19: Ella

Kael was filled with questions. Most notably, he found it strange that he had assigned his wife, Aella, a room that was even more secluded than the servants’ quarters.

‘Matteo said that Ella and I were childhood friends who grew up together and were very close. But then why… why would I treat Ella, the woman I married out of love, like this…?’

More than anything, Kael was convinced that both Aella and Matteo were hiding something from him.

Otherwise, why would Aella, who had lived her life as a noble, willingly agree to live in such a tiny, shabby room?

Even her pet cat, Charlotte, had been given a luxurious room.

“There’s definitely something they’re hiding. And my father’s death… there’s something suspicious about that too. What is everyone hiding from me? Ugh! My head!”

Whenever Kael tried to think deeply about something, he was struck by a severe headache. Clutching his head, he collapsed onto his desk.

Knock, knock.

“Who… is it?”

“Kael.”

“!”

Hearing Aella’s voice, Kael jumped up from his seat and steadied his trembling voice.

“C-Come in.”

Click.

“I heard your headaches have been bad.”

“Ah, j-just a little… It happens when I try to think about something. Haha.”

Even just meeting Aella’s eyes made Kael’s heart race and his face flush. He couldn’t even make proper eye contact with her.

Approaching Kael, Aella placed her hand on his forehead, saying she would check for a fever.

“You have a fever. Would you lie down on the sofa for a moment?”

“Y-Yes…”

Watching Kael hesitantly walk toward the sofa, Aella almost laughed at how adorable he looked. She quickly shook her head.

‘Get a grip. Kael’s memories will return someday… someday. And when that happens…’

The thought alone made Aella’s heart ache.

The way he smiled at her now, spoke to her warmly, blushed in her presence—none of it would last.

When his memories returned, the warmth in his voice, the gentle touch of his hand, and the kindness in his gaze would vanish like a candle blown out by the wind.

Aella’s eyes filled with tears at the thought.

“Aella… Aella! What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

Kael, who had moved closer and gently held her arms, asked with concern. Aella shook her head.

“N-No, Kael… I’m not hurt. I’m just a little tired.”

“Oh no! You should rest in your room! Ah, Aella… since we’re married, why don’t we share a room?”

“…”

“Of course, only if you’re okay with it…”

As Kael scratched his cheek nervously, Aella stared at him, trying to hold back her tears.

“Aella. Do you not want to?”

“No… Let’s share a room, Kael.”

“Thank you.”

Kael, who seemed genuinely grateful, lay down on the sofa. Aella knelt beside him, placing her hand on his forehead and closing her eyes.

“Try to relax your body as much as possible. Don’t think about anything, and just breathe slowly and evenly.”

“Hoo.”

“Yes, you’re doing well. Now breathe a little deeper and exhale slowly.”

Following Aella’s instructions, Kael closed his eyes and focused on her voice. However, he couldn’t help but peek at her face.

With her eyes closed and speaking in a soft voice, her face looked truly angelic.

‘She’s like an angel…’

Thump, thump, thump!

‘My heart is beating so fast. Ah. My body feels even hotter.’

When Aella opened her eyes and their gazes met, Kael froze.

“You feel hot… Why is this happening?”

“N-No, I’m fine! Really, I’m not sick! Probably…”

Aella watched Kael as he hurriedly sat up.

“Will you sleep next to me starting tonight?”

“I don’t see why not. After all, we are… married.”

“Haha. Y-Yes, that’s right.”

Kael, who had gotten up, extended his hand to Aella, who was still kneeling.

“Come on, let’s get up.”

“…”

“Aella, my wife.”

Hearing her name spoken so softly by the husband who had once barely spared her a glance made Aella’s heart feel like it was about to burst.

“Aella.”

“Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment…”

“Haha. It’s fine.”

Taking Kael’s outstretched hand, Aella stood up.

“I’ll be going to the palace next week.”

“I see.”

“Before that…”

“…”

Aella watched as Kael fidgeted in front of her.

‘It’s like seeing the Kael from our childhood.’

As a boy, Kael had been shy and struggled to speak properly in front of Aella.

Even after all these years, the sight of Kael acting so adorably made Aella smile brightly in front of him for the first time since that day.

“Aella…”

“Yes?”

“You’re finally smiling in front of me.”

“What?”

“Well… you always seemed so tense around me. I thought maybe you didn’t like me… or that I had done something wrong.”

Seeing Kael nervously watching her reaction, Aella couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

‘Kael… it’s the opposite. Our roles have reversed. And they’ll reverse again when you regain your memories. You’ll go back to being the Kael Hormons who hated me. That’s the real you.’

