Hiding the Fact That We Are Dating From the Amnesiac Villain - Chapter 30

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 30
“I’m sorry, Freena. Did I startle you terribly?”
“I’m fine, but… the door…”
“As long as you weren’t hurt, that’s all that matters.”
“…Was what just happened truly dangerous enough to have injured me?”
“No, I don’t think it was that serious.”
Decklin’s evasive answer caused Freena’s expression to stiffen with alarm. Yet the woman quickly composed herself, pushing aside her confusion.
What she did next was examine the damaged door.
“Your Grace. Rather than that… I think we only need to replace the door handle.”
Freena’s demeanor was remarkably composed, as though this situation were quite familiar to her.
Though she’d only glimpsed it moments ago, she couldn’t possibly have grown accustomed to it so quickly.
“It shouldn’t cost much to repair. That’s fortunate…!”
Freena was truly kind.
She even worried about repair costs for the Caesar Family, who possessed such deep financial resources.
“Thank you, Freena.”
“The Grand Temple is an ancient cultural heritage site as a whole, but… it’s fortunate the damage is only to the handle. Door handles are meant to be replaced periodically anyway.”
It was a touchingly tender consideration.
The woman who had trembled in fear of him moments before was now suddenly tending to Decklin with practiced ease.
“Does this happen often?”
“Pardon?”
“You seem accustomed to it.”
That remark appeared to catch Freena off guard for a moment.
“…My siblings cause accidents frequently. So I’ve had quite a lot of cleanup to manage.”
“Do I seem like your younger sibling to you, Freena?”
“…What?!”
It was alarm bordering on shock.
“…Thank you for bringing me here today, Your Grace. May I take my leave now?”
Her intention not to ride in Caesar’s carriage on the return journey was clear.
Though she had spoken of being honored to meet him, her true feelings were transparent.
“Of course.”
At his response, the woman could not suppress a smile.
After going to such lengths to escort her properly, this was rather much.
Of course, Decklin had completely disregarded everything he had done thus far.
“Farewell, Freena.”
“Yes, Your Grace! Goodbye!”
Freena, who had been practically wilting, departed with spirited energy.
As she quickly turned away, she did not see Decklin’s wry smile from behind.
She hurried from the Measurement Chamber as though desperate to distance herself from Decklin.
By the time she left the Temple, the sun had already begun to set. Decklin watched the woman’s silhouette as she hurried across the Temple grounds in the twilight glow, moving with quick, eager steps.
For a very long time.
* * *
I trudged wearily back home.
The Grand Temple was quite a distance from my residence, so I took a shared carriage for the journey.
‘At least I managed to keep my resonance ability hidden.’
By the time I arrived home, my entire body was utterly exhausted.
“You’re back already?”
“Ah, yes.”
What a fright.
Just as I reached my home, someone called out to me.
I clutched my startled heart and turned around. And there was…!
“Owell!”
“Why so surprised? You wound me.”
“I’m just happy to see you!”
I meant it sincerely.
Owell was a postal carrier.
And his arrival meant only one thing.
“Our Freena speaks so beautifully. Here, a letter has arrived for you.”
As I took the letter from Owell, I checked the sender’s name.
[Cecilia]
Cecilia!
A letter from my beloved sister.
“That Liam fellow—once he hit his teenage years, he barely sends letters anymore. Goodness, how different twins can be. This is why boys are such trouble.”
“No, Liam does send letters.”
“His last one was over half a year ago, wasn’t it?”
That was true enough.
Unlike Cecilia, Liam didn’t write often.
It was simply his nature to be indifferent.
‘I should understand that about him.’
He must be quite busy as well.
“I’m satisfied as long as my siblings are healthy and well.”
“Those two are blessed to have such a wonderful sister. In any case, Freena, I must be on my way—I have other deliveries to make.”
“Farewell, sir!”
I had been wondering where I’d find the means to cover the twenty percent rent increase going forward, and now I had secured it.
‘I’ll be able to deliver this safely to the Landlord.’
Though recent circumstances had grown increasingly complicated, I was undeniably living each day with fierce determination.
Days accumulate into months, and months into years, as they say.
When I looked back, my heart swelled with new emotion.
