Miss Veronica held onto me and explained how I could have become the Duchess of Berzel.

And in the process, I also heard about how Miss Veronica came to marry Duke Anstis.

But that didn’t mean I understood everything.

Why would I form such a connection with Duke Berzel, who is known as the epitome of villainy?

There was no reason, nor any point of contact.

When I thought it wasn’t a dream, it was full of things that didn’t make sense.

But I couldn’t keep refuting the lady’s words forever.

“Still, it’s a bit shocking. Not only have I become a noble, but I’ve become the wife of the infamous Duke Berzel.”

“Indeed, a lot has happened.”

Miss Veronica’s gaze blurred as if reminiscing about the past.

I wanted to join in her reminiscence, but sadly, I had no memories, so I could only watch blankly.

“By the way, it’s a bit sad that you’re calling me ‘Miss’ again, you know?”

“Huh? Then what did I call you if not ‘Miss’? Oh! I get it. Since you’ve become a duchess, I should call you ‘Madam’ now, right?”

Miss Veronica smiled faintly at my playful words.

“No.”

“Then what?”

“I told you earlier, didn’t I? Father and Mother adopted you. We’re family, so how can family members call each other ‘Madam’? And you seem to have forgotten, but you’re a duchess too.”

“Ah, right. You did say that. It doesn’t feel real, so I wasn’t thinking about it at all.”

As I smiled broadly, Miss Veronica smiled along with me.

“Call me ‘Sister’.”

“What? Miss, no matter what, how can I call you ‘Sister’?”

“Again, again.”

When I used the title ‘Miss’ again, Miss Veronica frowned, pretending to be angry.

But I could quickly tell that she wasn’t really angry.

“Come on, try calling me again. Say ‘Sister’.”

“S-Sister…”

Trying to change the title I had used all my life felt awkward and didn’t come naturally to my lips. Calling our dear Miss ‘Sister’, of all things!

But unlike me, who felt very uncomfortable, Miss Veronica seemed satisfied with the title I called her and smiled broadly.

“By the way, I’m glad you weren’t badly hurt. Do you know how shocked I was when I heard you fell down the stairs?”

“That’s right, Duchess. I saw how Veronica turned pale and rushed out when she heard the news.”

Duke Anstis chimed in to support Miss Veronica’s words.

“It would have been better if I hadn’t lost my memories, though.”

As I muttered, scratching my cheek awkwardly, Miss Veronica nodded and replied.

“But they say the memory loss is temporary, so don’t worry too much.”

“Yes, Miss. I mean, Sister.”

I quickly changed the title, seeing Miss Veronica’s stern expression at the title ‘Miss’.

“I’d like to stay longer, but I think I need to go right away because of Cain.”

“Cain? Who’s that?”

I asked, tilting my head.

Miss Veronica looked at Duke Anstis with an ‘oops’ expression, then looked back at me with a shy smile.

I looked at Miss Veronica with a puzzled feeling.

Was there ever a time when Miss would be this shy? …Just as I was thinking this, Miss Veronica opened her mouth.

“It’s mine and Edwin’s child.”

“What? Miss, no, Sister and the Duke’s child? Really?”

As I asked again in surprise, Miss Veronica nodded shyly.

“Wow, I must have forgotten a lot. To even forget that you had a child…”

Unknowingly, I became dejected at the thought of missing such an important moment.

That’s when someone gently took my hand.

When I turned my head to check, it was Duke Berzel.

“They say it’s temporary, so you’ll be able to regain your memories soon.”

“…Yes.”

It seemed as if there was magic in the words of a handsome person.

Even though he was famous as a villain, when he held my hand and comforted me so kindly, I felt as if my anxious heart was melting away.

“I haven’t been here long, but I’ll go now. I’ll bring Cain tomorrow, so you’ll have to wait.”

“Yes!”

Thinking that she was leaving, I tried to get up.

But my action was inevitably blocked by her restraint.

“Oh, it’s fine. I don’t want you to come see me off when you’re sick. See you tomorrow!”

Miss Veronica, who hugged me lightly, left the bedroom with Duke Anstis.

After that, only I, a few maids, and Duke Berzel remained in the bedroom.

I rolled my eyes here and there, feeling awkward for no reason.

“Um…”

Unable to bear the awkwardness, I carefully opened my mouth.

“Duke Berzel?”

“What is it?”

Duke Berzel looked at me with a worried gaze.

I could feel his deep affection for me in that gaze.

But the problem was that I couldn’t remember anything about this man.

“I heard from Miss Veronica, but since she’s not directly involved, there must be things she doesn’t know. Right?”

“That’s right.”

“Could you tell me about everything that happened between us, including those things? Ah! This isn’t an order, it’s a request. I’m not in a position to give orders, but I just wanted to say that in case you misunderstood.”

I hastily added, worried that he might be displeased.

Duke Berzel nodded as if he understood.

“I don’t misunderstand. I was about to tell you anyway.”

Duke Berzel, who seemed to be pondering where to start for a moment, slowly began to tell me about the things that had happened between us.

There were many parts that seemed strange for a commoner like me to have done.

For example, the fact that I insisted on checking the crops on a day when it was pouring rain, or that I came to this mansion with Duke Berzel after accepting his proposal, even though I would have known about his infamous reputation.

Actions that I would never have taken normally were flowing from his lips.

Maybe that’s why.

I listened carefully to each of Duke Berzel’s words as if I were listening to a story from a novel.

Wait a minute.

A novel?

…It feels somewhat familiar, or is it just my imagination?

I tilted my head with a puzzled feeling.

“What’s wrong? Do you remember something?”

Duke Berzel asked me in an expectant voice when I tilted my head.

Only then did I realize what he had asked me with expectation, and I smiled awkwardly.

“No. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

I smiled broadly, feeling embarrassed that I had thought about something else while talking to him.

I thought he might get angry, saying it was impolite, but contrary to my expectations, he just smiled bitterly.

Our conversation continued late into the night.

It seems that during my time here, there were more things between Duke Berzel and me than I thought.

“So, did you really like me, Duke?”

Although both Miss Veronica and Duke Berzel were saying the same thing consistently, I asked him about the fact that was hardest to believe.

I wanted to confirm if it was true that someone as high as a duke really loved someone as ordinary as me.

“Yes. I love you deeply and earnestly.”

It was something I never thought I’d hear from his mouth.

I blinked my eyes, looking at him with a dumbfounded feeling.

And I expressed my honest thoughts.

“I can’t even begin to imagine how we got to this point after going through all those events.”

“I’m sure you can’t.”

“I hope I can regain my memories as soon as possible. Then I wouldn’t be this confused.”

Duke Berzel laughed silently.

Then he carefully covered me with the blanket as I lay down.

“For now, get some rest. Since they say it’s temporary, your memories might come back soon.”

“Yes.”

I answered obediently and closed my eyes.

Then suddenly, I opened my eyes and looked up at Duke Berzel.