♔亞緣腐宅窩♔

Story Event－Forget Me Not

（True Love Route：Byron）

◆ Select a Suitor ◆
＞＞＞Choose Byron

Byron, Chapter 2：

It was morning, and a gentle breeze swayed the curtains in the window.
Giles：How are you feeling?
Giles sat down in the seat next to my bed as he spoke.
I had been injured when the carriage overturned, so I was resting in my chambers.
Jily：I feel much better this morning.
I smiled at Giles, and he breathed a sigh of relief, his expression relaxing.
Giles：The doctor said that you are still to take it easy.
Giles：So please just rest and relax today.
Jily：Thank you.
I settled back into the bed a little, and Giles spoke in a gentler voice.
Giles：Also, King Byron is here from Stein today.
Jily：What?
I blinked in surprise at the unfamiliar name, but at that moment there was a knock at the door.
Giles：Come in.
The door was opened by a servant, who bowed and stepped back.
Then a man stepped into the room, his face solemn and imposing.
Byron：Are you okay?
Jily：Yes...
I nodded hesitantly, thinking back to what Giles had just said.

（He said King Byron was here, right?）

I realized then that I was in my nightgown and my hair was a mess, and I blushed.

（I feel awful to have royalty visit me while I'm looking like this!）

Jily：I apologize for not looking my best for our first meeting, Your Majesty.
Byron was crossing the room towards me, but he stopped short at my words.
His eyes narrowed, his lips quirking, and I wondered if I'd said something wrong.
The breeze gusted through the window again, and the curtain swayed gently.

＊＊＊

After Byron had left the room, I listened to what Giles had to tell me.
Jily：But that's—

（How could I be engaged to King Byron and not even remember?!）

I felt shaken and confused, and Giles spoke gently again.
Giles：It's only natural for you to be confused after having lost your memories of King Byron.
I looked up slowly and found him gazing down at me, his expression serious.
Giles：But since you are already engaged, it's not something that can simply be revoked.
I understood what he was saying, yet all the reason in the world couldn't calm my heart.

（I know that I wanted to find a prince consort—or another king—to help rule Wysteria.）
（But I don't remember anything! This is all too sudden!）

I bit my lip, staring down at my hands, and realized they were trembling.
I couldn't think of a thing to say, and I heard Giles sigh softly.
Giles：The doctor said it's possible that your memory may come back soon.
Giles：We just need to be patient.

＊＊＊

After Giles left the room, I lay in my bed staring up at the ceiling.
I thought back to when King Byron had visited, picturing him in my room, but I didn't feel anything at all.

（I can't remember anything, no matter how much I try.）
（Are we really engaged? How did that even come about?）

I sighed softly, and then I heard a knock at the door.
Robert：How are you feeling, Jily?
Robert knocked on the door and stepped into my room to visit.
Jily：I'm feeling much better.
I smiled up at Robert as he crossed the room to sit next to my bed.
Robert：I'm glad to hear it.
Robert smiled back at me, and offered me the sketchbook he was holding.
Robert：I thought you could use this to stave off the boredom.
I smiled at him again as I accepted the sketchbook.
Jily：Thank you, Robert.
Robert met my gaze steadily, and then spoke in a soft, gentle voice.
Robert：I hope you'll remember again eventually.
Jily：So do I.
I nodded slowly and opened the sketchbook, staring down at the blank pages.

＊＊＊

The blank pages of the sketchbook slowly began to fill with pictures.
I sat in the garden, thoughtfully sketching another picture.
Robert：Is this a picture of Stein?
Robert leaned over to examine the picture as I packed up my pencils.
Jily：Yes. King Byron has been telling me all sorts of things about Stein.
As I put my pencils away, I thought about Byron and how many times he'd visited since my accident.

（I wish I could remember him better, and what our relationship was like before the accident.）
（And that's not all.）

My pulse sped up as I pictured him in my mind.

