Side Story ~ 11
The poor doctor had to return once more.
There was nothing new to add to his previous diagnosis. The doctor concluded that Lexion was suffering from temporary amnesia due to shock. To be precise, his mind had “reverted to a specific period.”
It was that time.
The time after he had seen Sereniel at the debutante ball, during the long period when he was constantly at war. A time when the Duke of Rosevester and Royden were still alive but he had lost his mother. A time when he was treated like a parasite.
The doctor had assured them that “it will last at most a week,” but he emphasized the need for absolute rest. He also advised them to call him again if the condition worsened.
“Of all times to go back, why that time?”
Ernest, who was sitting at the table, muttered incredulously.
“Not the best of times, but the worst. What kind of twisted fate is this?”
The only person who had met the now-conscious Lexion was Sereniel.
This was Sereniel’s decision, believing that it would be unwise to expose Lexion, who had reverted to the past, to Ernest and Elsie in the current situation.
“So, Dad… he’s forgotten all about Elsie?”
“Elsie…”
“Because he got hurt because of me? So he hates me now?”
Elsie whimpered.
“No, Elsie. Daddy just needs a little rest.”
“…….”
“And Daddy would never hate you. That’s impossible. He loves you so much, right?”
“Miss, sometimes I can’t remember if your fairy tale book is in the study or the dining room, right?”
Vain chimed in.
“The Master is the same. He’s just not feeling well. He’ll get better in a few days.”
“But you said that’s because you’re old.”
“…….”
“My dad isn’t old…”
It was a somewhat logical statement.
“I’ll take care of her.”
Ernest, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, stood up.
“But I want to stay with Daddy? I need to see him wake up…”
“You heard what I said. Your father is sick. Let him rest.”
“But…”
“If you stay here, it might take him longer to get better. Do you understand?”
Elsie looked downcast.
“Since it’s come to this, have fun at Grandpa’s house. We can go see the falling leaves together.”
Ernest comforted Elsie as he held her in his arms.
“Thank you. Please take good care of Elsie. It won’t take long. The doctor said so…”
“I don’t mind if it takes long, but when he wakes up, make sure to tell him this.”
“What?”
“Tell him he could have been in much worse shape if it weren’t for me, and the doctor too. Got it?”
In other words, he wanted to use this opportunity to boast to Lexion.
“Yes, I’ll make sure to tell him. That you called the doctor and took care of Elsie.”
“Good, that’s settled then.”
Satisfied with Sereniel’s promise, Ernest held onto Elsie’s small hand.
“When Daddy gets better… make sure to tell me right away, okay?”
“Of course. I’ll send someone immediately.”
Sereniel gently stroked Elsie’s head as she spoke.
“Don’t cause any trouble, Elsie, okay? Eat your meals without making a fuss, listen to Grandpa’s words carefully…”
“Kids always cause trouble and don’t listen, don’t worry about it,” Ernest shrugged, showing no hesitation as he started to leave with Elsie.
Unfortunately, Elsie could only cast a slightly sad look back several times, but sadly, there was nothing she could do for Elsie right now.
With Ernest and Elsie gone, a heavy silence settled among Sereniel, Kina, and Vain.
“What should we do?” Kina was the first to break the silence.
“It’s probably just as confusing for us to see Madam alone like this… um…”
“We can’t just leave Madam alone here,” Vain muttered awkwardly.
“For now, I’ll try talking to Lexion.”
If Lexion’s memories were stuck in that time period, the only person he might remember in this mansion would be Sereniel. So, it had to be her who took the first step.
“Sigh…”
Unexpectedly, Sereniel took a slightly nervous deep breath.
“I never thought something like this could happen…”
Of course, she now knew that Lexion had come to the Rosenvester mansion every day covered in blood and secretly watched her during difficult times.
Sometimes she thought about what it would be like to hold the Lexion of that time in her arms just once. Yes, just like the dream she had then.
But now that this situation had actually arisen, she couldn’t help but feel bewildered.
