Changing the Keywords of the Dark Lords (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 15

The long-awaited debutante day had dawned. Even the usually tranquil ducal household began growing gradually restless. Though no explicit orders were given, the servants quietly yet swiftly commenced preparations for the debutante event. Delina’s room was no exception.

“My goodness….”

Delina’s eyes widened as she looked at the dress Betty had helped her into.

“Is this… is this really that dress?”

“Yes.”

The dress she now wore was so stunning it was hard to believe it was the same one from before. Deeply moved by its astonishing transformation, Delina sincerely thanked Betty.

“Thank you, Betty!”

“No, my lady. We didn’t have quite enough time to remove all the jewels from the inside. It might be a bit heavy, but it shouldn’t hinder your movement.”

Apparently, the cursed dress had been disastrous not only on the outside but also within. Only then did Delina notice the dress felt slightly heavy. Still, she beamed with pure delight.

“My lady! We’re about to depart. Are you all ready?”

Just then, Felick arrived at Delina’s room. Seeing Delina in her dress, Felick gave a small clap.

“Good heavens! You’re absolutely perfect, my lady.”

“Thank you. You’ve worked hard too, Felick.”

“I designed it myself, yet it truly turned out perfectly. And with the wig on top, it’ll be complete. I prepared the wig in pink to match the dress.”

The wig was a precaution in case Niel or Charlotte recognized Delina. After adjusting the unfamiliar wig a few times, Delina quickly said,

“I’ll be off now, Betty!”

“Have a safe trip, my lady.”

After receiving Betty’s polite bow, Delina descended downstairs, where Bellion and Calix stood side by side. Calix was also dressed properly, though he briefly frowned, seemingly recalling his previous dreadful outfit.

“Jester.”

“…….”

Bellion, dressed for travel, wore a mask covering his eyes. Delina stared blankly at the mask, while Bellion looked down at Delina in her dress and wig. Felick stepped between them and spoke.

“What do you think of my lady’s outfit today? Isn’t it adorable?”

“There’s too much pink.”

It was precisely the kind of answer one would expect from Bellion. Delina’s expression clearly showed she hadn’t been expecting praise anyway.

“Let’s go.”

At Bellion’s single word, those waiting nearby and Calix stepped outside. There, two enormous carriages stood prominently.

“Wow….”

Delina gazed up in wonder at carriages several times larger than an ordinary noble’s. Naturally, Bellion boarded the front carriage while Calix climbed into the rear one.

“And me?”

Watching the two separate, Delina glanced back and forth between the carriages. It was Bellion who called out to her.

“Why aren’t you getting in?”

“…Am I riding with Your Highness?”

“You’re the jester.”

……An on-site jester performance?

For some reason burdened by the heavy responsibility of having to amuse him inside the carriage, Delina climbed aboard. As the carriage door closed, Felick suddenly poked his head through the window.

“My lady will ride in His Grace’s carriage until the capital, then switch to another carriage for the rest of the journey.”

“…Okay.”

Since they had to arrive later than the Floren earl’s household, they’d travel separately afterward. Though Delina would have preferred to leave separately right away, she obediently nodded.

“Then we shall depart.”

Soon, the carriage began rattling forward. Left alone with Bellion, Delina fidgeted awkwardly before staring at the mask covering his face.

“Do you want the mask?”

“No, no. It’s really fine.”

Afraid he might hand her another cursed mask, Delina quickly declined. Still, Bellion’s mask did seem rather intriguing. Of course, Delina already knew why Bellion wore a mask over his eyes.

Because of severe scars on his eyes, extreme trauma from being seen, the belief that merely meeting his gaze could kill someone—he concealed them for such reasons, among others.

Rumors about why Bellion covered his eyes were plentiful. But Felick spoke in an utterly casual tone, as if discussing a lunch menu.

[Oh, that? His Grace finds people’s stares bothersome.]

He spoke so nonchalantly that Delina felt foolish for having asked so cautiously.

[…Really?] [Yes. People stare too much because his eyes are different colors, so he just covers them when outside.]

