♔亞緣腐宅窩♔

Story Event－Forget Me Not

（True Love Route：Leo）

◆ Select a Suitor ◆
＞＞＞Choose Leo

Leo, Chapter 2：

It was a dark, gloomy evening, with not a single star visible in the sky.
Jily：Nnnn—
I felt something warm on my cheek, and I slowly opened my heavy eyelids.
My vision was hazy, but I could see a man standing next to me.
???：Are you okay?
I tried to say yes, but my mouth couldn't seem to find the words.
So I simply nodded, and the man smiled at me.
???：The doctor said it's better for you to rest quietly for a while.
My head was aching, and I stared up at him, trying to gather my thoughts.
His voice was quiet and soothing, but that wasn't what was bothering me.

（You've obviously been sitting here watching over me all this time.）

Leo：What's the matter?

（Do you know me? Should I know you?）

I felt confused—he was clearly acting as if he knew me well.

（I feel rude to ask your name when you're being so friendly.）

Jily：I'm sorry—um—
I hesitated, trying to think of a way to ask, and the man tilted his head curiously to one side.

（Ahh, I don't know what to say!）

I lay there silently, staring up at the man in confusion.
As he stared back at me, his eyes slowly narrowed, his expression changing.
He seemed to read my expression properly at last, and he spoke in a hushed voice.
Leo：Jily—do you not recognize me?
I chewed hesitantly on my lower lip as I shook my head slowly.

＊＊＊

Soon after, Leo left Jily's room and headed to the study.
He explained Jily's condition to Giles in a quiet voice.
Giles：I never imagined that she'd wake up with only her memories of you missing.
Giles sighed softly, but Leo simply stood there, his expression unchanged.
They stared at each other in quiet silence for a moment.
Giles：What do you intend to do?
Leo gave a wry smile in response to Giles's question.
Leo：I'm not gonna do anything.
He lifted his gaze to meet Giles's, and smiled more brightly.
Leo：Maybe Jily and I can fall in love all over again, like we did before.
Giles stared at Leo for a long moment, and then spoke quietly.
Giles：Maybe.

＊＊＊

At last I recovered from my accident and was able to get back to work.
Life seemed to have returned to normal, and I made my way to Leo's study for my usual lessons.

（Ahh, this is such a problem.）

As I walked down the corridor, I considered what was bothering me.

（I've had several lessons with Leo since I got better.）
（But every time we have a lesson I feel as if I'm forgetting something really important.）

A memory seemed to surface in my mind, but it faded away again before I could focus on it.

（Ahh, it's no good.）

I stopped walking and sighed softly, speaking without really thinking.
Jily：I just don't get it.
I heard footsteps up ahead, and looked up to see Alyn walking towards me.
Alyn：Are you really all better?
Jily：Oh, yes. Sorry for worrying you.
I smiled hastily up at him as I answered, banishing the lingering confusion from my mind.
Alyn sighed softly as he looked at me.
Then he stepped towards me, and—
Jily：Oh!
Alyn stepped towards me and plonked a hat on my head.
Alyn：You dropped it in the carriage.

（I did?）

I pulled the hat off my head and stared at it curiously.
Jily：Is this mine?
Alyn：Of course it is.
Alyn：You were the only one in the carriage when it overturned.
Jily：I guess.
I frowned a little as I turned the hat over in my hands, and then sighed and put it back on my head.

（I feel like I've forgotten so many things lately—first Leo, now this hat.）
（What's wrong with me?）

Alyn lifted the brim of my hat to look down at me.
Alyn：Don't overdo it, okay?
Jily：Alyn—

（You don't normally say things like that—I must've been looking worried.）

I felt touched by his unexpected kindness, and I smiled brightly up at him.
Jily：Thank you, Alyn.
As I stood there smiling at him, another voice interrupted us.
Leo：What are you up to? You're late, so I came looking for you.
I turned to find Leo staring at the two of us, his expression surprised.
Jily：Sorry, Leo! Alyn came to drop off my hat for me.
I smiled shyly at Leo, and I felt Alyn's hand pat me gently on the head.
Alyn：Seeya.
Alyn walked away, and I turned my attention properly to Leo.
He was staring at the hat on my head, a small frown on his face.
There was something intense in his eyes for a moment.
Leo：That hat—
Jily：Yes?
Leo's gaze was oddly intent as he stared at my hat, and I frowned a little in confusion.
Then he seemed to come back to himself with a start, and he looked me in the eye again.
Leo：Nothing, never mind.
He smiled brightly at me, and beckoned me towards him.
Leo：Let's get going.

