Chapter 115.2
The Magic Tools Association and the Temple were not places Grace could freely come and go. If they were working together, there would be evidence.
‘But what if I find that evidence… and the conclusion is still that I truly am a threat to this world?’
Fear gripped her suddenly.
“…But I can’t just stay like this.”
Even so, she moved forward because she had already come close to several truths and because she knew they wouldn’t stop just because she did.
Better to know and prepare than to die in ignorance.
For a moment, she wondered if she should have asked Boris when she had the chance. But she shook her head.
‘No. I wouldn’t have gotten a proper answer anyway. That was probably the best answer Boris could give.’
Still, if she had known about the Magic Tools Association connection, she might have been able to pry out at least a hint. Grace frowned in regret.
‘Then what I can do now is…’
She looked at the black fog rising around her.
“Recover even a little more of my memories…”
Why was it that she couldn’t remember that specific period of time? Grace touched her lips.
‘My reaction to the former Duke and Duchess in the Hall of Mirrors was strange, too.’
At the Felton Ducal estate, no one ever spoke about the previous Duke and Duchess. Though they hadn’t passed away long ago, it was as if they had never existed at all.
‘It’s awkward to ask Burkin. It would be strange for me, the Duchess, not to know.’
Then it would be better to slowly recover her lost memories instead.
She briefly considered searching through old newspapers, but dismissed the idea. Newspapers and magazines were full of excessively negative stories about Grace.
‘And even in articles about the western contamination, all mention of me was conveniently omitted.’
That suggested distortion or a cover-up. Old articles might help, but they wouldn’t give her a complete picture.
Recovering her lost memories might be the only true answer.
‘For now, should I try removing the fog from what’s under the bed?’
Grace bent down and pulled out the lamp hidden beneath it.
The black fog swirling around it was unpleasant, but thanks to the pendulum she had swapped earlier, it didn’t threaten her even while she wasn’t actively using divine power.
“…All right.”
She gripped the lamp tightly and focused. She tried not to tense up, calming herself with the thought that failure was acceptable.
She recalled her happiest recent memory.
The image that surfaced in her mind was Benjamin’s face, flushed red just moments ago.
“…!”
In an instant, dazzling light flooded the space around Grace. The black fog scattered like sand crushed by waves, and buried memories surged back to the surface.
Another trace, hidden deep at the very bottom, rose clearly into her mind.
⋆★⋆
“They say the plants you’ve raised are exceptionally vibrant, overflowing with life, Mother mentioned it.”
“I’m glad to hear she said that.”
“But I feel a little sad.”
“Why?”
At Grace’s question, Benjamin’s expression turned faintly sulky. It was an expression the ever-gentle man had never shown before.
“You’ve never once given me a plant as a gift. Yet both Mother and Father boast every time about receiving one from you.”
“That’s nothing worth boasting about. They’re ordinary plants you can find anywhere.”
“What you grow isn’t something you can find just anywhere, Wife.”
His voice was firm.
Grace smiled awkwardly at his seriousness. Realizing he’d acted a bit childish, Benjamin quickly softened.
“Then next time, I’ll give one to you. I didn’t realize you liked plants so much.”
“It’s not that I like plants, exactly…”
“…?”
Benjamin let out a small groan, then pointed to the pot Grace was holding.
“That one is enough for me.”
“This one?”
Grace shook her head with a troubled expression.
“That one’s absolutely not allowed.”
“Why? Does it already belong to someone?”
“No. I just don’t want to give it to you.”
She laughed lightly as she shook her head. Benjamin looked puzzled by her response.
“It doesn’t mean much, but… this is a morning glory.”
“…And what does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, you know everything about magic tools and such. But you never really knew much about plants.”
“You’ll teach me everything from now on anyway, so what does it matter?”
“And what if I forget someday?”
“I find that highly unlikely, given how wise my wife is…”
Benjamin said confidently.
“And if that ever does happen, I’ll memorize everything and teach it back to you.”
⋆★⋆
Crash—!
The lamp slipped from Grace’s hands and shattered against the floor, the sharp sound echoing through the room.
“M-Madam! What was that noise?!”
“Are you all right?!”
Moments later, servants rushed in, checking on her condition—but Grace couldn’t respond. She couldn’t even react.
A tidal wave of knowledge surged into her mind: the names and traits of countless plants—things she thought she’d never known, but had simply forgotten.
Yet more vivid than anything else were the moments she had shared with Benjamin.
“…Morning glory.”
Grace murmured softly.
The reason she hadn’t wanted to give Benjamin a morning glory had never been anything significant.
Though the flower symbolized joyful news, it also carried the meaning of fleeting love.
‘…What flower had I tucked into the bookmark I once gave Benjamin?’
Her heart ached so sharply it felt as though it might freeze solid.
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