I deeply apologise for the chaos caused in the previous chapter, some of you might have missed the right chapter so you might want to check it out before this.
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Fun fact: I checked the fiction hunt website for my story after re-uploading the right chapter, I noticed that it was still the wrong one at the site even after 2 days. I wonder what that means...
DM's POV
The second time visiting Georgia was even more critical than the first time. Back in those days, he had never expected himself climbing up mountains just to get Phelps, but now he was anxious, the sudden disappearance of Tania and Phelps were too coincidental, and the only possibility he could think of is Tania was kidnapped by Phelps. This seemed a bit too wild yet not without a reason. Nobody could explain why Phelps suddenly took days off and how on earth did Tania disappeared while each and every room had servants and guards protecting the lives of the royal couple.
"I hope we could find something useful here," grumbled Draco as he walked up the steep path. "It would be a waste of energy and time to come here and we go back empty-handed."
"I'm not sure about that," said Tali, getting so nervous that her fists were tight. "But at least we can try looking for the secret chamber."
Draco could not continue the conversation, he was too occupied by the path ahead. It seemed almost endless and despite of the magnificent scenery, he did not have the mood for admiration. All he wanted was to reach the chamber or even a hut as soon as possible, though he knew chances were minimal. Then he thought of Hermione, guilt filled his heart the moment when he realised that she was left alone in the hospital. What if Phelps found her feeble and defenceless? He could not imagine what could happen then.
"Tali, I want to ask you something," said Draco. "Do you like the King?"
Tali blushed at his abrupt question, judging by her reaction, Draco knew he should not have asked such a thing at this moment. Just when he wanted to say something further, Tali answered in an extremely serious tone,
"Does that matter?"
"So do you like him?"
"It was...more than just like," replied Tali. "No words could express our feelings for each other."
Draco was puzzled, he asked,
"What do you mean?"
"I should have told you long time ago," said Tali. "And probably this explains why I care Nikoloz more than myself."
Draco raised his brow, expecting a story.
Tali sighed and began,
"We met at Tbilisi State University, he studied Chemistry and I studied Journalism. In Georgia, all witches and wizards attend university as a coverup. Almost every day, we would dine and have fun together, even when friends called upon us, we turned them down. At that time, nothing matter as long as I could stay by his side."
Draco nodded. He wished he and Hermione could be that close during their days in Hogwarts, then he did not have to waste so much time hating and learning to love each other.
"You must be very happy then."
Tali gave a wry smile, then a frown followed.
"Things changed when we graduated," she said. "His parents introduced a young beautiful girl to him. She was far beautiful, intelligent and calmer than anyone can ever imagine. She acted with elegance and sophistication, as though she was born to be a queen."
Draco understood it completely, the Shafiq family was one of the Sacred Twenty-Eights and Tania was the only daughter of the family, it was no surprise that she was raised in such a manner.
"Despite of his complaints, his parents made him marry the girl. And I became their assistant, just to remind myself of the sweet memories."
"But you are Tania's assistant."
"That was because Phelps was his assistant already, I had no more position but to take up this one."
"Don't you feel bad?"
Tali wore a weak grin.
"Bad? I have got used to it."
Her tone was so carefree that it sounded as if she had already given up the romance.
"To be honest," began Draco. "If I had not known you well, after this story of yours, I would have thought you were the one who plotted all these."
Tali darkly chuckled.
"You thought you know me well, but I could not even understand myself at all."
Draco smiled and soon a small wooden hut emerged from the horizon. It was the only building they had ever seen since apparation and they immediately decided that they should pay a visit and obtain more information if possible.
As they went nearer and nearer, a man emerged too, right at the door of the house. He was certainly not a hiker, judging by his casual clothing and lack of backpacks. It further shocked them as they went nearer. Phelps.
"Бабушка, это для тебя (Grandma, this is for you)," said Phelps, talking to the grey-haired old lady at the door.
The old lady received a basket from Phelps and she nodded in gratitude. Then Phelps turned and saw Draco walking towards him, followed by Tali, who was panting due to the vigorous walking.
"Mr. Malfoy, what brings you here?" asked Phelps, sounded surprised.
"What about you?"
"Me!" exclaimed Phelps. "Visiting my lovely grandma, of course."
Draco and Tali looked at the old woman, indeed Phelps resembled her.
"Адриан, о чем они говорят? (Adrian, what are they talking about?)" asked his grandma.
"Ничего (Nothing)," replied Phelps, smiling at the sweet old lady.
Draco could not believe that he came all the way to Ailama just to visit his grandma, it simply did not make sense. So Draco whispered to Tali,
"Does he really have a grandma?"
"I have never heard about that but then we cannot say he makes it all up."
"What's wrong?" asked Phelps, frowning. "Are you looking for something?"
Draco stared at him, then said,
"Nothing."
After bidding farewell to his grandmother, Phelps grinned and explained,
"Grandmother sent me a note and I had to go, she twisted her ankle and could not buy things down town, that's why I left all in a sudden."
Draco raised his brow, was it really that simple?
"Do you know that Tania is also missing?" said Tali quietly.
Phelps stopped and his eyes grew wide, then he yelled,
"What?"
"She disappeared, the same time as you did."
Phelps licked his lips with anxiety, after a long deep sigh, he said,
'So any clue to where she has gone?"
"No, unfortunately," replied Draco. "Our two assistants are finding her."
As they walked downhill, a little girl was jumping merrily towards them and squealed the moment she spotted them. She stopped in front of them and waved with a letter in hand, then said,
"თქვენთვის (For you)."
"ვისგან (From whom)?" asked Phelps.
The little girl shook her head and went off.
As Phelps opened the letter, he covered his mouth and gasped with terror. Draco snatched the letter and read.
Dear Mr. Malfoy,
We are pleased to inform you that your lovely wife is in our hands.
"Hermione!"
"Hold on, could this be a false alarm, luring you to expose Hermione's whereabouts?" asked Tali.
Draco drew his wand, before he could do anything, Tali asked,
"What are you thinking?"
"I'm going back and check."
"Wait-"
Within a split second, he was in St. Mungo's and quickly he opened the ward door.
Hermione was missing.