＊＊＊

We made our way to Leo's study and began our lesson for the day.
Leo looked down at his book as he explained trade agreements to me, and I watching him thoughtfully.

（I don't know why, but when I'm with you I always feel safe and relaxed.）

I smiled a little to myself, and then realized that my heart was pounding.

（Huh? What is this feeling?）

I dropped my gaze to my hands, trying to collect my thoughts.

（I swear I've felt this before.）

Leo：What's wrong?
Leo's words snapped me out of my thoughts, and I shook my head quickly.
Jily：Nothing.
I looked up at Leo, and he leaned closer to study my expression.
Leo：If you don't understand anything I'm explaining, don't hesitate to ask, okay?
I met his gaze, and after a moment I gave him a rueful smile.
Jily：It's not that. I was just thinking how I always feel safe when I'm with you.
Jily：And also—
Leo：Hmm?
I dropped my gaze for a moment, and then looked up again, saying what I'd been thinking for days now.
Jily：I feel as if we've been together like this before.
Leo's expression seemed to relax into a smile at my words.
Leo：Jily—
Leo reached out towards me, his fingers brushing against my cheek.
Jily：Oh!
He pressed a soft kiss against my cheek.
Jily：Leo?!
I pulled back in surprise, and Leo's smile faded away as quickly as it had come.
He gazed at me with narrowed eyes, his expression wistful and sad.
Jily：Leo?
My heart ached at the sadness in Leo's expression.

（Why? Why do you look at me like that?）

I felt an odd twinge of pain in my head, but then Leo was smiling his normal smile again.
Leo：You looked so adorable, sitting there telling me you feel safe with me.
Leo：Sometimes I just can't help myself. Sorry.
As he finished speaking, the palace clocktower chimed distantly.
Leo：Let's stop here for today, okay?
Leo smiled brightly at me, removing his glasses as he stood up.
He walked towards the door, and then stopped and glanced back.
Leo：Jily, do you like Alyn?
Jily：What?
His words were completely out of the blue, and I turned to stare at him in disbelief.
Leo：I was just thinking that when I saw you together before.
Leo：Alyn's a real honest guy, so I think it's a good thing.
I stared at Leo's too-bright smile, unable to think of a response.
Leo turned away and reached for the doorknob.

（That's not the expression you usually have when you tease me.）

My heart was suddenly aching, almost too much to bear.

（It hurts to have you say that.）

Jily：Wait—
I called out without thinking, but Leo didn't seem to hear me.
The door was already closing behind him, and I was left alone in the quiet room.

（Why does my heart hurt so badly?）

It hurt each time I drew breath, and I could think of only one reason why.

（What if it's because Leo is—）

My gaze was caught by my hat, sitting on the table where I'd left it.

（This is the hat that Alyn brought back for me—he said it was in the carriage.）

I picked it up slowly, turning it over and over.
Jily：This hat—

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Leo, Chapter 3-Sweet Ending：

Jily：This hat—
I picked the hat up slowly in my hands, a memory coming back to me.

（That's right!）

The feel of the fabric against my hands set my pulse racing.

（This hat was special to me—really special.）

I tried to follow the thought, but that was all I could come up with.

（Why was it so special to me?）

I sat there in confusion and frustration, staring down at the hat.

＊＊＊

That evening—
When my work was finished, I returned to my room and sat down in front of my dresser.
I stared at myself in the mirror, thinking about what Leo had said earlier.

〝Leo：Alyn's a real honest guy, so I think it's a good thing.〞

（Why would you say something like that, Leo? And that's not all—）

I picked up the hat sitting on my dresser, sighing again as I stared at it.

（This thing with the hat is bothering me too.）

I frowned down at the hat, and shook my head helplessly.

（Ahh, there's no point sitting here fretting about it.）

I stood up and walked over to the window, still holding the hat.
I opened the window, and a gentle breeze caressed my cheeks.

（Ahh, that feels nice.）

I leaned on the windowsill, but at that moment—
Jily：Oh!
A sudden gust of wind snatched the hat out of my hands.

