“Miss Flora, since we’re here, would you mind sitting a little closer?”
“…Y-yes. Then, I shall intrude.”
At Lord Lionel’s suggestion, I placed a chair beside him and sat down next to Mr. Gilbert, who was sleeping peacefully. However, an odd restlessness washed over me. The fact that my name had been called lingered in my mind… Was I intruding even in his dreams?
As I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart, Lord Lionel gently took Mr. Gilbert’s dominant hand in his own.
“…It’s my fault that Gilbert can no longer wield a sword.”
His voice was low and calm, yet tinged with regret as he murmured, and then began recounting the events from two years ago.
“There were bandits from a neighboring country causing trouble near the Southern Border. We set out to subdue them, but unfortunately, a horde of magical beasts appeared from another direction. Our country still struggles with slow information relay over long distances… We were caught off guard and trapped.”
Mr. Dolf, myself, the Holy Cleric, and the mercenaries present all listened in silence. In the hushed room, Lord Lionel’s voice wove a somber tale.
“…To protect me, he sustained an injury to his dominant arm while engaging the magical beasts, and then he vanished without a trace. Fortunately, he had a strong will to live, and we managed to rescue him seven days later, but…”
“That’s why the Healing Magic was delayed,” the Holy Cleric gently interjected.
Healing Magic cannot restore what has been distorted by the passage of time, it seems.
Lord Lionel nodded painfully. Mr. Dolf, who had been listening with his arms crossed and eyes closed, let out a long sigh.
“That’s just his nature. This time, it could have ended badly with just one misstep…”
Hearing this made me clench my hands resting on my knees. Just before that flash of light, the moment I saw Mr. Gilbert confronted by the wave of red-black Undead Beasts, a familiar pain surged in my chest. It was a feeling that had faded now, only because he had survived.
Lord Lionel lovingly stroked Mr. Gilbert’s hand, a bittersweet smile gracing his lips.
“I am grateful, of course. But truly, I want to scold him for his excessive self-sacrifice, as it sometimes brings sorrow to those around him. After all, I owe my life to such recklessness. Careless words could hurt his heart and undo the good.”
With that, he returned Mr. Gilbert’s hand to its original position and exhaled deeply.
“To be able to act instinctively to protect someone is one of Gilbert’s virtues… That’s why I wish he could find more reasons to protect himself and return alive. That’s what I hoped for.”
Then, Lord Lionel turned to me, a hint of joy lighting up his expression.
“Miss Flora, you—”
“Lord Lionel, that would be careless. You might end up disliked by your half-brother.”
“Ah, yes… My apologies.”
Interrupted by Mr. Dolf, Lord Lionel scratched his head, looking flustered. I couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious about what he was about to say.
Then, Mr. Dolf gave me a meaningful glance.
“Flora-chan, should you talk to Lionel? You don’t have to force yourself, but it might be better than putting it off…”
Mr. Dolf’s words reminded me of the story Mr. Gilbert had shared in the blacksmith’s village, and I took a small breath.
—He feels responsible, doesn’t he? Should I say something? But it’s all in the past now…
Just over ten days ago, a memory that felt both close and distant. As I spent time with everyone, it had been pushed far back in my mind, and now, bringing it up felt daunting.
Yet, I felt that confessing now would relieve us both of any lingering worries, rather than letting it come to light later. Though the Holy Cleric and the mercenaries were present, if it were to be heard eventually, it would be the same.
“I was, until about ten days ago, in the position of being the wife of a man considered a hero. Now, however, that is no longer the case…”
“You were…”
Lord Lionel’s eyes widened in surprise, and he bowed his head vigorously.
“I have long wished to apologize to you.”
“No, it’s alright now… It’s all in the past.”
I felt a bit flustered at his bowing, but this was an unchangeable truth.
“…I knew he was married and chose to turn a blind eye. Prioritizing the situation led to the harm of your honor and heart, and I share part of that blame.”
What could I possibly say to Lord Lionel, who spoke so directly of his guilt and apology?
“…No, any further apologies would only serve my own satisfaction and further wound your heart…”
“No, thank you for your consideration. Please, do not worry about it. Just knowing you care is enough.”
I then forced a smile.
“He was not good at lying. The moment those words left his lips, everything was already over.”
The memories I thought had faded into the distance still lingered, not disappearing entirely. My voice trembled slightly, as did the hands I held tightly in my lap.
As I continued to grip my trembling hands, the blanket beside me suddenly rustled, and Mr. Gilbert abruptly sat up, placing his hand over mine. Everyone in the room turned their gaze toward him in surprise.
“…Gilbert, you were awake?”
“Ah, um, well…”
Mr. Gilbert met my gaze, his mouth opening and closing in confusion. Then, upon catching sight of Lord Lionel behind me, he hastily withdrew his hand and pulled the blanket over himself.
“Gilbert, pretending to sleep now is too late…”
Lord Lionel chuckled as he spoke, but Mr. Gilbert remained curled up under the blanket, trembling slightly.
His actions were quite puzzling, yet somehow, it felt as if the tension in the room had eased.