（I want to get to know him better.）

A moment later I heard a voice calling my name from somewhere nearby.
Jily：King Byron is visiting Wysteria again today, actually. He may already be here.
Jily：I'd better get going.
I said my goodbyes to Robert and hurried towards the guest rooms, still carrying my sketchbook.

＊＊＊

As I hurried down the corridor, I heard the sound of voices coming from somewhere nearby.
???：Did you hear about the king of Stein?

（What?）

Bureaucrat 1：Did you hear about the king of Stein?
The voices sounded like the bureaucrats who worked at the palace.
I stopped without thinking, and hid myself in an alcove to listen.
Bureaucrat 1：Apparently the princess's memory still hasn't returned.
Bureaucrat 1：Even though they're engaged and everything. If it were me I couldn't put up with it.

（Wait, what?!）

I hugged my sketchbook tightly against my chest, feeling lost and confused.
An ache began to build up deep down inside me.

（I get it, I really do, but...）

I sighed slowly, trying to cast off the feeling, and then continued towards the guest room.

＊＊＊

When I arrived I knocked quietly at the door.
Jily：Excuse me.
I stepped into the room, and found Byron sitting in one of the chairs waiting.
He stood up when he saw me, and crossed the room towards me.
He looked down at me, his gaze intense, and then spoke in a low voice.
Byron：What's the matter?
My heart ached again at the simple question.

（I should be happy to see you. I was happy, but—）
（When I think about the pain I must be causing you, I can't bring myself to look at you.）

Jily：It's nothing, I—
I tried to smile up at him, but it didn't quite work, and he frowned a little, his fingers touching my cheek.
Byron：If something happened, you can tell me.
Jily：King Byron—
Our eyes met at last, and at the same moment my sketchbook slipped from my hands and fell to the floor.

（Oops!）

Byron looked down at the fallen book, and picked it up.
Byron：Is this a picture of Stein?
I'd been drawing picture after picture, trying to remember King Byron and the times we'd spent together.
But as I stared at the picture, I just kept thinking about what the bureaucrats had said.

（The truth is, I've known all along how much this must be hurting you.）

At last I found the courage to say the words I'd been thinking for so long.
Jily：King Byron—I'm so sorry.
Jily：I want to remember you, and I keep trying, but I can't.
Jily：I really am so sorry.
Byron stared directly into my eyes, his gaze intense for a moment, and then at last he looked away.
Byron：I see. I've caused you pain, haven't I?
Byron reached up and touched my cheek again, his fingers gentle.
I shook my head quickly, but he went on in a quiet voice.
Byron：Do you want to annul the engagement?
I caught my breath at his words, staring up at his flat expression.
I lowered my gaze slowly, trying to think it through.

（I thought it would end up like this eventually.）
（Right now all we're doing is hurting each other.）

My heart seemed to be aching, but I nodded slowly.

＊＊＊

I said my farewells to Byron and returned to my room.
As soon as I closed the door, I leaned back against it, sinking down onto the floor.

（Why?）

Tears filled my eyes and began to spill down my cheeks.

（Why can't I remember him?）

I slowly opened the sketchbook I was holding and flipped through the pages.
It was filled with pictures I'd imagined and drawn from listening to King Byron's stories.

（I want to remember him so badly, and yet—）

Jily：Why won't my memories come back?
I continued to flip slowly through the pages, when—
Jily：What's this?
I stopped in surprise at the very last page in the book.
It was a short memo that looked as if it had been written in a hurry.

（I don't remember writing this.）

Jily：But that's my handwriting...
I touched the page gently as I read what was written there.

You can proceed to the Premium Ending!

Continue your romance with your prince♪

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Byron, Chapter 3-Sweet Ending：

Jily：A promise?

（What's that supposed to mean?）

I desperately searched my memory, but I couldn't come up with anything.

（Ahh, why can't I remember?!）

I bit my lip, overwhelmed with frustration and vexation.
Tears spilled down onto the sketchbook, streaking the words written there.

