Episode 101

The procedure was simpler than expected. Standing atop something akin to a magic circle, Yvonne remained still as the Cardinal used his own power to untangle the knotted threads of energy entwined within her.

Yvonne, unable to feel anything yet, stood there quietly but felt a hint of unease. She turned to look at Yurian, seeking reassurance. Noticing this, Yurian met her gaze and smiled brightly.

He understood that her glance was a sign of her uneasiness, that she was leaning on him, even if just a little. And that realization made him smile.

“Don’t worry, Yvonne.”

“…I’m not worried.”

“That’s a relief.”

Of course, Yurian knew she was worried. But if she said she wasn’t, he found no reason to challenge her on it. It wasn’t hard to simply go along with her words.

Watching her lower her gaze and fidget with her fingertips, Yurian found her endearing. The way her violet eyes quivered with unease, the way her hands twitched nervously, and even the slight shift of her legs, as if standing there had become tiresome—it all felt deeply precious to him.

“We’re almost done,” the Cardinal announced.

The Cardinal’s complexion grew paler and paler. Even if it wasn’t for the radiant white light emanating before him, his face was already ghostly pale.

Yvonne felt a strange sense of guilt, as though she was exploiting child labor. Though the Cardinal looked no older than ten on the outside, his true age was that of an elder. She forced herself to remember that he was not only much older but also vastly more capable than her to ease her conscience.

On top of that, Yurian’s steady gaze, which seemed to silently assure her that everything was fine, gradually began to melt away her worries.

“This is…”

“What’s the problem?”

“I’ve undone almost everything I could, but there’s one issue.”

The Cardinal, sweating profusely, now had lips that had turned to a pearly shade.

“It seems I won’t be able to undo everything.”

“Is it because of the hypnotic abilities mixed in?”

“That appears to be the case.”

Yurian had anticipated this. If the ring given by the King of Apentina was passed to her, it would eventually break the spell—though it would take time.

Very slowly.

And only if there was a reason compelling it.

“I’ll undo as much as I can. Even minor hypnotic influences can be removed, so I’ll focus on those.”

“Understood.”

With those words, the Cardinal took a deep breath and extended his arms forward once more, emitting a radiant light. Yvonne listened to their conversation, sinking into a gloomy mood as it dawned on her that more than one person had placed these spells on her.

After quite some time, the ritual finally came to an end.

* * *

“Where am I going?”

“You’re awake?”

“Did I faint?”

“Yes.”

Yvonne had fainted after the ritual, and Yurian was now carrying her as they moved.

“I initially planned to take us straight to my estate.”

“…”

“But they suggested washing with holy water to help your memories fully return.”

“Will that help?”

“Yes.”

Yvonne’s memories had already begun to trickle back, perhaps due to the ritual.

Who she was.
Who Yurian was.
Who had placed her under hypnosis.
And why Marquess Rohaten had done what he did to her.

“Yurian.”

“Yes, Yvonne?”

“Kess isn’t to blame. I was the problem.”

“…Pushing someone off a balcony isn’t exactly blameless.”

Yvonne chose not to explain the fragmented pieces of her and the Marquess’ story that Yurian knew. She didn’t think he would understand even if she did.

“What was the real problem, then?”

As she was about to remain silent, Yurian sensed her hesitation and asked. Since her memories had started to return, he couldn’t help but instinctively use his abilities to observe her smallest changes, as though his every nerve was attuned to her reactions.

“Everything.”

“…Do you mean running away together?”

“Maybe.”

As her memories returned, Yvonne began regretting that decision the most. From the start, she had planned to escape alone. She had prepared by arranging a tranquilizer supplier and securing her personal wealth.

But then the Marquess helped her, Yurian assisted in her escape, and she ended up fleeing with them, swayed by their loyalty and actions.

She knew now that it had been a grave mistake. She had never harbored true affection for Yurian, yet she had foolishly tried to foster it.

Even so, Yvonne couldn’t help but think the Marquess had been foolish as well.

