Chapter 247 - 246. Snooping Around (2)
The next day unfolded as uneventfully as I had expected, with one concerning exception: the child looked noticeably sickly. His usually radiant complexion was pale, and there was a weariness in his movements that he struggled to hide. His condition worried me, though I refrained from questioning him outright. He was back in my room for our little playtime, sitting on my bed with a mixture of unease and curiosity.
When he finally climbed onto the soft mattress, his expression transformed entirely. He bounced lightly, testing the unfamiliar sensation as if he’d never experienced something like it before. For the first time in a while, his face lit up with genuine happiness, though it only made the contrast to his earlier demeanor more pronounced.
"This is so soft!" he squealed, his voice tinged with childlike wonder.
The innocence on his face made him look even younger, and I couldn’t stop myself from asking the question lingering in my mind.
"Don’t you have a bed like this?"
He froze mid-bounce, the light in his eyes dimming almost instantly. He looked down at his hands, suddenly quiet, as though my question had unearthed a memory he wanted to bury.
"What’s wrong?" I asked gently, though the flinch that followed made it clear I had touched a sensitive topic.
"Nothing," he whispered, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.
I narrowed my eyes, my concern deepening. Activating my Mana Eyes, I tried to analyze him for any physical or magical ailment, but once again, the cursed mana-canceling cuffs interfered, making it impossible to discern the exact cause of his condition. It could also have been the dark spell on his tongue, a cruel enchantment that limited his speech and possibly more.
A surge of anger flared within me as I thought about the despicable individual who had cast that spell. If I ever found them, I wouldn’t hesitate to tear them apart. For now, though, I had to focus on the child. Silas hadn’t reported back to me yet with the answers I needed, and while I was growing impatient, I knew it was better to wait and get the right information than to act rashly.
"Do you want me to remove those shackles?" I asked, pointing at the cuffs around his ankles.