KMPEG 29

Chapter 29

‘I wonder who’s in Frederic’s good dreams? Charlier? Or… his parents?’

Frederic was sleeping soundly, breathing softly, and he looked so young and peaceful.

“….”

“I’m feeling jealous,” Tiago said.

“Huh?”

“You’re not even thinking about me. It’s like I don’t exist right now.”

“Oh, no, it’s not like that.”

Even though I said that, he hit the mark. The moment I looked at Frederic, everything else just disappeared. I could only see him.

‘Yeah… he is handsome. And he has that mysterious, sad vibe that makes you want to protect him.’

“What’s your relationship with him?” Tiago suddenly asked.

It was such a direct question that I was caught off guard. Tiago crossed his arms and stared, clearly expecting an answer.

“Uh… we’re… I mean, Frederic and I are…”

I couldn’t find the right words. I stared at the wooden board on the tavern wall like the answer was hidden there.

Then I remembered what Frederic once said to me.

“We’re in an employment relationship. He pays me, and I work for his family. That’s it.”

“Hm.”

Tiago smiled like that was the answer he wanted.

“Why are you asking?”

“It’s the polite thing to do. Before I start expressing my feelings to you, I wanted to know how you feel about Frederic. Now that I know you two aren’t a thing, I can go ahead.”

Ugh, what a flirt. I instantly labeled him a player. Everything he said sounded like smooth talk, like sweet lines dipped in sugar.

“You have feelings for me? After just one day? How can someone fall for someone so quickly?”

“The feelings I have for you…”

My heart started racing. Whenever I talked with Tiago, I felt weird. Light-headed. A little dizzy. Like I was floating or drunk.

‘Get it together! Don’t fall for this player’s act!’

I straightened my back and sat up straight. Tiago leaned in closer.

“You’re interesting. You, and the way I feel about you. I want to know more about you, see more of you. Is it okay if I show up in front of you more often?”

“….”

Instead of answering, I turned toward Frederic—right as he started mumbling again in his sleep.

“It’s not because of Charlier…”

“Then why did you go?”

Drunken Frederic was kind of cute. I decided to tease him a little by answering his sleep talk.

—Thud!

Suddenly, Frederic snapped his head up and opened his eyes wide.

“There’s an elf’s ring… and I… I…”

“Elf’s ring? What’s that?”

I leaned in to hear better.

“So that’s why…”

“Go on, tell me.”

Frederic frowned like he was uncomfortable and turned his head toward me.

‘Wait… no way.’

“Ugh… uuuueeehhh!”

“Delphine!”

“Oh my goodness, miss!”

Yep. Too late. Frederic threw up. All over me.

The tavern owners came rushing out from the kitchen, but it was already over. The damage was done. I looked down at my vomit-covered skirt.

‘Ugh… seriously? This guy.’

Frederic was still dry heaving and looked miserable.

“Ugh… I don’t… feel good…”

Tiago helped support him. “I’ll take Frederic out for a bit. Sis, do you have a spare skirt?”

“No, it’s fine! Ma’am, I have an extra skirt in my bag upstairs.”

“Miss, don’t move. I’ll go get it.”

The tavern lady ran upstairs. Her husband helped Tiago support Frederic.

“Seriously, this guy…”

I looked at my skirt again. It was covered. I hadn’t been vomited on like this since college.

“….”

But strangely, I didn’t hate Frederic. It was annoying and gross, sure, but I didn’t feel angry at him.

‘Weirdly… kind of cute, too.’

His little puffy breaths kept replaying in my head, and I found myself smiling.

“Blaaaarghh…”

More struggling noises from outside the tavern. Poor guy’s going to be sick all night.

‘If it wasn’t because of Charlier… why did he go to Brunik? He’s not the type to lie, especially when drunk.’

Frederic finally fell asleep after throwing up a few more times. We couldn’t risk taking him upstairs, so he slept in the tavern owner’s room on the first floor.

After changing into clean clothes, I finally got to eat dinner.

The tavern was quiet tonight. Aside from a few people eating at two tables, it was mostly empty.

Just as I finished eating, Tiago came over with two beers and sat across from me. He had stayed with Frederic the whole time, helping him and listening to his drunken ramblings.

“I heard everything.”

“What do you mean?”

“About Frederic. His past. He’s been through a lot, all by himself.”

“Oh…”

I remembered hearing a few words—“parents,” “shipwreck,” “Charlier”… He must have opened up to Tiago.

It surprised me. I didn’t think Frederic would talk about that to someone he just met.

Then again… maybe he’s just been holding everything in for so long that he needed someone—anyone—to finally listen.

The thought made my heart ache a little. I felt kind of bad for him.

Tiago pushed one of the beers toward me.

“You drink beer, right? You seemed to like this one yesterday.”

“Oh, thanks.”

I took a sip. It was fresh and slightly bitter—just how I liked it.

“There’s just one thing I don’t understand about Frederic’s story.”

“What is it?”

“What’s your relationship with Charlier?”

Ah. That.

It was a weird but simple situation: Charlier was my ex-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend. Also Frederic’s “just a friend” who clearly kept him hanging.

But I couldn’t explain all that, so I simplified.

“She’s my ex’s ex. He used to talk about her a lot, so I never met her, but I kind of feel like I know her.”

“I see.”

Tiago took a sip of his beer with a blank expression.

“I think you’d like her, too.”

Was it the beer talking? Why was I saying this?

“Why do you think so?” he asked.

‘Because she’s the main character of this world. You’re just a side character, and so is Frederic. Everything here revolves around her.’

But I couldn’t say that. So instead:

“My ex said every guy would fall for her.”

“That’s disappointing.”

“What is?”

“That he said that to you. When you were dating.”

“…!”

My lips pouted without thinking. That was my unconscious habit when I was moved or about to cry.

I didn’t know why… but Tiago’s words warmed my heart. They were probably the kindest thing anyone had said to me since I got here.

“I’m not falling for it.”

I said the opposite of what I felt.

“You’re a player. That kind of sweet talk doesn’t work on me. It’s nothing. Just empty words.”

That was close. I was actually moved and maybe even a little fluttery. But if I was going to survive around this smooth talker, I had to learn to hide my feelings.

“Hahaha.”

‘Why is he laughing?’

Most people would be annoyed by what I said. But Tiago laughed so freely.

“Sounds like I’ve left a strong impression. It’s okay. We have plenty of time. I’ll change that little by little.”

“….”

I finished my beer and set the glass down.

‘He’s weird… and maybe dangerous.’

Players are like that. Even when you know they’re trouble, they still mess with your head. I should keep my distance. We’re just together for today anyway.

“Sigh… I’m tired. I’m heading up first. Thanks for helping Frederic.”

I stood tall and tried to look confident. Tiago smiled and ran a finger along the rim of his glass.

“Delphine, leave your door open tonight.”

“What?”

“You’re sleeping alone, right? Frederic’s on the first floor. You never know what might happen. Don’t worry—I won’t come in unless you ask me to.”

“What do you mean ‘what might happen’?”

Tiago touched his shoulder and gestured outward.

“You never know what might show up in the night. Tonight, there’s no Frederic for you to protect. So just leave the door open.”

I wanted to boldly yell “No way!” but honestly… I was scared. If something like that Kerman monster from before showed up again, I’d freak out.

Instead of answering, I just tightly shut my lips and stood up.

“See you tomorrow, Delphine.”

I didn’t turn back. I just gave a small nod and walked away.