Though the thought broke her heart, Aella smiled even more brightly.

“Is there anything you’d like to do before you leave?”

“I… I want to spend time with you.”

“…”

“Matteo said he’d handle the household affairs so I could spend time with you.”

“Oh…”

Aella let out a small laugh.

‘Matteo… you’re something else.’

Knock, knock.

“Your Grace, my lady, the Count of Blueanz has requested to see you.”

“!”

“My father-in-law is here.”

An unwelcome visitor who had come unannounced. Hearing Kael refer to him as “father-in-law” only added to Aella’s guilt.

When they entered the drawing room, Aella’s expression turned cold as she was greeted warmly by the man she knew to be a devil in disguise.

“My dear son-in-law, do you know how worried I’ve been?”

“Haha. My apologies, father-in-law.”

What a joke.

It had been over two weeks since Kael’s accident, yet this man dared to say such things without a hint of shame.

Just hearing his voice made Aella feel sick, and she wanted to leave immediately.

“My lovely Ella, why do you look so gloomy? Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, father. I’m fine.”

“Haha, you’ve become quite dignified since becoming the Duchess. It must be thanks to my son-in-law. Thank you.”

“You’re too kind. I should be thanking you for allowing me to marry Aella. I’m truly grateful.”

“Hahaha. You’re welcome.”

Watching Kael smile and converse with her father, Aella felt an unbearable pain in her chest.

‘Kael… don’t smile like that. Don’t talk to him like that… The man in front of you… that devil… he killed your father… the father you respected and loved so much…’

Unable to hold back her tears, Aella stood up.

“Ella?!”

“I’m sorry, father. I think something I ate didn’t sit well with me.”

“Oh, my dear! Are you alright? Shall I call a physician?”

“No, I just need to rest. Kael, I’ll go ahead. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, my wife. Please rest in my room.”

Nodding briefly, Aella left the room.

Standing outside, she grabbed Ian’s arm as soon as their eyes met.

“M-My lady?!”

“Ian, don’t take your eyes off Kael. Do you understand?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Trusting Ian, Aella walked away, though her steps felt heavier with each one.

‘Surely… he wouldn’t harm Kael…’

Aella thought of the late Duke of Hormons, the man who had treated her like a daughter and whom she had trusted more than anyone else.

‘Your Grace…’

Stopping in her tracks, Aella let her tears fall as she remembered the man who had cared for her so deeply.

***

Banished to the kitchen, Rensi found herself doing menial chores.

“This is all because of that damned Aella! That wretched woman! Isn’t there a way to get rid of her?!”

Kicking a rock in frustration, Rensi stopped when a figure appeared before her.

“Who… who are you? Move! I’m already in a bad mood!”

“It seems you’ve been looking for me. Or am I mistaken?”

“Why would I—”

Rensi scrutinized the woman cloaked in a black robe.

“W-Wait! Are you… the dark sorceress?!”

When the woman removed her hood and smiled, Rensi’s face lit up with excitement.

***

At the lively dinner table, the Emperor spoke.

“I hear you’ve been getting along well with the Duchess of Hormons.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Hahaha, good. You’re of a similar age, so I hope you’ll continue to get along.”

Despite the Emperor’s cheerful demeanor, Elena forced a smile, ignoring Julius’s cold stare from across the table.

“Forgive me, but I’m not feeling well. May I be excused?”

“Oh dear, go rest.”

“Thank you.”

“Elena, take care!”

After patting the children’s cheeks affectionately, Elena left the dining hall.

“Just what are you up to?”

Hearing the cold voice behind her, Elena sighed deeply and turned around.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think getting close to Aella will earn my favor?”

“…”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Are you finished? Then I’ll be going.”

As Elena turned to leave, Julius grabbed her shoulder roughly, causing her to frown.

“Consider this a warning. Don’t try anything with Aella.”

“…”

“Answer me.”

“Let go of me, or I’ll scream.”

“D*mn woman.”

Brushing his hand off as if it were filthy, Julius walked away. Elena, watching him leave, sighed and patted Azet’s back as she fumed on her behalf.

‘Aella… I truly envy you. So much…’

***

After dinner, Aella walked through the garden with Kael, enjoying the cool night breeze.

“My wife.”

Stopping in her tracks, Aella turned to Kael, who smiled gently at her.

“Can I call you Ella?”

“…”

“Is that… not okay?”

“No, it’s fine. Kael… you used to call me that before we were married.”

“Oh!”

Blushing brightly, Kael’s innocent smile made Aella place a hand over her aching heart.

“Ella.”

Hearing him call her name with such affection, Aella couldn’t hold back her emotions and began to cry.