Chapter 72. Whose Fault Is It?

Meanwhile, Aster stayed by Camilla’s side in the cabin. The cruise ship peacefully crossed the sea, unaware of the bloody battle that had taken place overnight.

The Francis knights, after confirming that there was no more danger on the cruise, had left first, restraining the captured Black Shadow.

Aster remained on the cruise because Camilla hadn’t woken up. He needed to be there in case she had another seizure and required medical assistance.

Although the doctor on the cruise had administered a sedative to stabilize her, he was still anxious because of the doctor’s additional opinion.

‘Has this happened frequently before?’
‘I’m not sure.’
‘It doesn’t seem like it’s the first time. It would be best to conduct a thorough examination once we return.’

The doctor suggested that it might not be a simple shock but a chronic condition. Camilla didn’t seem to be aware of it, judging by her lack of mention.

‘Perhaps Father-in-law knows.’

The Duke of Francis had always been particularly sensitive about investigating the events of that day. While Camilla thought it was excessive protection, Aster had a different view.

He suspected that there might be something about Camilla’s condition that the Duke was trying to conceal.

Aster brushed Camilla’s damp bangs aside and muttered softly.

“What on earth happened that day?”

Could it be that the assassin sent by Isabelle broke their promise and attacked Camilla and the Duchess of Francis?

Was it foolish to believe that they wouldn’t harm them if he followed willingly?

The men who took him that day had tried to kill him but ended up burning to death.

Even then, his mana core was nearly destroyed by the unquenchable fire. He didn’t know how to extinguish it because he hadn’t received proper education and had recklessly used magic.

Fortunately, he survived thanks to the bracelet Camilla had given him. After that, he left for Arendt in a hurry and lost track of Camilla.

“It all feels like my fault.”

Aster rubbed his face in distress. He was worried sick about her frequent seizures over the past few days.

And the thought that this might not be the only time terrified him.

Aster feared that something might happen to her. He wished he could be the one in pain instead. The feeling of helplessness only grew.

“Ugh.”

Camilla let out a faint groan and twitched her hand. Aster’s gaze fixed on her.

“Camilla.”

Camilla slowly blinked and sent a dazed look. After a moment, her eyes regained focus, and upon seeing Aster, she teared up.

Her mind was in turmoil from the sudden revelation of past memories. She spoke tearfully.

“Aster.”

“Why, why are you crying? Are you in a lot of pain?”

“…….”

“Wait a moment. I’ll get the doctor….”

Aster stood up as if to call the doctor immediately, but Camilla grabbed his sleeve faster.

“Don’t go.”

“…….”

“Why do you keep trying to leave?”

She was speaking, unable to distinguish between dream and reality. Her hand, gripping tightly, turned white, fearing he might disappear.

“I’m not leaving, I was just going to call the doctor.”

“Just stay here.”

At Camilla’s words, Aster sat back down in the chair.

After a while, Camilla sat up in bed and leaned against the headboard. Facing him amidst her confusion, she felt a lump in her throat.

All the memories of that day returned. Along with it, the memories of that entire month she had forgotten also came back.

And she realized she had forgotten a precious friend she had known during that short month.

She couldn’t understand why she had lost those memories, but because of that, she had forgotten all her memories with Aster.

They had parted on bad terms, and it was a permanent farewell. Moreover, when they met again, she didn’t even remember him.

He must have looked forward to their reunion. Not only did she not remember him, but she also treated him coldly.

Aster remembered everything but didn’t show it. If her memory hadn’t returned, he might have pretended not to know forever. That’s the kind of person Aster was.

‘You really came back. And with such a wonderful appearance.’

Camilla silently stared at Aster, who was examining her condition.

The familiar mole near his eye might have been recognized by her deep subconscious.

Camilla wordlessly stroked his eye area with her hand. He flinched but let her touch his face.

His gentle reaction made Camilla feel emotional.

She felt guilty for not recognizing the friend who kept his promise and proposed a terrible contract.

Now that her memory had returned, she understood why he had come back, why he clung so desperately to her absurd proposal.

‘You haven’t changed at all since then.’

He had to hide his identity because he was from Blanche and had to leave in a hurry. Yet, when he returned, she said she wanted to break off the engagement because he was from Blanche. How must he have felt?

As she reinterpreted his words and actions, Camilla pulled Aster closer and greeted the friend she had met again.

“When I said I hated you that day, I didn’t mean it. I was just upset because you were leaving.”

“Camilla?”

Aster tilted his head at her sudden apology. Camilla smiled brightly and said.

“It’s been a while, Ash.”

Aster flinched at the nickname. ‘Ash’ was a nickname she had given him. Only she called him that.

Realizing her condition, Aster asked in a trembling voice.

“…Did your memories return?”

Aster looked at Camilla with a complex expression. He had been worried sick about her until just now, but now he was nervous for a different reason.

“Really?”

His trembling voice reminded her of the boy Aster she had met in the past. Camilla found it fascinating.

The person she once felt she had to protect was now protecting her. The stark contrast made her laugh.

“Yes.”

Camilla answered briefly with a faint smile. His dumbfounded expression was amusing. At the same time, his face, which looked like he was trying hard to smile but looking like he might cry, made her feel sorry for him.

Now she understood why she had always felt so weak in front of him.

She didn’t hate him despite him being from Blanche. Perhaps her subconscious had recognized him.

That’s why she proposed that ridiculous contract marriage to keep him by her side. Of course, she never imagined that the friend from back then would grow into such a perfect man.

Camilla burst into laughter.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Why did you pretend not to know?”

“At first, I thought you didn’t recognize me.”

“Well, you do look very different now.”

Camilla replied jokingly, and Aster continued.

“Later, I thought you had forgotten about me. Quite some time had passed. I thought you had forgotten someone like me.”

“I didn’t forget on purpose.”

“I know. I found out later that you had an accident that day. I didn’t want to confuse you with my selfishness.”

Aster spoke with a pained expression, holding Camilla’s hand. It was as if he feared she might leave him.

“Even so, I wanted to stay by your side, so I forced myself.”

“Aster.”

“After all, it’s because of me that she died that day.”

He spoke with a heavy heart, lowering his head.

Even though he didn’t specify, both knew he was referring to the Duchess of Francis.

Camilla frowned at his foolish answer. Her mother’s death wasn’t because of him. It was due to a much more dangerous conspiracy.

Camilla recalled the group of Black Shadow she had seen last. Unlike the assassins sent by Isabelle, they were desperate to capture the demonic beast alive.

The stones embedded in the demonic beast’s head and the tattoos of the Black Shadow were the same.

It was strange that Isabelle hadn’t been expelled despite attacking Francis. The thorough destruction of evidence had another reason.

They couldn’t let the existence of the demonic beast she had encountered that day be known.

‘In the end, the Duke covered up that day’s events by blaming Isabelle.’

She thought they were just allies, but now it seemed the Duke had used Isabelle as a shield and led the scheme himself.

She felt her blood boil. She didn’t know what they were up to, but it was clear it was dangerous.

Because it was her mother who had been sacrificed, it was difficult to calm her anger.

Camilla quietly placed her hand on her throbbing heart. She didn’t know why, but the moment the stone from the Black Shadow group flashed, her heart sank.

It felt like a chemical reaction was taking place in her body, as if the demonic beast had landed a critical hit, causing a surge of intense heat. And after collapsing, she suffered from a fever and lost an entire month’s worth of memories when she woke up.

‘I must have sustained some internal injury that day.’

Her father would probably know her body’s condition best. At that moment, Aster spoke with guilt.

“It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me….”