Chapter 93 - 93
Five days had passed since I woke up, but I was still forbidden from leaving the estate. My parents were being cautious; my losing consciousness and failing to wake reminded them too much of what happened a year and a half ago. Those around me likely thought I was bored, but that wasn't the case.
This quiet time was useful for organizing my memories.
What was that scene I saw in the forest? And whose was the voice I heard at the end?
That voice told me to remember. I still couldn't recall what exactly I needed to remember. However, the voice sounded familiar, and since the memory of it didn't bring me terror, perhaps the speaker wasn't an enemy.
As I sorted through my thoughts, I reached a conclusion: I had to go back to that forest. I believed that what happened there and the owner of that final voice held the key to why I had traveled back in time and lost my magic. I even harbored a sliver of hope that it might be the catalyst for regaining my powers.
Returning there would be difficult right now. I would have to convince my parents and His Highness, and I didn't want to cause everyone more worry or trouble if something went wrong.
Still, I have to go. I’ve finally found a clue.
As I stood by the window, deep in thought while looking out at the garden, I felt a soft sensation brushing against my leg. I knelt down to follow the feeling and met a pair of round, clear eyes.
"Meow."
There was another surprise. Right after His Highness left on the day I woke up, Kuro had suddenly reappeared. He had crawled out of the cat bed in my room, hopped onto my bed as usual, and curled up to go back to sleep. Startled, confused, and filled with relief, I had pulled him close and cried, "Kuro! Where have you been?" He had merely squirmed irritably, wanting to be left alone to sleep.
Still, I was truly happy that Kuro had returned to me.
I tried asking Kuro about the forest, but he only gave a cute "Meow, meow" in response. Unable to understand his plea, I could only tilt my head in confusion.
Perhaps... if I relied on Theodore-sama, there was a high chance he could understand what Kuro was saying. Though he was vague about it, I suspected he could understand the language of spirits.
However, I also felt a certain hesitation about meeting Theodore-sama. The Theodore-sama I had seen in that vision was so different from the one I knew.
Theodore-sama, did you and I make a promise in the past?
I didn't know if I should even ask that question. Was there something Theodore-sama remembered from a past I had no memory of? He was introduced to me after I became His Highness’s fiancée, but was it possible we had met before then?
As I was pondering this, a knock sounded at the door. "Yes," I answered from within.
"You have a visitor, Ojou-sama."
"Yes, thank you."
I heard the maid’s voice from the other side. I see, it was time for my appointment. I had so much on my mind lately that time seemed to fly by.
Well then, let’s go. I took a deep breath to refresh my mood, gave Kuro one last pat, and headed for the door to greet my guest.
"Rachel-san, it’s been so long! I was so worried when I heard you had collapsed. Are you feeling better now?"
"Yes, I’m fine now. Thank you for coming all this way to see me despite your busy schedule, Anna-san."
When I reached the drawing room, I found Anna-san waiting. She had come to visit me today. Not just Anna-san, but Abbott-san and Ernest had also been deeply concerned about my health. Just receiving their letters had encouraged me, as if their kindness were being delivered directly to my heart.
"No, I’m just happy to see you. You look well, which is a relief."
"And how are you, Anna-san? I heard you’ve been visiting the Holy Churches in the capital."
"Yes, that’s right. I can't do much yet, but I’ve been visiting the churches to offer prayers. I’d like to visit churches in other regions too, but... I still have much to learn, so that will be further in the future."
"That’s wonderful. You’re working so hard, Anna-san."
At my words, Anna-san blushed slightly in embarrassment, then her eyes crinkled as she smiled happily. "I still have a long way to go... but I want to do my best with what I can," she said shyly. There was no trace of her former self left. In fact, with her peaceful aura, she reminded me more of the Saint Anna Carroll I had met in my previous life.
"Excuse me. I’ve brought some tea and sweets."
Samuel appeared with the voice, placing a tray of sweets before Anna-san and me.
"What are these?"
"You mentioned it in your letter, didn't you, Anna-san? That you wanted to try the unique sweets our house serves."
