“So that’s why I kept your letter.”

‘……’

Ainberg handed me the letter he was holding and spoke.

In that moment, my gaze unconsciously turned toward the table.

A neatly folded handkerchief still lay on the surface.

It had been washed clean of any bloodstains.

He extended his hand to me, and I gave Ainberg the neatly folded handkerchief.

Ainberg stared at it for a while.

Then his gaze changed strangely.

‘What is it?’

Perhaps.

Like in movies or novels, did seeing an important object make his past memories flash back?

Did forgotten things unfold before his eyes like a panorama!

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Did you remember something?”

Just as I carefully asked while hiding my anxiety.

“…This is.”

I must be right.

He must have remembered.

Oh my, has he regained his memory now?

“Was this made by a child?”

“……”

This jerk.

“No, Your Majesty.”

I answered with clenched molars, and Ainberg, sensing something was off, spoke again.

“Did you give this to me?”

Strictly speaking, I did give it to him.

Though not in this form.

“It wasn’t from me.”

Ainberg then showed a strange expression.

“I thought it was from you, Leonora, since it was also in my possession.”

“……”

“Well, looking at the embroidery, it obviously wasn’t you.”

I forced a smile and answered.

“It’s a handkerchief the Empress embroidered herself as a gift for Your Majesty.”

“The Empress?”

At that point, Ainberg’s complexion suddenly changed.

He silently looked down at the handkerchief.

Then he squeezed his eyes shut as if in pain.

What’s this? Has he truly remembered something this time?

But I won’t act rashly like before.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

“……”

“Are you uncomfortable somewhere? I’ll call the doctor right away.”

Just as I hurriedly stood up, he languidly raised his hand to stop me. Then he closed his eyes tightly with force.

“A terrible person.”

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?”

Hey man, just because the embroidery is a mess doesn’t mean she was a terrible person.

Isn’t that too harsh?

“To my eyes, it’s just cute. I can see purity in the, um, roughness.”

Then Ainberg distorted one eye and said to me.

“What are you talking about?”

“You said ‘terrible person.’ The Empress might have had poor embroidery skills, but she was a good person.”

“……”

Ainberg let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.

“The terrible one I’m referring to isn’t this handkerchief, but me.”

“What?”

“I’m talking about myself.”

What is he saying all of a sudden?

‘Has losing his memory started some self-reflection?’

Of course, you were a terrible person in the past.

Though you didn’t admit it back then.

Somehow, Ainberg with no memories was recalling fragments of the past and blaming himself.

What a strange situation.

“Your Majesty, what are you saying all of a sudden?”

Ainberg raised his head glumly.

“I was keeping your letter while simultaneously treasuring the Empress’s handkerchief.”

“……”

“Why did I do that? Why on earth?”

How am I supposed to answer that when you ask me?

That’s what I really want to know.

I waited for you to wake up to find that answer!

I thought I’d find answers when you survived, but now you’ve lost your memory.

This is really too much.

Sigh, but… I shouldn’t say that.

“Your Majesty, the Empress has been unconscious for a year. She’s been unable to wake up for a very long time.”

“……”

“So your feelings didn’t suddenly change, nor did the Empress and I suffer because of it.”

I never thought I’d end up defending Ainberg.

As I explained through gritted teeth, he finally relaxed his deeply furrowed brow.

“So I’ve been keeping it for a year?”

Yes, that’s what I’m most curious about too.

“Yes, it seems so.”

Ainberg was silent for a while.

I too didn’t particularly try to speak to him and quietly stayed in my place.

‘By the way, how much should I tell Ainberg?’

How much should I tell someone who isn’t fully recovered yet?

But for preparation, the sovereign Ainberg needs to know.

“Your Majesty, I have something to tell you.”

When I opened my mouth with a subdued voice, Ainberg looked at me blankly.

“I was going to explain when things became more certain, but it’s such an important matter that I think I should tell you in advance.”

“Tell me.”

“Until now, everyone thought it was the bandits from Sutton who attacked Your Majesty. But… it seems there’s someone behind it.”

“Someone behind it?”

When Ainberg asked, I continued.

“Yes, so we’re secretly looking for evidence.”

“……”

“We’ve increased the number of guards and restricted entry. To prevent leaks, only the chief aide knows about this.”

But it was strange.

Ainberg showed no particular reaction to being told someone was targeting his life.

An expression like ‘Well, that could happen.’

So I couldn’t even say not to worry too much.

Because his expression showed he truly didn’t care at all.

He looked more serious when holding my letter and the handkerchief.

“You’re working hard for me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for saying so.”

I actually thought it was fortunate.

It would be troublesome if he took it too seriously and tried to get involved.

Yes, what can a man do when he can’t remember properly and is confused about himself?

I’ll have to do it.

“I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

“Is Millean still not here?”

“Seeing that the aide hasn’t said anything…”

Ainberg sighed and nodded.

“Your Majesty, there’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

“Go ahead.”

“From today, I’ll be attending to you with the child I mentioned before. Aren’t you curious about what kind of child she is?”

“No.”

“……”

I felt a bit upset but held it in well.

I smiled gently again and said.

“She’s a lady from the Viper family, a kind and cute child. She’ll be a good company for Your Majesty.”

Ainberg either couldn’t hear my words or was pretending not to.

He suddenly slipped under the blanket.

What are you doing?

“Your Majesty.”

“I don’t want to talk to anyone right now.”

“Ah, yes.”

I stood up while inwardly cursing him for being fussy.

“Then rest well, Your Majesty.”

Just then, Ainberg suddenly lowered the blanket slightly and said to me.

“Where are you going?”

“Since Your Majesty said you wanted to rest, I was going to leave.”

“I changed my mind.”

Huh?

What is this man trying to do?

While I stood there blankly, Ainberg completely changed his expression and sat up again.

“I want to talk with you more.”

“Didn’t you just say you wanted to rest?”

“Did I?”

“Since you seem fine now, I’ll call Miss Viper.”

Then Ainberg twitched his eyebrows and spoke in a dry voice.

“I want to be with you, Leonora, not that child.”

Hey, now he’s flirting at every opportunity.

“That won’t do. I need to rest too.”

When I replied curtly, Ainberg somehow looked hurt.

Ugh, I don’t want to care.

But it strangely bothers me.

“What I mean is… Miss Viper came with high expectations to meet Your Majesty, so how can I just tell her to rest?”

“……”

“She’s a very kind, good, and cute child. I’m sure Your Majesty will like her when you see her.”

“……”

“She’s also good at telling interesting stories. She’ll be a good company for Your Majesty.”

But Ainberg’s stubbornness couldn’t be broken.

“I don’t want to meet anyone today.”

His stubbornness hasn’t changed from then to now.

Sigh.

“Then I’ll come with her tomorrow.”

“……”

“You don’t dislike tomorrow either, right?”

“……”

“Your Majesty, you’ve forgotten things from long ago, but you remember recent events, right?”

“What does that mean?”

“You said I would be the one by your side. Didn’t you tell me to decide as I wish?”

“……”

“So please follow my words this time.”

Just then, Ainberg suddenly went “Pfft” and laughed.

He’s laughing?

Did he just laugh?

“I can see why I liked you.”

What’s this, attacking with a confession?

“Unfortunately, Your Majesty didn’t like me that much.”

“……?”

Ainberg looked up at me with puzzled eyes.

“I was extravagant, spoke whatever came to mind, and was desperate to become Empress.”