~Chapter 47~
“To reach our destination, we still have a long way to go if we run… but would you prefer to go straight to the duke’s house?”
“No.”
“That’s right? I thought you’d be hungry.”
He reached out his hand.
“Let’s go. They say the meal is already prepared.”
Armin led me to a restaurant in the city center.
The streets were crowded with people wandering, but inside the restaurant was quiet. Royal knights stood at the entrance, so it seemed they had secured the place for protection.
“Our restaurant is honored by your visit.”
The manager led us to a table on the third floor. He said it was the best view in the restaurant.
Sitting down, I could see the busy main street below.
I watched the crowd moving and gathering while food started to be placed on the table.
Even I, who did not know fine food well, could see it was quite luxurious. I felt awe, wondering if I could really eat this.
“I’m sorry, Bella.”
I hesitated for a long time in front of the dishes, but those unexpected words made my eyes widen.
“I came because they said this restaurant was run by the most famous chef in the city… but it seems it’s not enough to satisfy Bella.”
“What?”
“Oh.”
Armin suddenly exclaimed as if realizing something late.
“Even this obvious fact has now become a memory only I know. Because Bella doesn’t remember anything.”
“Uh… sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. It’s my lack of consideration.”
Armin sighed deeply, troubled, then forced a smile and straightened his posture.
“Now I explain: Bella liked to eat full meals at every meal.”
…Me?
No matter how much I thought, it was the first time I’d heard that.
“I guess I must have lived a very luxurious life.”
“Yes. One more thing I almost forgot: Bella also liked when I served her meals.”
“…What?”
That’s way too made up.
As I was stunned, a spoon touched under my chin. Armin had taken a big spoonful of soup and brought it to my mouth.
“Do you want to try?”
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who found this ridiculous.
“He dropped his sword.”
I stood stiffly, pointing to a knight with a strange expression.
“Go away, Beryl.”
Armin didn’t even check who he was.
“He’s always clumsy, so don’t mind him.”
“I see.”
No way to escape. I obediently ate the food, and his face lit up with a smile.
“Is it to your taste?”
“Yes, it’s de-delicious…”
It was strange that I could taste the food even though it felt like it went in through my nose or ears.
“That’s a relief.”
Armin scooped up more soup.
“Should I bring the chef to our home?”
“Huh?”
“It seems you like the food here.”
“There’s no need for that… and shouldn’t we ask the chef’s opinion too?”
Armin was silent.
Worried I might have offended him, I looked at him carefully, but his smile deepened.
“Truly, Bella is kind. Even if she lost her memories, her essence remains.”
“Is that so…? Ah, I want to eat myself.”
This was too much pressure. Whatever I had done in the past, I didn’t know.
While rambling excuses, I kept watching him.
“If that’s easier for you, then do it, Bella.”
Luckily, he didn’t get angry.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I breathed a sigh of relief as the spoon was taken away.
I didn’t know this was just the beginning, foolishly.
When awake, she was like a wary cat, alert to everything around her. But before long, she fell into a deep sleep and didn’t open her eyes.
Armin saw her head wobbling in the air and pulled it toward himself. When her head hit a hard place, Bella’s eyes briefly opened.
“Sleep more.”
He gently patted her shoulder, and she soon fell asleep again.
She seemed unaware she was resting on Armin’s thigh.
‘So cute.’
Her lips twitched in a triangle shape like she was dreaming.
Armin brushed back her hair and quietly looked at her face.
“…”
When he heard that Bella had jumped off a cliff two years ago, he thought as long as she lived, that was enough.
When he searched for her, he hoped for a chance to repay what he had received.
But now that he had her back,
He realized what he truly wanted.
‘An engagement… it’s ridiculous.’
He had dozens of ways to keep her, but he chose a lie purely out of desire.
He wanted to hold this moment forever.
‘Even knowing Bella’s memory might return tomorrow.’
He was still watching.
Not even daring to move his legs or take a deep breath, afraid she would wake.
Knock knock.
“Your Highness.”
The carriage slowed, and Beryl knocked on the door.
“I have a report—”
“Be quiet, Beryl.”
Beryl, who had opened the carriage door, froze seeing Bella fast asleep.
The silence was brief. With a knowing smile, Beryl lowered his voice.
“You’re lucky, aren’t you?”
“Don’t be sarcastic.”
“I meant it kindly.”
Armin stared at him silently. Beryl quietly looked away, remembering how wild Armin was on the battlefield.
“Give your report.”
“Very well.”
Beryl adjusted the papers he was holding.
“There has been a rebellion in Reyma. They requested support—”
“Tell them we’re on honeymoon and can’t.”
“…Are you serious?”
Beryl laughed hollowly but saw Armin’s serious face.
‘He really means it.’
“Anything else?”
“This is news from shadows left in the Rohilton family. The Count of Rohilton has been meeting the Marquis of Radon frequently.”
“What’s the purpose?”
“Obvious. They’re looking for an escape route.”
Beryl chuckled.
Armin hated the Count of Rohilton but didn’t kill or punish him.
If he punished the head of the family, it would shake the noble house. The count had to be protected until Bella could inherit.
But he kept a watcher on the Count.
And as expected, the Count was up to nonsense.
“Ridiculous.”
The Marquis of Radon was related to the royal family and was known to be friendly with the Emperor.
He seemed to plan to plead his situation under the duke’s control to the Emperor.
‘No chance.’
The Marquis was only distantly related; his friendship with the Emperor was shallow.
He didn’t have the power to meet the Emperor privately. The Count was dreaming.
“What shall we do? Stop it?”
“Wasting time. No need to interfere. Leave it.”
Soon he would realize the Marquis was useless.
No need to hurry that realization.
“Understood.”
Beryl nodded and asked again.
“So no expeditions for a while?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. I’ll report that.”
“Yes… Ah.”
Armin called Beryl.
“Is the bedroom for Bella ready?”
“Yes. As you said, we’ve prepared the next room to yours.”
“Good. Well done.”
Beryl hesitated closing the carriage door.
It was the first time he heard praise from Armin.
“Y-yes…”
Though brief, the praise made Beryl feel happy and a bit awkward.
He smiled sheepishly and shut the door.
Beryl once thought Armin’s obsession was just obsession.
But now that Bella was found,
He realized it could be hope.
For two years, Armin had fought daily on battlefields.
People might say he loved killing.
But the truth was known only to a few, including Beryl.
Armin had insomnia and tried to solve his problems by overworking his body.
He used harsh battlefields as sleeping medicine.
Beryl had been to the front lines many times.
He never got used to the dead bodies and screams.
But now, no need to go there anymore.
‘Maybe change is about to begin.’
He glanced at the carriage.
Not sure what the captured person thought.
‘I hope this peace lasts long.’
He prayed never to smell blood again.
“Still sleepy?”
“……”
“Bella?”
“Ugh……”
“I guess you really are still sleepy.”
It felt like being in warm water, pleasant and drowsy.
I frowned at the annoying sound, and my body floated lightly.
Then I felt cold air stealing my warmth.
I moved closer to the warmth, hearing a chuckle.
“If you act that cute, I don’t want to go to bed early.”
Armin.
I suddenly opened my eyes and met Armin’s gaze.
