TWMP 19

Chapter 19

“The Tears Wouldn’t Stop”

His face, which had shown no emotion until now, began to crack when I spoke with certainty.

His tightly pressed lips twisted into a crooked smile, and mockery appeared in his eyes.

I had thought this was the answer he wanted—but faced with his unexpected reaction, I quickly shut my mouth.

“You have incredible faith in your lover, Heidi Eliana.”

“……”

“Do you really think Delphian Zeros is someone worthy of such blind trust?”

His question was just as surprising as his expression.

Karlier’s deep red eyes radiated pressure as he waited for an answer. I looked into those eyes and slowly clenched my fists.

“…It’s not because Delphian is a good person that I’m sure he’ll come.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’ll come.”

“……”

“The moment he finds out Heidi Eliana is here, he’ll come. No matter what.”

Because that’s where the story began. Because that was the pure, unwavering love Delphian had for Heidi.

“……”

Karlier said nothing in response to my calm words.

But I felt like I had glimpsed something sorrowful buried beneath the murderous look in his eyes.

Yet, as if I had only imagined it, Karlier quickly erased his expression and said:

“I hope Delphian Zeros does come for you.”

He sounded sincere. Then, without looking back, he walked past me.

As I quietly watched him walk away, a servant who had been following behind me lowered her head and introduced herself:

“My name is Mei. I’ll be serving you while you stay at the Esperos Grand Duke’s castle. If you need anything, please call for me.”

“You’re… my maid?”

I blurted out the question before I realized. Mei looked at me, confused.

Why would Karlier assign a personal maid to someone who was merely a hostage to lure Delphian?

While I was still processing this, Mei stiffened slightly and asked:

“If I’m not to your liking…”

“N-No, it’s not that!”

“Then… are you saying His Grace has assigned a maid even to someone like me—a hostage?”

Mei looked puzzled at first, then frowned slightly and answered carefully:

“The Esperos castle does not deny basic humane treatment even to hostages.”

…So she does know I’m a hostage.

I had suspected that Karlier wouldn’t act alone. Still, I hadn’t expected the castle servants to also cooperate with him.

I suddenly wondered—did just Mei know, or did everyone in the castle know and go along with it?

I kept my curiosity to myself and waited for her to continue.

“His Grace told me to ensure you are well cared for while you stay here.”

As I listened, a strange thought occurred to me.

This man—Karlier Esperos—who had just kidnapped an innocent woman to use as bait… might not be entirely evil?

“…Miss Heidi?”

Mei asked cautiously when she noticed my strange expression.

“Is something bothering you?”

“No, nothing.”

I shook my head. Mei nodded slightly and stepped back.

When she stepped away, I saw a large, plain door right in front of me.

Trying to calm the nerves rising inside me, I muttered to myself:

What is this, Stockholm Syndrome? Am I already getting swayed by my kidnapper?

I felt Mei’s puzzled gaze as I stared at the door handle.

I pointed toward the room that obviously looked like the place I was meant to stay until Delphian arrived.

“So… this is where I’ll be staying?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

After taking a breath, I slowly reached for the doorknob.

For some reason, the memory of the Piace family’s underground prison flashed through my mind.

The dark, moldy air. The smell. The rats and insects swarming the cell.

You’re a hostage. You knew this might be even worse—and you still came.

With renewed determination, I flung the door open.

“……?”

With my eyes shut tight, I took a few steps inside.

But a strange warmth hit my face. It didn’t feel like a dungeon at all.

What… what is this?

Confused, I opened my eyes—and realized this was not a prison cell, but a room at the far end of the second floor of the Grand Duke’s castle.

I slowly looked around and swallowed hard.

Mei followed me in and said:

“You may use anything in the room freely. And again, please don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything.”

“……”

“…Miss Heidi?”

Mei’s voice was worried.

I had stood frozen in place after entering—and now I was crying.

Tears rolled down onto the deep red carpet that looked just like Karlier’s eyes.

Startled by my sudden tears, Mei quickly asked:

“Is… is something wrong with the room?”

“…No, it’s not that.”

“Miss Heidi?”

I raised my head, trying to hide my tears, and met Mei’s surprised gaze.

“It’s because I like it.”

“Miss Heidi?”

“I love the room. That’s why I’m crying.”

“What did she do, exactly?”

Karlier’s question made Mei’s throat feel dry.

After hesitating a moment, she looked up and met his eyes.

“…She cried.”

“She cried?”

Karlier’s lips curled slightly.

His glowing red eyes and stiff jaw seemed like he was holding back rage.

Panicked, Mei added quickly:

“B-But not because she didn’t like the room! She said she cried because she liked it so much!”

His expression twisted strangely at her words.

Mei immediately regretted saying too much.

Frozen, she stood there silently, watching his reaction.

Karlier looked down in thought, then turned away—as if telling her to leave.

Mei, sensing the cue, quickly bowed and left the office.

Click. The door shut behind her.

She sighed softly, staring into the air, her mind swirling.

“Ha…”

Despite months of mentally preparing herself, Mei felt overwhelmed after seeing Heidi in person.

She had expected a pampered noble daughter who’d never known sorrow.

But the Heidi she saw—bathed in sunlight and crying—was nothing like she imagined.

She bit her lip, unable to forget the sight.

“Mei!”

“…Leo.”

From the end of the hallway, Leo, wearing a sword at his waist, ran toward her.

Mei straightened up at once.

Leo glanced at the Grand Duke’s office behind her, then asked:

“You just came from seeing His Grace?”

Mei only nodded. Leo sighed deeply and said:

“So that means… you’re the one who’ll be serving her?”

“Leo.”

“I’m not judging you, Mei. I know you’re kind-hearted, and I don’t want you getting caught up with her—”

“I promise.”

“……”

“That won’t happen.”

Leo went silent at Mei’s firm interruption.

She continued, quietly but confidently:

“I’m the one who rejected the Grand Duke’s offer to leave.”

“……”

“That means I’m not someone whose resolve wavers so easily.”

Her expression more determined than before, she clenched her small fist and said:

“I’ve been at Lord Zion’s side longer than anyone else in this castle.”

“Mei…”

“So don’t worry about me. Just focus on doing your job.”

“……”

“You stayed here, too—when you could have left.”

After delivering her message with confidence, Mei walked past Leo.

He silently watched her back, her red hair swaying.

“If you don’t want me to worry, then don’t make that kind of face…”

Leaning against the wall, Leo slid down to the floor.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that the entire castle was draped in death.