（Oh no!）

I leaned out the window, reaching desperately for the hat.
Jily：Ah!
I leaned out the window, reaching for my hat, only to watch it fall and land in front of Leo.
Leo picked up the hat slowly, and turned to look at me.
Even at a distance our eyes met, and I felt an odd thrill run through me.
We stared at each other in silence, and I felt unable to look away.

（Leo—）

The breeze was gentle again, blowing my hair against my cheek.
Leo smiled suddenly, lifting his arm in the air to wave the hat at me.
There was something sweet and unbearably gentle about his smile.
My heart skipped a beat as I stared down at him.

（I don't know why, but—）
（I want to be with you.）

I smiled helplessly back at him, my thoughts whirling.

（What is this feeling?）

I could see a vivid image of Leo in my mind, overlapping the Leo standing below me.

〝Leo：Are you okay?〞

〝Leo：If you don't understand anything I'm explaining, don't hesitate to ask, okay?〞

Jily：That's right!

（Leo is always thinking of me when he's with me.）
（And I'm always so happy when I'm with him.）
（And that's because he's—）

I caught my breath, leaning out the window to call to him.
Jily：Leo!!
I called out to Leo from the window, trying to calm the desperate pounding of my heart.
Jily：I'll come get it! Just wait there!

＊＊＊

I hurried out into the garden and found Leo sitting by the fountain waiting for me.
Jily：Leo!
Leo turned at the sound of his name, and stood up, walking towards me.
He stopped as I reached him, and held out the hat.
Leo：Here you go.
He smiled his usual smile, and my heart ached to see it.

（Why didn't you say anything when you were with me?）

Jily：Thank you.
I took the hat from him, and he spoke again, his voice teasing.
Leo：Did you drop your hat out the window as an excuse to see me?
I hesitated, chewing on my lip for a moment, my heart still pounding.
Then I looked up and met Leo's gaze directly.
Jily：I did.
My eyes were suddenly full of tears, and I tried desperately to blink them away.
Leo's eyes widened in surprise as he stared down at me.
Leo：Jily—
The tears rolled down my cheeks, and I spoke softly.
Jily：Why didn't you say anything, Leo?

（I didn't remember you at all, and that must have hurt you so badly. And yet—）

The memories were flooding through me, and my voice was thick with tears.
Leo：Jily, don't tell me—
I nodded slowly, trying to wipe away the tears that wouldn't stop.
Jily：I remember everything about you, Leo.
Jily：I'm so sorry—it must have been so hard for you—
Leo：Jily—
Leo frowned helplessly down at me, reaching out towards me.
Leo took hold of my hand, pulling me into a fierce embrace.
Jily：Leo!
My voice was hoarse as I whispered his name, burying my head in his chest.

（How could I just go and forget you like that?）
（You mean the world to me, and yet—）

Jily：I'm so sorry!
Leo：It's okay.
Leo placed a soft kiss against the top of my head, hugging me tightly against him.
Then he loosened his grip and lowered his head to catch my gaze.
Leo：Look at me.
I looked up at him, and he reached up to gently wipe away my tears.
Jily：Leo—
We stared into each other's eyes, and when he spoke again, his voice was serious.
Leo：I didn't say anything because I didn't want to force you to remember.
Leo：I couldn't stand to hurt you like that.
My eyes filled with tears again, and Leo smiled gently down at me.
Leo：You're the most important person in the world to me.
He leaned over and kissed me gently on the forehead.
Leo kissed me gently on the forehead, and then wrapped me in another warm embrace.
Leo：I don't want to let you go.
He pressed his lips together for a moment, and then looked down at me again.
Leo：Jily, will you come with me?
Jily：Where to?

＊＊＊

Leo led me back to his room and closed the door behind us.

（It feels wrong somehow to be visiting your room so late.）

I looked up at Leo with worried eyes, but he pulled me towards him.
Leo：Don't worry.
Leo：I haven't overlooked that.
He smirked suddenly down at me, sliding his arms around me.
Leo：I'll figure out something later.
A moment later he lifted me into the air, his arms warm and sure around me.
Jily：Leo!
I laughed as he carried me across to the bed and set me down on it.
Leo：Are you ready?
Jily：Not quite!

