Chapter 95

Lia placed the empty wine glass on the railing and looked up at the sky.  

The full moon seemed especially large tonight.  

“…It’s beautiful.”  

The lukewarm summer breeze brushed softly through her hair.  

Unlike the banquet hall, this place was very quiet.  

‘Dancing with that person, and then dancing with His Highness the Crown Prince—it all feels like a dream.’  

Things happened that she could never have even dreamed of in her previous life.  

Lia pinched her own cheek hard with her fingers.  

“Ow, that hurts.”  

When she first came to the Capital, she thought only Rafaella’s life would change, but now even her own life had changed this much.  

“…I really never imagined it.”  

Lia looked at the sparkling ring on the ring finger of her left hand.  

“Will Hart also regain his memories earlier than before?”  

If he regains his memories, he’ll probably feel even more sorry than now.  

He might even cry and apologize like he did before.  

‘Then, will I be able to treat him with that same hard heart as before the regression?’  

When she died, forgotten by the one she loved, it was truly sad and bitter.  

She even wanted to see, just once more, that cold face that looked at her so chillingly in the end.  

She sometimes felt pathetic for feeling that way.  

So when death overtook her, she promised herself she wouldn’t love him.  

She hadn’t forgotten that pain, but these days, being with him made those feelings fade.  

His gaze and attitude were different from Hart’s before, but the sincerity in them made her feel light.  

Her heart started to beat again.  

‘Well, after all, those moments only exist in my memory, they never really existed anyway.’  

How long could she keep ignoring his sincerity because of that?  

“Still, not yet.”  

She couldn’t accept it yet.  

As long as there were variables like the Interim Empress and ‘black magic’, she had to set aside any rosy dreams for now.  

In this life, she wouldn’t be deceived and die in vain like before.  

‘To do that, I have to put my relationship with him on hold and focus on the Interim Empress.’  

How could she make the Interim Empress and Carmen use black magic on her, like last time?  

Maybe it would be good to deliberately become their target.  

‘…Should I attend every banquet the Interim Empress goes to and get on her nerves?’  

Judging by Carmen’s attitude, it seemed she was already marked, though.  

Besides, she had to prepare some sort of countermeasure so she wouldn’t be helpless.  

Could I defend against black magic with a potion?  

‘To counter black magic, purification magic would definitely be necessary.’  

Should I risk being called crazy and talk to Dorothea again?  

“…Maybe she’ll believe me.”  

Lia murmured, pressing her cheek against the cold marble.  

The chill of the marble felt good against her cheeks, flushed from the alcohol.  

“Dorothea is a genius mage, so maybe she even knows regression magic.”  

That hope gave her strength.

* * *

“Sorry to keep you so long, Duke.”  

“Not at all. Then, I’ll excuse myself first.”  

Johann finished the conversation, which had taken longer than expected, and left the lounge.  

Returning to the banquet hall, he anxiously searched for Lia.  

No matter how big the hall was, not even a single strand of Lia’s hair was in sight, and he grew more and more nervous.  

‘All the men who were looking at Lia with those filthy eyes seem to still be here.’  

As Johann glared at each of them with his red eyes, they all flinched and avoided his gaze.  

“Johann, anyone would think you’d left some holy relic of the goddess here.”  

As Johann tried to head elsewhere to look for Lia, Matthias approached and stopped him.  

“Your Highness, I can’t see Lia.”  

Johann spoke while looking elsewhere.  

“…Haha, I’ve never seen you look so anxious before.”  

Matthias laughed heartily at Johann’s stiff face.  

“This isn’t the time to be laughing.”  

“Why not, Johann?”  

Matthias wiped away a tear with his finger and put a hand on Johann’s shoulder.  

“Your Highness, I’m really not in the mood for jokes right now…”  

“Miss Lia danced with me, and now she’s resting alone on the terrace.”  

“What? Is that really true?”  

“Of course. When have I ever lied?”  

“…Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”  

Guessing what had happened, Johann relaxed his expression and bowed to Matthias.  

“Now you finally look relaxed. How could I not laugh at this?”  

“…I don’t understand what about my face is so funny to you, Your Highness.”  

“Why? You always keep the same expression, even when dealing with me, but you showed your feelings because of Miss Lia.”  

