Standing up and moving her way around the desk, Delphina gently reached out to hold one of his hands, which had now become fists bunched up on his chair arms.
"Father, can you listen to me for a moment? I know what you are concerned about, but let's be honest. Is there anyone else like me?"
"I'm not trying to be egotistical, but the only realistic way someone else would be granted a system is potentially because the Gods chose them. Which, as you said, isn't possible right now. And even if it was, should someone suddenly change like that, wouldn't it stand out?"
"After all, even you and Mother were initially concerned I had been reincarnated into."
With this, she began stroking the top of his head very carefully.
"You and I both know someone would report them, Father. And even if a Family tried to hide it, are you so unconfident in your Hunters that they wouldn't be able to deal with them?"
"So, Father, let's put aside telling anyone about this. We've got plenty of research ahead of us, if something comes up that concerns us. We can discuss it then. Can't we?"
As she finished what she had to say, she applied some pressure to the fist she was holding, causing Medinador to look up at her even as she stroked his head. Liking the slightly dopey puppy dog look he was now giving her, she simply gave him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
She'd be damned if she was going to let this man do something that ridiculous. Whilst it wasn't like she could see into the future. You didn't need to be a genius to know the de Velasques would be, at the very least, saddled with a heap of work as punishment.
And that would utterly ruin her plans.
Medinador seemed to be pretty impulsive and didn't stop to think things through properly. Delphina was surprised that he hadn't managed to get the de Velasques Family into trouble just yet.
Maybe being too preoccupied with Elvira was a good thing. She was likely the brains in the relationship anyway.
"Hmm, truthfully, Phina. There is more to the ceremony than you know, but it is considered taboo to discuss it with anyone underage. You also haven't shown any signs of awakening the… second side effect."
"So I will need to speak to the Emperor in advance to prevent any potential surprises, but I will tone it down as you've said. You're right; I was concerned about you and anything that might happen in the future. So perhaps I was too hasty."
Delphina stilled upon hearing this. Did this man truly not understand the potential issues? Or was she just getting too ahead of herself? It was true she was acting like she knew more than she actually did. Could she play it off as just concern for their family?
Giving him an embarrassed grin, she cheekily asked if he could tell her about this so-called taboo. But he just shook his head.
"Delphina, I've been testing you since we started talking at this desk. And you haven't shown the slightest reaction, which means you can't… Can't process the manifestation yet. You are underage after all. It seems that awakening the system by yourself doesn't release the secondary characteristics that must be age-related."
Raising her eyebrows at him, she decided to go sit back in her seat. Her emotional manipulation had certainly had an effect; now, even more information was coming out of the woodwork. She might as well absorb as much as she could.
But judging by the way Medinador kept changing how he spoke about this 'second manifestation' or whatever it was, she probably wouldn't get much more out of him today.
"Were you going to tell me about this before I interrupted earlier?"
Blinking at her statement, Medinador gently smiled at Delphina.
"Honestly, no, I wasn't going to. I was too wrapped up in the implications your system may have on you in the future. As I just said, Delphina. It's clear to me that it's age-related rather than the characteristic being purely tied to the system awakening."
"Though I am glad it's now been brought up, I might not be able to talk to you about the specifics. But at least we can prepare more for the Imperial Ball. We should speak to your Mother about it, she's better at that sort of thing than I am."
With this, he let out a hearty laugh and stood up. Picking up the two calendar boxes that he had presented to Delphina, and heading towards the study door. He was clearly elated at the prospect of going and having a lengthy conversation with his wife.
"Uh, Father??"
Delphina was left quite frankly bewildered at this turn of events. They had both been conversing for at least a couple of hours at this point, and it had to be late into the evening. Was Elvira going to welcome a lengthy conversation at this time of night?
"Shouldn't I head off to bed soon, seeing as I have to get up early to meet with Pietro? I'm also supposed to go see the Knights, so…"
Medinador froze in his tracks. His long strides had him already at the study door threshold.
Slowly turning around in her chair to face him, Delphina could already tell he was embarrassed at the situation. Scampering off like an excited little boy wasn't exactly something a Family Patriarch should do.
"Delphina, growing girls should sleep well, you know."
Nodding to himself as if he was providing sage advice. Medinador continued on.
"I guess it falls to me to speak to your Mother alone tonight. Worry not, dear daughter, I will convey everything necessary."
"Hm, yes, yes, convey through pillow talk almost certainly," Delphina thought as she internally rolled her eyes at this esteemed Duke's boot licking behaviour.
Standing up to join Medinador at the door, Delphina was looking forward to the sweet embrace of those silk sheets again as soon as possible.
Walking back towards her door to the Heirs Wing didn't take as long as she thought it would. Medinador had led her through a few secret wall panels in the inner section that almost directly connected to the Wing itself.
Pushing the calendar boxes into her hands and wishing her a brief goodnight, along with a kiss to the forehead. He practically ran back into the inner section, going on the prowl to find out where Elvira was.
Thinking about the age of the inner section and the Heirs Wing, it made sense that there would be so many secrets hidden within it. She was looking forward to doing as much exploring as possible over the next few months before they had to go to the Capital.
Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out again, Delphina was truly beginning to feel the fatigue set in. Perhaps Jenkins would be able to assist her with running a bath or something before she KO'd.
Rapping gently on the door to her Wing, she slowly opened it to check if Jenkins was still there. Unfortunately, the automaton wasn't there.
Well shit.