（I've only just gotten my memories back, Leo! This is a bit sudden.）

Leo smiled down at me, as if guessing what I was thinking.
Leo：But you've got your memories back, right?
He leaned close and whispered in my ear, his voice husky and inviting.
Leo：So you remember all the things we did together, don't you?
Jily：Leo—
My cheeks flushed red to have it said so bluntly, and Leo laughed softly.
Leo：I've missed you so badly, though.
Leo：All I wanted was to hold you in my arms, and—
Leo cut himself off mid-sentence and kissed me.
His lips were strong and passionate against mine, and I moaned softly.
His tongue slid between my lips, capturing mine, and I gasped.
His kisses were overwhelming, and I felt as if I could drown in them entirely.
My eyes flickered open for a moment, and I caught sight of my hat, sitting on Leo's bedside table.

（That hat—Leo and I made a promise about that.）

I pulled back from Leo's fervent kisses, looking up to meet his gaze.
Jily：Leo, our promise—
Leo pressed a finger against my lips, smiling down at me.
Leo：Forget that. Just focus on me.
I smiled back at him, reaching up to wrap my arms around his neck.
My heart was pounding madly as he leaned towards me for another kiss...

fin.

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Leo, Chapter 3-Premium Ending：

Jily：This hat—
I picked the hat up slowly in my hands, staring at it thoughtfully.

（I feel as if I remember something about it—）

A sudden knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, followed by a maid's voice from outside.
Maid：Sir Giles is asking for you.

＊＊＊

I made my way to the study where Giles was waiting for me.
He wanted to talk to me about the opening ceremony for the opera house, which had been postponed.
Giles：The new date for the opening ceremony has been decided.
Giles：I would like you to take a step back from your other duties and focus on the final preparations.
Jily：Okay.
I smiled up at Giles with relief as I replied.

（I felt so awful having them postpone the whole thing because of my accident!）
（I'm glad they've finally rescheduled it!）

Then I thought again about what Giles had just said about taking a step back from my other duties.

（Wait, that means I won't have time to study with Leo for a while, doesn't it?）

The thought sent an odd, lonely ache right through me.

＊＊＊

From then on my days became busier than ever.
One day I took a short break from the preparations to walk through the gardens.
The sun shining down on me was gentle and relaxing.

（Ahh, a break like this really gives me the strength to keep going!）

I took in a deep breath and let it out again, and then I noticed someone standing by the fountain.

（Is that—）

Jily：Louis?
I stepped towards where Louis was standing and spoke his name.
Louis turned at the sound of my voice, his gaze focusing on me.
Louis：Princess.
I smiled cheerfully up at him, my voice bright as I spoke.
Jily：Are you here because of the opening night ceremonies?
Louis：Yes.
Louis looked down at me for a moment, his expression curious.
Louis：And you?
Jily：I've been really busy with the preparations for the ceremonies.
As I said that, an image of Leo flashed through my mind.

（And I haven't been able to see Leo at all because of it.）

Louis stared down at me thoughtfully, and then spoke softly.
Louis：You look lonely.
Jily：I do?
I lifted my head in surprise, looking up to meet his gaze.
At that moment I heard a familiar voice speak from behind me.
???：Jily.
I turned to find Leo crossing the gardens towards me.
Louis's gaze moved towards Leo as well, and a faint smile crossed his lips.
Louis：See you later.
Louis left, walking past Leo as he stepped towards me.
Leo was holding a large box in his hands, and he held it out to me.
Leo：They said it's done.
I took the box and opened it, smiling as I looked down at the hat nestled inside.
It was the hat that I'd forgotten about—the one that had fallen off during my accident.

（I'm so glad I asked the maids to fix it—even that little bit of damage was bothering me.）

Jily：Thank you!
I looked up at Leo, and he grinned down at me with mischief in his eyes.
Leo：I kind of overhead what Louis said, about you looking lonely.
Leo：I don't suppose that's because you haven't seen me lately?
Jily：Well, I—
I HAD been thinking about Leo, and I blushed helplessly.
Leo：Ahh, if you blush like that, you're gonna get my hopes up.
Jily：Leo—
I pouted up at him even as my blush deepened, and Leo laughed softly.
Leo：I'm just teasing.
He patted me gently on the shoulder and gave me a sweet smile.
Leo：See you later, Jily.
He turned and walked away, and I watched him silently.

（I guess it's because I haven't seen you in days, but—）
（I can't get you out of my head. And that's not all.）

My heart was racing, and I frowned as I looked down at the hat again.

