BOAD 25

25. I Gave Another Step
It was clear—the object itself wasn’t strange.

The delicately crafted silver bracelet was studded with indigo gemstones, the exact same shade as my eyes. Around the stones were intricate, mysterious patterns engraved in silver.

Objectively speaking, it was beautiful—striking enough to draw anyone’s attention.

I was only thrown off by the cryptic words of the shop owner. The bracelet itself couldn’t really be blamed.

I gazed at the bracelet for a moment, then held out my left wrist to Leofric.

“The item did nothing wrong. I’ll try wearing it for a while.”

He smiled at me.

It was the kind of smile one might give to a cute younger sister—or perhaps a surprised amusement at how I, who had just been so suspicious, changed my tone so easily.

That smile, so openly expressive, tickled something in my chest. I turned my eyes away and nodded lightly.

“Maybe if I wear it long enough, I’ll come to understand the meaning behind those strange words.”

“Do you mean the part about you being blessed by magic?”

“And also… the part about meeting someone like me.”

To be honest, what bothered me more wasn’t being called a “beneficiary of magic,” but the implication that I might meet “someone like me.”

I had come back in time.

So maybe—just maybe—someone else had come back in time too.

What else could “someone like me” possibly mean?

If someone had used magic to rewind time, and I wasn’t the only one who had returned…

I gently ran my fingers over the bracelet Leofric had put on my wrist.

“Do you feel anything from it?” he asked softly.

It would be odd if I did. I’d never even heard the word “magic” used seriously in my life.

And then I realized something.

Leofric, unlike me, might be able to sense or wield magic.

“…How much do you know about magic, Leo?”

“Hmm. Nothing grand, really.”

In truth, when it came to “someone like me” or “beneficiary of magic,” there was no one easier to suspect than Leofric.

Before the regression, he was legally the closest person to me. And as a member of the royal family, he had deep ties to magic.

If someone had used magic on me, wouldn’t he be the most likely suspect?

Realizing this made his strange post-regression behavior feel suddenly threatening.

But when I tossed him the question, Leofric responded lightly, with no hint of suspicion on his face.

“Magic is more like a legend now. I only know what’s commonly said. Even in the royal library, all the records on magic are gone—only mentions remain.”

Then he added a teasing smile, “Suddenly curious about magic?”

With that kind of smile, I couldn’t push further.

I awkwardly laughed it off and mumbled that I was just curious.

I’ll have to ask Betty to look into whether any old records still exist.

Trying to change the subject, I quickly started walking.

“Let’s get going. We’ve been delayed more than I thought.”

“Yes, it’s getting dark. Let’s hurry a bit.”

As I took a step, he moved with me—matching my pace, in the same direction.

It was a small gesture, but for some reason, it stirred something inside me.

Even though I should still be on guard, once again—I gave him another step closer.

*

The festival was delightful.

Crowds of people, colorful sights, delicious food, and brilliant fireworks.

Even though we had promised to return before it got dark, Leofric and I found ourselves lingering longer, drawn in by the vibrant festivities.

One hour passed. Then two.

We were just about to leave when we heard the murmurs—fireworks were starting soon. We decided to stay and watch.

With our hands tightly clasped so we wouldn’t get separated, and the bracelet jingling on my wrist, we merged into the sea of people.

“My lady, are you alright?” Betty asked from behind, worried I might be tired.

Strangely enough, I wasn’t.

Maybe it was because Leofric had held my hand the whole time, adjusting his pace so I wouldn’t get tired. Or maybe it was because of the new shoes he bought me, worried I’d be uncomfortable walking.

Or maybe—it was simply because, for the first time ever, I was enjoying a festival I’d never properly experienced before my regression.

I smiled at Betty to reassure her.

Then, gently pulled forward by Leofric, I moved closer to the front.

“They say the fireworks will start from that direction, Mela.”

By the time we reached the front, the crowd was so thick we couldn’t move any further.

I tugged on Leofric’s hand and shook my head.

“We don’t need to go closer. We’d have to crane our necks anyway.”

“Are you sure? The view might be better up front.”

“This is good enough.”

