It had been two months since Yeonhwa collapsed. I don't know exactly what she did, but she had been writhing in pain for two months. She had a fever, coughed, and occasionally vomited blood. Every doctor, magician, and priest in the empire had said there was no hope.
“This… I don’t know what the hell happened to you, but it can never be fixed. It’s impossible.”
"It absorbs magic and then sends it back out. It's like there's a hole in it, so to speak. I can't even begin to heal."
“You said that magical power is leaking out as if a hole has been opened? Even divine power is leaking out… There is no hope.”
Of course, it wasn't just real doctors, magicians, and priests who came. There were also con artists who disguised themselves as money seekers. There were even people who tried to kill Yeonhwa and sell her organs. Of course, they were all caught and killed.
“Yeonhwa… I would rather… be dead… I don’t have the confidence to see you suffer every day and not wake up…”
I thought that every day next to Yeonhwa. I wish Yeonhwa would die so she wouldn't be in pain anymore.
That day, too, when the kids came to visit, sadness lingered in everyone's eyes, and mine did too. Seeing Yeonhwa, who seemed dead and unmoving, brought back memories.
“... Yeonhwa… How about just… dying…?”
It was impulsive. I covered Yeonhwa's mouth and nose with my hands. Still, Yeonhwa didn't open her eyes or struggle.
"Hey! Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind?"
Jeonghan grabbed me and pulled me closer. Everyone behind me was thinking about what they had just seen.Then what do you want me to do…? I can’t stand to see Yeonhwa in pain any longer… Yeonhwa would rather die than be in pain like this!
Crackle
"Wake up, Hong Ji-soo. Don't try to guess Yeon-hwa's feelings on your own. How do you know whether Yeon-hwa wants to live or die?"
"... I don't know... "
Thanks to Jeonghan's sharp words, Yeonhwa came to her senses a little. After that, Yeonhwa didn't feel any pain, but she didn't open her eyes either.
A month after that incident, late in the afternoon, the head maid, who had been waiting outside, knocked urgently on the door.
Knock knock knock knock knock
"Duke, Duke!!! I am Duke Leos!!!!!"
"Come in. What brings you to knock on the door like this..."
"The young lady... The young lady woke up!!"
"what…?"
The moment I heard those words, nothing came to mind. Even though the ink dripped from the pen in my hand and ruined the document, even though the head maid called me and stamped her foot, I remained in that state of stunned silence until the butler, having learned the situation from the head maid, came right up to me and brought me back to my senses.
"Your Majesty!"
"Huh? Huh... Really...? Who told you...?"
"Sia told me and went!! Aren't you going to go?!"
"No, I have to go. Hurry up."
I jumped up from my seat and walked quickly.
"Damn it... why is the building separate... and the doctor?"
“Sia called me as she walked away…!”
"okay..."
.
.
Kwaang-
“Yeonhwa…!”
When I opened the door, I saw Yeonhwa sitting on the bed, the doctor with a confused expression on his face, and the maids standing beside her, whispering with worried expressions. Honestly, all I could see was Yeonhwa, who didn't look sick. I strode over to her and hugged her tightly.
"Ugh... Hey, Yeonhwa... I... I really... Hehe... I thought I wouldn't be able to see you again... Hmph..."
"Uh... who are you..."
Who are you…? Yeonhwa seemed unaware of the situation. She looked at her flowing hair, confused, and truly… seemed to not know me.
"Yeonhwa...hey...?"
I pulled my hand away from Yeonhwa. Had Yeonhwa been in so much pain that she lost her memory? Or was it because of me back then… that she lost her memory? Was it because of me? I continued to blame myself, unconsciously biting my lower lip. Then the doctor spoke to me.
"I... Your Majesty... Perhaps... the young lady has lost her memory... She was in so much pain that it was shock..."
“What is that…”
… It’s okay… I’ll make Yeonhwa remember… again… Because we have kids too… It’ll be okay… It has to be that way…
"are you okay..."
"yes..?"
“It’s okay… I… no, we’ll help you remember them one by one…”
Is there no doctor I can trust? It's not that I don't trust this doctor right now, but I need to know for sure if Yeonhwa is completely better... While thinking deeply like that, Yeonhwa, who was looking out the window, was surprised to see a flag planted outside.
“Leos…?”
Yeonhwa... remembered...? She spoke the family name so clearly. The doctor, the maids, and I were confused. But Yeonhwa, who had mentioned the family name, was also confused. After thinking about it for a while, she called my name.
"...Hong Ji-soo..."
Was my name always this pleasant to hear? It was a miracle. Yeonhwa, who had lost her memory, spoke her family's name and called me by it. I was so happy I cried.
"Yeah, Yeonhwa..."
There is hope. The hope that Yeonhwa's memories can return.Fortunately, it seems like you remember a few things… If this continues, your memories may return soon.The doctor said the same thing. He told Jaycee to pass along a letter, following the doctor's advice to make sure she met up with people close to her often to help her recover more quickly.
"...Jaycee, write back to the kids. Tell them all to come to my living room tomorrow. Oh, and one more thing. Yeonhwa happened."
***
The day after Yeonhwa woke up, everyone gathered in the living room. From Choi Seungcheol to Lee Chan. Everyone. Everyone wanted to come right away yesterday, but they seemed quite anxious because they were told to come today. The area under their eyes was dark, as if they couldn't sleep because they were anxious.
“… So… Yeonhwa… happened…?”
In the long silence, the first to speak was Seokmin, a member of the Lowes family who had always cherished Yeonhwa—everyone cherished Yeonhwa, but the Lowes kids especially. His voice trembled, and he kept his eyes glued to me, as if urging me to respond quickly.
