This is a Romance Fantasy (4)
She had intended to tell Iriel about Zeke's memory loss from the very beginning.
The reason Selena spoke first was simple.
'I don't want to regret hiding my cards and keeping them under wraps when the Instructor could die at any moment.'
Iriel wants to protect Zeke.
Knowing her feelings, Selena hoped that Iriel would actively help Zeke.
'Even if Eustia becomes suspicious, if she acts as a buffer in the middle, it will be much easier to secure safety.'
To do that, sharing information was inevitable.
They weren't exactly on good terms; in fact, they were closer to a relationship where they would stab each other in the back.
'For Zeke's sake,' she didn't know how far she could provide unconditional support under that pretense.
However, because of the powerful past they shared as childhood friends,
A burning jealousy welled up, momentarily clouding her judgment.
And there was also the relief she felt when Zeke returned safely.
'But it's me, not you!'
Selena slightly raised her chin, her face full of confidence.
"Hmph."
However, what Selena hadn't considered was Iriel's perspective in accepting this fact.
Iriel's eyes trembled.
She doubted her own ears, wondering if she had heard correctly.
'What is this nonsense!!! Zeke doesn't remember anything!!'
Then, all that time Zeke had been trying to keep his distance and pretend he didn't know her, and even being close to Selena, wasn't for her?
Moreover, was it not a lie to say that all the sacrifices he made for her were all in vain?
She couldn't believe it.
No, she didn't want to believe it.
But,
If it's true.
If that's true.
Why did Zeke treat her like a stranger all this time?
How could he have said such harsh words that he had never uttered before?
Why did he hit her when he had been so careful not to even lay a finger on her?
And even the strange habits that had changed since the past…….
It all made sense.
Iriel met Zeke's eyes.
His gaze was also trembling, as if in confusion.
Was there any affection for her in those eyes?
Was there the warmth she always felt when she was with him?
Was his unwavering conviction to protect her still reflected in them?
Trying to appear composed, Iriel opened her mouth.
"...Zeke, is she telling the truth...? You're lying, right? Please tell me it's a lie."
Squeezing his eyes shut, Zeke nodded.
"What Selena said is true."
Thud.
A large stone fell into Iriel's heart, sending out large ripples.
"No, you don't remember anything...? S-Since when...? Since when have you not remembered!?"
"...The day I was assigned to Ramielli Academy. The day I left the military."
That indifferent expression and blunt tone definitely belonged to Zeke.
He looked as if he would call her "My Lady" and kneel before her at any moment.
Iriel couldn't accept him feeling so unfamiliar.
"H-How……. Then, when you first saw me. You didn't even remember my name...? Or my face...?"
"That's right, I don't remember at all."
"I... I don't want to believe it."
Iriel shook her head slowly from side to side.
"N-No... I don't want to believe it..."
Her fingertips trembled.
"I don't want to believe it!"
To think he doesn't remember anything.
So easily.
So fleetingly.
Our precious memories are gone.
How can he say such a thing so easily?
"Then why, no, why..."
Iriel trailed off, her voice choked with shock.
She couldn't even figure out what she was trying to ask.
Then, Selena's face caught her eye.
Iriel pointed at her with her finger.
"Then what about her! What about saving her!!"
"I ran into her on my way to the academy as an instructor. She was being attacked by goblins. That's when I saved her."
"S-Saved her? You saved her...?"
Selena nodded.
"Yes, that's why I've been serving the Instructor as my benefactor."
"And you forgot what you said about coming to our mansion...?"
"I don't remember."
Iriel felt her breath catch in her chest from the immense shock.
Then she abruptly lifted her head and spoke urgently to Zeke.
"Dagger skills! You taught me how to use daggers! You said I should at least be able to protect myself."
"I don't remember."
"Th-Then the baguette! What about the bread you always carry around!!"
"...Did I like baguettes...?"
She questioned him about the past, starting with the big things and moving on to the small.
However, it only made things more difficult for Zeke.
'Damn it, it's not that I don't remember. It's that it wasn't even me, so how would I know…'
Despair deepened in Iriel's eyes.
"You really… You've forgotten everything…"
Iriel clapped her hands together.
"Th-Then you'll remember this, Zeke. You have to remember this!!"
"Iriel."
Zeke tried to stop her. Continuing this line of questioning was pointless.
Selena also stepped forward.
But Iriel didn't give up.
"Really, just one last question and then I'm done. Zeke. If you really don't remember this..."
Iriel bit her lip.
Sigh—
It was a path they would have had to cross eventually.
As long as he had to be involved with her in the future, he couldn't keep pretending to know her.