“Why is that funny?”  

Johann asked, genuinely puzzled.  

“How could I not laugh, when someone I care about like a real younger brother finally has someone so precious he can’t hide his feelings?”  

“……”  

“Johann, are you speechless because you’re moved by my words?”  

“…Ahem, thank you for caring for me like a brother.”  

Johann looked away and cleared his throat.  

“Well then, from now on, can I call you ‘little brother’ in private?”  

“I’ll have to decline, Your Highness.”  

“Tsk, you’re really not easy.”  

Matthias lowered his brows as if genuinely disappointed.  

“Your Highness, may I go to the terrace now?”  

“I’ve been keeping you too long without realizing. Yes, go to Miss Lia.”  

Matthias patted Johann’s shoulder.  

“Ah, Johann. About Miss Lia…”  

“Yes.”  

Johann paused, turning toward the terrace.  

“…Hmm, no. I’ll tell you next time.”  

“Is it something important?”  

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.”  

Matthias waved him off.  

Johann quickly headed to the terrace.  

On the way, he received two glasses of wine from a servant.  

When he opened the terrace door, the lukewarm summer breeze and Lia’s figure came into view.  

Lia was quietly humming the lullaby she had once taught him in the cabin.  

“…Lia.”  

At his call, Lia turned to look at him.  

Standing with the full moon behind her, she looked almost unreal to Johann.  

Why was it? He was afraid she might disappear like a mirage at any moment.  

“Did your talk go well?”  

With that anxious feeling, he hurried over to her.  

“It went well.”  

“That’s a relief.”  

For once, Lia smiled brightly at him.  

“Yeah, but you look a little drunk.”  

Up close, her cheeks were flushed red.  

“Huh? I’m not drunk.”  

Lia shook her head and grabbed one of the glasses in Johann’s hand.  

“One of these is mine, right?”  

“I think you are drunk.”  

Johann raised his arm, not giving her the glass, and frowned.  

“I’m really not drunk, I just feel good.”  

Liar, she was even smiling at him. If she wasn’t drunk, she’d never smile at him like this.  

“…You’re definitely drunk.”  

“No, I told you, I’m really not.”  

She protested, reaching for the glass, so Johann lifted his arm higher.  

“…How could you be so unfair, raising your arm like that.”  

Lia stood on tiptoe, trying to snatch the glass.  

“If you drink any more, you’ll regret it with a hangover tomorrow.”  

Johann spoke with concern.  

“Just one more glass, just one more, please.”  

Lia showed him all her fingers, except her pinky.  

“I just feel so light and happy today.”  

Seeing her so openly vulnerable—a side she would never show if sober—Johann’s heart softened.  

“Then just this one, and that’s it.”  

“…Yes, thank you.”  

Lia took the glass and licked her lips lightly with her tongue.  

Seeing her do that so absentmindedly, Johann’s mouth went dry.  

‘…This is driving me crazy.’  

So she was the type to get cute when drunk.  

His fist clenched on its own.  

“……Hey.”  

Lia, having placed her empty glass on the railing, stared at Johann’s face and spoke.  

“…Hey, Johann von Blumhart.”  

“……”  

“…No, that’s not right. Hey, Hart.”  

Lia staggered slightly, coming closer to Johann.  

Then she grabbed the lapels of his jacket with both hands.  

Her grip was weak, but it was enough to hold him.  

Her face was right in front of his.  

Her flushed cheeks and wine-stained, moist lips caught his eye.  

‘…I’m going crazy.’  

Their breathing was so close.  

Johann’s heart pounded wildly.  

His hands hovered awkwardly, not knowing what to do.  

“…You’re a bad person.”  

But at Lia’s words, spoken at such close range, Johann’s heart ached with pain.  

“……”  

He saw the deep emotions in her eyes.  

“…Why did you forget? Why did you forget all the time we spent together?”  

A tear full of sorrow fell from Lia’s eye.  

“After all that, you say you love me again, and play with my heart.”  

With those words, she collapsed into his arms and fell asleep.  

“……”  

Johann let out a deep sigh as he looked at Lia, asleep in his arms.  

The sadness in Lia’s eyes lingered like an afterimage.