The ghosts all fell silent. Chession scratched his ear and continued his walk.
Even Chession didn't just want to sleep every night. Gremory was embraced in her pajamas, but Chession couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
But just as he tried to set the mood, Gremory suddenly fell asleep. So Chession had no choice but to give up.
It was simply amazing how she fell asleep as soon as her head touched his. She napped so much. It was as if she were a real cat.
At first, he tried to understand Gremory's situation. After fighting so hard in the Demon World, it seemed natural that she'd want to laze around for a few days. Alice, on the other hand, seemed perfectly fine, but he figured it was probably just a matter of personalities.
"I wish you would stop being so lazy."
Chession stared at the round back of Gremory's head as she walked ahead. Sensing his gaze, Gremory turned and smiled brightly. Her hair, now long, swayed around her shoulders.
“Why do you look at me like that?”
"You just look pretty today."
Chession hid his true feelings and tried to explain them away with appropriate words. He didn't want to burden Gremory by forcing the topic of sleeping together.
'If Mori wanted to sleep with me, she would have left me alone a long time ago. Mori is very honest about her feelings and emotions.'
It's not too late to bring up bedtime stories after the wedding.
'Yes, wedding preparations come first.'
Chession decided to further cultivate his way for the time being. Since Mori won't be running away again, he can prepare leisurely.
It's not like she's running away...
Gremory smiled brightly today.
***
Gremory was in a difficult situation. It was because of Chession, who stared at her every night.
'This is really crazy. I'm going to go crazy.'
In fact, Gremory had long been aware of Chession's dark intentions. Even her relatively oblivious self could sense them, because Chession was so oblivious. Every night, he'd wear flimsy pajamas and stare seductively at her. How could she not notice?
Gremory didn't just want to sleep in bed, either. But there was a problem.
"The part that Kona cut is strange."
When Kona swung the black scythe, the scythe lightly grazed near her heart.
The wound gradually turned black. Perhaps it was the taste of the unknown scythe's power, but it never recovered. The wound gradually sapped even the vitality from her body. This was also the reason she took long naps every day.
'I can't tell him that I'm going to die soon, even though we've only just met again.'
Every time she encountered Chession, who was overly cheerful, she felt sick.
But what should I say?
Wouldn't it be better to tell him early so he can at least prepare himself mentally, rather than confessing, "Actually, I have a terminal illness" when the wounds have completely eaten away, and they are on the verge of death?
"Over there, Chession."
Gremory stopped mid-walk and called out to him seriously.
"Yes?"
Chession answered very brightly.
“Look at this.”
Gremory began to unbutton her blouse. As she unbuttoned one button, Chession, flustered, grabbed both of Gremory's hands.
"It's okay, you don't have to show it now!"
"Huh?"
"It's broad daylight, and we're outside!"
Chession, his face flushed red, continued to ramble.
"Ha. Did I make it that obvious? Sorry, Mori, I didn't mean to burden you."
“No, Chession.”
"That doesn't mean you have to be so aggressive! It's okay to take it slow."
“No, please listen to me..."
"If you really want, it's okay to do it now, but it's a bit much to do it outdoors from the beginning..."
"Oh! It's not what you think, so look at this!"
Gremory, frustrated and unable to control her strength, ripped open the buttons on her blouse. Two buttons flew off, and black marks began to appear from the wound.
The heat from Chession's face, which had been flushed bright red up to his ears, disappeared.
"What is this mark?"
"The wounds inflicted during the day when Kona swung her sword."
"Oh my gosh, it looks so hurt. Are you still not better?"
"It doesn't heal naturally. No matter how hard I try, it just gets worse."
“What? Then..."
As expected, Chession's face instantly turned pale. Gremory grabbed both of his hands tightly.
"Don't worry, I can get out with just one powerful healing spell. But there's a problem with that spell."
“What is it?”
"Since it's a magic that reverts the body's state to the past, it can also revert memories to the past. Maybe my memories will go back to before I met you."
"..."
"If that happens, you'll have to seduce me again."
Gremory gazed intently into Chesion's violet eyes. There was a soft, warm warmth in those eyes that he would never want to forget.
Jeseon remained silent for a moment. Dark shadows entered his once bright eyes.
Gremory tried to gauge the emotions Chession might be feeling. First, he'd be shocked. They'd barely met again, and yet they were drifting apart again.
And he'll be a little angry. Because she's been hiding these wounds in silence all this time.
"...Mori."
Finally, a low voice was heard. Gremory was prepared to endure what he had to say. If he complained, she would be accepted, and if he got angry, she would understand.
However, Chession was still terribly unstable.
"You must have had a hard time alone. You must have been sick, and it must have been hard to even bring up the topic."
"... Aren't you angry? I've been hiding something so important from you all this time?"
"Why am I angry? You could have told me this in advance. And there's a way to survive."
Chession thrust his large body toward Gremory. Gremory supported his heavyweight.
"I thought you'd be really upset."
"What's there to be upset about? It's something you can't help if you want to survive. I'm fine."
"Even if I lose all my memories of you?"
"I can try again. I know how to do it, so I'll be able to do it in no time."
Gremory, who let out a laugh, gently stroked Chession's silver hair.
"What's the method?"
"If you give you goat meat and a soft blanket, I'm halfway there."
"That's right, and if you tease me hard enough, my memory might come back."
"... Really?"
"Yes. People don't just remain in memories; they travel across time and space, leaving traces all over the world."
Chession raised his head and met Gremory's eyes.
“Is that real?”
"Yes, this is verified information learned in the Demon Realm."
"It's quite romantic for something witches learn."
"Yes."
Actually, it wasn't particularly romantic information. Gremory just nodded.
'This fact became known as the witches were tricking their prey.'
Witches enjoyed erasing the memories of their prey, driving them to despair. However, humans frequently recovered memories related to love. Even rewinding their prey back in time proved equally effective. This established the belief that love leaves its mark on the world.
"If Chession succeeds in seducing me again, then let's get married."
"...!"
"Mori Ethel, I really want to be called that someday."
After a moment of silence, Chession carefully stroked Gremory's face and answered.
"Mori, I'll definitely flirt with you again."
"Yes."
"I don't care if you don't regain your memories. I just want you by my side."
"Yes."
Gremory buried her face tightly in Chession's arms. As expected, Chession's voice was truly pleasant to hear.
***
That night, Chession slept alone.
Gremory decided to use healing magic tonight. Chession had recommended immediate treatment. There was no point in leaving the rotting wound untreated for too long.
After exchanging brief greetings with the members of the Grand Duke Ethel's residence, Gremory returned to her room and prepared her magic alone.
Chession couldn't sleep until dawn. Even hugging his pillow, he felt no sense of security.
He wanted to stay by Gremory's side, but Gremory refused. It was a magic that required precision, and she could make a mistake if someone was nearby.
His head was full of all kinds of thoughts.
'If it's magic that requires that much sophistication, it's unlikely to succeed.'
How much of Gremory's memory will she lose? Surely she won't just turn back into a baby who knows nothing?
Unable to overcome his anxiety, Chession finally got out of bed. Strolling down the hallway, he debated whether to guard Gremory's bedroom, worried that he might ruin the magic. He eventually entered the tea room near Gremory's bedroom.
The place was bustling with early arrivals. Anna, Bailey, Isolene, Alice, and Seara—Iris, though invisible, seemed to be there, too.
"Ah. Your Highness, the Grand Duke, has arrived too. Please have a seat."
Isolene moved the cushions from the sofa to make room for Chession.
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