Chapter 31
……It wasn’t just my imagination.
I didn’t realize it would notify me when affection drops as well, not just when it increases.
“It’s true that the maid and you both bear responsibility for not properly attending to Her Highness, but I didn’t expect you to forget your lessons. That’s quite unlike you, Your Highness Nepheli.”
The voice that followed was noticeably sharp.
Honestly, I’d be upset too if someone stood me up without a word. It was easy to empathize with him, so I could understand why Killis was acting like this.
Yeah, I could understand it, but still—
Ding!
[<System> New Quest Received!]
[<Quest> Killis Yelpen’s Suspicion
Killis Yelpen is suspicious of you due to your unusual behavior! Clear his suspicions during a private conversation.
―Failure: Killis Yelpen’s suspicion level will increase.]
[Cancel] / [Confirm]
Isn’t it too much to be suspicious just because I missed a single appointment?
To be fair, his suspicion was somewhat justified, and his intuition was sharp…….
‘But still.’
For me, this was a matter of life and death. Although there was no warning message this time, I had seen enough of them for it to haunt my thoughts.
The warning said that if a character’s suspicion level increases, the likelihood of reaching a bad ending—potentially even death—rises.
“Isaac, Reno.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Could you step out for a moment? It’ll only take a little while.”
“You could just say the word…….”
“Reno Harsen. It’s a royal order.”
“Ah, understood. You’ll be quick, right, Your Highness?”
“I’ll be waiting outside.”
Isaac led Reno out. The maid and servants had already left the room discreetly, leaving just Killis and me in the spacious banquet hall.
“Do you have something more to say?”
“So, Duke?”
“……Yes, Your Highness.”
Since he answered so obediently, it seems calling him that title was the right choice.
“From now on, what I’m about to say should only be known to you.”
“Only to me……?”
“Yes. It’s a secret just for the Duke.”
At my words, Killis showed a rather perplexed expression. I watched his face as I slowly spoke.
“The truth is…… I’ve lost my memory.”
“Your memory, you say?”
“Daily life is fine, but…… I don’t know anything. About others, or even about myself.”
“…….”
“I’m confiding in you because I heard you’re my fiancé.”
“Since when has this been happening?”
“It’s only been a few days. I think it’s been about three days now.”
“Is there nothing that comes to mind as to how you lost your memory?”
“I don’t know.”
When I shook my head, Killis’s expression became more serious. He stroked his chin, seemingly deep in thought, before looking at me again.
“So that’s why you didn’t know about the lesson and went out?”
“That’s right. I’m sorry for unintentionally standing you up.”
“Your tone just now…… and from what you’ve said, I finally understand Your Highness’s actions.”
I gave an awkward laugh. I thought I was behaving like Nepheli should, but it seemed I had been completely mistaken.
‘If it wasn’t for the quest, I might’ve been in real trouble.’
It was late, but thankfully, I managed to cover it up. But seeing that no message appears saying the quest was completed, it seemed he still doubted me.
“Despite losing your memory, you managed not to reveal anything during the banquet. You even answered Lady Evgenia’s inquiry well.”
“Indeed…….”
“May I have your hand for a moment?”
“……?”
Though puzzled, I extended my hand to Killis, and he grasped it. At that moment, a sharp tingling sensation spread through my fingertips, almost as if there had been a static shock.
As I flinched and shuddered, Killis firmly held onto my hand. After a long pause, he finally released it.
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