Erin never doubted for a moment.
No matter how much memory was lost, there were things that could never be forgotten.
The time spent together over the past decade was still there, engraved in Aiden’s body, his instincts, his heart.
“So if you can’t remember right now, try to recall with your body first.”
“……”
“You’ll eventually get your memory back.”
Erin said confidently.
At that, Aiden was flustered but couldn’t bring himself to push Erin away.
Somewhere his heart seemed to beat faster.
“……Why are you so sure?”
Aiden managed to ask with difficulty.
“Because.”
Erin’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“If only I remember the memories between us.”
Erin continued with significance.
“You’ll definitely be jealous.”
As if he heard something absurd, Aiden’s eyebrows rose in annoyance.
“You’ll try to get your memories back by any means.”
Erin smiled with confidence.
She was sure it would happen.
Maybe others wouldn’t know, but Erin could tell.
Those memories were all shining fragments. Each moment too precious to lose.
So no matter what happens in the future, Erin wouldn’t be shaken.
“But until then, I’ll keep them safe.”
Our memories. That’s definitely what Erin was saying.
To Aiden, who had lost his memory, it seemed like grasping at straws.
But strangely enough, even though it must have been nonsense, Aiden’s heart was unsettled.
“See you tomorrow.”
Erin smiled meaningfully with her eyes and then turned around to leave.
“……”
Aiden stood there dazed for a long time.
He was still puzzled about what had just happened.
Just who is this woman who claims to be my wife?
That was the only question on Aiden’s mind.
Yet, the unease in Aiden lingered on into the night.
It just wouldn’t leave his mind and was nagging at him.
‘Why am I doing this?’
Suddenly she had poured out these incomprehensible words unilaterally and left.
He should feel absurd and annoyed, yet…
‘Why don’t I feel upset?’
He was definitely perplexed and taken aback.
And strangely, his heartbeat felt as loud as if it was right next to him.
An unknown and inexplicable emotion swirled within him.
***
And Erin was not one to speak idly.
The next day, she sought out Aiden early in the morning.
With a bright smile, she said,
“We need to have breakfast.”
“…?”
“Surely you haven’t forgotten that, too. Families have breakfast together.”
“…”
Breakfast. It was a rule that had been followed since childhood.
Erin was emphasizing this fact, insisting upon it with Aiden.
Aiden, having that memory, agreed to her words.
Before he knew it, he was up and following Erin.
As soon as they entered the dining room, Erin sat down at the table first and gestured for Aiden to join her.
“Come, join me.”
Aiden sat across from her, slightly bemused.
“Even if it feels awkward and uncomfortable, spend just this time of day with me.”
Throughout the meal, Erin initiated conversation with Aiden.
“We’ve already shared 10 years together.”
“Are you not curious about those times?”
“…”
Aiden’s lips did not move.
“If you have something you’re curious about, ask anything. Even if you have doubts about me, I’ll do my best to answer.”
“Anyway, I can’t trust everything you say.”
Aiden spoke deliberately coldly.
“Whether you choose to believe or not is up to you, Aiden. But listening once wouldn’t hurt, would it?”
Yet Erin spoke without any concern.
“Promise me just one thing instead.”
“What promise?”
“Even if you find your memories later on, you must not blame yourself.”
“…?”
Aiden could not grasp her intentions and merely stared blankly.
Erin continued her words quietly.
“This moment right now is just a single piece for us.”
Erin’s voice was decidedly earnest.
“We can joke and have fun together eventually.”
That singular worry was what Erin harbored.
Erin was worried that Aiden, upon retrieving his memory, might suffer recalling this moment.
“Do you always have so much confidence in yourself?”
“I generally do have quite a bit of confidence.”
Erin nodded her head without hesitation.
However, as if to say that wasn’t all, her gaze turned towards Aiden.
“But this has nothing to do with my disposition.”
“…?”
Aiden thought Erin was going to retort in annoyance to his comment.
Instead, Erin looked at Aiden with a look full of affection and a smile tugged at her lips.
“The reason I believe so much is solely because of you, Aiden.”
