KMPEG 28

Chapter 28

Tiago spoke calmly.

“Still, I don’t think Kerman will return anytime soon. Before I leave today, I’ll cast a protection spell on Frederick.”

“Are you a mage?”

“I can use magic, but I don’t consider myself a magician. It’s just something I can do—like being tall. My actual job is being a ship captain.”

“Oh! You were supposed to set sail today…! Did I make you late?”

Suddenly I remembered Tiago’s conversation with his crew at the tavern. They’d planned to leave early at dawn. I hadn’t checked the time, but judging by the sunlight pouring through the window, it was clearly late morning.

Tiago didn’t answer—he just smiled gently.

It was strange. Even though we’d just met, being alone with Tiago in the room didn’t feel awkward at all. In fact, having him there made me feel more at ease.

“Just rest a little longer. I’ll bring you something to eat.”

“…”

He took the empty mug from my hands.

“I’ll bring more tea too.”

After Tiago left and I was alone, sleepiness returned. I looked at the bright sunlight pouring through the curtains and slowly drifted off again.

When I opened my eyes again, quite a bit of time had passed. The strong sunlight had shifted, and the room looked a little dimmer now.

Tiago was gone, and I was alone. But there was a new mug of tea on the table.

“What’s this? Did he try to keep it warm?”

The mug was wrapped in a scarf. He must have tried to keep it warm for me. But the tea had already gone cold.

Just imagining Tiago wrapping that mug with a scarf made me chuckle. A huge, broad-shouldered guy worrying about tea getting cold? It was funny.

What a weird guy.

I slowly got out of bed. I felt much better than before.

I think I can go downstairs now.

I picked up the cold mug and stepped onto the floor. Even though the mug had been wrapped, the tea inside was freezing.

Creak. Creak.

I walked down the wooden hallway. From the tavern downstairs, I could hear people chatting.

Frederick! He’s back!

When I got to the first floor, the first thing I saw was Frederick sitting at the center table. He was talking with the innkeeper couple, Tiago, and one of Tiago’s sailors.

He looked relaxed and was chatting comfortably with them.

Good for him. He was all socially anxious yesterday, and now look at him. Talking and acting normal. I guess he’s finally learning how to socialize.

“Delphine!”

Tiago noticed me first and called out. Everyone at the table looked over—except Frederick, who kept his head down and didn’t move.

“Are you feeling better?” Tiago asked as he stood and came over to me.

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

“Miss, please sit here.”

Following the innkeeper lady’s lead, I sat down at the table.

“You must be hungry. Dear, let’s get some food ready.”

She nudged her husband, and he quickly nodded. The couple went into the kitchen behind the bar.

As soon as they were gone, Tiago’s sailor also got up.

“Captain, I’ll go check on the ship.”

He left like he was escaping. Just like that, the crowded table was now down to just me, Tiago, and Frederick.

“Here, have some tea.”

Tiago poured tea from a pot and handed me a mug. I took it with both hands and looked at Frederick.

His usually pale skin looked even more colorless now. His lips, normally a soft pink, had no color at all. He looked so unwell that even a stranger would worry.

Then Frederick looked up slightly and said,

“You… okay?”

I nodded while holding the mug.

“Thanks for last night. Tiago told me everything. I don’t remember it myself, though.”

“You don’t remember?”

Instead of answering me, Frederick glanced at Tiago, waiting for him to explain.

Tiago leaned forward on the table and whispered.

“Frederick lost his memory from the moment the spirit fire broke the window. That’s Kerman’s doing. He drains memories while stealing the soul. Luckily, it’s just last night that he forgot. He’s very lucky. Thanks to you, Delphine.”

I felt angry as I looked at Frederick.

He looked awful, pale and sick—and yet he still ran off to Brunik just to buy a gift for Sharliette?

That’s… honestly insane. The words slipped out of me, a bit cold.

“Guess you’re doing well enough to travel to Brunik and buy presents, huh?”

“….”

Frederick avoided my eyes and stared at the corner of the tavern. Tiago glanced between us and tried to change the subject.

“So, it’s dangerous to travel through the Forest of Darkness today. Maybe you both should detour to Brunik tomorrow instead—”

“No. That’ll take too long.”

Frederick cut him off harshly. His voice was sharp, almost yelling.

Tiago gave him a long look. He really did look terrible—pale and exhausted.

“Well then… there is one way. Take my ship. If we leave tomorrow morning and follow the river, we’ll reach Shairo by afternoon. If that sounds good, I’ll tell the crew to prepare a ship.”

“….”

Frederick ran his fingers through his hair and sighed deeply. He clearly hated the situation but had no better option.

He’s frustrated because things aren’t going his way.

For some reason, his childish behavior annoyed me more today.

Maybe it was because Tiago felt so mature in comparison.

“Either way, I suggest staying in tonight. You both need rest. And… the energy in the forest is still off.”

Tiago looked out the window and narrowed his eyes.

“There’s something unpleasant out there. Not as strong as last night—but it’s still there. Let’s just rest tonight.”

Bang!

Frederick slammed his mug down hard on the table. It was loud enough that the innkeepers peeked out from the kitchen.

Oh, come on.

I was starting to get really annoyed. Everything that happened was because of him—and here he was, acting like he wanted to dive right back into danger.

“Hey! I mean, young master, seriously. You’ve caused enough trouble for everyone.”

“….”

“You can’t wait one day to see Sharliette? Even if it puts both of us in danger? That’s too much.”

“No.”

“No? What’s not?”

“That’s not why.”

I tried to look into Frederick’s eyes, but his curly hair was hiding them. Then he lifted his head and met my gaze.

Wait… he looks genuinely upset.

His face was full of emotion—frustration and desperation all at once.

“Then what is it?”

“Because of me… you got hurt.”

His eyes sparkled.

Wait, is he… crying?

“I’m sorry, Delphine.”

What…? What is happening?

Is this guy okay? Did Kerman steal his brain too?

I was speechless. Seeing Frederick apologizing with teary eyes… it was not like him at all.

This isn’t normal. He’s stammering, acting weird… wait a second…

Still watching Frederick, I asked Tiago,

“Did someone give him alcohol?”

I turned to Tiago. He scratched the back of his head and smiled awkwardly.

“Uh… yeah. He had a warm glass of wine. The innkeeper gave it to him to warm up. I didn’t know he was such a lightweight.”

Frederick’s head drooped like a puppet with its strings cut. He leaned forward, resting on the table, and started nodding off.

“Now it all makes sense. He looked pale because he was drunk, and you were all just sitting here listening to his drunken nonsense.”

Tiago didn’t say anything—just smiled. I took that as a yes.

“No… no, that’s not it…”

Frederick turned his head, eyes half-closed, and mumbled.

His lips had regained some color. He looked like a sleepy kid muttering in his sleep.

“That’s not it. I’m not upset about seeing Sharliette late…”

Yeah, right. Your entire life revolves around Sharliette. I know better than anyone.

I stared hard at Frederick.

With just one glass of wine, he was drunk and sulking like a child.

Then again, he was only 21—still young.

Seeing him like this, I realized how tense he must always be. Always guarded. Always trying to act grown-up.

Right… He spent all his teenage years alone. No wonder.

“Puff! Puff!”

Still half-asleep, Frederick blew air up at his face, trying to get the curls off his forehead.

I reached out and gently brushed his hair back.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

He looked like he was having a nice dream.