How to Survive as the Wife of the Monster Duke - Chapter 114

Ilyin needed it to be outside but could hardly show the divine object on the front lawn. She needed Delrose territory. So, she chose the knight’s ground – though she wondered if using it for such a personal experiment was proper.

She asked Etra, and she responded with a nod.

“Your personal business is Delrose business.”

The Delrose knights gathered around her and the maids as the entered the grounds.

“The sand is over here,” she said, leading the ensemble. She’d wanted sand in case the fire spread.

She looked down at the necklace, the Delrose’s divine object. She was going to use it, just as Rippo had taught her. If she could, just as she had used the Mille’s divine object in front of Aden, she would be an even better help to him – not only Setoze’s ability to erase the sound of a person’s passage, but the power of this object to start an everlasting fire.

In a place such as this, there was much use for an undying fire.

“Where should I put the plank?” asked a maid shaking a plank as she walked up. She was bundled so heavily, at Ilyin’s order, that she waddled comically. Ilyin couldn’t suppress a small laugh at the sight. The maid, not knowing the reason, only blinked.

The Blue Nos’s clothes Ilyin wore meant she needed no heavy winter clothing. Not so for the maid – she was wearing a thick fur coat, scarf, and gloves. Only her eyes were visible. It was a wonder she could walk.

So cute, Ilyin thought.

“Place it over there,” Ilyin said with a wave. The maid dutifully wobbled over to the spot and set the plank down, then retreated to a group of other maids all similarly bundled.

Ilyin covered Delrose’s necklace with her hands. Normally, it took only divine power and will to harness a divine object. But as with Setoze, Ilyin clenched her hands.

A light grew in her hand, a strong red light befitting Red Delrose. And as it did, a flame sprung up on the plank. The plank was consumed quickly, and the fire burned still, melting the frozen yard around it. Ilyin stood agape.

“Wow….”

The maids, hidden in their layers, were mesmerized. They were all from the 7th floor, so all had seen Aden use the divine power before. the same. The knights were the same, having seen him use it on the battlefield.

But that power, Aden’s power, was to change the temperature. More powerful than calling up a fire, even an unquenchable one, but more subtle – not so easily noticed.

None of them had seen this before.

Setoze’s ability, erasing the trace of one’s passage, was another subtle effect. She had only been able to tell from Aden and Rippo’s reactions that she had succeeded at it. But Delrose’s divine object was different. The fire still floated on the spot where the plank had been, impossible to conceal. The snow around the spot was melting fast.

The maids stood, identical as dolls in their heavy bundles. Only their wide eyes were exposed, but their murmurs and gasps betrayed their awe. Ilyin thought they looked adorable.

Ilyin laughed like a child. She moved her hand, just slightly, and the fire moved in response. That coordination, the fire dancing with the movements of her hand, caught the knights’ attention. She made her movements just a touch more pronounced, so they could see it more clearly.

She heard gasps in response, amusing her. But then, she felt her breath suddenly quicken.

***

Choosing the knight’s ground had been a good choice for many reasons. First, of course, she was still able to hide the Delrose’s divine power.

But secondly, she was able to be taken to Ves immediately. Of course, they couldn’t carry her to the 7th floor without the other families noticing, but that wouldn’t be a problem.

“There were people taking care of her,” Ves barked. “What were they doing?”

They were facing Vas’ fury now, but the servants of Delrose knew someone much more frightening was coming.

“None of us had proper knowledge of the divine power,” Etra said awkwardly. As the only one with a high enough title to respond, she was the default spokesperson for them.

Ves sighed. It was true that Delrose people didn’t find divine power foreign, but they’d only seen Aden. They had no way to know using the power, even once, could affect her so.

“His Majesty is coming-” a maid started to announce, but she was cut off as Aden barged onto the 7th floor.

***

Aden studied Ilyin’s pale face. He’d been given a report on the situation as he had been hurrying to the 7th floor. She was lying on the bed, still unconscious, her breath coming in quick pants.

“Ilyin used Delrose’s divine power….”

His eyes went to Ilyin’s necklace. His lips twisted, but he swallowed his anger. He’d left the necklace in her care even after seeing her use Setoze. It hadn’t occurred to him that she could use Delrose’s divine object. As well.

He didn’t mind that in itself – so long as she used it only when necessary. But it troubled him that such a brief use could make her faint.

Aden pursed his lips, stone-faced. He gave no sign, but in his heart, he felt the same tight pain he felt each time he used the divine power.