He had only pretended to take her, removing her clothes but never crossing the final line. Perhaps it had been the last shred of sanity he possessed before losing himself.

“Did it mean something to you?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. The Cardinal didn’t manage to undo much, after all.”

Yurian felt relieved at her lie. He wanted to believe it was his chance now.

He committed to memory the expression Yvonne wore when she mentioned the Marquess’ name. It was one filled with sadness and guilt.

Yurian tightened his arms around her as he carried her.

“Yurian.”

“Yes?”

“You look happy.”

“I am.”

Yvonne felt relieved that Yurian wasn’t a mentalist. She didn’t need to worry about him manipulating or controlling her with his abilities.

And, as before, he was always honest with her.

“Why?”

“How could I not be happy? Yvonne is in my arms right now.”

“I don’t remember anything. Don’t you feel the same, Yurian?”

Yurian paused for a moment before resuming his steps. Letting out a deep, overwhelmed sigh, he gazed intently at her.

“Did you know? Even after losing my memories, I couldn’t act rationally whenever I saw you, Yvonne.”

“If nothing else, I do remember Yurian wanting to keep me locked up in the Apentina royal palace.”

“…Let’s talk about that later.”

“Yurian, why are your ears so red?”

Yurian tried to ignore her teasing, but when she playfully flicked his ear with her finger, he froze in place.

“Every time I saw you, my abilities unraveled a little.”

“….”

“When I saw you again here, I thought it was love at first sight.”

“….”

“And when we met a second time in Apentina, it was the same.”

At those words, Yvonne stopped her playful gestures. She felt she shouldn’t tease him any further—he was being far too serious.

“Don’t confess.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t have the bandwidth for that right now.”

“…Are you planning to run away again?”

“If you confess, I just might.”

Yurian couldn’t bear the thought of her running away from him again, so he chose to remain silent instead.

“Don’t like me, Yurian. I don’t feel anything for you.”

“…Yvonne.”

“Yes?”

“You have a habit of licking your lips when you lie. Like you’re doing right now.”

She couldn’t deny his words. She had just licked her lips while speaking to him.

“I’ll wait until you’re ready, Yvonne.”

“You could end up waiting forever. And even if you wait, I might choose someone else.”

Yvonne consciously tried not to lick her lips this time, but by the end of her sentence, she instinctively wetted them again. Yurian, noticing this, simply smiled brightly and said nothing.

“The first time I fell for you was during the Founding Festival.”

“I don’t remember.”

“Body enhancement includes enhanced vision, you know.”

“Oh.”

His shameless comment made Yvonne chuckle despite herself, but she quickly wiped the smile off her face.

“Let’s go. I want to wash up and get some sleep.”

“Understood.”

Carrying her in his arms, Yurian headed toward a fountain filled with holy water.

“Wait, aren’t we going to a bathroom?”

“Bathrooms don’t have holy water, do they?”

“So… you’re saying I should stand under the fountain?”

“Yes.”

Though there was no one else around, Yvonne felt embarrassed at the thought of stepping into a fountain. Playing in a fountain felt oddly improper to her.

“Yvonne?”

Seeing her hesitate in silence, Yurian gently set her down. Even standing on solid ground, her expression remained conflicted. Yurian tried to understand what was troubling her.

She was staring at the fountain.

Was it the idea of standing under a fountain instead of washing in a bathroom? But there was no one else around…

“Shall I join you?”

“Uh, sure…”

Yvonne glanced around again to ensure no one was watching. Somehow, the idea felt less improper if Yurian was with her. She felt a small sense of relief.

“Give me your hand.”

“…Alright.”

As Yurian held out his hand with a smile, Yvonne found his crimson eyes surprisingly reassuring.

“Yurian, thanks fo—ahh!”

“Haha!”

Before she could finish her sentence, Yurian tugged her arm, pulling her into the fountain. She splashed into the water, completely unprepared for how drenched she would get.

Laughter echoed as she sputtered in surprise.

 

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