Chapter 229 - 3−33
Since that day, I went to the Garden with Kuro regardless of whether the wind was strong or the rain was falling. Every time, Kuro would bring Theodore-sama back with him from wherever he had found him.
"I have told you many times, my memories have not returned. Nor do they plan to," Theodore-sama told me, sounding slightly fed up.
"But this time for sure! I will show you a different magic than yesterday, so perhaps seeing it will bring your memories back."
Theodore-sama continued to accompany me every day despite his apparent annoyance, likely because he wanted the knowledge of magic. Even without his memories, Theodore-sama was still Theodore-sama. He couldn't be satisfied with just a basic book, so I was now teaching him the knowledge I had once learned from him. When we talked about magic, it felt as if the original Theodore-sama had returned, and I couldn't give up hope.
"Yesterday we went as far as the applications of fire magic. Next is water magic, which is my best field." I showed Theodore-sama the notebook I had stayed up late to finish. Theodore-sama let out a sigh of resignation and flipped through the pages.
"I am grateful to see magic not listed in the book... but honestly, I have already become able to draw magic circles of this level on my own." Theodore-sama began to draw a magic circle in the air that was several steps ahead of the magic I was going to teach him today. Drawing magic by infusing mana with one's finger in the air was a method only a few magicians could perform.
And yet, Theodore-sama, who had no information, was doing it so easily.
"There, finished." Theodore-sama snapped his fingers, and water poured out from the magic circle.
"Eh... wow... amazing."
When Theodore-sama snapped his fingers again, the water stopped instantly and the magic circle vanished. "...As expected of... Theodore-sama."
"You never learn, do you? ...My name is Nana." I had grown somewhat used to being corrected every time I called him Theodore-sama. Also, I felt that Theodore-sama's attitude had softened slightly from his previous stubbornness. I began to see expressions like a slight frown of annoyance or a troubled downward turn of his lips. This was a source of hope for me, and a gamble.
To take back what was lost.
"Um, Theodore-sama."
"Nana."
Another voice overlapped with mine as I called Theodore-sama's name. I spun around to see Lute-sama standing there. Ignoring the fact that Theodore-sama and I had been talking, Lute-sama wore a soft, sunny smile.
"Yes..." At Lute-sama's appearance, Theodore-sama's attitude, which had been slightly softer, immediately hardened back to its original distance.
"Nana, His Majesty is calling for you."
"I see. I shall head there immediately."
"Yes, please do. He is in the Office."
Lute-sama spoke to Theodore-sama gently but firmly. Theodore-sama placed his hand on his chest and bowed. Then, without looking back at me once, he headed toward the small wooden door of the Garden.
Even after Theodore-sama left, Lute-sama made no move to leave. "Hello, Rachel-sama."
"...Lute-sama. Why are you here?"
"I came to call Nana."
"...He is Theodore-sama."
"Have you still not given up? On restoring Viscount Frion's memories?"
"Of course not."
"I hear you want to go to the Library in the Imperial Castle. The knight I assigned to you said you asked him for its location."
I was at a loss for words.
So even the fact that I asked the knight for the location of the Library has reached Lute-sama's ears.
"It is true that the Library in this Imperial Castle is very large and contains various books. Even books about spirits. Were the books I had delivered to your room as a diversion not enough?" Lute-sama shrugged his shoulders in disappointment.
It was true that Lute-sama had five books delivered to my room every day through the maid. Popular novels, etiquette books, and even history books of the Tratia Empire. But none of them contained what I wanted to know.
"...I am returning to my room now. If you'll excuse me."
"...Have you found any clues on your own?" Lute-sama moved to block my path as I tried to pass him.
"You won't find anything, will you? Books describing the abilities of the Tratia imperial family. Even if you were able to go to the Library, you wouldn't be able to find them."
"...What do you mean?" My heart skipped a beat.
As I thought, Lute-sama saw right through my purpose for going to the Library.
"Many members of the Dragonewt race keep their abilities secret even from their parents and siblings. That ability is their very value. ...Do you think they would place books about such important abilities in a place where many people could see them, even if it is the Imperial Castle?"
It wasn't that I hadn't thought of that. But I couldn't just do nothing. I needed information. Even a small clue would do.
I refuse to give up.
Lute-sama tilted his head as if thinking about something while I bit my lip in frustration. Then, he held his hand out to me.
"Shall I help you?"
"Eh?"
"Shall I help you restore Viscount Frion's memories?"
His smile deepened as he looked at me, though I likely wore a look of intense bitterness.