Chapter 11
***
I blinked awkwardly, wondering if I had done something wrong.
My spine shuddered by looking at his fierce eyes.
But no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t remember what I did.
‘What’s the problem?’ His expression distorted a little more roughly when I saw him rolling his eyes. “You are…”
As he was about to say something, Engel ran up to us with a design book.
“Actually, I was inspired after seeing your wife on the wedding day, and I drew some designs.”
He proudly unfolded a design book that was full of colorful design costumes that made me wonder if I could wear it.
These are outfits that I haven’t seen before the regression.
At that time, I only wore calm and elegant dresses so as not to stand out as much as possible.
“If it’s a spring flower ball, wouldn’t it be nice to have a fresh and clean feeling that marks the beginning? Ahh! This design would be fine, but your wife has luscious hair, which is rare, so if the dress is too flashy, it might make you feel like a peacock. Then this dress is adorned with obsidian…”
Engel’s eyes lit up, and he began to talk about it as if he had been waiting only for this day.
Edlade’s attention was already drawn to the familiar appearance.
I was a little perplexed and had to listen to Engel carefully.
Engel always dealt with women and made costumes for women, so his tone was soft and talkative like a merchant.
I heard that men who don’t want to look ugly often do harm, but Engel was strong.
He does not forget all the faces of those who tormented him, and he barred their mothers, wives, older sisters, younger brothers, and aunts from entering the salon.
It is said that the nobles did not touch Engel when the women of noble families were angry.
Engel was a great person who was proud of his work.
“….. Well, anyway, the outfit that Lady Philemon likes would probably be the best. What do you think? Is there an outfit that you like?”
Looking at the sparkling eyes of Engel, I pointed to one of the outfits.
Engel eagerly explained. “As expected! You have a good eye. Since it is clean, antique, and not too fancy, the bright appearance of the Lady will stand out even more!”
Perhaps Engel imagined me wearing the finished outfit on his mind, he put his hands together with an ecstatic expression.
“Then we have to start making outfits in time, so please come over here, My Lady. We will take your measurement.”
Edlade’s gaze stayed on him for a brief moment at Engel’s words, but it quickly disappeared as if it was an illusion.
A young employee with a pretty cute appearance approached me and hesitated.
“I’ll guide you, Lady Philemon”
She was one of the staff in the salon.
I was guided by the staff and entered the dressing room on another side of the salon.
Two more female employees were waiting there besides the one who guided me inside.
“We have been waiting.”
“Excuse me for a moment.”
I took off the dress I was wearing with their help and began to measure.
The cute staff, who was in charge of the guide, diligently wrote down the measurements that other staff members called.
‘Somewhat… It feels very new.’
I had this experience before.
At that time, I only asked Lasha to measure roughly and manage to buy a popular dress.
I attended the spring flower ball wearing a dress like that.
I don’t know what was different since then, but it felt good.
‘Come to think of it, what was Edlade doing at the time?’
We didn’t even go out together like today.
He had been away from the mansion for a while, telling me not to go out with cold eyes because of Conzel’s sudden visit to the mansion.
‘It was random.’
Except for the fact that he lost his memory, it could be said that the situation of buying the clothes now is much better than before the regression.
Edlade was waiting for me on the sofa in the salon, reading the newspaper, wearing a dress designed by Engel himself, and I’m not taking a guess, He was in the hands of experts.
I couldn’t help but smile because of the little happiness.
“We are happy for you, Lady Philomen.”
“Huh?”
“Your Excellency, the Duke personally came to the salon for My lady.”
“That’s right, I can’t believe your Excellency had this sweet side… I think you must be really happy.”
That’s what they said as the work was coming to an end.
It’s obviously not really for me, but I just shrugged my shoulders.
The ideal man that every woman in the empire dreams of is Edlade, the Duke of Philemon.
“It’s done.”
After giving them a light smile without answering any other questions, I went out and my eyes caught Edlade, who was talking to Engel.
