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Chapter 80
At Leo’s words, Edward’s eyebrow twitched upward. But once again, Leo failed to notice Edward’s irritation.
“I had to marry a duke’s daughter. Charlier still hasn’t returned from the imperial palace. So the only duke’s daughter left in Shyro was Delphine—so I dated her.”
“Then why didn’t your proposal go through?”
“Well…”
Leo folded his arms, wearing a face that said he didn’t understand it himself.
“Something strange happened. Delphine suddenly changed. Before, whenever I said anything, she’d cry and beg me. Then out of nowhere she told me we should break up. Honestly, even thinking about it now, it’s ridiculous.”
Edward’s eyes sharpened.
“When did that happen? Tell me everything about that incident.”
“When was it… It was right before Delphine’s birthday, so sometime between last winter and early this year. In winter. And get this—she dumped me at the Salon de Chatte. Hah.”
Leo shook his head, still baffled.
“Delphine Plerion suddenly changed? No warning signs before that?”
“None. She changed overnight. And now that I think about it, it’s even stranger—after that, she said she was going to work for House Feredi. She started doing all sorts of odd things.”
Edward rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
This isn’t normal. Changed overnight? Then the broken engagement, and starting work for House Feredi… Something is definitely behind this. Changed… changed—as if her soul were switched…
Edward’s eyes lit up. Noticing, Leo asked,
“What is it? Did you figure something out?”
Edward stared into space and smirked.
“I’m not certain yet, but I have a strong suspicion.”
“What is it?”
Leo pressed him. Edward hesitated a moment, then decided to share.
“Delphine’s soul might have changed.”
“Her soul changed? You mean something like a soul-summoning?”
“Possibly. We’ll need to look into the details…”
Edward set a hand on Leo’s shoulder.
“It could be something even bigger. Good work—this is very useful information.”
Leo finally caught on.
“So you’re saying we can brand Delphine as a witch?”
“Exactly. If we can prove Delphine’s soul was replaced, we can accuse her of witchcraft. And we can pin the curse orbs on her too.”
A smile spread across Leo’s face as well.
“In that case, we can wash our hands clean and step back—while taking Tiago down with her.”
“Yes. First we prove Delphine is a witch. With that evidence, we can threaten and attack Tiago.”
Edward patted Leo’s shoulder twice and let go.
“Then, Leo—one last favor.”
“What is it?”
“I need something that belongs to Delphine. Something she keeps on her person would be best. With it, I can check whether her soul has changed.”
“Something she owns… Got it. Would a hair comb work?”
Edward grinned.
“Perfect. Bring it as soon as possible.”
Leo nodded and smiled back.
Paella was carrying a basket of freshly laundered bed sheets. When she turned into the corridor for Delphine’s rooms, she saw Delphine’s door open.
Lady Delphine should be at the luncheon in the ballroom… Did she return already?
Her doubt lasted only a second—because the person coming out of Delphine’s room was Rodena.
Startled, Paella hurried over on quick, quiet steps.
“Rodena!”
Paella called to her in a whisper. Rodena jumped and whirled around like someone caught doing something wrong.
Paella stepped closer and asked,
“Rodena, what were you doing in there?”
Her voice was barely audible.
Paella was worried. Rodena was the youngest maid and was assigned to Leo.
Rodena looked clearly flustered, her eyes darting as she scrambled for an answer.
Paella noticed Rodena’s front pocket bulging.
Lowering her voice even more, Paella said,
“Rodena… did you take something from Lady Delphine’s room? You know what happens to a maid who steals from nobles in the imperial palace.”
If a maid was caught stealing from nobles, the punishment was severe. She’d be thrown out immediately, and her family would be barred from palace work forever—a serious shame and financial loss, since palace maid positions paid steadily and were sought-after.
Rodena’s voice trembled.
“N-no…”
Her eyes shook, and so did her voice. Paella stepped closer.
“Rodena, if you took something, put it back right now. I don’t know what’s in your pocket, but if you walk off with it, you’ll be in real trouble. This isn’t like you. Why are you doing this?”
Paella coaxed her gently—she was certain Rodena had stolen something.
But Rodena shook her head hard.
“I… I didn’t! I just went in to see if anything needed cleaning.”
Paella shot that down immediately.
“Cleaning? Don’t be ridiculous. Lady Delphine’s bedroom is my assignment. Why would you go in there to clean?”
“……”
Paella lowered her voice again, urging her.
“Rodena, if you put it back now, I won’t tell anyone. Do it right now.”
Rodena hesitated.
“What’s going on there?”
A voice spoke from behind them—Leo.
Both Paella and Rodena turned to him.
Leo stood there without the slightest surprise, as if he already knew everything.
His gaze slid over Paella from head to toe. Paella dropped her eyes and bowed.
“Good day, Young Master Leo.”
“I asked what’s going on.”
Paella couldn’t answer. If she said Rodena had stolen something of Delphine’s, Rodena would be ruined.
Instead, Leo spoke, ignoring Paella.
“You, you’re assigned to me, right? My room’s a mess. Go clean it. Now.”
Rodena’s face lit with relief, and she hurried off toward Leo’s room.
“……”
Paella watched her go, suspicion written all over her face.
Leo turned to Paella.
“Who are you to bully my maid? If you’ve got time to waste, go clean the corridor.”
His hostile tone left Paella speechless. She could only nod.
As she lowered her head, one thought flashed through her mind:
Don’t tell me Young Master Leo ordered her to steal something… He just came out of that hallway himself. And Rodena isn’t the sort to steal on her own…
Paella had many thoughts, but she kept her mouth shut. In this palace, a careless word could cost you your life ten times over.
She gave Leo a proper curtsy. He ignored it and went into his room.
—Bang!
He slammed the door so hard it sounded like it might break. Paella was still uneasy, but she couldn’t say a word.
“……”
Carrying that unease, Paella stepped into Delphine’s bedroom.
“Mm… mmph!”
A muffled groan sounded from far away—low, but loud enough to fill the narrow basement corridor.
The basement guard tensed, readying himself.
—Step. Step. Step.
From around the corner appeared Edward. The problem was: he wasn’t alone.
He was dragging a woman. A sack covered her head, hiding her face.
“…!”
The moment she was pulled into view, the guard recognized her instantly.
Paella…!
Even with her face covered, he knew his lover at a glance.
His body went rigid. It felt like someone had struck the back of his head.
What in the world is this…?
Edward didn’t notice the guard’s reaction. Unaware that Paella was the guard’s lover, he gave a curt order.
“Move.”
“……”
Normally, the guard would have opened the door and stepped aside. Instead, he planted himself in front of the basement door.
“……”
Even if the order came from an imperial mage like Edward, he couldn’t just stand by while his lover was dragged into the dungeon.
Edward’s eyes turned dangerous. Tightening his grip on the struggling Paella’s neck, he spoke again.
“Move.”
The guard stood his ground.
“I can’t. Even for you, Master Edward, I cannot let you pass.”
Edward let out a dry laugh, incredulous.
“Heh. Do you know what you’re doing? You’re defying a mage’s command.”
The guard knew. He knew all too well what happened to those who disobeyed someone of higher rank—especially in this empire, where everything ran on strict obedience.
