Strangely enough, it seemed to me that there was a gap in my childhood memory.
“What's wrong?”
I knew my memory would deteriorate as I got older, but I didn't think I was old enough for that already, and it felt weird to see my aunt.
She knew me well.
I could have told her everything about my past life.
Now that I think about it, it's weird that I don't have any memories of her.
If she had left home when I was seven, I should have at least remembered her face.
Why don't I remember it at all?
“There's something I don't know.”
I turned page after page of my aunt's books.
It was full of stories about reincarnated people.
After that, I re-read “The Night Lover.” It still doesn't sound like a story I helped write.
But here's the part where the hero gets hurt.
“After being hurt by the villain, the male hero lost his memory and did not recognize the female heroine.”
For some reason, this part stuck with me.
I am very perceptive and sensitive.
The fact that it keeps coming up makes me wonder if I'm feeling something.
I locked myself in my office, pondered for a long time and finally came to a conclusion.
“Enya.”
Dale opened the door and handed me milk tea.
With exactly the right amount of melted brown sugar to my liking.
I took a sip of Dale's special milk tea with five sugar cubes dissolved in it, and smelled the aroma.
“Dale, I told you I needed a gentleman’s approval to accomplish what I set out to do.”
"Yes."
“Well, I don't think I have much time, because Duke Hexagon will soon be released from prison.”
Dale, sipping his tea, nodded in agreement with me.
But it will only be for a short time.
“I want to make this work before then, and I want to do it when no one is interfering.”
“It seems to me that Enya has made up her mind about something.”
"This is correct."
I looked at Dale, who was leaning slightly against my desk.
“I'm going to DC.”
Dale nodded.
He put down the teacup and looked at me with wide eyes of surprise.
But then, as if he read something in my expression, his stiff face slowly straightened.
“You have made your decision to go to the Duchy of Lockhart.”
"This is correct."
As Dale said, I was going to the Duchy of Lockhart.
There was a noble in the Duchy of Lockhart who was going to sponsor me, more importantly.
The past, which I feared.
A place I could go to find out if there was something about me that I didn't know.
It was my home, Duchy of Lockhart.
“You're not very surprised, are you?”
“It was a place you had to return to one day, and I think that time has come.”
I felt strangely comforted by Dale's answer and his usual calm manner.
“I have to make this visit to D.C. alone; do you think you can manage without me, Dale?”
Dale put down the teacup he was holding and smiled softly.
“I'll try.”
“And you won't miss me?”
“I will always miss you but that doesn't change anything.”
Dale grabbed my elbow, and Dale laughed softly.
I felt ashamed, not of his kind words, but of the way he made me feel.
I pointed my finger at Dale.
“You shouldn't open the door to anyone.”
"Yes."
“And don't lend money to anyone, even if you know them.”
“I will remember that”
“And don't cry when you miss me.”
I joked, patting him on the back.
But this time, Dale looked a little sad and didn't answer.
“Dale, it was a joke again.”
“I'm sorry, but I don't take it as a joke.”
I was stunned by Dale's words.
“If you take too long, I'll be really sad, so I hope you come back before I feel like crying.”
I stared at him, stunned by the words that poured from his mouth.
Dale was staring at me, his eyes blank like a puppy.
“Hmm, in that case, I’d better come here quickly for Dale!”
I ran my hand over my flushed face to cool it down.
“How could I leave Dale like this, hahaha.”
“You'll be back soon, won't you?”
“Yes, but.”
I was worried about Dale and he seemed to look at me like a child at the water's edge.
It was a very strange feeling.
“I will return as soon as possible.
Frankly, I cannot promise that it will be soon.
Things may take a long time, but I will write to you often, and I will return as soon as possible.”
“Are you sure the family won't catch you?”
“It's okay, I have a way to get rid of that.”
"trick?"
Dale asked, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
She waved Madame Cosette's book in front of him.
I'd take advantage of someone who's been on the run longer than me.
my paternal aunt.
“There's a part of me that believes in everything.”
* * *
A week passed and the day of departure came.
I braced myself and held Dale's hand tightly.
“I don't want you to miss me so much that you cry, okay?”
“…….”
Dale didn't laugh at my joke at all.
A black cloud formed in his golden eyes, which were always sparkling like the sun.
The corners of his eyes, which usually curve gently when he smiles, had drooped all day.
“Dale, you gotta stay strong, okay?”
“I will hold on.”
The servants behind me looked at me sadly.
Four of them took my luggage and wiped away their tears with their handkerchiefs.
“Don’t worry too much, we will take good care of the master, ma’am.”
“Thank you all.”
I was glad I didn't leave Dale alone in this house.
He's like a house dog, and if it had still been just the two of us, I don't think I would have had the courage to go to the capital.
I thanked them with money.
“Take care of my husband.”
I handed them a three-month bonus.
They nodded their heads with a gleam in their eyes.
I felt relieved.
“I'll be off then, Dale.
I'll write to you.”
I left the house with a sad look back.
I'd better remember that handsome face.
***
The carriage carrying Enya drove away and the palace door closed.
At that moment, the servants bowed low, their faces full of respect.
“Your Majesty, the magic circle has been completed.”
“Let's go.”
Dale, who had turned into a cold and expressionless man, entered the magic circle with the others.
* * *
There were busy feet crossing the grounds of Lockhart Mansion.
Emma, Enya's personal maid, was rushing into the garden, and at the door, all the palace residents were lined up in two rows staring at the door.
The sound of the carriage was approaching the ducal residence.
At the same time, the high palace gates opened, and a chorus of voices rose.
“Welcome back to the family.
Princess!”
The joyful roar of sounds stirred the blooming flowers.
Princess Lockhart had returned.
Enya took a deep breath as she entered the palace.
She could see the faces of Emma and the old servants.
Then she looked at the person watching her from the highest point in the palace.
"I had returned."
Enya bowed her head in greeting.
To her father, the Duke of Lockhart.