“Then let’s do it.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Without erasing a smile on his face, Engel left me with a message that he would bring the outfit directly to the mansion when the outfit was completed.
After saying goodbye, I was escorted by Edlade who was waiting for me at the entrance of the salon again, and I got into the carriage.
It was all about going out in a carriage from the mansion to the salon, but it was good.
It was the first time I felt good about coming back since I knew that Edlade was forgetting me every day.
“Thank you for being with me today.”
“……It’s not for you.”
“But in the end, it was for me.”
Edlade looked at my smiling face and looked away indifferently.
After leaving the salon, he didn’t look at me properly.
I didn’t even feel annoyed because I thought I had finished my work today.
The carriage was peaceful.
“I think I have something to say.”
I remembered Edlade trying to say something to me but Engel interjected.
“Do you have anything to say to me?”
“No.”
“You were going to talk to me in the salon, but you didn’t.
“I forgot.”
What kind of absurd lies was that?
I looked at him with my eyes wide open, but he felt my gaze and didn’t turn his head.
Knowing Edlade’s stubbornness, I didn’t speak any further.
Having a better memory than anyone else, ‘I forgot.’ was clearly an excuse.
He doesn’t seem to be feeling very well.
“Oh, stop the carriage for a second.”
Edlade did not see me even when the carriage stopped at the entrance to the forest on the way to the mansion.
Since he had no reason to escort me out like in front of the salon, I carefully opened the door of the wagon and got off.
“I’ll take a walk, so go ahead.”
I closed the door of the carriage with a light wave.
His gaze reached before the door closed, but I couldn’t hear anything else.
As I watched the carriage leave without any regrets, I stretched my stiff body to release tension.
My body, which had been so nervous about making a mistake, was relieved a little then.
Rumble.
There was an unusual sound, but the sky was clear and I started walking through the forest path.
The forest path I walked on several times was so smooth that there were no small stones.
Spring is full of flowers, trees are clear from snow in the summer, when the autumn comes the colored leaves flutter, and white snowflakes adorn the trees in the winter.
I liked to walk down this road.
Edlade occasionally accompanied me on my walks.
He was holding my hand and walking with me, not looking away from me if I hurdle and fall on a stone-free road.
tuk, tuk
“Oh, my.” Immersed in memories, I didn’t even look at the sky.
Rumbling- I should have known when I thought there was a sound of a street.
Contrary to my light heart, the falling raindrops became thicker, little by little.
I still have a long way to go to the mansion.
When I saw the dark clouds filling the sky in an instant, I thought it might be a shower, but the rain got heavier without an intention to stop.
I stared blankly at the darkened sky and moved forward.
If I hurry up, I will arrive at the mansion soon.
‘Ed! What brings you here?’
Because it’s raining.’
‘It’s like a shower that passes quickly. I was surprised during the walk, but I was glad you came.’
You are weak, so you can get sick even in the shower.’
Oh, are you doing this because you caught a cold last time? It’s just a shower.’
‘I want to protect you even in the rain.’
I smiled at his sweet whisper and went with him to the mansion under an umbrella.
My heart fluttered, and I loved his gentle act of hugging my shoulder to get me out of the rain a little bit, yet leaving one of his shoulders all wet.
I did not stand alone with the pouring rain stream as I do now.
Burh
My foot stopped.
The rain in early spring was still cold.
I closed my eyes as I drew a breath through my lips.
There is no meaning to the strong rain that hits the face, but I am attaching meaning to this as well.
I promised over and over again.
She mumbled ‘it’s okay,’ raised the corners of her lips, and smiled.
I am greatly pleased with the small conversation, sometimes pretending not to be interested in the question of the person who does not know me.
I wonder if I can do it.
My heart is no longer shaken… I can’t forget the life I’ve passed.
My shallow heart whispered
It said through a solid wall that had been held over and over again.
Are you okay? Aren’t you tired?
“…… Ugh… I’m tired… Ugh… It’s not okay…”
Sweet memories were piercing my heart over and over again, sharper than the sword I stabbed myself.