PDRM 53

Chapter 53

Colorful fireworks bloomed in all shapes and sizes across the sky, then faded into glittering dust. As Roze gazed up in silence, a memory surfaced.

“Ah, I want to see a fireworks show someday.”

“Then shall we visit the capital during the festival? It’d be even better if we time it right. The capital’s festival is the biggest and grandest—there’s so much to see.”

Once, she had pouted like a child and made that request. They were sitting side by side, watching a bonfire in their front yard, when the words had escaped her lips on a whim.

And to that, he had made her a promise.

“Have you ever been to the capital?”

“Haha, of course I have.”

“Really? Will you go with me someday? To see the fireworks?”

“Yes. I promise. You’re too far along now, but once our baby is born, let’s go together—the three of us. You, me, and our child.”

Roze looked up at the sky, then slowly lowered her head and played with her pinky finger. A faint smile tugged at her lips. That playful pinky promise—they had made it in jest, and she’d forgotten all about it.

‘…You kept your promise, didn’t you?’

Heivan, herself, and Plita. The three of them watching fireworks together, just as he had said.

It wasn’t the capital, but Middlepion. Still, the location hardly mattered. What mattered was that they were together.

Roze smiled a tearful smile, her fingers fidgeting unconsciously. She didn’t notice the gaze fixed on her, didn’t know that the very man who had made that promise was watching her intently.

“….”

Heivan’s blue eyes studied her relentlessly.

She had seemed to enjoy the fireworks—until just a moment ago. Then her expression changed. She looked skyward with longing, not at the fireworks, but at something… someone. Then she lowered her head and began to toy with her pinky.

Heivan’s gaze shifted to her hands. Her slender fingers wore no rings—not even a simple band.

‘Now that I think about it, not even a wedding ring.’

He recalled her saying she had a husband and child. Past tense. Still, if she had once been married and had a child, shouldn’t she at least have a ring—even a cheap one?

Without realizing how odd it was for him to be so curious about the past of a mere maid, Heivan blurted out a question.

“Are you… thinking of your family?”

More precisely, he wanted to ask if she was thinking of her husband. At the same time, realizing what he had said, he inwardly cursed himself. It was a ridiculous question, and as he awkwardly tried to retract it, Roze widened her eyes and—after a moment of hesitation—nodded.

“I just… remembered a promise. We once said we’d go see the fireworks together.”

It was an old memory, one he likely didn’t recall. Something no lowly maid should be bringing up now.

But maybe it was the beauty of the fireworks unfolding in the night sky—Roze spoke on impulse.

She wanted to tell him. Thank you… for keeping your promise.

“Sometimes… memories return to me, little by little. Even though that person is no longer by my side… I remember the days we shared.”

A faint smile curved her lips. Heivan stared at her, then furrowed his brows without realizing it.

Why? He couldn’t explain it, but the mood soured inside him. His pleasant feelings vanished in an instant—like someone else had intruded on something that belonged to him. On the time spent just between them, a stranger had entered.

“…I’m insane.”

He muttered under his breath and shook his head. Ridiculous. Time between them? Intrusion?

It almost felt like… he was jealous of her *dead—or likely dead—*husband.

As he shook his head again, bewildered, Roze’s cautious voice reached his ears.

“Your Grace, what did you just say? I didn’t quite catch it.”

“Oh, nothing. Just… forget it.”

Thankfully, she hadn’t heard his nonsense. Feeling heat rise to his face, Heivan wiped his palm over his cheeks as if washing away his embarrassment, then chuckled softly and said:

“I envy you.”

“…?”

Roze tilted her head, puzzled. Heivan looked out the window. The number of fireworks had dwindled—it seemed the finale was approaching.

He watched the remaining bursts trail across the sky before disappearing, then, after a brief pause, continued.

“Because you have someone to remember.”

“….”

“I don’t remember anything. The last few years… are completely gone.”

