When the One-Sided Love Female Lead Loses Her Memory - Chapter 26

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“Huh? Come to think of it, Duke…”

Diana tilted her head thoughtfully, then slowly reached her hand toward Viern. His black hair slipped smoothly between her fingers.

“It’s just like the night sky. It’s pretty,”

she murmured in a dazed voice.

“…like Aisen’s.”

Her follow-up words sent his already uncomfortable mood plummeting sharply.

“You said you’re Aisen’s brother, right. That’s why you have similar hair color and eye color too.”

In the past… she had said something similar before.

‘That day when you took me out of the tower, Viern… it was really… wonderful. You were like a prince who came to save me.’

‘These black strands of hair seem to shine alone in the darkness…’

‘It’s as pretty as the night sky, your hair, Viern.’

Voices from a past he hadn’t realized he still remembered bloomed vividly in his mind, then dispersed like pale, whitish smoke. Viern was confused, unable to define this strangely churning feeling.

“Ah, I wish evening would come quickly so Aisen can return.”

Diana muttered with a languid expression, flopping down on the bed. Watching her silently, Viern opened his mouth in a stiff voice.

“……That would be an unwise choice. After all, Your Highness cannot marry Aisen.”

“Why?”

Towards her, tilting her head with an innocent face, Viern spoke mercilessly.

“Because a union between the Rosenheir royal family and the Erkman family would be meaningless.”

“Why is it meaningless? I love him.”

“It may be difficult for Your Highness to understand in your current state of memory loss, but marriage pacts between royalty and nobility are not simply matters of the heart.”

“……”

Diana’s previously elated face gradually sank into gloom.

“Even if I can’t marry Aisen, it doesn’t matter. I just love him.”

She said, almost as if arguing back in a small voice.

“They say my father had many lovers besides the Queen. Besides, I’m not even married yet. It doesn’t matter. Who I love or meet before marriage.”

Seeing her talk of her pure heart for another man with the face of a love-struck maiden, Viern’s eyes narrowed fiercely. Then Diana asked in a hurt voice,

“Why does it displease you so much, Duke? Do you dislike that I love your brother?”

“……”

Struck by the pointed question, Viern fell silent. As she said, he had no way to explain the displeasure that had been simmering within him since a moment ago.

“……Displeased? That couldn’t be.”

Viern forced a strained smile.

“What a fortunate thing. That idiot Aisen has won Your Highness’s favor. It is a blessing upon House Erkman.”

Yes. A good thing. Wasn’t he just feeling somewhat troubled by Diana’s one-sided obsession, with the engagement ceremony looming? With her heart momentarily directed elsewhere, troublesome incidents caused by her would likely cease for a while.

“I shall support you in this grand love of yours, Your Highness.”

Yet, even as he thought accepting this bizarre situation willingly was the right thing, a somewhat sarcastic tone inadvertently seeped out.

“Thank you. You truly are a good person, Duke.”

Diana, oblivious to his sarcasm, beamed brightly. It was the first time she had shown such a radiant smile in front of him since falling from the tree and losing her memory. Seeing that bright smile, the churning feeling from earlier intensified, making it unbearable to stay with her any longer. So, as Viern began gathering the documents on the desk, intending to take his leave for the day…

“Uhm, Duke…”

Diana, who had somehow approached his desk, gently tugged at his sleeve.

“You said it yourself, Duke. That you’re my most loyal vassal, so if I need help with anything, I can tell you everything.”

What is she trying to say now, with such a long preamble? Viern nodded with an indifferent expression.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I need your help, Duke.”

“Please, speak.”

“Um, well… you see…”

Diana hesitated, unable to speak outright. Viern waited patiently. Finally, she opened her mouth with a resolute expression.

“Aisen… he said he likes women with experience. He says inexperienced women are a hassle and a bother because you have to teach them everything. Women who don’t need teaching, who can skillfully… handle things themselves, are less effort and more comfortable.”

For a moment, Viern’s eyes narrowed slightly. He hadn’t known his youngest brother had such a preference. It was the private taste of a relative he’d rather not know about.

“But… I have no experience.”

“…And so?”

“Can’t you help me with that?”

The desperate look she gave him as she looked up sent a sudden, ominous premonition through Viern.

“Help… you, you say?”

“That… I mean, s****l intercourse. I need someone to teach me…”

Instantly, Viern’s face hardened into a terrifyingly fierce expression.

“Do you have any idea what you are saying right now, Your Highness?”

“Why are you getting angry?!”

Diana, instead, flared up, which infuriated Viern to his very core. So she lost her memory, did she turn into a complete simpleton?

“Do not ever bring up something like that again.”

“Wait, Duke! Wait…!”

Slamming the door behind him and leaving the clinging Diana behind, he emerged. People bowed their heads, startled by his utterly distorted expression. Viern clenched his fist roughly, trying to control the unrefined anger. Even though he had refused the Princess’s preposterous request, the unpleasant feeling refused to dissipate.