…
As all of the guards in the office appeared dazed, with their eyes fixed on Aunt Celine, a figure suddenly emerged from the staircase. The atmosphere shifted as the presence of the newcomer commanded attention, breaking the spell of confusion that had enveloped the room.
"It is the head of the guards here," Gill whispered to El, his voice barely above a murmur, filled with a mix of awe and apprehension.
"Oh…" El responded, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the sight of the imposing figure.
…
"Coming here and using magic on my subordinates. I see that Giles can't even control his underling…" the man said slowly. He had a bushy beard and sharp eyebrows, which made him particularly intimidating to those who laid eyes on him.
"Same to you too. You can't even control your subordinates to be proper humans," Aunt Celine remarked, her voice dripping with disdain as she cast a side-eye glance at him.
"Oh, do tell me what they do to displease you like this?" the man raised his eyebrows, his tone laced with mockery.
"All I see here is nothing but a pig. You and I both know what that means. Lust and desire without proper control can lead to serious consequences. And where do I find it? From guards, no less. Aren't they tasked with our safety? Now, I don't feel safe anymore, Captain Lucas," Aunt Celine narrowed her eyes at him, her expression fierce.
"They are just lonely men busy with their lives. With you here, of course, it is normal for them to act out of their usual selves. But still, they are the guards of Mirthwater. You act out of line by using charms on them. They are just normal citizens," Captain Lucas replied, frowning deeply.
Suddenly, the air grew cold and tense as he clenched his fist, the atmosphere thickening with unspoken tension.
Seeing his reaction, Aunt Celine sighed, raising her hands in a gesture of peace, and then smiled her usual polite smile, one she reserved for others.
"No offense here, Captain Lucas. I just slightly lost my temper because we needed help. It was an urgent request, you see."
The man relaxed his tensed jaw and unclenched his hand as he inquired, "Oh, so what urgent request can possibly bring the 'Black Rose' of the 'Underside' here?"
"You should check this then…" Aunt Celine flicked her finger, releasing the charm that had been invisible and flying freely in the air.
The guards subsequently awoke, their eyes widening in shock, especially upon seeing their captain present.
"You all are dismissed. Leave here for now!" Captain Lucas ordered them, his voice firm.
"Yes, sir…" they replied in unison, their voices tinged with confusion.
…
As Captain Lucas gazed at the lifeless body of the little girl, his expression softened, a mixture of sorrow and determination crossing his features.
"I see. I think I know who to look for…"
"Really?" the trio responded eagerly, their faces lighting up with hope.
"Yes, it's left quite an impression on me. When I had just completed an urgent mission, I saw the mother searching for her missing daughter. The girl had vanished from their home after her mother left for just a few minutes to buy ingredients for dinner. She is a rare successful single mother. She stayed here for an entire week…"
"But why did the guards…" Ran began to complain, but Aunt Celine stretched out her hand, gently patting her head and signaling her to stop, which only made Ran pout in frustration.
Casting a glance at Ran, Captain Lucas continued, "Unfortunately, she is currently at the hospital."
"What's happened to her?" Aunt Celine frowned with concern etched on her face. The trio shared her worry, their expressions grave.
"Exhaustion and stress. She also appears unstable. I don't know for sure, but I think if she finds out about her daughter in this state… Hmm. But it's all your choice. I'll give you the information you need…"
As the weight of this revelation settled heavily in the air, it was El who stepped forward, his voice steady and resolute.
"We need to go. We promised her already. No matter what, she deserves to know the truth…"
Captain Lucas raised his eyebrows at El, taking in the sight of him for the first time, while the others exchanged solemn glances, each coming to the same difficult conclusion.
…
After checking the information and obtaining a letter of approval to allow their entry at the hospital later, they then departed for the hospital in a car designated for official purposes, with Captain Lucas serving as their driver.
The atmosphere inside the vehicle was heavy with unspoken sorrow.
Upon arriving at the hospital, they approached the front desk, searching for the name of the patient: Melinda, Jewel's mother. It wasn't long for the nurse to check on where was her room.
They then finally made their way to her ward.
Sliding open the door, they found Melinda in a daze, her gaze fixed on the window, seemingly lost in a world of her own.
As the trio entered, accompanied by two nurses and a doctor, Melinda turned her head slowly toward them. Her complexion was haggard, dark circles under her eyes betraying the sleepless nights she had endured. Fatigue etched itself into her features, yet a flicker of hope mingled with worry danced across her face.
"Who are you all?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with confusion.
In response, the others silently parted, allowing El to step forward, cradling Jewel's body, which was covered by a white cloth. The weight of the moment hung heavily in the air.
"I'm sorry, madam. We were too late when we found her," El said softly, his voice trembling with the weight of his words. He moved closer to Melinda, bringing the body to her side.
At first, Melinda appeared bewildered, her mind struggling to comprehend what El had said to her.
But as the truth slowly began to dawn on her, her eyes widened in horror. Her lips trembled as she forced a smile, a desperate attempt to cling to hope.
"What, what are you talking about…" she stammered, her voice breaking.
"I'm sorry…" El replied, his heart aching for the mother who stood before him, shattered and fragile.
With a heavy heart, El gently opened the top part of the white cloth, revealing Jewel's face, serene and peaceful in eternal slumber.
The sight was both beautiful and heartbreaking, a stark contrast to the anguish that filled the room.
In an instant, the air was shattered by Melinda's scream, a raw expression of pain, sadness, and disbelief that echoed through the sterile walls of the hospital.
The cries of agony resonated, a symphony of grief that enveloped them all. The others stood in solemn silence, allowing Melinda's sorrow to wash over them, a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the depth of love that had been lost to circumstances.
…