Aiden furrowed his brows at her incomprehensible words.
Despite knowing what his reaction might indicate, Erin continued speaking.
“You’ve shown me, time and time again. You’re unwavering, you’ve proven you won’t change no matter what happens.”
Even after realizing her feelings for Aiden, Erin had her doubts.
But Aiden had always been consistent.
That was a fact he realized after he had lost his memory.
Aiden was showing Erin, with his entire being, that his trust in her went beyond merely liking each other; it was unchanging and solid.
So now, it was Erin’s turn to show the same to Aiden.
Even if Aiden had no memory and whatever situation arose, Erin would not be shaken.
At her confident statement, Aiden’s eyes wavered.
“But I don’t want to wait too long.”
“…”
“We need to work hard to regain the memory.”
Erin, with a faint smile, picked up her fork.
Today’s menu was trout steak, Erin’s favorite.
As she was about to take a delicious bite, Erin suddenly frowned.
Then, she put down her fork.
“What’s the matter? Is there something wrong with the food?”
Mona, who had been watching from the side, asked with concern. Aiden also flinched and looked on anxiously.
“…No, that’s not it.”
Erin grimaced as if holding something back, then covered her mouth with her hand.
“I think I should stop eating for today.”
Then Erin suddenly rose to her feet.
“Sorry. Let’s definitely do this together tomorrow.”
Erin spoke forcefully, trying to sound cheerful as she began to walk away.
Aiden was bewildered and considered calling after her, but Erin had already left her seat.
‘Her face seemed off just now.’
Despite trying not to notice, Aiden’s gaze repeatedly shifted towards the door through which Erin had exited.
***
Mona entered with the boutique madame.
“It’s a medicine that helps you feel better when you’re nauseous.”
It was something Mona had brought after seeing her condition at breakfast.
“Thanks, but I’m alright. I’m feeling much better already.”
“Even so, you still look pale.”
“Really, I’m fine. More importantly, how is the situation with Gael Zahard?”
Erin pushed the medicine aside and changed the subject.
“There was an attempt to break into the boutique basement.”
“Really?”
Erin’s eyes sparkled.
“Did you catch them?”
“Yes. It was someone from the Diarn Elder’s household.”
Erin’s eyes narrowed.
As she thought. Erin’s suspicion was correct.
“We also obtained a confession from that person.”
The madame showed Erin the confession.
It contained information that the person tried to extract Gael Zahard on the orders of the Diarn Elder.
One corner of Erin’s mouth turned up meaningfully.
***
Erin silently handed the confession to Elder Diarn.
Elder Diarn, clearly flustered after reading the contents, coughed a few times and then put on a brazen face.
He then calmly laid out an excuse to Erin.
“We had no choice in the matter. The most important thing in this incident is Gael Zahard.”
“No choice?”
Erin repeated his words in disbelief.
As she did, he straightened his posture even more and spoke.
“Did not the Duchess herself say she wouldn’t spare family from scrutiny?”
Is this how he’s playing it? Erin’s face grew colder by the second.
“Then why have you hidden Gael Zahard so thoroughly?”
“……”
“We will have to see with our own eyes to believe.”
It was just when Erin was about to speak with a disgusted glare at Elder Diarn.
“There is something urgent I must report. Gael Zahard has regained consciousness…!”
He was said to have slim chances of waking again, but in the end, he opened his eyes.
Erin’s gaze sharpened.
“Good timing. Bring him here to me.”
Elder Diarn twisted his mouth sourly.
“Why not verify it yourself?”
Erin frowned.
Elder Diarn raised his voice, becoming more assertive.
Whether they wanted to claim their innocence with such an act or they truly had something reliable to fall back on.
“Wouldn’t it be most conclusive if he confessed in front of everyone?”
Elder Diarn said to Erin.
Erin hesitated for a moment.
According to her plan, it was necessary for Erin to meet Gael first.
She wanted to check on his condition and hear his confession before anyone else.
However, if Erin refused here, it would seem as though she had ulterior motives.
“There’s no helping it.”
Erin gestured with her eyes towards the madam.
“Bring him here.”