（What? What is it?）

＊＊＊

A few days later—
Giles：Well, it looks like everything is ready, then.
We were at the opera house for a final rehearsal of the opening ceremony.
Giles：We've done a basic check of everything—shall we return to the palace?
I hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.
Jily：Actually, I'd like to stay and practice the progression of the ceremony a bit longer.
I looked up at Giles, and then I heard Leo's voice.
Leo：I'll stay with you.
Jily：Really?
Giles frowned for a moment, his gaze moving to Leo, but then he spoke again.
Giles：Very well. I have to return to the palace to attend to another matter, so I will leave this in your capable hands, Leo.
Leo：Sure, no problem.
Leo smiled cheerfully and waved as Giles made his way out the door.
Jily：Thank you, Leo.
I spoke gratefully, and Leo turned his bright smile on me.
Leo：Not at all.
His gaze moved towards my hat, his expression changing slightly.
Leo：That really is a lovely hat.
I blushed happily at his sweet praise.
Then I found myself speaking before I'd even thought about it.
Jily：Of course it is—you chose it for me.
Leo's eyes widened in surprise at my words, and he stared at me.
Leo：What?
A bolt of shock burst through me as my own words registered, and I stared back at him.

（What did I just say?）

I frowned in confusion, trying to figure out what my words had meant.

（This hat—）
（Were you the one who chose it for me, Leo?）

My thoughts were whirling, and my head felt almost too full.

（Why would I say something like that?）
（I thought I'd never even seen this hat before.）

I clenched my hands into fists, trying desperately to make sense of everything.
Jily：That's it!
A sudden flood of memories burst through my mind like a bolt of lightning, all of them memories of Leo.

〝Leo：Yep, it really suits you.〞
〝Leo：I want you to wear that hat when you go to the opera house.〞
〝Jily：What for?〞
〝Leo：That's for you to look forward to when you get there.〞
〝Leo：Let's make a promise.〞

（Leo chose this hat for me.）
（And then we made a promise that I'd wear it at the ceremony.）

Jily：Leo—
I looked up at him with wide eyes, and he spoke softly, his voice hesitant yet hopeful.
Leo：Jily, don't tell me—
I felt captivated by his gaze, unable to look away.

（When I was feeling lonely about not seeing you—）
（When my heart was racing to be with you—）

Jily：It's because I love you.
My soft voice seemed to echo loudly through the opera house.
Leo's eyes widened in shock, and I heard him catch his breath.
He stared down at me, his expression wavering, and then—
Leo：Ahh, it's no good. I was trying to look so calm and in control, but—
Leo wrapped me in a tight embrace, his voice murmuring in my ear.
Leo：I'm so relieved that you remembered me.
Jily：I know.
I wrapped my arms around Leo in return, closing my eyes as I clung to him.

（I've wanted to do this for so long without even knowing it.）
（And now here I am in your arms, and I just want to be even closer.）

My love for Leo seemed to be burning me up inside.

（I love you so much—how did I ever forget you, even for a moment?）

Jily：I'm so sorry, Leo.
Leo：Jily—
Leo pulled back a little, looking down at me, and then kissed me gently.
His lips moved against mine, warm and passionate.
I felt his fingers against my cheek, and I lifted my head further.
My lips parted in a soft sigh, a sound that was swallowed by his feverish kisses.
His tongue slid between my parted lips, seeking mine and toying with it.
My legs felt weak with desire, but Leo's arms slid around my waist, supporting me and pulling me towards him.
I leaned my head back further, when—

（Oh!）

The hat I was wearing slid off my head and fell to the floor.
Our lips parted at last, and Leo smirked as he looked down at the hat.
Leo：I should explain the whole thing about the hat to you.
Jily：Oh?
I looked up at Leo curiously, waiting for his next words.
He grinned even more broadly, scooping up the hat and holding it up next to my face to hide it.
Leo：Do you want to know why I wanted you to wear this hat?
He leaned over and kissed me again, a soft, feather-light kiss.
Leo：Because if you're wearing this—
Leo：I figured I can kiss you without anyone knowing, even while we're watching the opera.
He smiled brightly down at me, and then pulled my head towards him, resting it against his chest.
Leo：And I need to tell you this.
Leo：Even if you lose your memory and forget me again—
Leo：I'll always be here to help you fall in love with me again, however many times it takes.
Jily：Leo—
I smiled up at him, my heart filled with warmth at his sweet words.

（I would happily fall in love with you again and again, Leo.）

I hugged him tightly, imagining all the days yet to come, creating new memories with him...

fin.