LDLDE 10

Chapter 10

“The Little Daughter-in-Law Runs Everything!

“Not knowing is only natural. I’m not the kind of person who jokes. Of course, even now I’m not joking.”

“Then what exactly….”

“It was part of treatment, even though I don’t know what you saw.”

The uncle gave an answer that Kylian could not refute as he tried to protest further.

“Diana seems to like that child quite a bit. Every time she spends time with that little one, she becomes more lively.”

“I see. But then why did you aim for my mother’s solar plexus while she was sleeping?”

“That was also part of treatment. I was checking the condition of the Duchess.”

I spread out my small hands, small even for my age.

“You don’t seriously think I used these hands to aim for the Duchess’s vital point, do you? Do you really think that’s possible?”

Kylian stared at my hands and sighed.

“It does look like you couldn’t even kill an insect.”

“Right?”

“……”

Kylian said nothing. He still looked suspicious of me, but also seemed conflicted because I clearly didn’t have the strength to harm the Duchess.

“Well, if Mother liked it, then it can’t be helped. However, from now on, I will accompany that child whenever she goes to see my mother.”

That’s a problem….

I wasn’t trying to target the Duchess, but I had been secretly using mana to treat her.

If Kylian came along, it might become difficult to continue treatment.

“Why? Is there something you’re hiding?”

I shook my head at Kylian’s sharp gaze.

“No. I’m fine with it.”

“Since the discussion seems finished, both of you may leave. See you at dinner.”

“Yes!”

“……”

At the firm dismissal, Kylian and I stepped out into the hallway. I looked sadly at his back as he walked away without even glancing at me once.

‘I expected this, but it still hurts.’

It felt different from when Uncle Riccardo didn’t remember me.

At least the uncle had some goodwill toward me. It wasn’t toward Iris Swan specifically, but he was kind to children in general.

But Kylian was ignoring me completely. Maybe he even disliked me now.

‘I thought it would be easier than before, but it seems even harder.’

For my plans, I needed to stay near Kylian, but it felt like I had already messed up the first step.

I was happy to see him again, but…

My feelings were not returned, and it felt sad.

Then it happened.

Kylian, who had already walked quite far ahead, suddenly turned around.

“Hey, you.”

“Yes?”

“Have we met somewhere before?”

“……!”

My mind went completely blank.

Of course, I had never met Kylian at this point in time.

Could it be that Kylian remembers the past?

‘No way. Even Uncle Riccardo doesn’t remember. He must be confusing me with someone else.’

I steadied myself and shrugged.

“No, I don’t think so. I lived in a small village in the territory of Baron Cornell before coming here. If you had visited my village, maybe you would know me, but that seems unlikely.”

I tried to act calm, but my mouth felt completely dry.

“Do I resemble someone you know? Pink hair isn’t common, so maybe you’re just mistaking hair color.”

“Yeah, that could be it. But somehow you feel… strange.”

Kylian closed the distance again and walked toward me.

“Wait a second, you….”

Now he stood right in front of me, his expression suddenly serious.

“Ah?”

I felt something drip from under my nose and touched it.

My fingertips came away red.

‘Even when I studied all night, I never had nosebleeds….’

It seemed I had pushed myself too hard by using mana every day while my mana core was still not properly formed.

My head suddenly felt dizzy.

It wasn’t just my imagination. My body actually swayed.

‘W-wait?’

My strength left my legs, and I collapsed forward.

“Hey, snap out of it!”

I felt Kylian catch me firmly, but I couldn’t see his face as I lost consciousness.

2. Kylian Windrichte

My vision was blurry.

No, it wasn’t just blurry. Everything in front of me was red, as if something crimson was covering my eyes.

I could feel mana leaking uncontrollably from my damaged core.

My whole body ached. I didn’t even have the strength to move a single finger.

Every breath I barely took brought the smell of blood up my throat.

Only a little later did I understand what was happening.

This was a memory from my past. The final moment of my life, when I used ancient magic with all my remaining strength.

I thought I lost consciousness right after casting the spell, but it seemed I had remained conscious afterward.

I had simply forgotten it because it was too painful.

But why was I suddenly remembering it now?

Even though I knew I was only watching fragments of memory, my whole body felt like it was burning, and I wanted to stop seeing it.

I just wanted to pass out.

Why was it dragging up that horrifying day I had already forgotten?

What was it trying to show me?

Then—

<“Iris, open your eyes!”>

A painful voice like a beast’s cry echoed.

<“Why did you… how did this happen….”>

Hot tears fell over my burning face.

I couldn’t see the face of the person holding me gently, but I knew who it was.

Kylian Windrichte.

The only person I had left.

The person I wanted to protect.

Strange. When I used time-reversal magic, was Kylian even there?

He shouldn’t have known where I was and come here.

Or was this just my wish—my desire to see Kylian one last time—turning into an illusion?

I hoped it was an illusion.

Seeing Kylian witness my final moments was more terrifying than the fact that I was dying.

I wanted to show him only pretty and good versions of myself.

But if the man in front of me was really Kylian….

<“I’m sorry….”>

<“Don’t speak. You’ll bleed more. Damn it, why won’t the bleeding stop!”>

<“I’m… sorry.”>

For failing to keep my promise to stay by your side.

<“Don’t… cry.”>

You shouldn’t cry because of someone like me. Even if my magic fails and I can’t turn back time, you must keep moving forward.

But if, by some miracle, the magic succeeds—

<“We’ll meet again….”>

We will meet again.

Even if you don’t remember me, I will remember everything.

We’ll be by each other’s side again.

Next time, I’ll find your happiness for you.

So you never cry again.

Kylian focused on stopping my bleeding and said nothing.

Then, late, a bright light burst from the magic circle.

<“What did you do, Iris?”>

I only smiled weakly in response.

<“Can we meet again?”>

If the goddess blesses our happiness, maybe.

Kylian, watching me still smiling, clenched his teeth.

<“Yes, we will meet again.”>

It sounded less like he was speaking to me and more like a vow to himself.

<“So go wait for me, Iris. This time, I will come to you first and protect you. No matter what. Next time, I will….”>

He seemed to say more, but I could no longer hear anything.

My consciousness faded.

Just before I lost awareness, a genderless voice echoed in my mind.

<“My lovely child. This time, please….”>

* * *

“……Hah!”

I gasped like someone who had just come out of water.

As I opened my eyes while breathing heavily, purple eyes came into view first.

“Kylia…n?”

After blinking a few times, I could finally see him clearly.

I thought it might have been a dream caused by the memory I just saw, but Kylian was really sitting by my bedside.

“Are you awake?”

“Yes. But why…?”

As I tried to sit up, he pressed my forehead down. I was forced back onto the bed.

“You.”

Kylian sighed as if he was exhausted.

“Before talking about treating my mother or whatever, how about taking care of your own body first?”