Anyone unfamiliar with Bellion would naturally disbelieve this. But Delina, who knew him well, found his explanation perfectly reasonable. She also understood why he let the wild rumors circulate unchecked.

…Wouldn’t this man someday say even breathing was too much trouble?

Though hidden by the mask, Bellion’s weary expression seemed visible to Delina, prompting her into serious contemplation. Just then, a faint animal cry echoed from afar.

“…?”

Delina turned toward the window at the sound. In the distance, a cloud of dust rose, and a pack of wolves appeared.

‘Wolves?’

Of course, this wasn’t Delina’s first time seeing wolves. Yet encountering them again like this inevitably made her tense. Bellion, watching her, spoke.

“You’ve definitely seen them before.”

“Yes. When I first arrived here. I survived thanks to the oil I had.”

“…….”

“I nearly died back then.”

The wolves showed no sign of attacking the carriage. Instead, they ran alongside it as if escorting them. Others reacted as if this were perfectly normal.

Wow.

Naturally, Delina—who’d never seen such a sight—unconsciously stuck her neck out the window to marvel at the spectacle. But another head suddenly popped out beside hers: Bellion’s.

“Stop.”

At Bellion’s command, the carriage halted instantly. The wolves stopped as well, and the largest among them approached Bellion.

Eek.

As the wolf drew near, Delina tried to pull back into the carriage, but Bellion behind her blocked her retreat. Bellion gave a slight nod toward the wolf.

“Hold out your hand.”

“Huh?”

Apparently, she wasn’t an on-site jester but an on-site lunchbox. Trapped between a giant wolf ahead and Bellion behind, Delina heard Felick’s laughter.

“Your Highness, saying it like that will make my lady misunderstand.”

“…….”

“My lady, don’t worry—they won’t eat you. Just hold out your hand once.”

Closing her eyes tightly at Felick’s words, Delina extended her hand toward the wolf. She felt its warm breath. Her hand twitched—but that was all. The wolf kept sniffing her hand curiously.

“We’re imprinting my lady’s scent onto the alpha wolf. This way, the wolves won’t attack you anymore.”

“I see… That’s… really good…”

Forget attacks—at this rate, she might die of a heart attack. After withdrawing her hand, Delina subtly checked whether all her fingers were still there and let out a small sigh.

Carriages began arriving one by one at the imperial palace. Servants hurried about for the rare grand banquet, and nobles moved toward the venue. Among them, a pair of blue eyes watched silently—Emperor Haile.

“You should probably head out soon, Your Majesty. The banquet will start shortly.”

“Yes, I suppose I should.”

Stroking his white beard, Haile kept his gaze fixed on the distant approaching carriages.

“Has the Duke of Ulphirim arrived?”

“It seems not yet, Your Majesty.”

“Still not?”

“…Just in case, I’ll go check once more.”

At the steward’s words, Haile’s eyes twisted in displeasure. Noticing this, the steward quickly bowed and hurried out of the room.

“The Duke of Ulphirim’s domain lies farther than other nobles’, so he might be late. Besides, there’s still time.”

Princess Grace, standing nearby, spoke.

“You say that out of ignorance. That arrogant fool, who shows no humility even before me—what scheme is he plotting now?”

Even Grace’s words failed to smooth Haile’s furrowed brow.

“Yes, that may be true, but given the occasion, the Duke surely won’t do anything rash. Moreover, today is Ashude’s debutante event, so perhaps just for today, you could afford a little leniency…”

“What’s so important about a debutante? Everyone goes through it eventually.”

At Haile’s still-sharp reply, Ashude stiffened nervously. Seeing this, Haile clicked his tongue in disapproval and walked past Ashude.

“Nothing pleases me at all these days.”

Hearing Haile’s mutter, Ashude’s shoulders trembled slightly. Yet she slowly rose from her seat. Haile continued,

“Remember this—you’re not to associate closely with those scheming lot.”

“…I’ll remember.”

Ashude bowed toward Haile. Though Haile soon disappeared, Ashude remained standing with her head lowered, her face shadowed by melancholy.