“Yeah… I woke up late yesterday afternoon.”
“How was it…? Did it hurt…?”
"I'm not sick. In fact, I look healthier than before I got sick..."
“That’s fortunate…”
Silence flowed again, and they each seemed to be sorting out their thoughts. Everyone's head was probably in a mess for their own reasons. ... And I'm also quite confused. I think Yeonhwa lost her memory because of me. The moment Yeonhwa opened her mouth to say she had lost her memory, Wonwoo asked.
“…But why did you tell me to come today…? I called you yesterday! I was really going to go right away, but you told me to come today in the letter, so I thought you were going crazy.”
"That's right. I tried to ignore that and run towards you, but Jaycee stopped me!"
"Yeonhwa has only just woken up, so she needs to rest. What if you suddenly come rushing in when she has only just woken up?"
"ah."
Everyone nodded, as if they understood what I said. Now I have to say it… Yeonhwa lost her memory…
"...and... Yeonhwa..."
When Yeonhwa's name was mentioned, everyone focused on me.Speak quickly. Choi Seung-cheol got annoyed.
"Yeonhwa lost her memory."
"what…?"
Bang-
Jihoon stormed out. He must have gone to Yeonhwa… Chani, Seokmin, Seungkwan, Myeongho, and Hansol followed him, while Seungcheol, Jeonghan, Junhwi, Soonyoung, Wonwoo, and Mingyu just sat there blankly, as if they couldn’t believe it.
"...Is that... real...?"
“Why…? Why did you lose your memory…?”
“I was sick… I was sick so much… I lost my memory.”
"Ha... haha... Yeonhwa must have been joking..."
“…Have you ever seen Yeonhwa play around…?”
"no..."
"...I'm going to go see Yeonhwa..."
Bang-
Seungcheol, Jeonghan, and Mingyu left the room.… let’s go together.Jun-hwi, Soon-young, and Won-woo followed him and he was left alone in the room.
"..."
I followed along soon after.
Jihoon and the kids, who ran first, didn't go in and were just loitering around in front of the door.
“Hyung… What if Yeonhwa is sleeping…?”
"Maybe Sia woke him up."
"Hmm…"
Still, when Ji-hoon hesitated, Chan knocked lightly on the door.
Smartㅡ
And soon, Yeonhwa's voice is heard from inside.
Hey... come in...?
Everyone's brains seemed to freeze at Yeonhwa's voice. It was Chan who broke that momentary silence.
Bang-
"Yeonhwa!!"
"Sigh."
Surprised, Yeonhwa stared intently at us standing at the door. Then, as she was about to drink, she paused in surprise, holding her teacup in her hand, her gaze fixed on the brooch. When Chan called Yeonhwa, Yeonhwa this time fixed her gaze on Chani. She then stated Chani's family and name.
“Rouse… Lee Chan…?”
"Did you recognize Chani?" Everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing. Only then did Yeonhwa finish drinking the tea in her cup. Chani asked Yeonhwa, seemingly incredulous.
“Yeonhwa… do you remember me…?”
“Yes… I remember a little bit about everyone’s family, name, and age… that he’s Lee Chan from the Lowe’s family and that he’s the same age as me…”
“I’m glad you haven’t completely forgotten… Since we’re the same age, feel free to talk to me!”
"Then, can you tell me who they are one by one?"
At Sunyoung's request for each person to speak, Yeonhwa hesitated for a moment before speaking one by one, without taking her eyes off the brooch.
"Yes. Soonyoung from the Raeger family… Yeah.. Oppa, Myungho from the Jis family… Oppa and Junhwi… Oppa, Jihoon oppa, Seokmin oppa, Chan from the Rose family, Seungcheol oppa and Hansol oppa from the Raig family, Mingyu oppa from the Ibis family, Seungkwan oppa from the Bylet family, Jeonghan oppa from the Ian family, Wonwoo oppa from the Daul family… and Jisoo oppa from the Leos family."
Yeonhwa hesitated slightly when she called him "oppa," but then spoke without hesitation. Perhaps Yeonhwa's memories had returned a little...
“I really thought I was going to die this time… Again… That bitch…?”
“Again… that girl…?”
Ah. That bitch. The moment I heard the word "that bitch," my mood suddenly soured. I held back a hint of murderous intent—I thought Yeonhwa couldn't sense it, but it was palpable even outside—and grinned at Hansol with a warning.
"hey."
I don't want to hear the word "that bitch," so let's not say it—swallowing back the words, Yeonhwa asked.
“Oh, but… what about my parents? I haven’t seen them since they woke up…”
… Parents… I never thought I'd be asked about them. What should I say? Should I tell them the truth… that they're dead?
"... Yeonhwa... your parents..."
I hesitated. Could I tell the truth?
"He went on a trip. You may not remember, but he left the Azenka Empire and went to the Eren Empire. He'll be back after quite some time."
To reassure Yeonhwa with a smile, he lied. It was the second lie he told to hide the fact that his parents had passed away.
"Ah... I see..."
Fortunately, Yeonhwa seemed convinced. Now, I had to deal with that year, making sure she wouldn't be touched again. … I should stay with Yeonhwa a little longer and then go out to discuss it...
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Yay! This time it was Jisoo's time!! I'll tell you the story
As I was writing, I couldn't move on to the next storyㅜㅠ
It's exactly 5,000 characters!! I hope you don't have any trouble reading it ;)
Ratings, comments, and red bells are required! >♡<