Chapter 34

34

"…It was nothing. He sent something like a strange picture."

"Picture?"

I frowned slightly and asked in return. Owen gave Theodor a picture? It seemed rather odd.

"Derrick checked it, and said there was no dangerous or suspicious magic on it. It’s in the warehouse now."

Derrick was a mage of the Valentina family. Though he was often lost in his own world, his skills were exceptional. If he had examined it, the result would be accurate. But...

'...Owen isn’t the type to do something pointless.'

I thought I should check that picture when I return to the Valentina Castle. Owen might be up to something.

"And he sent a bottle of strong liquor..."

At Theodor’s next words, I suddenly lifted my head. Another gift? And alcohol?

"You didn’t drink that, did you?"

"...I threw it away. Why would I drink it?"

Saying that, Theodor made a slightly pouting face. From what I saw at the hunting banquet... he seemed to really dislike Owen. Well, he is an Everett.

'Don’t I think of myself as an Everett?'

After a moment of thought, I casually asked him about something that had been bothering me.

"Do you remember anything about Owen or Hessen?"

Those two were people of concern to me, more so than my father, the Duke of Everett. I often encountered them more frequently than Theodor.

So far, Theodor had shown partial or complete memory loss regarding people related to me.

For example, he couldn’t remember Charlotte properly. What about Owen and Hessen? How much did Theodor remember about them?

"...I know that the two of you are half-siblings."

"Is that all? Do you remember anything else?"

"...I also know they are very wicked. Unlike you."

At his words, I hesitated for a moment before letting out a small, hollow laugh. Had losing his memory made him wear rose-colored glasses when it came to me?

I’m not as cruel and vicious as Everett’s devils. But I’m not exactly a good person either. When it comes to those who have harmed me or my people, I can be just as ruthless.

"Have you never thought that I might be the same as them?"

"...I know you’re not."

In response to my question, spoken with a sense of resignation, Theodor answered with a serious face. I still felt like this was all a daydream, and I could only shake my head, feeling it was unreal.

Then, Theodor suddenly frowned as if he had a headache and pressed his temples with both hands.

It seemed he would suffer from a hangover tomorrow.

I got up from my seat, leaving him alone, and walked to the bedside table. After lighting the lamp on the table, I took out the coral bracelet I had kept in the top drawer.

Turning to face Theodor, who had approached me, I found myself looking directly at him. Without hesitation, I handed him the bracelet.

"Take it."

"Why... why are you giving this to me..."

As expected, Theodor hesitated and didn’t take it right away. I recited the words I had prepared.

"This bracelet is a magical artifact, a very precious one. ...I don’t need it. I think it would be much more useful for you to have it."

The coral bracelet from Arendelle contained a powerful healing magic that could quickly recover the owner’s injuries. Even life-threatening wounds could heal easily, though pain would remain. That was a chronic issue with physical trauma treated using magic, and it couldn’t be helped.

"...No, Lily. I think it would be better for you to have it..."

"I won’t get hurt anyway. What happened in Ashridge Forest... was a very rare occurrence. There are no rifts in this area, after all."

"...We can’t rule out the possibility of it happening again. I can take care of myself, so this bracelet should be with you..."

I firmly refused Theodor’s continued refusal. The longer the argument went on, the more his speech became slurred. His eyes were half-closed, and his arm wobbled, clearly showing he was sleepy.

After all, he was drunk, and the next step was to fall asleep.

To end this annoying debate, I quickly put the bracelet on his wrist.

Theodor stiffened as if he had been caught off guard, his eyes wide open, and then he alternated his gaze between the bracelet and me.

Gradually, a look of gratitude spread across his face. ...He was drunk and sleepy. I had a bad feeling about what might happen next.

Sure enough, Theodor grabbed my hand and said with shining eyes.

"Lady... I’m so happy that you are my wife."

"..."

...What was he misunderstanding? My intention in putting the bracelet on him? ...It was likely.

After a moment of thought, I decided to let him misunderstand. What conversation could I have with a drunk person? It would only give me a headache. I pushed him towards the bed, intending to let him sleep.

Theodor was pushed without resistance and collapsed onto the bed as soon as his legs hit the edge.

The bed was wide enough to have space left even if he lay down horizontally. I went to the sofa and sat down, hoping the night would pass quickly. As I sighed quietly, a rustling sound came from behind.

I didn’t want to pay attention, but the sound kept bothering me, and I involuntarily turned around.

I met Theodor’s gaze as he was slowly taking off his clothes.

"...He was unbuttoning his belt and smiled at me. His face, drunk and sleepy, was half-naked, having already taken off his shirt.

His body, illuminated by the moonlight, glowed white. I realized the lamp had gone out at some point. My eyes, already adjusted to the darkness, could clearly see the outlines of objects.

The moment Theodor, having unbuttoned his belt, grabbed his waist with both hands, I quickly turned my head.

Swish, thud.

The sound of clothes being taken off and falling to the floor echoed.

I clasped my hands tightly and closed my eyes. ...I even forgot to breathe for a moment, overwhelmed. The man seemed to be very drunk tonight, judging by how he was taking off his clothes without a care.

'...Because the crown prince only gave us one room... Of course, it would have been strange to ask for two rooms, so there was no choice.'

To hide the fact that Theodor had temporary partial amnesia, it had to look like our relationship had improved... It was absurd and unreasonable, but there was no other way.

'...He must be asleep by now, right?'

I opened my eyes, hoping he was asleep. Since I couldn’t sense any movement, he was definitely lying still on the bed. I cautiously turned around. The moment I saw Theodor lying on the bed in a proper posture, my tension eased, and a sense of relief washed over me.

I swallowed the sigh that was about to escape. I was afraid he might wake up even with a small sigh.

...Despite his disheveled state earlier, he was now sleeping soundly in a perfect posture.

I gazed at his sleeping face for a moment before turning my head. My gaze briefly swept over the red coral.

...Thinking of his face, filled with gratitude, without understanding why I gave him the bracelet, my mood sank rapidly.

I poured a glass of cold water from the pitcher and drank it. I summoned the learned resignation and acceptance within me. These emotions were always right. They were heavy and depressing, but they prevented me from feeling hopeless. They firmly suppressed any hope that might rise again.

'...I’m doing the right thing.'

If I had to choose someone to trust and have hope in, it didn’t have to be Theodor Valentina.

The coral bracelet was too precious for me to keep. It would be a desecration for it to be in my hands, so it was better to give it to someone who needed it.

'Actually, I want to give up everything and wonder what the point of continuing to live is... I’m afraid of failing.'

Still, if there was a choice to avoid the worst future, I should boldly choose it. ...For Charlotte, who had always been by my side.

'I can prepare thoroughly, my lady. No one will ever find out. ...So, just be prepared. ...If you still can’t trust the Duke...'

Running away in the middle of the night, something I would never have dreamed of doing before.

Charlotte was always braver than me.

"..."

I fiddled with the wedding ring on my left ring finger. The balance of my heart was slowly tilting to one side.

I would have to make a decision soon.

* * *

"Lady, it looks like a thunderstorm is coming."

Charlotte, looking up at the sky, said casually. Indeed, dark clouds were gathering from somewhere, covering the sky.

"…Let’s head back then."

"Yes, my lady."

We started to walk back along the path we had taken. The blue forget-me-nots by the river were swaying gently in the wind.

It was a bit disappointing to have to return after only 20 minutes of the picnic, but I enjoyed walking along the river or sitting on a blanket nearby to admire the scenery.

A week had passed since we returned from Ashridge Forest to Valentina Castle.

Naturally, the first thing I did upon returning was to check the problematic picture Owen had given Theodor.