KMPEG CH 47

Chapter 47

Echor opened the door wide. Delphine and Frederic were still fast asleep.

“Then, please excuse me.”

Tiago stepped inside without hesitation.

Echor brought him a mug of herbal tea.

Tiago didn’t even touch it before asking,

“Is Delphine safe?”

“The young lady is safe.”

Tiago let out a quiet sigh of relief. Echor smiled kindly and said,

“Have some tea. It has a calming effect.”

“….”

Tiago finally picked up the mug and took a sip. The fragrant herbal scent filled his mouth.

“It seems you already know something is wrong in this house.”

“There’s a strong presence of a curse here.”

“…That’s correct.”

Echor closed his eyes slowly.

“Young Master Frederic is quite unwell. Thankfully, with Miss Delphine nearby, his condition has improved.”

“….”

Tiago’s gaze locked on Echor. In Tiago’s eyes, Echor could see both intense jealousy and deep restraint.

Echor glanced out the window. The sky was still as dark as night.

“By now, the Young Master and the young lady should be awake. They’ll be down soon. I’ll go prepare breakfast.”

Echor rose from his seat.

“I’ll prepare breakfast for you as well.”

“Thank you.”

Echor left with a calm, deliberate grace.

Tiago stared at the door after he was gone. Just as Tiago finished his tea, voices came from outside.

“Ugh, fine, Young Master. I got it.”

It was Delphine’s voice. Tiago’s lips curved upward.

Good. She sounds healthy.

The dining room door swung open. Delphine stood there.

“Delphine, how have you been?”

Tiago stood to greet her. He gave Frederic, who came in behind her, only the briefest glance of acknowledgment.

Delphine’s eyes went wide and she stopped at the doorway.

“Tiago! How are you here? And so early!”

Frederic stood silently, his expression a mix of irritation and indifference.

“I’ve missed you, Delphine.”

Tiago was relieved to see her, but also concerned—the curse surrounding her was far stronger than he’d expected.

Delphine and Frederic sat side by side across from him.

“I’ve heard what’s going on.”

He looked at both of them. The Mermaid’s Tear gleamed at Delphine’s neck.

“Good—you’re wearing it, Delphine.”

“Oh, right. Thank you, Tiago. It’s because of you I’ve been safe.”

Tiago shook his head slightly, as if to say it was nothing.

“Frederic, you’ve been through a lot, I see.”

“Yeah.”

Frederic gave a short answer, arms crossed, his gaze at Tiago tinged with hostility.

But Tiago didn’t care about Frederic’s attitude—getting rid of the curse was the priority.

He said,

“Delphine, Frederic. It’s best to remove the curse as soon as possible. If you agree, I can do it now.”

“Now? Yes, please!”

Delphine’s face lit up, but Frederic’s expression stayed sour.

“Do you agree, Frederic?”

He reluctantly nodded.

“Then let’s move to somewhere Frederic can lie down comfortably.”

When Tiago stood, Delphine stood too. Frederic, however, just sat there until Delphine prompted him.

“Young Master, get up.”

Only then did Frederic rise, and Tiago watched him without a word.

“Shall we?”

Delphine led the way, with Frederic and Tiago following behind.

When Tiago finished the incantation, he opened his eyes.

“Delphine, you can step out now. I’ve set up a barrier—Frederic will be fine even if you walk away.”

“Really? Then…”

Delphine cautiously stepped back. The farther she got, the more unease showed in Frederic’s eyes.

Seeing that, Delphine hesitated, but kept going, trusting Tiago.

“Hhhk!”

When she was more than three meters away, Frederic took a deep breath.

“….”

“It’s real!”

Nothing happened—Tiago’s barrier held perfectly.

“This house is now safe from the curse. Both of you are safe here. So rest, Delphine. Frederic and I have some things to discuss. Please close the door on your way out.”

“All right, Tiago.”

She waved and left, still worried about Frederic’s anxious expression.

Once she was gone, Tiago spoke to Frederic. His voice was polite, but there was a chill to it.

“You’ll be fine now—no pain or discomfort. But you should rest today. You won’t be able to do anything else.”

“….”

“Until the curse is removed and neutralized.”

Tiago pulled a chair beside the bed and sat down.

“Do you have any idea who might have done this?”

“…?”

“Who do you think cast the curse?”

Frederic leaned back against the headboard.

“I have a guess, but…”

“Who?”

“I don’t know why they would.”

Tiago’s deep brown eyes glinted as he waited.

Frederic spoke slowly.

“Leonard Marbo.”

Tiago leaned back slightly, a flicker of disappointment in his face.

“You think it was Leonard?”

Frederic turned to look at him.

“Ah, I didn’t explain.”

Tiago reached into his coat and pulled out the Mermaid’s Tear.

“You know this gem?”

“Yeah. Delphine has one too.”

“Then you know what it does.”

“Roughly. I’ve only read about it in magic books.”

Tiago put it away again.

“You’re not the one cursed.”

“…?”

“The curse is on Delphine.”

“…!”

Frederic flinched, clenching his fists.

“Yes, she’s the target. The only reason she’s been fine is because of the Mermaid’s Tear. The curse then passed to you, the person closest to her.”

“….”

Frederic rubbed his face with both hands and stared out the window.

“So I’ll ask again—who do you think cast it?”

Frederic’s eyes wavered as he thought.

Tiago leaned back, stretching leisurely, as if giving him time.

“No… It can’t be…”

Frederic muttered to himself, rubbing the back of his neck. Tiago smiled faintly, as if reading his mind.

“Charlier.”

He said the name Frederic couldn’t bring himself to say.

Frederic froze, staring at him wide-eyed in disbelief.

“I suspect Charlier.”

“Why?” Frederic asked, his voice full of denial.

“This curse is extremely strong. Normally, a Mermaid’s Tear would dissolve a curse instantly. But this one was strong enough to transfer to you. Such powerful curse orbs are distributed in only one place.”

“…?”

“The imperial palace.”

Frederic squeezed his eyes shut, his brow furrowed.

“Could it be someone else?”

“Yes. Leonard’s family has close ties to the palace too. But…”

Tiago stroked his chin.

“Charlier’s reputation precedes her. Rumor has it she keeps curse orbs nearby.”

Frederic shook his head.

“Rumors… I don’t believe in them.”

“Of course. In truth, you, I, and even Delphine are all victims of rumors. People love to spread lies if they’re entertaining enough.”

“….”

“But sometimes… there’s a grain of truth.”

Frederic muttered, denying it.

“Charlier would never… Don’t talk nonsense.”

He was clearly shaken—he had never even considered, nor wanted to consider, that possibility.

Tiago’s tone stayed calm.

“There’s no proof yet. I’m telling you this as a warning.”

Frederic’s eyes glimmered between his long curls.

“If anyone tries to harm Delphine, I won’t let them go.”

“….”

“Even if it’s Charlier.”

“….”

“And if it turns out she did curse her, don’t you dare protect her. If you do, I’ll consider you my enemy too.”

Tiago’s voice landed like a hammer—polite in form, but unmistakably a threat.

Frederic said nothing.

“And one more thing,” Tiago added, driving the point in.

“I have no issue with you loving Charlier. In fact, I respect pure love. But… you know this yourself.”

“….”