Zeke nodded, feeling mentally drained.
"Alright, if that will put your mind at ease."
Iriel spoke cautiously, her voice barely a whisper.
"The promise you made to me… Do you not even remember that…?"
"..."
As Zeke frowned, she hurriedly added, "Back then, I was a new student at the middle academy, and it was the day before you left."
And so, Iriel, clutching at straws, brought up a precious memory she had never told anyone before.
* * *
"No, not Zeke! Don't take him away!!!"
That day, Iriel had flung open the door to the lord's office and screamed at the top of her lungs.
Don't take Zeke away from me.
However, none of the Eustia adults listened to her.
Instead,
Her father was furious that she had given her heart to such a lowly thing,
And her aunt lectured her for acting unbecoming of a noble lady.
"Iriel Eustia. I am truly disappointed in you. To think you would make such a scene over that boy. You are confined to your room for the next two weeks. Hela, you tell the academy."
Her father sentenced her to house arrest.
A large lock was placed on Iriel's door.
That night.
Iriel secretly climbed through her window at dawn, crossed into the next room, and came out into the hallway.
And then she went back to the basement of the Eustia mansion.
But the boy was gone from Zeke's room, leaving only a desolate and empty space.
"Zeke! Zeke, where are you!"
Iriel searched for him throughout the mansion while everyone was asleep.
But the black-haired boy was nowhere to be found.
She ran out of the mansion without a plan and started looking for Zeke.
"Zeke!!!!"
She didn't even know how far or how long she had been walking.
She just kept moving.
Her throat became hoarse from calling out Zeke's name,
And blisters formed on her delicate skin, making each step painful.
Just then, she heard a group of men muttering behind her.
"Hey, what's with that kid?"
"Ooh, those clothes look expensive."
"Hey, wouldn't we make some money if we sold those?"
"Clothes aside, she's got a pretty face. If we just raise her a bit…"
They whispered amongst themselves as they slowly followed her.
At first, she thought they were just strangers,
But as the men got closer, she could hear their voices more clearly.
'They're going to kidnap me!?'
It was a situation she had never even imagined as the Duchess of Eustia.
Fear made her heart race.
Thump
Thump
Thump
Thump
Thump
Thump
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Her steps gradually quickened.
The men's footsteps also sped up to match hers.
Faster and faster!
Realizing she would be caught if this continued, Iriel broke into a run.
However, there was a clear difference in speed between grown men and a young girl,
And the distance between them kept closing.
Just as their hands were about to grab her hair,
"A bunch of guys ganging up on a little girl. How pathetic. You're all trash."
Suddenly, a man appeared, sword in hand, stepping between Iriel and the men.
Iriel's eyes widened.
'Who is that?'
Whatever the case, now was the time to run again.
Iriel fled without looking back.
She ran and ran.
Until she was out of breath
And her legs couldn't move another inch.
Gasp.
Gasp.
Gasp.
"Zeke… Where are you? How could you leave without even saying goodbye."
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I'm so scared… Zeke."
Iriel no longer knew where she was.
She tried to find her way back to the mansion, but all around her were only dark, shadowy forests and trees.
Then, she heard voices behind her again.
"Huff, huff, damn it, are you alright?"
"Ugh. I got slashed. Damn it. Some weird guy popped out of nowhere."
"He wasn't messing around with that sword. Good call running away."
"We almost got screwed. Huh? What's that!?"
"Isn't that the one we lost? The reason we're in this mess? Let's get her at least."
"Where? You're right!!"
They pointed at Iriel.
Iriel's eyes shook violently as she turned around.
Her teeth chattered,
And her body trembled with fear.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
A face flashed through her mind.
It wasn't her always stern and strict father,
Nor her sharp-eyed, seemingly flawless aunt.
It wasn't even a reliable and strong knight.
Black hair and black eyes.
An expressionless but warm boy.
She opened her mouth and shouted,
"Zeke!!! Help me!!!"
Wham!
In an instant, a figure intervened, pulling Iriel into a tight embrace.
"Uh… uh."
Gasp—
Gasp—
Gasp—
A rough, ragged breathing.
A familiar scent.
A warm and comforting embrace.
Zeke Clayman.
He came to find me.
He looked at my face with worried eyes.
"My Lady, are you hurt? Are you uncomfortable? Are you alright?"
"Zeke…"
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Seeing that Iriel didn't seem to be harmed, Zeke sighed in relief and stroked her hair.
"It's difficult for me to find you if you wander this far."
Zeke took off his cloak and wrapped it around Iriel.
"Please wait here for a moment."
The boy's black eyes flashed with a coldness like a winter blizzard.
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