“…….”

Returning to her room, Delina finally had some time alone and slowly opened the envelope that had landed in her hands. Before long, Celine’s name appeared on the paper.

“Name, Celine Ulphrim, black hair, blue eyes, female… Just as the real request form instructed.”

Examining the detailed information about Celine, Delina’s pupils dilated. There was a noticeable detail in Celine’s information. It was about Celine’s hometown.

“Burned down? The village?”

No survivors officially. That was the case. However, Celine was alive. And soon, the reason Celine hid her hometown became clear.

Treason.

The village was set on fire due to charges of treason. The entire village turned into ashes because of the crime of treason, and the villagers were killed on the spot, except for Celine, who unofficially survived.

Afterwards, it was just as Celine had told her. She worked as a servant for noble families, and even the members of the family she worked for didn’t know Celine’s true identity.

“If there’s a duke’s daughter among the servants, it would be quite a surprise.”

It seemed like Celine had thoroughly hidden her identity, and she only came to the Duke’s mansion after becoming an adult. Shortly afterward, Delina’s lips stiffened. Precisely, it was when she saw the word “fire.” Before Delina’s eyes, red flames flickered.

The screams echoing from all directions, the heat penetrating deep into her lungs, and five people standing in the midst of the flames…

The village burned down without a trace, the flames that engulfed the square a long time ago. All of this felt far from being a mere coincidence. As Delina lowered her gaze to the last paragraph, Noah’s elegant handwriting, written like a letter, caught her eye.

Delina was about to read the rest when suddenly the noise outside the door increased, and someone forcefully opened the door and entered. Startled, Delina raised her head to confirm the visitor.

“Your Highness?”

As if running down the corridor, Bellion’s forelocks were disheveled here and there. Delina blinked her eyes. Belion, who stood upright as if frozen in place, closed the door after entering, then knocked on the door.

“……Come in.”

At Delina’s words, Bellion finally came in again, but the awkward atmosphere showed no sign of easing. Soon after, Felic appeared behind Bellion.

“Miss! Is it true that you got a public engagement proposal from the Lunan Empire’s prince?”

“Huh?”

“Surely you didn’t accept it, Miss? It’s not allowed. No matter how bad the relationship is between you and His Highness……! Oops!”

As Felic loudly raised his voice, Delina finally realized why Bellion had come in such a hurry. Bellion kicked Felic away and then ushered him out of the room. Soon, the room returned to silence.
“What happened?”

Bellion was the first to ask. He wasn’t as flashy as Felic, but he was also in quite an anxious state.

“Well, I’m not sure exactly what you heard, but… yes, I received a public proposal from Prince Damian of the Lunan Empire.”

As Bellion’s eyes flashed with anger at those words, Delina hastily continued.

“But I definitely refused. I never felt excited or anything like that even after receiving a proposal in the first place.”

“……”

“I heard that you also have various circumstances on your side. So, I think it’s okay if I clearly express my intention to refuse.”

Although Damian seemed to continue his courtship activities in his own way, it was difficult to tell him not to do even that after hearing the circumstances.

“Oh, and he mentioned meeting Celine once.”

“……”

At the news of Damian and Celine meeting, Bellion fell silent for a moment. Soon, Bellion spoke.

“Celine is not my biological daughter.”

“!”

Delina’s eyes widened as if about to pop out at Bellion’s words.

“She’s my sister’s daughter.”

“If she’s Your Highness’s niece…”

‘Marien Ulphrim?’

She was undoubtedly someone Delina had seen in the portrait at the mansion before. Unlike other portraits, she left a memorable impression with an unusually gentle smile.

“But I heard she passed away from an illness a long time ago.”

“That’s what we decided to make it look like.”

‘Ah.’

Delina immediately grasped the meaning of Bellion’s words.

“Did she hide her status and live outside?”

“Yeah. She was someone who didn’t really like things like the social circles of nobles.”

“……”

“She dreamed of living a quiet life in a rural village.”

As Bellion spoke, Delina’s mind began to spin busily. Soon, Delina recalled the necklace with the Ulphrim pattern on Celine’s neck.

“Then, what about the Duke’s family emblem necklace?”

“It’s the necklace I gave her before leaving the Duke’s family. A token to come to me when she really needed help.”

“…I see. Your Highness’s sister gave it to Celine before she passed away, and Celine kept it…”