duke never sought out the Daedric first, so I was surprised.
“Haha, yes.
The Duke.”
Did he like that I called him so casually?
Daedric's face changed slightly, becoming brighter.
“He said he would bring me another teacher instead of Jacob.”
"What?!"
The Duke really said that?
“I was surprised too.
He had never done anything like this to me before...”
“…”
“He said that my teacher couldn’t show his aura and that… and that he would bring me another teacher.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I said no... because I trust Mr.
Jacob.”
Deedric hesitated for a moment, then took my hand and asked in a trembling voice.
“Do you think I made a mistake in my choice?”
"no."
I answered immediately.
“That's your choice, Daedric.”
“And if you regret it later?”
“Do you think you'll regret it?”
“No, not at all.
I trust Mr.
Jacob.”
“Then he will prove that he is worthy of your trust.
Because your trust is precious.”
His eyes quickened as if my words surprised him.
“…Why is my trust so precious?”
“Because even when you have reasons to hate people, you still choose to trust them and that is why they are precious!”
I smiled brightly, and Deedric just stared at me in amazement.
Then, as if by magic, he slowly raised his hand and gently stroked my cheek.
“Your palm is so cold!”
I rubbed my face against his hand, enjoying the refreshing touch.
Deidrick spent a moment watching me silently, then whispered.
“You are the person I trust most.”
"Yes?"
I blinked in surprise, and he gave me a calm smile.
“More than anyone in the world, I trust you.”
For a moment, I felt powerless to respond and just watched in silence.
His steady, serious gaze was directed only at me.
That sight completely made my mind go blank.
When his lips curved into a gentle smile, they quickly trembled and retracted.
I felt embarrassed in the strange atmosphere, so I made a spontaneous joke.
"Of course!
I'm the most reliable monster in the closet!"
"Yes, this is correct."
Daedric laughed and confirmed, but for some reason, I couldn't look him in the eye after that.
The next morning, the Duke made a surprise surprise and left the castle.
The surprise was that he officially appointed Jacob as Daedric's sword master.
This was shocking because it was always Delaney who chose the swords coaches for Somerset and Axel.
She managed everything herself, and the Duke never interfered.
When asked, he would just say, “Take care of it,” without showing any interest.
The only thing he cared about was following the progress of the family heirs and their obvious achievements.
‘It was mentioned in the novel as well…’
But now, with Duke Jacob appointed Daedric's personal tutor, Delaney wouldn't be able to manipulate things as she wanted.
'Especially since she no longer has knights to exploit.'
Since this was an unexpected move, everyone would assume that the Duke was serious about considering Daedric as his successor.
The Duke's personal intervention was sure to cause a stir.
'I have to watch Delaney's reaction.
She must be angry now.'
That's why I was currently hiding inside the closet in Delaney's room.
But the room was empty.
Instead, the room was a complete mess.
She must have destroyed everything in her path after hearing the news.
'Her anger is the same, it has not changed.'
'She's probably summoned Jacob now.'
Even if he couldn't show the aura, the black birds were still the black birds.
She couldn't deal with him openly, so perhaps she was trying to manipulate him by speaking poorly about Deedric, hoping to get him to quit his job.
"But Jacob was the one who told the Duke about Somerset's illegal actions.
Do you really think she can manipulate him?"
...Actually, given Delaney's lack of modesty, she might as well try it anyway.
She ran into the living room, which she used often.
I wasn't going to stop her—I just wanted to hear what they were discussing.
In the novel, Jacob was a loyal man who took great pride in being a Blackbird.
'However, I have to see what they're talking about, just in case.'
At that moment, I saw Jacob standing in front of the living room door.
As soon as the door opened, she quickly slipped inside before it closed.
“Hello, Mr.
Jacob.”
Delaney greeted him with a bright smile.
The fact that she could smile at someone who revealed her plans shows that being a duchess was not for those with a weak heart.
“Greetings, Duchess.”
Since Jacob was not one of her knights, he addressed her as "Duchess" instead of "Madam."
“Please have a seat.”
"Thanks."
Jacob put his fist on his thigh, sat up straight, and did not touch the tea in front of him.
Delaney, unable to ignore his rigid posture, smiled sweetly and offered him tea.
“Please have some, sir.”
"I'm fine."
“I invited you here for a relaxed conversation, so there's no need for this formality.”
“……”
“I know we don't have the best feelings for each other, but we must correct any misunderstandings.”
“Misunderstanding… you say?”
"Somerset's actions were merely to educate his younger brother.
Let's say His Highness was exaggerating a bit."
Wow, how rude she is.
Even after losing control of the White Birds, having their leader Dawil banished, and earning the displeasure of the Knights, Delaney doesn't seem to realize what she's done wrong.
'So in her mind, that incident wasn't a big deal at all.'
I couldn't help but laugh.
Jacob's expression hardened slightly as well.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Delaney stopped insisting on tea and took a sip herself.
As her lips disappeared behind the tea cup, her lines became thin.
Her drooping eyes held obvious anger.
However, she was hiding her feelings skillfully, quietly drinking the tea before putting the cup down.
Then, in a soft voice, she tried to calm the atmosphere and continue the conversation.
“First of all, I congratulate you.
I heard that you have become a Daedric Sword Master.”
“I'm just grateful that Your Highness and Young Man deemed me suitable.”
“Ah, there is one more thing I have to congratulate you on.”
Delaney smiled slyly at Jacob.
“I heard that you have awakened your aura.
You must have gone through a lot of difficulties.”
What?
Delaney knew very well that Jacob had not awakened his aura.
'She despised him for this, so it was impossible for her not to know.'
But since the Duke had personally appointed him as Daedric's tutor, she wanted to investigate for herself.
She was trying to ascertain whether Jacob had awakened his aura or not.
Jacob's expression changed slightly as he replied,
“I'm not sure what you mean, but I haven't awakened the aura yet.”
“You didn't wake her up...?”
Delaney feigned surprise, covering her lips with a folding fan.
Behind her, she smiled a subtle, sly smile.
But her eyes still held deep concern.
“But wasn’t it Your Highness who appointed you as Daedric’s personal tutor?
If so...”
“I may be deficient in many things, but thanks to the strong recommendation from the young man, I was able to officially take on this role.”
“Oh…”
Delaney made a small expression, her voice laden with a lot of hidden sarcasm.