Chapter 101 - 101
"It is a pity we found nothing today."
"Theodore-sama... No, even if we did not find it immediately, I will certainly discover it."
"I believe you. You must be exhausted. Well done today."
"Thank you. And thank you for your help as well, Theodore-sama."
In the end, we failed to find the entrance today. However, we were scheduled to return to the forest tomorrow and the day after. I bolstered my spirits, telling myself that the search had only just begun.
During this trip, we were once again staying at the Milicier estate. Just as before, the Milicier family treated us with exceptional hospitality. Most notably, there was a room in a corner of the manor with glass walls and a glass ceiling, perfect for stargazing. It was furnished with comfortable sofas, and watching the sky there before bed always brought peace to my heart. Since it was located at the end of the guest wing, it was likely intended for visitors.
As I was relaxing there with a cup of tea, Theodore-sama arrived carrying a bottle of wine and a glass. "If you would like, why not join me? I assume you came to look at the stars as well, Theodore-sama?"
"I suppose I have been found out."
"Anyone could guess as much from the wine and the glass."
"Then I shall take you up on that offer."
Theodore-sama sat on the opposite sofa, poured himself a glass of wine, and brought it to his nose to enjoy the aroma before taking a sip. He set the glass on the table and looked at me with his usual mischievous, elusive smile. "Very well. I shall answer anything you wish to know."
"Pardon? Did I say something out loud?"
"No, but you have looked as though you wanted to ask me something ever since we met this morning."
I reflexively pressed a hand to my lips. As a noble daughter, I tried to keep my thoughts from showing on my face, but Theodore-sama had seen right through me. However, his promise to answer anything was likely sincere. This was perhaps the perfect opportunity to ask the question that had been weighing on my mind.
After letting my gaze wander for a moment, I slowly spoke. "Theodore-sama, the first time we met was when His Highness introduced us, was it not?"
"Why do you ask?"
"No reason... I simply wondered if there was something I had forgotten."
My words seemed to catch him off guard. The hand holding his wine glass gave a nearly imperceptible twitch. Theodore-sama returned the glass to the table and rested his chin on his hand, appearing to ponder his response. Did I ask the wrong thing?
The silence became awkward, and I hurried to apologize. "Ah, but it is fine. I am sorry for asking something so strange."
Theodore-sama looked up, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile. "It is alright."
"Eh?"
"I promised to answer anything, did I not?" Theodore-sama leaned back into the sofa. "Well then. To answer your question... the first time we met was not after you became engaged to Louis. We met long before that."
I had become engaged to His Highness at the age of fourteen. I had always believed our first meeting was shortly after that, when I was introduced to him as the Prince's close friend. Was I wrong? If so, where had we met? I had no memory of it at all, and my confusion must have been obvious. Theodore-sama smiled and shook his head.
"It is only natural that you have forgotten. You were quite young, after all."
"...Um, where exactly did we meet?"
"At my home. Your late grandmother and my grandmother were very close. When you were a child, you would occasionally accompany her to the House of Marquis Camus."
Now that he mentioned it... I did have memories of visiting a certain estate frequently with my grandmother, who passed away when I was eight. To think that was the Camus estate. I recalled that the grandmothers' conversations were often long, and I must have looked bored. I had been given permission to wander the gardens freely, and I remembered playing there often.
That was it. I had forgotten until now, but I had played with someone there. The memory was so hazy that I couldn't recall who it was or what we had talked about.
"I think I remember a little..."
"You were a remarkably charming girl. Oh, that is right—you once told me with absolute confidence that you would teach me magic."
"No! I said such a thing to you, Theodore-sama!?"
My face felt as though it were on fire. To think I had offered to teach magic to a genius mage like Theodore-sama. I wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and disappear. Theodore-sama, however, looked out at the night sky with a nostalgic, gentle expression.
"You taught me many other things as well. Would you like to hear them?"
"...No, I think I shall pass."
While I was curious about our past interactions, I didn't think my heart could take any more. Theodore-sama watched me out of the corner of his eye, wine glass in hand, and let out a quiet chuckle. "I was going through a rather turbulent period back then, but your words managed to take the sting out of me."
"A rebellious phase... perhaps?"
"Something like that. We did not meet again after those days, and when you were introduced as Louis's fiancée, you did not seem to remember me. I figured there was no need to bring it up."
Thinking back on his story, I realized that when His Highness first introduced us, Theodore-sama had indeed been very friendly. I had assumed it was simply his personality, but perhaps it was because of our shared history. And knowing I didn't remember, he might have intentionally kept his distance. Still, without that dream of the forest, I might never have believed we were once close.
Yes, the events in that forest. The way Theodore-sama had been the first to rush to my side. And what he had said then.
"At that time, did you and I make some kind of promise?"
The question that had been lingering in my mind slipped out. Theodore-sama's eyes widened slightly in surprise before he fixed his gaze on me. His smile remained, but he seemed to be searching for the true meaning behind my words.
"Why do you ask?"
"I... I had a dream where I made a promise to someone..."
In truth, it was something I had seen with my own eyes in that forest, but I couldn't say that. I used the dream as a cover.
"Indeed. You and I made a single promise when you were a child."
"What was the promise?"
So I really had made a promise to him. Which meant... those events... they actually happened? Theodore-sama rushing to me after I died, and then defeating all the bandits... it was likely all true. Recalling his desperate state back then, we must have been very close as children. Otherwise, would the usually cool and composed Theodore-sama have been so distraught?
"That is..."
"That is...?"
Theodore-sama spoke solemnly, and I leaned forward, waiting with bated breath for his answer.
"A secret."
"What!?"
He placed an index finger to his lips and gave a mischievous grin, leaving me completely hanging. Ignoring my reaction, he picked up his glass and drained the rest of his wine. "No matter how much I like you, Rachel-jou, I cannot go around disclosing such an important promise."
"But!"
"Now, we have an early start tomorrow. Go back to your room and get some rest."
"And you, Theodore-sama?"
"Me? I shall head to bed once I finish this bottle."
He held up the wine bottle, which was now only a third full, effectively ending the conversation. It was clear he had no intention of saying more. Considering we had to depart early and walk all day, his advice was sound. I stood up from the sofa with a nod. Before leaving, I turned back one last time.
"Well then, good night."
"Yes, good night. Sweet dreams."
Theodore-sama did not turn around, but he raised a hand and waved it lazily, his voice soft and kind as he bid me good night.
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The next chapter will be from Theodore's perspective.