Chapter 160
Memory loss wasn’t a common illness.
It only occurred after severe trauma—either a major blow to the head or a profound emotional shock. But for something like that to have happened to her… she couldn’t believe it.
Especially since she remembered everything from Wilkeron so clearly.
“M-My ankle… it’s healed, too…?”
“Yes!”
“That’s impossible… I-I’m even stuttering less.”
Her pronunciation was clearer, albeit slightly slow. And strangely enough, interacting with this maid, Pamilla, didn’t feel difficult at all.
Maybe it was because of her bright, smiling face.
Maybe it was because she could feel the boundless goodwill directed toward her.
After eating a bit of the bread and soup Pamilla had brought, she could feel strength returning to her body.
That, too, was an odd and curious thing.
She had always lived drained of energy, yet now, she wanted to walk?
“Can I… go outside and take a look around?”
“Yes! It’s safe right now. You can go anywhere. But since you’ve lost your memory, I’m a little worried. Should I accompany you? Or how about taking a walk with Master instead?”
“A-Alone… I’d prefer to be alone.”
Pamilla seemed like a good person… or at least, a good being, though whether she was truly human, Siren couldn’t be sure. Even so, her constant chattering felt a bit overwhelming.
She just wanted some time alone to collect her thoughts.
After washing up and changing into fresh clothes with Pamilla’s help, she felt refreshed. And so, around sunset, she finally took her first step outside into the heavy, humid air.
Ah, I must not have walked much for a long time. But still, my legs feel free.
She wasn’t limping!
Had he healed her?
Siren wandered aimlessly, her gaze blankly fixed on the sun-soaked rooftops and the bricks that looked as though they had been hardened from packed sand. Her steps were light, almost joyful.
After all, she had been told she could go anywhere.
Ah, I feel happy. It’s so peaceful.
The castle grounds were silent.
There were no people passing by, no noisy conversations.
It was so eerily still, it felt as if barely anyone lived here—but Siren found that she preferred it this way.
Perhaps it was because she had always lived curled up in places that were too loud.
But there are no trees, no grass. It’s too barren to be called a garden. It would be nice if it were a little greener here.
As she walked through the front courtyard, she quickly noticed the stark difference between Wilkeron and the South.
If Wilkeron’s problem was that it had ‘too much’ of everything, then here, the problem was that it had ‘too little.’
The vastness did give a refreshing feeling, but still… wasn’t this a bit extreme?
“What are you doing?”
It was then—
“……!”
“Careful.”
At the sudden low voice, Siren startled like a frightened rabbit.
Her heart pounded wildly from the genuine shock.
She had nearly stumbled, but before she could fall, a strong arm and firm chest caught her effortlessly.
And it was done so gently.
“Did I startle you?”
“I-It was because you didn’t make a sound.”
“My mistake, my lady.”
Ah…
Looking up at the man who had immediately apologized, Siren found herself at a loss for words.
H-He’s handsome.
Beneath the blazing sky stood a strikingly handsome man. Sun-gold hair and bronzed skin suited him so well it was almost unfair.
His sharp jaw, the prominent line of his throat, broad shoulders, and the tightly knit muscles of his chest—her gaze inadvertently traced over all of it before she startled herself with her own shamelessness and quickly averted her eyes.
His eyes… they look sad.
Why?
Is it because I lost my memories?
It seemed as if he might burst into tears at any moment… and yet, his lips were smiling.
It felt off—like something didn’t quite align.
Without realizing it, Siren reached out and gently brushed the corner of his reddened eyes.
“If you do that, my lady, I might have a hard time restraining myself.”
“Ah!”
“But… please don’t pull away.”
Realizing what she had just done, Siren gasped and instinctively tried to withdraw her hand—only for him to catch it.
With a look of quiet yearning, the man pressed his cheek against her palm.
For a moment, he resembled a great beast seeking affection, and Siren, unable to resist, let him do as he pleased.
“Seeing that you can move freely eases my heart. There’s no need to rush—your memories will return in time.”
“Ah… Th-Thank you.”
“No need to thank me.”
Lowering her hand, he smoothly interlaced his fingers with hers.
As if it had always been this way. As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Siren’s face flushed with heat.
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