Following Medinador out, Delphina took one last look at her 'mother' and 'brother', giving them a small smile as she turned towards the newly exposed corridor in front, the Renaissance style stone flagstones had once again returned.
As she stepped through the doorway, one of the serving automata closed the door behind her. Now, she could only go forward with her plan.
The 'pons' they walked over was framed with a mix of stained-glass arches and plain archers' windows on either side, letting in an ample amount of light and providing access to the views of the family building itself. Both old and new. However, Delphina didn't have much time to appreciate this.
She was busy running through how she would proceed with Medinador, should she just jump into the deep end, exclaiming she had figured out some of the family secrets? That seemed like a potential disaster, especially if they had been mentioned in passing during her or Pietro's education.
A slow, measured approach? Basing her footsteps forward depending on Medinador's reactions? Too timid, and she might get reprimanded anyway for not having a more heir-like approach to the matter. After all, she'd made it clear this was a serious conversation to be had.
Clenching her fists, she braced herself for what was to come next.
"Here, you should have one now, too."
Startled, Delphina realised she had automatically come to a stop as Medinador had done. Up in front was a very heavy-set wrought-iron door, and Medinador was handing her what must have been one of the keys for it.
"Thank you, Father."
Now this was a key! She could feel the weight of it in her hand. It wasn't large, but it was made from ornate metal scrollwork that couldn't have been iron itself. It was far too heavy.
"It's Black-Gold."
"Excuse me?" Delphina practically blurted out. There's no way her face had given away her curiosity. But it seemed Medinador had already caught on somehow.
"I know, surprising, isn't it. It's because of its age. There are only a few examples left in the living continent of Black-Gold, and here is one of them."
"Ah, he completely misunderstood my exclamation, but that's interesting to hear nonetheless". Delphina thought to herself as she nodded at his comment. There was much, much more for her to learn.
"These keys will work on all of the doors leading to the inner section. If you're worried about security, one of our Ancestors cast a skill upon them so only those from the direct Family line can use them. Even your Mother isn't able to… Come in without me being here."
"Skills? Yes, I understand. But did Mother not take too kindly to it?"
At this, Medinador laughed. He seemed oddly pleased Delphina had brought it up.
"No, if anything, it means that we have to be together if ever the House falls under danger. It's been true for any couple leading our family. Also, to prevent anyone from being confined against their will, the doors can still open from the inside without a key."
Delphina gave her 'father' a hefty side eye at that comment. Had either he or Elvira tried it in the past and found that out? But she could understand why Elvira wasn't against not being able to have a set for herself. Medinador would have to escort her every single time, and there was no way she didn't come to visit him in his study at least once a day.
She could bet money that the inner section had a 'Duke & Duchess only' bedroom. Perverts.
Putting that thought out of her mind, she watched as Medinador opened the heavy door with ease. He then held the door for her and escorted her politely over the step. An awkward silence settled as they realised what had just happened.
"Sorry, Phina, it's a habit from your Mother…"
"No! No, it's fine, I just went along with it as well. Shouldn't I get used to more polite behaviour anyway?"
With this, Medinador nodded his head thoughtfully. He knew his affectionate behaviour with his wife could be perceived as overbearing, but it set a good precedent for their children and what to expect from prospective suitors or spouses in the future.
"Yes, if you're ever snubbed by a man in the future. Send him my way, would you? I'll make sure his parents have his etiquette re-educated."
For the briefest moment Delphina felt bad for whoever this future poor sod was, but then she remembered that as now Delphina- ducal princess of one of the four greatest families in the entire continent. If anyone didn't know who she was, or knew and still treated her poorly. They probably deserved a thorough 're-education' in many ways.
This elicited a small smirk from her.
"Of course, Father. I'm even more grateful you agreed to the debut being at the Imperial Ball now."
Medinador looked at her quizzically for a moment before laughing.
"Indeed! After that, there wouldn't be any excuse, would there, haha!"
As the father-daughter pair started laughing in an eerily similar fashion, the heavy metal door slowly closed on the scene.
After having gotten what might be a genetic twinge of villainy out of their system for the moment, both Medinador and Delphina had made their way down a gothic-looking corridor filled with doors. Only to stop at the final one.
"This is my study, you won't be able to open this door without me. But, in the future, when you take over being the Head, we will also have to register you so it will open."
With this, he grasped the handle and waited for a few seconds before pushing open the door.
Delphina's keen senses had picked up a slight puffing noise coming from the handle as Medinador had grasped it, causing her to tilt her head.
"Father, by register, do you mean…" She gently flexed her fingers at him as she said this, as if to direct his attention to her fingertips.
"Drawing blood, yes. You are correct."
She had actually meant fingerprint scanning, but perhaps that wasn't even a consideration with the technology of this era. Good job that she had simply gestured… Hang on, he had his fingertips stabbed every time he went for his study handle?
This elicited a look of confusion from Delphina as she realised this. How much of a masochist was Medinador anyway?
The thought made Delphina blank out; she had a sudden realisation about Medinador and Elvira's relationship. Maybe the dog collar was a literal thing and not just a metaphor…