Chapter 17

Where to even start. The 'Pietro' before her only had a vague resemblance to the Games Pietro. And yet he didn't quite look like Elvira or Medinador, maybe he took after an Elder from either of the Families?

The hair colour was close enough, a lighter shade of blue than her own, but darker than Elvira's practically pure silver. But the build? The eye colour? All completely different. Pietro in the Game was a slender, almost androgynous pretty-boy. He fit perfectly into the Japanese Bishōnen genre.

'Pietro' was sitting on the other side of the antique dining table from her. Built like a stereotypical knight. Broad-shouldered and very tall, a real ladies man kind of look. Long hair tied back in a high ponytail, reminiscent of her own (albeit way less fanciful), brought everything together and added an air of sensitive charm most knights wouldn't have.

He didn't fit in; he stood out like something wearing another's skin. It made her own skin creep at the thought. Maybe that was it? Had a Dragon or some bizarre humanoid Megafauna killed Pietro, and wore his skin because they thought it looked good?

"Now that was an outlandish thought." Delphina shook her head slightly before returning 'Pietros' smile. It's a shame that as she made eye contact once again, she realised that his eyes were also a completely different colour from what she was expecting. They were hauntingly familiar, though.

"Yeah, there's something not right here. Give him slit pupils and call them Dragon eyes because that colouration is insane." They were purple, with green and gold central heterochromia. Delphina looked away and then paused. She had remembered something No.69 had said earlier.

'The de Lunas have both Elven and Draconic traits, and the de Velasques have direct Draconic ancestry from the Imperial Family.'

Now, Elvira was a de Luna, and well, obviously Medinador was a de Velasques. So maybe this Pietro just got some heavy Draconic genetics. Thinking about this made her feel a little more at ease. After all, there being two 'Past Livers' in this generation, and both being twins would be insane.

Somehow, Delphina felt she'd just set up a flag for herself.

"What did I miss?"

"Nothing important, my petit-pois, we were just judging you for being so late once again."

"Haha, what can I say. I was busy with the other Knights."

"Oh yes, the excursion with the Burgesses will be coming up soon."

When exactly were they going to eat? Coming to the dining room was just an excuse to chat over… Silverware at this point. Why not just go to a reception room and chat there? Delphina was starting to feel famished, since all she had had today was fruit and water.

As the chatter kept going in the background, Delphina decided to take a look around the people sitting at the table once more. It honestly just seemed like a typical, harmonious family having a conversation. The odd one out was now her, as she kept quiet and observed.

"Are you okay, Delphina?"

Medinador asked her, leaning slightly in her direction. This caused Elvira and Pietro to stop their chatter and glance in her direction. You could see who took after whom, after all, it seemed.

"Yes? I'm fine, just hungry."

"Oh, look at my mind!"

Elvira loudly clapped her hands three times, and a small group of tall, stilt-legged automatons wheeled in a closed, cloche-laden cart.

They were clearly from the same line as Jenkins, as they had similar brass and copper detailing. They also seemed to handle things with the same level of cautiousness and care. Perhaps an integral personality feature?

"Dig in first, Phina, you must be famished after the past few days!"

She certainly was; she knew that much from today alone. Perhaps it was part of becoming the next Head. Did Delphina have to go through some weird ritualistic cleanse, and that's why there were only fruits and water in her room?

It wasn't a mystery she was going to delve into right now; food took precedence.

The automatons proceeded to open the cloches and remove the silver plates from the rack on the underside of the cart. This was obviously done to keep the plates warm. They then began to portion the different foods onto the plates, with Delphina being served first.

What appeared before her was quite frankly one of the best-looking lamb roast dinners she had ever seen before. And that meant a lot coming from her. She, now Delphina, was a true foodie. She would eat anything and everything. But that just meant she truly appreciated good or well-done food.

Medium rare lamb shank, large glazed roast parsnips, and carrots. Some mint seasoned gravy. Petit-pois peas (this made her laugh when she thought of Elvira's weird but cute pet name for Pietro).

On the cart, there were still some uncovered cloches. Those were either different types of food yet to come. Or even better yet, the dessert. "Ah, I'm making myself hungrier, and the food is right in front of me, let's stop here."

The table had quietened down until only the sound of utensils gently touching the plate, or cups being set down, was heard. Delphina was on her second plate of roast dinner and was also starting to eye the wine carafe placed more towards the centre of the table. She'd been served just water yet again.

"Seriously, what is that about. Maybe it really is a ritual body cleanse or something similar." Perhaps Medinador had seen her eager eyes practically devouring the carafe, because he pulled it over and poured a finger's width of the drink into a glass, before handing it to her.

"It's a bit early, but why don't you just have a sip if you're that curious?"

There was no chastisement; he seemed genuinely affectionate as he said this to Delphina. Causing her to pause as she reached for the dark green drink. There was no way this was some foreign fruit juice, going off of what he had just said.

"This is Absinthe, isn't it? If that's the case, shouldn't Pietro have some too? We're the same age after all."

With this, Delphina turned and looked at Elvira. Who then nodded and poured a glass for Pietro herself.

"Now look at you acting like quite the older sister!"

The teasing tone Elvira used made it clear she wasn't in trouble, but being termed 'older sister' immediately didn't sit well with her. With a stiff smile, she laughed awkwardly and motioned to Pietro to bump glasses with her for good luck.

With a gentle ting from the glasses, Pietro shyly laughed as he spoke.

"Well, it's both our first time drinking this, so let's go slow."

Delphina then proceeded to watch him knock the drink back like a hardened pro.