* * *

Karl’s carriage was wider and sturdier than Lumiere’s.

Although small windows were open on all sides, they were too small to let in much sunlight. Instead, they effectively blocked the outside view, making the carriage feel more like an indoor space.

Moreover, the cushions and curtains decorating the inside of the carriage were luxurious, adding a peculiar sense of intimidation.

“…Hmm. It’s definitely not a cute carriage.”

At her brief comment, Karl responded with an amused smile.

“Do you prefer cute carriages?”

“No, not really… But it does suit its owner well.”

“I’ve been told I can be quite cute myself.”

“By whom?”

When she asked in disbelief, he nodded toward her with a grin.

Lies? Did I say that?

“…Are you joking?”

Karl just laughed at her serious question.

What? Did I really say that?

Was I blind?

* * *

The carriage moved quietly and swiftly. The wheels must have been of high quality, as there was hardly any jostling.

A light silence settled in the carriage.

Karl, seemingly accustomed to it, crossed his long legs and leaned loosely against the back of the carriage, watching her. She pretended not to notice his gaze for a while, but when she could no longer ignore the intense stare, she finally spoke.

“How is your tinnitus?”

“Thanks to you, it’s a bit better.”

“That’s a relief. So, you’ll be leaving now?”

A low chuckle echoed in the dim carriage.

“You’re so bluntly trying to get rid of me that it hurts my feelings.”

He pretended to clutch his heart, furrowing his brows playfully. His face was so handsome that even a slight frown tugged at one’s heartstrings.

It made one think, ‘How much pain must he be in to look like that?’

‘I must be crazy. What am I thinking, Lumiere Lashantia? Get a grip.’

She almost got swept away again. She couldn’t let herself be swayed by those bewitching eyes and smooth words.

She had felt sorry for him, unable to sleep, and had offered him half the bed, but she couldn’t continue living with Karl like this.

She was too concerned about him to leave it at that. Just seeing him smile made her unreasonably soft-hearted.

No. It would be fortunate if he just smiled.

She didn’t want to see him fainting while standing, like yesterday.

“Even if I lie quietly on one side of the bed, I still bother you?”

“Yes. You bother me a lot.”

“Why?”

“…Are you seriously asking that?”

“No, I’m genuinely curious. Can’t you just think of me as a pillow? Besides, I’m a patient, powerless. Look, I don’t have any strength.”

Oh, this man is talking nonsense with that pretty face again?

Lumiere scoffed and glared at him.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Just because you hear a bit better and didn’t sleep well doesn’t make you a patient. And where in the world is there such a big, burly pillow? And who knows what this big, burly pillow might do?”

At her firm words, Karl feigned a hurt expression.

“Do you see me as such a scumbag?”

“……”

“Well, in some aspects, I might be that kind of scumbag…”

At his words, Lumiere’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

“I’m joking.”

…No, it didn’t sound like a joke.

Lumiere was slightly curious about which aspects made him a scumbag but wisely let it go.

“…It’s just. Just lying next to you makes me uncomfortable. I keep getting conscious and aware.”

At her muttering, Karl’s expression subtly changed.

“Do I bother you and make you conscious? So much that you can’t sleep?”

“Yes. Very much so. You bother me a lot.”

At her answer, Karl quietly laughed.

“…I see.”

How strange.

Why does he look happy when I say he bothers me?

…Is he a pervert?

Karl, smiling quietly, let out a small sigh and moistened his dry lips.

His red tongue brushed against his lower lip, then swept the inside of his cheek. It was a strangely thirsty expression, and seeing it made her feel oddly hot. Her neck felt warm, like someone thrown under the scorching sun.

Feeling hot just from looking at someone’s lips.

‘…What? Am I a pervert too?’

Lumiere quickly spoke to shake off the rising heat.

“If you really can’t sleep, I’ll let you for a day or two. But you can’t keep doing it. If we lose our senses, it’ll be a big problem.”

“A big problem?”

“Why are you asking? You know what I mean.”

What else could happen when a grown man and woman share a bed?

“Well, is there any reason that’s a problem?”

“There you go again, talking nonsense with that straight face.”

“Why? If we both like each other and something happens, what’s the big deal?”

…That’s true, but.

“The problem is when it happens without the other’s consent, right?”

Of course, that’s true too, but…

“So, if we both want it, it’s not a problem, right?”

“…Are you saying I’d want that?”

“You’re pushing me away because you’re afraid you might want it. Isn’t that right?”

…Scary.

Too accurate.

Creepy.

Seeing Lumiere’s eyes waver transparently, Karl couldn’t help but swallow his laughter.

This side of her was the same before and after she lost her memory.

Honest, cute, and lovely Lumiere.

Lumiere, lost in thought for a moment, suddenly snapped out of it and glared at him.

“D-Don’t talk nonsense! No means no. And I told you not to push me too hard last night!”

“Oh, right. That. Yes… that.”

Karl, as if remembering something, spoke up.

“I have something to say about that.”

Oh, right. He did say he had something to say.

“What is it?”

“Well, first, let’s talk about this.”

Leaning against the window, he adjusted his posture.

His demeanor completely changed from the playful one earlier, and Lumiere straightened her back as well.

“Losing our memories as lovers is a big deal, but there’s another issue between us. We need to address it.”

“Issue?”

For a moment, Lumiere felt scared.

Could it be some kind of debt issue?

“Last year, I entrusted you with something. Something very important to me. Do you remember anything about it?”

Fortunately, it wasn’t a debt issue. But that didn’t mean it was good news.

‘Something very important to him…’

Confused, Lumiere furrowed her brow, trying to remember, but of course, nothing came to mind.

Throb—

Trying to recall brought on a headache.

Lumiere pressed her temples and shook her head.

“No. I’m sorry. I don’t remember anything. How important is it?”

“It’s just a family heirloom. Even if it’s not needed right now, it will be soon.”

“A family heirloom… You entrusted something that important to someone else?”

Lumiere raised her voice in surprise.

Usually, ‘family heirloom’ referred to something passed down through generations or the head of the family’s belongings.

“I had to leave it with someone I trusted more than anyone else.”

And he was saying that someone was her.

Lumiere felt a throbbing pain.

Not in her head, but in her chest.

She clenched her fist tightly to calm her wildly beating heart.

“…I don’t know. How could I have known I’d lose my memory? No! How could you entrust something so important to your lover just like that?”

“Is there anyone more trustworthy than someone you love?”

“……”

“Of course, it was a bit shocking when that loved one suddenly broke up with me out of the blue… Why? Why did you suddenly break up with me, Lumiere?”

…How would I know!

Lumiere barely suppressed the urge to yell, pressing her forehead.

“Anyway, I might need it soon. So let’s start by trying to remember where it is. That’s where we begin.”

His voice changed.

He looked at her with a calm face, completely different from his playful demeanor earlier.

Meeting his steady golden eyes sent chills down her spine.

The prickling sensation was akin to a shiver.

Lumiere asked in return, as if urging him to explain further.

“What do you mean by begin?”

“Your memories related to me but unknown to me. We should start collecting those memories.”

“……”

“If, after regaining your memories, you still don’t want me…”

Karl took a small breath.

With a somewhat tense face, uncharacteristic of him, he spoke resolutely.

“Then I will step back.”

His expression showed no hesitation.

Only his hand, clenched so tightly that the veins stood out, betrayed his tension.

“I promise I will disappear from your life.”