Chapter 242 - 3-46
I glanced at the unconscious guards at the dungeon entrance, then looked at Theodore-sama. He followed my gaze and gave them a brief look as if remembering something.
"...I won't be needing the dungeon keys anymore. I should probably return them."
"...So it really was you who took down these guards, Theodore-sama."
He tossed the key ring near the fallen men, then produced a different key to open a nearby door, leading the way with total confidence.
"Is this a back passage?"
The corridor we were walking through felt more like an underground tunnel than a castle hallway. Theodore-sama's magic light stone bathed the passage in orange. Without it, navigating this path to the exit would have been impossible.
"Yes. This is strictly a royal evacuation route. Though, given that Tratia is the strongest nation on the continent, no royal has likely ever used it in history. It's unmaintained and the footing is poor. Will you be alright?"
"Yes. No problem at all."
Theodore-sama blinked at my firm response, then smiled with relief. "There are numerous decoy routes and various traps—it's essentially a dungeon. Do not leave my side."
"I understand! Kuro, Rose, are you two okay?"
"Nya!"
"Kyu!"
The two spirits chirped their energetic responses from behind us.
"Good. We'll take this underground path from the Annex back to the Main Building. Once we surface, we'll enter the Emperor's Office and head straight for the castle gates."
My heart hammered against my ribs as I hurried to keep pace. Theodore-sama cast a lingering look my way.
"Is something the matter?"
"...No. It's just that you trust me quite a lot."
I tilted my head at his comment.
"You were used and betrayed by the Young Lord Calria. Of course, the fault lies with him and the Emperor, not you. But until moments ago, I was one of them. Can you really trust me so easily?"
"...I understand what you're saying, Theodore-sama."
"I'm happy you trust me, but... it makes me a little worried for you."
It was a reasonable concern. Lute-sama's scheme had been so elaborate that, under normal circumstances, I should have questioned the timing of Theodore-sama's rescue.
"To be honest, I didn't think you would come for me."
Before he lost his memories, Theodore-sama had always watched over me and rushed to my side in times of danger. But the current Theodore-sama, while the same person, was different from the one I knew. He had no reason to save me.
"However... even if you were approaching me now to deceive me, I would never resent you. I would rather be proud of myself for choosing to believe in you."
Theodore-sama stopped dead in his tracks, looking stunned. "...That trust was earned by the Theodore from before the memory loss. Knowing that makes me both happy and a bit envious." He gave a bittersweet smile before moving again.
"Eh...?"
"Never mind. ...I'm sorry for forgetting our important memories."
His words made me realize I had been making a grave mistake. Why was I so obsessed with those memories?
People forget things, more or less. When only one person remembers and the other has lost something precious, it's easy to feel neglected or as if the memories themselves have been invalidated. But the one truly suffering was the person who had lost them. Theodore-sama is the one who should be most anxious... and yet I...
"...Actually, I had forgotten too. I forgot the memories I shared with the person who was always by my side." My quiet voice echoed through the tunnel. "When I was brought to the Tratia Empire and woke up, I realized I had forgotten something vital for a long time. My childhood memories with you."
If Theodore-sama hadn't overlapped with the image of the 'big brother' from my youth, I might never have remembered.
"But that person never demanded that I remember, nor did he blame me for forgetting. He simply stayed near me. Just like always... he kept the promises I didn't even remember making."
Theodore-sama had never mentioned our childhood meeting, quietly cherishing the promise he made to my younger self.
"And yet, when I learned you lost your memories to the Dragonewt power, I became obsessed with restoring them. I ignored your words when you said you were fine as you were."
I had been wrong to push him. Whether he had his memories or not, Theodore-sama was a precious person to me. The past Theodore-sama must have felt the same—wanting me to remember, but not wanting it to be a burden. I held the memories; I could be the one to cherish his kindness and our shared past for both of us.
"...Can we start making new memories from here?"
"New ones?"
"Yes. I think I forgot the most important thing. As long as you can smile happily, Theodore-sama, that's enough. That is what matters most."
If our positions were reversed, I knew he would feel the same. "I'm the one who should apologize. ...Theodore-sama, I'm sorry."
I stopped and bowed my head. Theodore-sama flinched for a moment, then took my shoulders and made me look up. "Are you truly alright with things as they are?"
"Of course."
I gave him a bright smile, and he shrugged, his expression relaxing into the gentle, familiar look I knew. "...Thank you."
"Nyaa, nyat!"
Kuro let out a spirited cry from behind as if in agreement. Theodore-sama chuckled. "Haha, I wasn't angry to begin with."
I watched their interaction with a start. Theodore-sama suddenly froze. "Wait... did this spirit just speak?"
"Eh? Ah, he was just meowing energetically! I think he's agreeing that you're fine just the way you are."
Theodore-sama picked up Kuro and frowned. "No... he said, 'Forgive Rachel for Kuro's sake.'"
"Nyaa!"
"See? 'Theodore understands'... wait, what?"
"Kuro said that? To me, it just sounds like his usual meowing..."
Theodore-sama stared intently at Kuro's face, then looked at me. I tilted my head, processing his words. "Ah... Theodore-sama, could it be..."
He can understand what Kuro is saying?
Theodore-sama seemed to reach the same conclusion. His eyes went wide. "It seems... I can understand him."
"But why so suddenly?"
He had lost his unique ability to communicate with spirits along with his memories. For it to return so abruptly... Theodore-sama looked perplexed, then reached into his pocket.
"I don't know. But it might be because of these."
"The Pure Magic Stone of Light and the Pure Magic Stone of Darkness?"
He pulled out the dark stone Kuro had given him and the light stone he had likely crafted himself. "I was carrying them separately, but I put them in the same pouch when we left the cell. That's the only thing I can think of."
"So the resonance between light and dark restored your power?"
Theodore-sama nodded solemnly. "The full effect of these stones is still unclear. But perhaps it's too early to give up."
"On your memories? But you don't have to force it..."
"I'm still not sure what I want. But I might decide I want them back later. Besides, it's irritating to have something stolen from me, isn't it?" He gave a daring smirk and gripped the stones tightly. "So, if there's a chance... will you help me then?"
"Of course!"
I wanted to prioritize his feelings above all else, but if he wished for it, I would be there.
"Nya!" Kuro chimed in.
Theodore-sama laughed. "...How reliable. Well then! To make that happen, we have to get out of this castle first."
He nodded, his face looking refreshed in the orange light. "Exactly. Once we're clear of the castle, we'll use disguises to cross the border. With my magic, we can reach the Kingdom of Dutoit in a few days."
"In a few days..."
Back to Dutoit... back to Louis-sama.
I pictured my home. The scent of flowers on a cool breeze. A garden of blooming roses, and a man with golden hair shimmering in the sunlight. His deep blue eyes, the color of a vast ocean, turning to look at me. Just the thought of him made my heart race.
"I can really go home..."
Theodore-sama misread my whisper as anxiety. "Worried? It'll be fine. Look, I've got plenty of gold and jewels." He opened a pouch on his belt, showing off a hoard of coins and gems.
"...Where did those expensive-looking jewels come from?"
"Oh, I took them from the Emperor's vault."
I gaped at his nonchalance. "That's steal—"
"How rude. It's my legitimate severance pay."
I couldn't help but let out a small giggle at his wicked grin.