Story of Season: Winter

Chapter 24's

Waking up in a state of shock enough to make Delphy's head hurt. The dream he had last night felt very real to him. How people screamed at the flames to how the rubble hit him and a voice told him to get up.

Delphy held onto his neck which hurt. Looks like he got the wrong sleeping position last night. Delphy looked out the window, it was bright. Lilian did not wake him, probably because she knew that Delphy slept late last night, besides Delphy did not have any official schedule like before.

Long enough, Delphy just fell silent while sitting on a mattress. He did not see Lilian's whereabouts. Usually Lilian would offer him warm tea when he woke up.

Not wanting to stay still longer, Delphy prepares to start the day, although honestly Delphy himself does not know what kind of day to start. In the past he would go directly to the headquarters, receive missions or train new soldiers and just compile a report.

Finished preparing, Delphy intends to approach Crystal. He just remembered there was still something he wanted to talk to his twin sister. However, on the doorstep Delphy saw Lilian arriving with a tray of tea and some snacks.

"Ah sorry miss, I think you are still asleep so I put off making nyaa tea a little bit to keep warm." Lilian felt guilty.

"What's lillian, I get it."

After that Delphy immediately drank his tea a little and took a piece of biscuit. "I'll go first."

Delphy stepped away, his current destination being the Crown Princess' residence, though he did not know whether Crystal would be in his residence or not. No matter how the Crystal's coronation went on soon, the girl was definitely very busy.

Along the way, Delphy looked out the window. The snow had stopped falling, it seemed like the snow had already enveloped the entire Country. Even in the palace alone, the workers were busy clearing the piles of snow that blocked the road.

Just as Delphy was about to step out of the Building, Lilian called out to him in a row. The woman gave Delphy a coat.

"Ah yes I forgot, Thank you Lilian." Delphy took the coat and left.

Delphy headed towards the central Palace building, where the core royal family members lived. Delphy felt a little strange as he entered the central building. Usually he carries a sword draped around his waist, proving that he is one of the royal knights. However, all the swords that Delphy had were drawn when Delphy was declared no longer a Knight.

If Crystal really makes Delphy as his bodyguard again, he will certainly return the sword Delphy. Maybe at this time because Crystal has not given his official orders.

Delphy entered Crystal's room after the doorman opened it. Fortunately, Crystal was still in her room. The Crown Princess who soon became a queen was busy styling her hair assisted by her three servants.

"I'm sorry I've interfered at an inopportune time."

"What's wrong, I was waiting for you. I had a meeting with the nobles, be my bodyguard then."

Delphy nodded in understanding, then his attention fell on the glass cabinet near the table. The four remaining swords were there. Delphy was a little surprised, whether since when Crystal had an interest in the sword until he had to keep his sword there.

"I kept it on purpose. Your sword engraving is too good for me to return to the warrior base."

Delphy nodded in understanding. Even if the sword was in the warrior headquarters, no one would dare to touch it. All the Palace soldiers knew that Delphy would babble throughout the training if his sword was touched by anyone.

The finished Crystal now approached Delphy, "I will ask the servant to return your sword. However, can you let one sword?"

"All right, it's okay. You can keep one of them."

"I want that one."

Crystal pointed at the sword that was at the very top of the silver color with the carving of a branch of a tree without leaves. Delphy only nodded despite the fact that it was his beloved sword.

"You can have it."

"Thank you." Crystal smiled happily then ordered one of her servants. "Take one of the swords and give it to Delphy."

Upon receiving his sword, Delphy was relieved. He felt safe with only a sword. After that Crystal and Delphy walked together towards the meeting room.

"Isn't it natural that two engaged people become close?"

"I mean, before you were very resistant to the engagement."

"What do you care? You won't even help me resist the engagement just yet."

Shit, thought Delphy. That's not the answer he wants to hear. If they continue they will only fight. Though Delphy just wanted to know how Erd approached Crystal, whether the man was really good or as Frost said.

Delphy did not continue the conversation until they entered the meeting room. There were only a few nobles, there were still many empty seats. The meeting time should have started.

"Just this way?" Crystal asked, but no one answered.

Shit they underestimated Crystal blatantly, Delphy thought. But Delphy did nothing, he just took a position, standing by the door.

Crystal sat down in her chair. Long enough until finally the remaining nobles came in groups.

"Ah forgive me princess, I guess you're still dressing up." Said one of the nobles with fat stature and mustache.

Then, the nobles took their seats while laughing, chatting with each other as if there was no figure they should respect there. It was obvious that the nobles were underestimating Crystal.

In a humble tone Crystal replied. "What's wrong, sit down."

"Omong by the way, it turns out that your loyal dog has returned yes, princess." Other nobles' permission.

It felt like Delphy was eager to stuff the mouths of those nobles with a sword.

"Don't switch the conversation, we're too late." Firm Crystal.

The meeting began with Crystal who discussed the food crisis that had experienced. However, as Ash Shaif's merchants became more dominant, many Whittaker residents were experiencing economic hardship.

Discussing the economy like this made Delphy think, shouldn't Colden take part in this meeting? Colden, however, held an economic share in the Kingdom.

As Crystal entered the core conversation, somehow the atmosphere became more tense as if the Whittaker Kingdom would simply fall if this was not resolved immediately.

"Therefore I decided to reduce the taxes of the little people and raise the taxes of the nobility."

"Wahh, he's crazy." muttered Delphy at Crystal's speech. Which nobles would want to lose only for the sake of a small people, everyone knew that. Powerful pretentious nobles who do not want to sacrifice are no longer an open secret.

And sure enough, those nobles started voicing their protests. Even one of the nobles had already kicked the table first.

Crystal did not want to lose, she raised her voice. "Shut up!!" As soon as the silent room returned, Crystal began to continue with her words. "The tax will return to the people in need, not to myself! Haven't you been helped by the Kingdom a lot? Then what's wrong with sacrificing a little."

Delphy looked at Crystal with astonishment. In his heart he asked, since when did Crystal become look resolute like this.

A statured nobleman sitting near Crystal kicked the table then unhesitatingly pulled the collar of Crystal's suit. "What can this Kingdom do without us?!"

Not yet Crystal replied, a sword was already right on the noble's neck. With a cold gaze, without a doubt the sword was ready at any time to sever the nobleman's neck.

"Let go of your hand before your head comes off." Delphy spoke coldly.

The nobleman immediately lowered his hand with trembling and an annoyed look on his face.