Chapter 43
The story of Fernandez’s visit to the Sunrise Club spread widely throughout Aryanguard. And with it, the rumor that Fernandez had humiliated those who insulted Titania also spread.
“Doesn’t it seem like the Duke has completely fallen for his new bride?”
“New bride? Isn’t she his old wife?”
“Oh, come on! They’re only now beginning their married life properly. Don’t be so harsh. When you think about it, the Duchess has been truly devoted. She never once looked away and just waited for the Duke all this time, didn’t she?”
“Now that you mention it, you’re right. Has the Duchess ever even stepped outside the mansion properly before?”
“Oh, and that princess has gone back, I heard?”
“It was ridiculous, honestly. What business did she have staying there when the Duchess was already present?”
The noblewomen clicked their tongues in disapproval. The clinking of teacups and saucers rang out all around.
“The Duke of Fernandez is indeed a rare example of a proper young man. I envy the Duchess who managed to capture him.”
“Goodness. What’s wrong with the Duchess herself? I heard she’s the one bringing in the Empire’s wealth, and apparently, she’s unbelievably intelligent.”
Those who had once sided with Ludmila now fell in with the majority, turning their backs on her. Their gazes shifted toward Titania, as if they had been on her side from the very beginning. They looked utterly unfazed.
“Anyway, it really does seem romantic. The Duke truly loves the Duchess…”
“Indeed. Who would’ve thought such love really existed? To even throw a punch for his wife!”
“My word! He threw a punch?”
“Supposedly, yes.”
“But even if so, they’re both knights…”
“Apparently, none of that mattered at all. There was a difference in size, a difference in skill…”
The story of Fernandez and Titania was being dramatized and exaggerated as it spread further and further. Yet all the tales pointed to one conclusion—Fernandez loved his wife!
People’s hearts fluttered at this rare romance that had descended like long-awaited rain.
Titania, pale as porcelain, and Fernandez, brimming with vitality—the perfect pair. Titania, who had spent her years restrained, tending only to her household for her absent husband, and Fernandez, who had rushed to her side, forsaking all else!
In the tales, Fernandez became a great hero, and Titania was—
“The very picture of the ideal wife.”
A woman sitting in a corner curled her lips upward. Across from her, another woman lowered her head as much as possible.
“Madam! Are you really going to stay here? Someone might recognize you!”
“They won’t. No one cares about us.”
Titania replied flatly. She hadn’t intended to eavesdrop like this. She and Sara had arrived first, and only after others gathered did people begin speaking of Titania.
She hadn’t meant to hide, but somehow ended up doing so. Today, Titania had come outside for the first time in ages—
—for a reason.
“Titania.”
It was to meet her old friend. Hanna removed the hat she was wearing and held it in her hands.
“And Sara.”
“It’s been a while, Lady Hanna!”
“You’re just the same, Sara. And you too, Titania.”
Titania shot Hanna a sidelong glance and gave a curt nod. Hanna, long accustomed to her manner, paid it no mind.
“How have you been?”
“I’ve been well! And you, Lady Hanna?”
“I’ve been well too. And you—still as unsociable as ever. Honestly, how’s your married life going like this?”
“She’s doing well.”
“Why did you call me here?”
While Sara and Hanna exchanged pleasantries, Titania suddenly cut in. Hanna shook her head with a helpless smile. Titania had always been this way—by now Hanna was used to it.
“Is that really what you say to a friend you haven’t seen in three years? Honestly…”
Hanna clicked her tongue, then continued.
“The Heavenly Fortress is about to reappear.”
Titania turned to fix Hanna with a direct gaze.
“Not long ago, the Imperial family ordered the creation of an airship. But those useless magicians couldn’t even produce the formulas, so they turned to you. They even wrote directly to the Emperor, whining that they needed Titania.”
“…They’re crossing the line. People should handle their own tasks instead of begging, don’t you think?”
This is why early education matters.
“But if the Heavenly Fortress opens again, wouldn’t that be good for you too? You’ve still been continuing that research, haven’t you?”
Titania faltered at Hanna’s question. She glanced at Sara.
“Sara, step outside for a moment.”
“Yes, madam.”
Only after Sara left did Titania speak.
“And what business is that of yours?”
Titania’s tone was so defensive it was almost sharp, and Hanna let out a sigh. They had once clashed bitterly in the Heavenly Fortress because of Titania’s experiments.
Back then, Hanna had furiously opposed the ethical issues and dangers of memory-erasure research. In the end, Titania had abandoned it. But with age, Hanna had come to realize she might have been wrong.
“Titania, I always saw you as someone without much attachment or sense of justice.”
Titania arched her smooth brows. Justice? Out of nowhere?
“But strangely, you seemed obsessed with that research. Back then, I thought I was entirely right and stopped you.”
Hanna sipped her tea. Her throat was dry.
“But Titania, there’s one thing I never asked you. You would never weaponize it, right? You knew better than anyone how dangerous it was—that in the wrong hands, it could plunge the Empire into chaos. So… why did you need that research?”
“…Because it’s necessary.”
Titania spoke slowly.
“What do you mean? Why erase your own memories? You’d lose yourself.”
“I’m not that reckless anymore. What I’m studying now is a way to preserve the memories I want, while erasing the rest.”
“That’s no easy task. Why go that far?”
Titania let out a bitter laugh.
“Hanna, do you remember that book we read about reincarnation?”
Hanna nodded. Titania had once gone through a phase of chasing fantasies, obsessed with reincarnation and regression.
“…Remembering things you don’t want to remember is unbearably painful, Hanna.”
Titania clenched her fist. Her heart snapped taut like a stretched rubber band. This was the first time she had ever confessed something like this since being born into this world. Hanna grasped Titania’s trembling hand firmly.
“I remember my past life.”
Titania whispered, holding her breath.
“…”
“In that life, I was deeply unhappy. I wanted to die, and in the end, I took my own life. Perhaps it was just an illusion or a dream I made up. But carrying those memories with me all this time… it’s been breaking me apart.”
Titania gave a feeble smile. It was rare for her to lay bare her heart like this. Hanna’s eyes widened in shock. She had read of such cases, but never heard of one firsthand.
“What I want to erase are those past memories. I want to forget everything that tormented me.”
“Titania…”
“I just want to live a normal life. Without those memories, maybe I could have. I wouldn’t have been so afraid, wouldn’t have shrunk back. I could have met someone I loved, just like my parents wanted, and lived like everyone else.”
“…”
“My biggest wish is to sleep peacefully, Hanna. To sever myself from these emotions and finally rest.”
Hanna nodded, her face filled with sorrow. Titania’s expression when speaking of her past life was too pained to press further. She was simply grateful Titania had chosen to share it at all.
“I never knew that was the reason.”
“We were too young back then. Even if I had told you, you wouldn’t have believed me. But this research—it’s only for me. I have no intention of exposing it to anyone else. What about you? Do you still oppose my experiments?”
“…I believe you, Titania. And I understand your intent. I won’t oppose you anymore.”
Titania smiled faintly. It had taken all her courage to bare her soul, yet Hanna accepted it with a smile.
“I still don’t trust you, Hanna.”
“That’s all right.”
Hanna tightened her hold on Titania’s hand, regret etched across her face.
“Then I’ll believe enough for the both of us. I’m truly sorry for back then, Titania.”
