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CHAPTER 82
Delphine didn’t sit down and immediately spoke in a rushed voice.
“Tiago, I need your help.”
“……”
Without even asking what help she needed, Tiago nodded right away.
“All right, Delphine. I’ll help you. What do you need?”
Delphine began explaining.
“My maid Paella has been kidnapped. I think she was taken because she tried to help me. It’s a long story but… She saw another maid stealing my hair comb, and then… Leo suddenly showed up. That maid works for Leo… and because of that, Paella disappeared. There are rumors that she ran away with her lover, the gatekeeper, but…”
Delphine started rambling, looking more confused as she went on, like she couldn’t even follow her own words.
Tiago couldn’t fully understand what she was saying either, but he listened patiently, trying to piece it together.
“So… now I really need your help…”
After a few more sentences, Delphine stopped and took a deep breath.
Tiago thought for a moment, trying to make sense of it all.
“So, Delphine’s maid was kidnapped. Edward did it. And it was because she saw another maid—Leo’s maid—stealing Delphine’s hair comb. Leo ordered the theft.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And the basement guard was killed—by Edward. This whole thing was planned by Edward and Leo?”
Delphine quickly nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. Paella was taken to some basement. But I don’t know where it is, or what they plan to do with her, or even if she’s still alive…”
Delphine looked more and more distressed the longer she spoke. Seeing how different she looked from her usual calm self, Tiago’s desire to help her grew stronger.
“I didn’t know who else to turn to, so I just ran straight here. Tiago, please help me.”
Tiago nodded.
“I’ll help you, Delphine. Don’t worry. I’ll go to that basement and bring Paella back.”
He knew the place she was talking about. He’d seen it before when he had gone to retrieve one of Edward’s magical tools.
So Edward’s officially started a war now…
Tiago hadn’t expected Edward to go this far.
I thought he’d only scheme in the background. But stealing Delphine’s hair comb? Why? What did they need it for?
A bad thought crossed Tiago’s mind.
No way… Delphine…
He looked at Delphine again. Her face was still full of fear and confusion.
Tiago realized now wasn’t the time to question her. She wasn’t in the state to answer anything clearly.
First, I’ll save the maid. Then I’ll figure everything else out.
He gently guided Delphine to sit on the sofa.
“Sit here, Delphine. I’ll help you. I’m going now.”
She followed his hand and sat down.
“But I’ll go alone. You stay here and try to rest.”
Delphine nodded, still looking dazed.
Tiago took both her arms gently. At that, Delphine grabbed his wrist and quickly added:
“Oh, and that other maid—the one who took my comb—she’s in my room right now. I told her to stay there because I didn’t want her to get hurt too.”
Tiago nodded slowly in understanding.
“All right, Delphine. I’ll go get Paella right away. Stay here. It’s too dangerous for you to come with me, okay?”
Tiago repeated his words. Delphine seemed a little calmer now and nodded again.
He poured some warm tea and placed it in front of her.
“Drink some tea and try to calm down. I’ll be back soon.”
Delphine held the cup with both hands and quietly watched Tiago leave.
Tiago arrived at the basement in no time.
So it’s true.
As he approached, he felt something unsettling.
The guard’s gone… just like Delphine said.
He remembered her words—that Edward killed the basement guard.
Hmm…
But seeing it with his own eyes was different from just hearing about it.
He remembered the guard’s kind face and quietly whispered a spell.
The basement door swung wide open.
—Fwoosh!
The torch on the wall floated into the air and began leading the way.
Following the floating torch, Tiago walked through the winding, maze-like basement corridors. At the end, a door appeared.
He hid her here again…
It was the same storeroom Tiago had visited before when collecting Edward’s magic tools.
“…”
Before going in, Tiago checked the strength of the magic barrier. It was weak, meaning Edward had just recently left.
He chanted a spell and deactivated the barrier.
—Creeeak.
The door opened with a chilling sound.
—Snap!
Tiago snapped his fingers, and lights turned on in the basement.
“Hmm.”
The moment he saw inside, his expression darkened. He wrinkled his nose and covered it with the back of his hand.
The scene was terrible. In one corner lay the guard’s cold, lifeless body. Next to it, Paella was tied to a chair.
She was covered in blood, clearly tortured, but thankfully, she was still breathing.
If I had come any later, she wouldn’t have made it.
Tiago lowered his hand from his nose and took out his wand.
He walked over and began casting a healing spell on her.
How cruel could they be…!
The healing magic spread very slowly over her body—her wounds were deep. It took a long time and a massive amount of magic, but he finally managed to heal her.
As her deep injuries began to close, Paella slowly opened her eyes.
“Ah… ah…”
She groaned. She wanted to speak but couldn’t form words.
Her eyes fell on the guard’s body nearby. Fear and despair filled her face.
“Ah… Aaaah!”
Her scream echoed through the basement. Tiago watched her with sorrowful eyes.
He stepped closer.
“You still need to rest.”
In a soft voice, he placed his hand gently on her face, brushing over her eyes.
“Let’s talk later. For now, sleep.”
With a spell, Paella’s eyes slowly closed.
Tiago couldn’t hide the heavy feeling in his heart. Even if Paella survived, the guard she loved was gone forever. Tiago knew that kind of pain all too well.
“……”
He looked away from Paella and around the basement.
I need to find Delphine’s hair comb…
He raised his wand and cast another spell. A noise came from a drawer in the cupboard.
Tiago walked over. The drawer was locked, so the comb hadn’t come out.
—Zap.
As soon as his wand touched the lock, it popped open.
With a bang, the drawer flew open, and the comb flew out.
Here it is.
Tiago examined it. A bit of magic powder was on its surface.
They’ve already confirmed it.
This wasn’t good. Whatever Edward and Leo wanted to do with the comb—they’d already done it.
He put the comb in his pocket.
I’ll have to talk to Delphine about this.
He turned and walked over to Paella, who was now sleeping deeply. Carefully, he picked her up.
Then he looked at the guard’s body.
With a nod, the body slowly floated up.
Once out of the long, dark tunnel, Tiago placed the guard’s body by the basement door.
If he carried the body out now, it would create an even bigger problem.
He laid the body down gently and silently offered his respects.
I’ll come back. I won’t leave you like this.
Paella, lost in deep sleep, didn’t know any of it. Feeling pity for the pain she would soon face, Tiago carried her up the basement stairs.
Tiago’s room had separate areas for a bedroom and a sitting room.
I sat in the sitting room, slowly looking at the framed paintings and sculptures.
This place is on a completely different level than the guest rooms.
Even though my guest room was considered fancy, it looked modest compared to Tiago’s space.
After saving Paella, Tiago had been in the bedroom treating her this whole time.
I hope Paella’s okay. Still… I’m so glad she’s alive.
While I was caught up in my worries, Tiago came out of the bedroom.
“Paella is fully healed now.”
I held my warm teacup tightly and replied,
“Thank you. Thanks to you, Paella is still alive.”
Tiago shook his head like it was nothing.