When I smiled, so did he.

“Then let’s stay here,” he said, stepping behind me.

“Leo?”

“Ah. People keep pushing from behind. I wouldn’t want you to fall.”

When I looked back at him in confusion, he smiled and gently wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

As if to say, “Don’t worry. I’m right here.”

…And strangely, it didn’t feel awkward at all.

“Speaking of which… Betty’s gone.”

Realizing that suddenly felt more jarring than expected, so I changed the subject.

“Sir Cedric was looking after her earlier. No need to worry.”

“That’s a relief. There are so many people…”

“We’re to meet at the street entrance after the fireworks. Don’t worry.”

He patted my shoulder gently, sensing my concern.

I just nodded and turned my gaze forward.

If I talked to him any more, I might truly get swept away by this little act.

Thankfully, the chatter of people nearby gave me something else to focus on.

“It’s been ages since we’ve had something like this!”

“Right? We couldn’t even dream of it before. All thanks to the new lord!”

“Seriously. The last lord saved so much money, and now it’s being used like this—what a blessing.”

“Saving is great and all, but you need moments like this too! Anyway, let’s just enjoy today!”

A few men, who looked like villagers, were chatting excitedly.

Though it was hard to hear clearly in the crowd, it seemed the former lord had been frugal, and the current lord was wisely using the saved funds.

Who was the previous Lord of Waynes again…?

As I tried to recall, a low voice spoke behind me.

“I think we should look into the current Lord of Waynes when we return.”

“The current one? Not the previous?”

Leofric chuckled at my question.

But wasn’t the problem with the previous lord?

Besides, hadn’t Leofric already met the current lord in person?

“They say the previous lord saved up funds, so even if the festival wasn’t extravagant, he left a decent sum. Now the new lord is spending it.”

So what’s the issue?

I looked at him, puzzled.

“But if I remember correctly, the taxes reported from Waynes have actually decreased compared to before.”

“Didn’t they say all the businesses and merchant groups pay taxes properly there? Unless something changed, the tax income should be consistent…”

“Exactly, Mela. That’s why we need to look into it.”

His voice was calm, with a light smile.

I was still processing it when—

Swoosh! Boom!

The air cracked with a sudden sound.

“It’s starting!”

As someone shouted with excitement, the fireworks exploded in the sky—burst after burst in vibrant color.

Red, blue, yellow, green…

People gasped in awe from every direction.

It was my first time seeing something like this so close. Without realizing it, I let out a soft exclamation.

The fireworks boomed across the sky, yet everyone watched with smiles and anticipation.

It was beautiful to witness their joy.

As I alternated between watching the sky and the crowd, a gentle touch on my back made me freeze.

“…Leo?”

“I’ll do better from now on.”

He whispered, pressing his face to my shoulder so I couldn’t turn.

What…?

“I promise to show you only good things, Amelia. I’ll do everything I can to make you happy.”

“Wait—what are you—”

“Just let me do this, Amelia.”

I was too startled to answer. He continued, his voice warm and sincere.

He said he just felt like saying it. That watching something so beautiful made him want to tell me those words.

As I stood there, listening to the earnest voice behind me, my heart fluttered.

The fireworks and noise seemed to fade away.

I could only feel the heat trailing from his breath along my shoulder to my neck.

I quickly averted my gaze.

Maybe if I looked somewhere else, the fluttering in my chest would go away.

But then—why is he here?

At the edge of my gaze, I saw someone—a face that struck me with an eerie sense of déjà vu.

Far away, but within view, a man stood still.

His expression was full of sorrow, regret, and something mournful.

It was far too reminiscent of my wedding day not long ago.

“…Mela?”

I froze, forgetting that Leofric was still behind me.

But nothing had changed from that day.

Leofric was still by my side. The other man remained far away, never reaching out his hand.

Just watching.

As he always had.

Lloyd Alois.

“…It’s nothing. Shall we head back now?”

So, as I had resolved—I acted.

I looked away from Lloyd and took Leofric’s hand.

And just like at our wedding, I walked right past his gaze.

As if to firmly declare that there was nothing left between us.