A sharp intake of breath came from Roze. Naturally—this was no small confession. For a Grand Duke to admit to memory loss was a significant vulnerability. To say it so casually would be shocking to anyone.

Still, Heivan wanted to speak. Maybe it was the intoxicating mood of the festival night. He’d never been swayed by atmosphere as a child—but now, he didn’t care.

“…I don’t remember anything about the woman who bore Plita. The one who was… once my wife.”

“….”

“We must’ve spent time together. So much so that I dreamed of leaving everything behind to live a normal life with her… It must’ve been precious.”

He didn’t know what happened. Why he’d lost his memory. Where she had gone, leaving their child behind. Had the late queen harmed her? So many questions remained unanswered.

And so…

“So when Plita asked about her mother… I didn’t know what to say. I had no memories. No answers. What was I supposed to tell her?”

As Heivan’s voice tinged with self-mockery, Roze, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke in a soft voice.

“…But you told the princess, didn’t you? That she was kind, and warm… and cheerful.”

“Well…”

Heivan let out a sudden laugh. He swept his hair back and stared up at the ceiling, then said bluntly:

“Yes, I suppose I remember a little.”

“…!”

Roze’s eyes widened in shock. But he, still looking upward, didn’t notice. He simply chuckled and continued.

“Sometimes… I hear voices. I think it’s hers.”

“Is that really—”

“Even if it is, they’re just hallucinations. That’s all I had to go on when I told Plita those things.”

Heivan lowered his head again, a wry smile on his lips. Roze quickly bowed her head too, hiding her trembling eyes.

Memory. Hallucination.

Her fingertips shook. The thought that he might remember her—that he might remember her voice—made her heart pound wildly.

‘What am I hoping for? That he remembers me? Or… that he doesn’t?’

Boom. Boom-boom.

Before she could gather her racing thoughts, another round of fireworks exploded loudly.

The grand finale erupted all at once, lighting up the sky as if it were midday.

Shhhhh.

The rain that had started in the morning now poured harder as noon passed. Heivan finished reviewing the last line of a document and picked up his pen.

“Count Burel can finally sleep easy now.”

Standing by the desk, Fedwin glanced at the papers and commented with a slight laugh. Heivan, too, lifted a corner of his mouth and signed the document.

“If he hadn’t done anything wrong, he wouldn’t have lost sleep in the first place.”

“True, but you know how people are, especially when Your Grace personally visits for inspection. He must’ve been terrified of being caught over nothing.”

“….”

Heivan chuckled at that. He recalled how the Count had fidgeted nervously the entire time he stayed at the estate.

“In any case, it’s good. The inspection ended without issue.”

“Yes, it is.”

Heivan nodded. This time, he had brought his daughter along—he wouldn’t have wanted the journey to end with punishing a corrupt vassal. It was fortunate.

With a satisfied smile, he handed the papers to Fedwin. As the latter took them, something seemed to occur to him.

“Ah, right. The Count is hosting a banquet tonight. He’s invited nobles from nearby territories.”

“He told me earlier. Seems he’s desperate to send me off. Throwing a farewell party, even.”

“Haha—cough!”

Fedwin burst out laughing, then quickly covered his mouth. Heivan gave a small smile and waved a hand.

“Feel free to laugh, Sir Fedwin. That was the intention.”

“Oh? A joke, was it? My…”

Fedwin blinked in wonder at Heivan, who furrowed his brow.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It just feels like… you’ve changed a lot during this inspection.”

“Changed?”

Heivan scowled slightly, but Fedwin raised a hand and began counting on his fingers.

“You’re softer now.”

That deepened Heivan’s frown. Unbothered, Fedwin folded another finger.

“You crack jokes. Not funny ones, mind you.”

“Then I won’t bother with them anymore.”

Heivan shook his head in mock grumbling. Fedwin, grinning ear to ear, continued.

“You’ve grown closer to the young lady too. And then…”

He folded a third finger with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“A few days ago, you were even mistaken for her husband on the street…”