Chapter 183: Loose Leash
They said I lost my memory, and that was probably true. I had no issues with my daily habits or knowledge. However, every time I tried to think about the people around me, it felt like there was a wall blocking those memories. The only thing I remembered clearly was that I was currently inside a book I had written. I looked at the man who was staring at me with a distraught expression. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Hmmm… Duke Abel Heilon?”
Abel Heilon’s face frowned when I called his name.
Why did he look at me like that? Did I mispronounce it? I thought I had gotten it right.
“You really don’t remember anything?”
I nodded awkwardly. The man in front of me was quite intimidating.
“Yes…”
I wasn’t sure, but I thought my name was currently ‘Fiona Heilon’. This fact, combined with everything happening in the current situation, made me really frustrated, as none of these details aligned with the original story.
Did I become his temporary adoptive daughter for some reason?
But in the story, Fiona was not originally a very well-liked character.
“I lost my memory, so do I have to leave?”
Abel Heilon’s expression darkened.
That look was quite scary. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Absolutely not.”
“But I don’t think I can be of any help to the Duke of Heilon right now.”
Abel sighed. “Hearing you say that reminds me of old times….”
I truly didn’t understand what was wrong with my statement.
“Your staying here has nothing to do with being helpful.”
“But that doesn’t mean I can eat and live for free, right?”
Abel answered bluntly, “It doesn’t matter if you play and eat to your heart’s content.”
It seemed like Abel Heilon was kind to me, though I was still unsure about his intentions. Or was this some kind of trap?
“And name.”
“Yes?”
He frowned disapprovingly.
“Call me Father.”
“Mmm… I think it would take a little more time for me to say that…”
Abel sighed, looking very dissatisfied.
I fiddled with the ring on my finger. I was even engaged. Had I become an adopted daughter due to some political matter? There was another problem: my fiancé was the male protagonist.
Damn it. I’m doomed.
What on earth was I doing, past me? This situation might also involve some kind of deal with the other party. Read the translation on ladygrey.com.
“Should we break off the engagement?”
That was what I asked the prince, Sigren, who had come to visit. Like Abel Heilon, Sigren’s face also grew grim.
“Why?”
“I don’t remember anything. I don’t know what’s been happening…”
“That doesn’t matter. And speak comfortably[1].” [t/n: I still have no knowledge of how to translate korean honorific way of speaking. So I could only give you this note when they are speaking honorific way]
“We always speak comfortably except in official settings.”
Well, I had heard we were childhood friends. How did I get along with him?
“Uh, um, why are we engaged?”
“….”
“For the family? For deception? Or is there a deal between us?”
Sigren, who had been quietly listening to me, chuckled.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His face was my favorite.
He lowered his head and lightly touched my forehead, whispering, “Why isn’t there an option ‘because I love you’?”
“… because I think that doesn’t make any sense?” At least, that was what I thought.
Sigren sat on the edge of the bed and sighed lightly. “Right now, you must be thinking about the whole situation under the assumption that you could never have been loved.”
“….” I looked at him blankly. It seemed I had made a lot of men sigh today.
“Fiona.” He stroked my cheek softly. “You loved me, and I love you too.”
I guessed he used the past tense to express my feelings because he knew I didn’t feel that way at the moment. “So, are we going to stay engaged?”
“I don’t want to force you, but I hope we do.”
The hand that had been stroking my cheek slowly moved to the back of my head, pulling me into a hug. I carefully fiddled with the ring on my finger. So, this engagement ring must be from him. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
A pleasant low tone rang out. “And I hope you always wear the ring.”
It wasn’t a difficult request, so I nodded slightly.
“Fiona, I will try to help you find your memory.”
“Thank you. But what if I can’t find it?”
Sigren smiled slightly. “I still wouldn’t break off the engagement.”
I considered a couple of possibilities. “What if I want to get engaged to someone else?”
Well, people’s minds changed. I chose not to bet on any feelings.
“Well…” Sigren’s smile stiffened. It was still a soft smile, but it had an edge. “I’m not sure what would happen to me when that time comes.”
He stroked my lower lip with his thumb. “But I wish you had remembered my warning earlier, Fiona. You should always hold on to the leash.”
Leash? That didn’t seem like something meant for a pet dog.
Sigren looked at me and smiled very softly and leisurely.
“….” Seeing that expression made my mind go blank for a moment. I wondered how, in the past, I had managed to become a close childhood friend and feel comfortable with this young man who seemed like an apex predator.
What a big mouth, my past self.
Anyway, that was my impression of my fiancé after losing my memory. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
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