‘When I first sent my siblings to the Academy, tuition costs seemed impossibly distant…’
Yet here I was, somehow managing to see them safely through until graduation approached.
I smiled softly and opened Cecilia’s letter.
You’ve all done well.
‘Yes, I just need to hold on a little longer.’
I’ll destroy the ring and leave the Empire with my siblings.
Then I can live a happy life.
* * *
Freena arrived at Daisy Hall for work as usual.
But today was different.
This might very well be my last day coming here.
‘Because I have to go to the Caesar Family now.’
Freena opened the door to Daisy Hall.
Daisy Hall was unusually chaotic today. My coworkers had gathered together and were whispering among themselves.
“Is that really true? Then what happens to him with the 3rd Knight Order?”
What are they talking about?
“He was the only one with unrequited feelings anyway. Freena wasn’t interested in him to begin with.”
…They’re talking about me?
“He’s really handsome though… Why isn’t she interested?”
“Well, our Freena doesn’t judge by appearance. She only looks at a person’s character.”
“I see… Oh!”
My coworkers at Daisy Hall were gossiping about me when they suddenly noticed my arrival and gasped.
They hadn’t expected the subject of their conversation to show up.
“Freena! Is it true? The Duke is interested in you?”
What?
“What nonsense is that? Freena was taken away because of the Count Seiton incident!”
My coworkers bickered over pointless gossip.
It seemed to stem from the fact that I’d been seen getting into a carriage in front of the workers.
How long are you all going to keep this up?
But I won’t be able to see this scene for a while now. A strange wistfulness washed over me.
“Why is everyone gathered here! Get back to work!”
Just then, the Head Chef shouted loudly.
“Ahem. Are you alright, Freena?”
The Head Chef approached me, having apparently heard the news, and expressed his concern quietly.
In the past, I would have said I was fine and told him not to worry.
But today was different.
“Head Chef, I’m… sorry, but could I take some time off from work?”
During all my time working at Daisy Hall, I had never taken a single day off.
To earn even a single extra coin.
Because I needed to be a reliable support for my siblings.
The Head Chef understood my circumstances.
“You’re saying you want to take a vacation?”
“…It’s not exactly a vacation. I think it will be difficult for me to come to Daisy Hall for about six months.”
At Freena’s words, the Head Chef seemed quite taken aback.
I felt a twinge of guilt.
Lately, I’d begun to wonder if I’d become a source of disruption in this place.
“Very well. Go ahead.”
Yet the Head Chef granted permission without asking a single question.
Since when did he approve leave so readily?
“In times like these, it’s best to stay out of sight. Don’t come in for a while.”
I soon understood his reasoning.
“That’s right, Freena! For now, don’t think about anything—just rest!”
“From what we hear, the Duke seems like such a good person… but to the nobility, commoners’ lives are worth no more than insects.”
“Be careful, Freena. You understand, don’t you?”
My coworkers, who had gathered around me once more, patted my shoulder and poured out their sincere concern.
Their clumsy yet warm comfort filled me with both apology and deep gratitude.
Yet simultaneously, a bitterly ironic feeling crept up from the tips of my toes.
In the not-so-distant future.
Decklin would begin in earnest to destroy the Empire.
Mana would surge through the Empire and blanket the entire land.
And what of them?
It was a fact that needed no elaboration.
I’ve known the answer all along.
‘They will all perish.’
I’ve known it for so very long.
I simply pressed the question down and pretended ignorance.
They were my cherished coworkers.
Could I truly ignore this guilt in a future where my siblings and I escape this land and live safely?
I would spend my entire life haunted by their ghosts.
‘…But if I succeed with the Caesar Family’s legacy and the Imprinting, perhaps I can save my coworkers at Daisy Hall as well.’
I’ve worked here for a long time now.
I didn’t want to turn away from those who worried about me and took on my work.
So I could protect them…
“Stay still, Freena. What could you possibly do anyway?”
That was the moment.
A chill swept through the kitchen air like a sudden frost, freezing everything solid.
Once again, a phantom whispered in my ear.
“You’re a wicked child who stood by and watched your mother burn to death.”
In the haze of my consciousness, I reaffirmed it once more.
…Surely, I could protect them.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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