KMPEG 81

Chapter 81

The gatekeeper could not stand by and watch his lover be taken into that basement.

“Mm… mmph…!”

Hearing her lover’s voice, Paella thrashed even harder and tried to scream. But her mouth was gagged, so only muffled sounds came out.

The gatekeeper’s hands began to shake. Very few people can stay calm when they hear their lover’s cry.

He got ready to throw himself at Edward at any moment.

Edward gave a short, scornful laugh.

“This is your last warning. Step aside. Now.”

Irritation and anger burned in Edward’s eyes. The gatekeeper knew that look—the rage of a mage. He also knew that no one remained unharmed in front of those eyes.

Even with the smell of his own death right before him, the gatekeeper could not move aside.

“I cannot move. I will not allow you to take that woman into the basement.”

Edward’s green eyes turned red. Seeing those beast-like eyes, the gatekeeper couldn’t move at all.

Before the gatekeeper could act, Edward’s lips moved first.

—Thud.

In that instant, the gatekeeper fell like a paper doll. Through the sack over her head, Paella heard the sound of a body collapsing—the sound of a lifeless corpse hitting the ground.

“Mm… mmph…!”

Paella couldn’t see anything, but she knew exactly what had happened. She could no longer feel her lover’s presence.

She screamed even louder, but her cry did not escape past the gag.

“Annoying.”

—Creak.

Edward opened the basement door and dragged Paella and the gatekeeper’s body inside.

The two of them—and one corpse—disappeared into the deep, deep darkness.

—Ding, ding.

That’s strange.

Normally, Paella would have the dinner set up by now. But even after ringing the bell several times, she didn’t come.

What is going on?

I was just about to open the door myself when it opened.

Paella, you’re here!

I looked happily toward the door, but it wasn’t Paella who came into my bedroom.

“Hello, I’m Rodena.”

A young maid, looking several years younger than Paella, stepped in.

I greeted Rodena stiffly.

She gave a small curtsy and came closer.

“What do you need, my lady?”

I was about to say “dinner,” but stopped when I noticed Rodena’s hands. They were shaking nonstop.

Only then did I really look at her.

This girl is terrified.

I lifted my gaze to her eyes. They were trembling without focus, and her face was flushed red—signs of extreme tension.

You know that thing called instinct? Everything about this felt wrong.

“Um, sit down first, Rodena.”

Paella had suddenly disappeared, and the maid who came in her place was extremely nervous.

Something definitely happened!

At my words, Rodena flinched, then slowly sat on the sofa. She squeezed herself into the far corner, curling up as small as possible, like she wanted to take up no space.

“What do you need, my lady?” she asked, voice trembling.

I smiled lightly to ease her tension, but it didn’t help.

I gave up trying to be gentle.

Even now, Paella might be in danger. I was getting anxious.

“Where is Paella?”

Rodena startled at my question.

The way she jumped—how can I not think something happened?

I waited for her answer. She spoke awkwardly, as if reciting lines she had memorized.

“Paella ran away with the gatekeeper she was having a secret romance with.”

“Ran… away?”

I couldn’t believe it.

Just a few hours ago, when I came back from lunch, the bed sheets had been changed—Paella’s doing.

And yet, after changing the sheets, she supposedly ran away in just a few hours?

I stared at Rodena.

“That makes no sense.”

She opened and closed her mouth, like trying to say something, then pressed her lips together. Suddenly, as if she couldn’t hold it in any longer, she burst into tears.

“Sob… hhic…”

I watched in silence until she calmed down.

It didn’t feel good to watch such a young maid cry.

But Paella’s safety mattered more. I needed to find out what had happened to her.

Only after quite some time did Rodena seem a little calmer.

In a soft voice, I said,

“From now on, don’t lie. Tell me everything you know. If you’re honest, I’ll help you. If you’re not, I’ll make you talk by force—so think carefully.”

Yesterday’s truth potion came to mind.

If I took this maid to Tiago, I could get the truth right away. But I wanted to give her a chance first—a chance to be honest and make things right.

Rodena was completely crushed under fear she couldn’t handle. Her whole body shook. Her breathing was irregular, almost like she couldn’t breathe properly.

She kept trying to speak, then broke into tears again. It took a long time before she managed to stammer out words.

“Th… the thing is…”

She took a breath and began.

What she said was horrifying—almost too awful to believe.

She said everything started with Leo’s order. On his command, she stole my hair comb. Paella saw her do it, and Leo saw Paella witnessing it.

She didn’t know exactly what happened next, but Mage Edward took Paella away. And while Edward was taking Paella to the basement, the gatekeeper—Paella’s lover—was killed.

My head spun as I listened. I forced myself to focus and asked:

“So… where is Paella now? Is she alive?”

“I… I don’t know…”

Rodena had no idea if Paella was alive or dead.

“…”

I couldn’t speak for a while. Then I slowly asked:

“How do you know all this?”

Through a tear-stained face, she answered:

“Master Edward and Young Master Leo told me. They threatened to kill me the same way if I told anyone.”

I was speechless.

I felt sorry for the terror and dread this girl had endured.

From a maid’s position, refusing Leo’s order would have been impossible.

But the situation had snowballed. One life was already lost, and now Paella was in grave danger.

I thought quickly. I had no idea how to resolve this alone. I needed help. I couldn’t handle this by myself.

Once I decided that, the person who could help was obvious. There was only one person who could help me now.

Tiago…

First, I spoke to the maid.

“Stay here until you calm down. Do not go out.”

If she went out with that red face and Leo saw her, she would not be safe.

Right. I should save at least one more person. It’s not like she wanted to do wrong.

I stood up from the sofa. Rodena looked up at me with a terrified expression.

“…”

Seeing her pleading eyes, I couldn’t promise anything. All I could say was not to leave this room.

Tears dripping, Rodena nodded.

“Haa…”

I let out a deep breath. But there was no time to sit and worry. I had no idea what might be happening to Paella right now.

I picked up the hem of my long dress.

Paella… please be safe.

Praying in my heart for Paella’s safety, I headed straight for Tiago’s room.

—Rustle.

Tiago stood up from the bathtub and grabbed a towel to dry himself. Drops of water fell from his hair.

He rubbed his hair with the towel and put on the bathrobe hanging beside him.

—Tap tap tap tap tap.

As Tiago stepped out of the bathroom, he felt hurried footsteps and a presence on the other side of the bedroom door.

“…”

He looked quietly at the door. After only a few seconds, there was a knock.

—Knock. Knock.

While walking toward the door, he thought:

It wasn’t Prince Alexander’s footsteps, and it wasn’t the presence of a maid.

Could it be…?

Before opening the door, Tiago allowed himself a little hope—perhaps it was Delphine.

—Creak.

“Delphine!”

When he opened the door, Delphine was standing there. This was the first time she had come to him. He was a little surprised, though he didn’t show it.

“T-Tiago…”

Delphine looked extremely anxious and shaken—so unlike her usual self. Even her normally calm voice trembled.

Something happened to Delphine.

Quickly reading her emotions, Tiago invited her in.

“Delphine, if you’re okay with it, come inside and let’s talk.”

“Yes.”

She answered softly and stepped in quickly. Tiago checked that no one was in the corridor and closed the door.

“Please, sit comfortably on the sofa.”

He guided her over, then tightened the belt of his robe so it wouldn’t slip.