IWTQYG CH 5

Chapter 5

• ────── ✦ ────── •

Foolish Love

Vianna sighed as Delcia came to her and told her she’d gotten her family's permission. Honestly, Vianna hadn’t expected that at all, so she’d been feeling a little relieved up until now. But seeing Delcia stand there so boldly made her chest feel heavy.

She had no idea how she had received permission from her family, but even the mirror that reflects only the truth was silent, so Vianna had to consider that she indeed had received permission. All that was left now was the contract and carrying it out. Hiding her complicated feelings, Vianna served Delcia tea.

“As promised, I’ll grant your wish. But we need to make a contract first.”

“A contract?”

“Yes, a magic contract. A mark will appear on the back of your hand once the contract is fulfilled.”

Whatever it is, it didn't matter to Delcia as long as it will bring Edwin alive, even if it meant sacrificing something or enduring pain. Delcia slowly closed and opened her eyes, as if preparing herself, then nodded her head.

“Let’s do it.”

“It won't hurt or anything unpleasant, it's just a simple contract.”

“Okay.”

“It's a simple contract, but it's a very serious one that you mustn’t break it. This means that now is your only chance to back out.”

“No. I must save Edwin.”

“...What is it about love that makes people do this?”

Vianna frantically shook her head and took Delcia's hand in hers. Vianna closed her eyes and a bright yellow light surrounded them. Delcia was amazed at the unfamiliar light. As Vianna chants, a beam of light burst forth in different directions and headed towards the back of Delcia's hand.

“Delcianor Ferdo and Vianna Terrium, makes a contract against the taboo in exchange for the source of life. This oath is solemn and binding and we, Delcianor Ferdo and Vianna Terrium, swear to spare no effort to fulfil it.”

As she ended, the light on the back of Delcia's hand also faded. What remained on the back of her hand as the light faded was a magical seal in the shape of a tree with lush leaves and branches. Delcia stared without blinking at the shimmering, pale yellow seal.

Only then did it sink in. She had signed a contract with her heart as the price, and the heavy thought that she could not break it.

“This is... a magic contract, right?”

“Yes. It’s nothing special.”

“No, it was so beautiful and fascinating. I'm glad I got to see it before I die.”

“What do you mean you’re going to die?”

Vianna frowned.

“Since I made a contract in exchange for my heart, doesn't that mean I'm going to die without my heart?”

“That’s a scary thing to say, you're not going to die.”

“Huh?”

“How advanced the world has become and yet you think you can die just because you don’t have a heart.”

Delcia dumbfoundedly looked at Vianna.

“There’s something called an artificial mana heart. Pretty decent invention. We’ll replace yours with that. If your body adjusts well, you can live a long, long time.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. There's just one problem.”

Delcia who was so overjoyed, froze.

“The problem is that we don't know if your body can handle the artificial magical heart until we actually put it in.”

“…Oh.”

“Don’t worry too much. There are hardly any bodies that don't fit the artificial magical heart. Selena handled it fine, so you’ll probably be—”

“Pardon?”

“No, it’s nothing. As the years go by, I’m say things I don’t normally say. It's something you don't need to know.”

Vianna stood up and pulled Delcia to her feet. When Delcia tried to finish her now-cold tea, Vianna stopped her, took the cup away, and ushered her outside.

“What's the point of drinking tea that’s gotten cold? Do take care. I'll come looking for you tomorrow.”

“But where—”

“What are you worried about? I have the contract seal with me.”

Vianna shook her hand. On the back of her hand was a tree identical to the one on the back of Delcia's hand. Delcia was relieved.

“Thank you, Vianna. I'll wait for you.”

• ───────── ☽༓☾ ───────── •

Morning finally came, and Delcia who went to bed early, got up and stretched. The sun was slowly rising outside her window.

“Good morning, my lady.”

Replacing Ella, who went on a holiday, Anne knocked and came in to help her get ready. Once prepared, Delcia went down to the dining room. Her family was not yet seated at the table.

As she sat and waited for them, her eyelids grew heavier. The excitement of meeting Edwin and the guilt of deceiving her family had kept her awake at night.

Just as her eyes were about to close completely, Count Ferdo and Arnold walked in. They’d been outside doing morning sword training, trying to calm their own restless thoughts.

“Good morning, Delcy.”

“Delcia, did you sleep well?”

Delcia’s eyelashes fluttered at her father and brother’s greetings. Her drowsy eyes stopped and her eyes opened. No matter how much she couldn't sleep at night, how could she doze off in the dining room while waiting for her family? Delcia awkwardly smiled, picked up her utensils and began to eat.

The soft clinking of dishes filled the room.

“So, the witch is coming today, right?”

“Yes.”

“Strangely, I feel uneasy. Surely, if what Delcy says is true, then nothing bad will happen to you...”

Count Ferdo was concerned. Delcia slightly shuddered, then shook her head and smiled.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Yes, Delcy I hope you'll be all right. If anything were to happen to you...”

“No. Nothing bad will happen, so don't worry.”

Delcia gave a definite answer even to the parts she couldn't be sure about, and chewed her food as if nothing was wrong. Yet the food she chewed wouldn't go down her throat. The more she tried to force it down, the more her throat felt completely clogged up.

The fact that she lied to her family was making her feel uncomfortable. If she had told the truth, not only would she break their hearts, let alone would even give her their permission. Arnold, sitting across from her, closely observed her.

“If Duke Adelio wakes up safely and everything settles, I couldn’t ask for more. Wanting that might already be greedy.”

“......Delcia, are you hiding something from us?”

Delcia looked up who was eating her meal in silence, froze. Her brother, who has the same eye colour as her, had a persistent look in his eyes. Had he noticed something?

“No, I don't.”

“Strangely, I don't have a good feeling about this. Your expression is the same.”

“…What about it?”

“It’s just. It doesn’t look well.”

Arnold glanced towards their father. He seemed to sense something similar, but didn't say anything. As Delcia stepped out of the dining room after eating her meal, Lento came running towards her. Panting, he barely had time to catch his breath before he spoke.

“Th-the Duke Adelio’s coffin—!”

“Has Edwin's coffin finally arrived?”

“Huff, huff. Yes! A little, gasp, a little while ago.”

“Thank you, Lento. Could you tell them to put it in the room next to my bedroom?”

“I will.”

As Lento head back the way he came, Delcia turned and turned towards the library. She didn't know when will Vianna arrive to carry out the contract.

I might as well read a book while I wait for her.

Arriving at the main library, she pulled out her favourite novel and sat down. It was also a book that she once read with Edwin and shared her thoughts on it.

 “Delcia, what do you think about a love that sacrifices for someone?”

“It's noble, but I think it's a bit foolish.”

That's how she answered at the time. A love that sacrifices for someone is noble, but it is foolish. But now, she is experiencing the love that she once called foolish. And if this sacrifice will bring Edwin come back to life, she would gladly do it over and over again.

“......Edwin.”

That time, Edwin chuckled softly at her answer.

“If my sacrifice could save you, I would gladly do it.”

Delcia laughed it off, and teased him for being cheesy, but it turned out he was sincere.

“He really did sacrifice himself for me…”

Delcia’s eyes sank. She couldn’t let Edwin go like this. Just as he had sacrificed himself for her, this time, it was her turn to sacrifice herself for him.

Chapter 4

Chapter List

Chapter 6