"That’s... right. So these are the... mysterious dishes."
"Yes. These are called 'Manju,' right, Samuel?"
In our correspondence, Anna-san had mentioned that she loved sweets. Since Samuel could make sweets from other countries, I had replied that she should try them sometime. Normally, a maid would serve guests, but this time I had asked Samuel to come so he could explain the food.
Anna-san was staring at the Manju before her with great curiosity. I had never eaten them myself, so I was looking forward to seeing what they tasted like.
"Yes. I hope they suit the Lady Saint’s palate... They are a sweet from the East, made by steaming a dough of wheat flour with 'Anko' inside. Anko is made by boiling those 'Azuki' beans we found in the Marcel Territory and mixing them with sugar. However, since some people find the taste unfamiliar, I’ve also prepared some with cream inside. Please eat them with your hands, like a cookie, rather than using a fork."
"Thank you, Samuel."
When I thanked him, Samuel’s eyes narrowed in a happy smile. "Please call me if you need anything," he said before leaving the room.
"He said 'Anko.' Have you eaten it before, Rachel-san?"
"Yes. This is my first time having Manju, but I’ve had Anko. At first, I wasn't used to the unique flavor and didn't care for it, but I’ve grown to find it delicious. I think I prefer the kind where the beans are still slightly whole... I believe he called it 'Tsubuan.'"
"Tsubuan... I see."
Anna-san tilted her head curiously. "Then I’ll try the one with cream first," she said, picking one up.
Come to think of it... Anna-san had said her previous life was as a confectioner, which was why she loved sweets. She had even written in her letters that she was always curious about what ingredients were used in sweets from any country.
"Are you curious about how they’re made, Anna-san?"
"Eh? The sweets?"
Anna-san blinked a few times at my question, then shook her head slightly with a small frown.
"No. I like sweet things, but I have no idea how to make them. I rarely enter the kitchen, after all. Are you interested in how they’re made, Rachel-san?"
I felt the air freeze.
From Anna-san’s expression, it was clear she had no idea why I would ask such a thing. And it made sense. Normally, a noble lady would never stand in a kitchen, so the idea of cooking wouldn't even occur to her. My question would sound strange to any ordinary lady.
"Ah... no, you’re right. I just thought it was mysterious that such cute sweets could be made from flour and beans..."
"That’s true! It really is amazing when you put it that way."
I managed to smooth over the conversation, and Anna-san didn't seem to find it suspicious. She nodded in agreement with a bright smile.
...Perhaps the memories of her past life—the memories of An—had almost entirely vanished.
I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
Still, a hollow sense of loss opened up in my heart. The girl who had wept for the person she loved that day seemed to have disappeared as if she had never existed. And I was the only one in this world who had known her.
Yet, Anna-san herself hadn't changed. Since An’s soul and Anna-san were one, surely fragments of An must still remain within her.
I told myself this as I smiled at Anna-san. She nodded back, took a bite of the Manju, and her eyes widened. "It’s delicious..." she whispered.
I decided to try one too. I picked up the one Samuel had described as having cream. The moment I bit into the fluffy dough and tasted the perfectly sweet custard cream, I couldn't help but smile. Because of the cream, it paired wonderfully with the tea. The straight tea cut through the sweetness, refreshing my palate. Samuel had mentioned that a different kind of tea goes better with Anko, but it isn't drunk in this country, and even he had never made it. He said different teas could be made from the same leaves depending on the process, but I didn't know the details.
At any rate, these Manju were wonderful. They were round and cute, easy to eat, and delicious.
"It really is! It’s very good. I think I’ll try the Anko one next... Oh? Anna-san?"
When Anna-san didn't respond, I looked up. She was staring blankly at the Manju.
"Anna-san? What’s wrong?"
As if she couldn't hear me, Anna-san continued to stare intently at the Manju. Then, tears began to spill from her eyes. I wasn't the only one surprised; Anna-san herself seemed confused as to why she was crying.