[“Sereniel Verdellete. Why are you… here with me?”]
Thinking back to the puzzled look in Lexion’s eyes when he said that, Sereniel cautiously began to walk towards the bedroom.
Where should she start explaining and how should she do it?
And then, unexpectedly, Sereniel faced a dilemma she hadn’t anticipated.
“…”
Standing in front of the bedroom, Sereniel hesitated for a moment instead of knocking.
What should she call Lexion?
It’s comfortable to call him by his name now, but that change only occurred after they got married.
First, she needed to go inside and explain the situation, but if she suddenly called him familiarly…
Lost in thought, Sereniel took a deep breath while knocking.
“Lord Lexion, may I come in?”
Slowly opening the door, she saw the dimly lit bedroom.
And there was Lexion, sitting motionless on the bed.
“…”
Without moving much, the faint moonlight fell on Lexion’s pale cheeks as if pinned down.
Even though she had seen his face every day, the Lexion in front of her now felt somewhat distant. So, it really felt like he had returned to that unfamiliar time.
What could he be thinking about now?
“You address me as Lord,” and the first time Lexion had moved his dry lips, it was well after Sereniel had entered the room.
“Also, both you and the doctor who came earlier.”
“…”
“What am I forgetting?”
Lexion only knew a very brief account of his situation. He had an accident and lost his memory.
Upon waking up, instead of explaining everything right away, it was better to stabilize him a little more according to the doctor’s judgment.
But…
Lexion’s black eyes were filled with confusion as he looked at Sereniel. It was something that could potentially be managed with sedatives and inducing sleep, as the doctor suggested, but Sereniel didn’t want that.
Sereniel slowly withdrew her steps. Then, sitting beside Lexion, she cautiously began to speak.
“You’ve become a duke.”
“…”
“The head of the Rosenvester family.”
Lexion didn’t respond at all. He just stared into space with a subtly rigid expression.
She knew why he was like this.
“The previous duke and Royden… they passed away.”
“…Did I… ultimately kill them?”
“No.”
Shaking her head gently, Sereniel reassured him in a tender voice.
“The previous duke succumbed to illness, and Royden was executed. They committed great crimes. You weren’t responsible for that. So…”
“…”
“You can rest peacefully, really.”
Even after providing the answers he sought, Lexion’s eyes still showed profound confusion. He remained silent for a long while, then slowly turned his gaze. Then, looking at Sereniel cautiously, he spoke.
“And what about you?”
It was a very careful question.
“Why are you here?”
“…”
“You… don’t know me.”
Lexion was watching her closely.
Sereniel easily understood the reason why. Lexion’s memories of her were stuck around the time of their debut.
He had forgotten meeting her again and forming a bond with her, everything from how he had loved her every day, visiting her at the Rosenvester mansion to secretly watch over her. All those stories between them were things she didn’t want to mention.
“For example, Belles, Calian… those petty stories about approaching me for revenge against Leraie…”
“No, I do know.”
So Sereniel decided to say what she wanted to say to Lexion, who had returned to that time alone.
“We met at the debutante ball.”
Lexion paused significantly.
“The time I spent together with the duke that day was so enjoyable that I remembered it always.”
“…”
“And naturally, I know. You’re my husband.”
“…What?”
Lexion’s expression…
Seemed like someone who had just been struck on the back of the head with a mallet.
It was a face she had never seen before.
“If that weren’t the case, how could I possibly be here? Duke.”
“…”
“You didn’t notice earlier? My complexion turned ashen.”
Lexion seemed to be losing his mind, remaining silent for a while with a vacant expression.
Sereniel resolved to wait patiently for whatever he would say next.
“…I… you…”
And after a long time, Lexion finally spoke in a fading voice.
“You… my wife…”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“We… got married…”
Seeing Lexion’s bewilderment, Sereniel looked at him with a worried expression.
And not long after…
Lexion uttered something completely unexpected to Sereniel.
“…A dreadful nightmare.”