"Why... why am I crying...?"
"Is something wrong? Are you in pain? What happened?"
"No, it’s just... while I was eating this, it just happened..."
"The Manju?"
"It feels like... I’ve eaten this somewhere before. It tastes so nostalgic."
Nostalgic? Like a memory of a certain flavor?
Anna-san wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, but the tears wouldn't stop. Large droplets welled up in her big eyes and vanished into the cloth.
"...I have... eaten this before..."
Anna-san whispered softly. She set her handkerchief on her lap and, as if making a grand resolution, stared at the Anko Manju for a moment before taking a bite. An expression of realization washed over her, and she suddenly stood up, knocking her chair back.
"A-Anna-san?"
"Rachel-san!"
"Y-Yes?"
"That person from before! Where is he?!"
"From before? ...Um, who do you mean? Do you mean Samuel?"
Anna-san remained standing, her large yellow eyes fixed on me as she questioned me urgently. Pressed by her intensity, I gave my answer. I saw her lips move silently as she repeated, "Samuel?"
Then, Anna-san bolted for the door and rushed out of the room. It was an act completely unlike the Saint Anna Carroll. I was left stunned, having no idea what was happening. But my shock lasted only a moment. I quickly regained my senses and chased after her, calling, "Anna-san!"
I ran through the open door and found Anna-san standing frozen in the hallway, staring straight ahead.
"What is the matter? You surprised me, running out like that."
I spoke to her back, exhaling to calm my racing heart. Still, she didn't answer. Concerned, I stepped up beside her. Anna-san was trembling with joy, her eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed bright red as she stared at a single point.
I followed her gaze to a certain person.
It was Samuel.
Samuel was pushing the wagon that had held our sweets, likely heading back to the kitchen.
I couldn't fathom why she was staring at Samuel so intently. I was about to speak to her again when Anna-san took a step forward and called out to Samuel in a loud voice.
"Makoto-kun!"
Makoto... kun?
What did Anna-san just say? Did she just say Makoto-kun?
A flurry of questions raced through my mind, but there was no time for that. I thought I should calm her down, but Anna-san called out the same name again and again.
"Makoto-kun! Makoto-kun!"
"Um, Anna-san. He is Samu..."
Was there some misunderstanding? I looked toward Samuel as I spoke his name. Hearing the voice, Samuel turned around reflexively.
And then, Samuel—who always had a kind, gentle smile for everyone—wore a different expression. A soft, warm smile, the kind one only gives to someone truly special.
"What is it, An?"
That was his response. But in an instant, Samuel’s expression shifted to one of shock. He seemed startled by his own words, his narrow eyes widening as he looked around frantically. When his gaze landed on me, he turned pale.
But at that response, Anna-san was already moving. She dashed forward and threw herself at Samuel. Wrapping her arms tightly around his back, she began to cry loudly, like a child. Samuel caught her in surprise, his gaze darting between her and me in obvious confusion.
Through her tears, Anna-san kept repeating the same name. "Makoto-kun," "I missed you," "An"—she stammered through her sobs, trying desperately to tell him.
"An?! Is it really you, An?!" Samuel grabbed her shoulders and looked into her face, stunned. Anna-san nodded over and over, her face crumpled with tears.
Standing a short distance away, I could only watch in a daze.
Yet, as I watched Anna-san call him "Makoto-kun," I realized that this was the first time I had seen her truly smile from the bottom of her heart. It was the most radiant, beautiful smile I had ever seen on her.
And in that moment, I understood. Her Makoto-kun was Samuel, and the An who had supposedly vanished had returned.
Before me, Anna-san clung to Samuel, refusing to let go. Samuel’s face was a mix of confusion and irrepressible joy. I felt a warmth spreading through my own chest.
Thank you for the bookmarks, ratings, comments, and typo reports.
To those who noticed the connection between "Azuki and Daizu" and "the wagashi shop and the tofu shop," and those who wondered "Is it that person?!"—thank you for your comments! (lol) It’s finally Makoto-kun.