＊＊＊

That evening—
Byron sat at his desk in his study, going over some documentation that needed checking.
Albert：I have sent the documents to Wysteria to annul the engagement.
Byron didn't look up at Albert's words, his expression as calm as ever.
Byron：Thanks. And sorry.
Albert：Not at all.
Albert bowed and then turned to leave the room.
But he hesitated with his hand on the doorknob before turning back.
Albert：Your Majesty.
Byron：What?
Byron continued to scan the documents in his hand, and Albert spoke again, his voice earnest.
Albert：I believe that your decision was correct.
Byron's hands stilled on the desk at Albert's words.
Byron：I see.
He lifted his head at last, and a faint smile graced his features.
Byron：However—
Byron's deep voice seemed to echo loudly in the still room.
Byron：There are things even I don't understand.
Albert：What?
Albert's eyes widened in surprise at Byron's unexpected words.
Byron smiled faintly at the expression on Albert's face.
Then he lowered his gaze to the documents in his hand again.

＊＊＊

It was a quiet day not long after the engagement had been annulled, and I had the day off.
I was visiting Robert's studio to look at his paintings.
The room was crowded with landscape paintings, and paintings of beautiful nobles.

（They're all such wonderful paintings!）

I sighed enviously and turned to look at Robert.
Jily：What do I have to do to be as good an artist as you, Robert?
Robert paused halfway through a brushstroke, and then gave me a sweet smile.
Robert：Maybe start by finding something you really want to paint, with all your heart.
Jily：With all my heart?
I echoed the words back at him, and he nodded.
Robert：That's right. Perhaps someone you love?
Jily：I—
Robert's words send an odd ache trembling through my body.
Jily：Someone I... love...
At that very moment, a familiar figure flashed clearly through my mind.

（The person I'm thinking of is—）
（Byron—）

I could see an image of Byron clearly in my mind.
My heart began to ache, deep down inside.

（I shouldn't have any memories, yet—）
（Byron has always been in my heart.）

Overwhelmed by my own feelings, I turned to Robert, my voice shaking.
Jily：Robert, I—
I stopped there, unable to continue, and Robert smiled gently again.
Robert：Off you go.
Jily：Yes!
I nodded and quickly lifted my skirts, hurrying towards the door.
I left Robert's studio and rushed straight to the study where Giles was working.
As I shut the door behind me, Giles looked up at me in surprise.
Giles：I thought today was your day off. Is something the matter?
I met Giles's gaze directly across the room as I spoke.
Jily：The truth is—
Jily：I want to go to Stein and speak to King Byron.
Giles：I see.
Giles narrowed his eyes as he listened to me, but then he smiled unexpectedly.
Giles：I don't think there's any need for that.
Jily：What?
There was a knock at the door behind me, and I jumped.
Giles：Apparently he is already here.
Giles was smiling brightly, and I felt a burst of hope deep in my heart.
Jily：Don't tell me—

＊＊＊

（What were the chances of that?!）

I hurried down the corridor, following Giles's directions.
My heart was pounding helplessly, my pulse far too fast.

（If I could just see him—）

＊＊＊

I knocked on the door in front of me and then opened it slowly.
There I saw the person who my mind had been picturing all this time.
Byron stood near the window, gazing out at the scenery.
Jily：King Byron?

（I wanted to see you—so badly—）

I stared at him with wide eyes, unable to find the right words.
He turned my way and began to cross the room towards me, a smile gracing his features.
Byron：You look well.
Jily：Yes, thank you.
The sound of his deep voice seemed to pierce through my heart.
I clenched my fingers together, trying to calm myself as I looked up at him.

（Even if I don't have my memories, I know that I love you, Byron.）
（That's the one thing that hasn't changed.）

Byron stopped in front of me, and reached out to take my left hand.
Jily：King Byron?
I looked up at him in confusion, and was surprised by the intensity in his gaze.
Byron：I came here today because I want to talk to you.
He paused for a moment, and then spoke again in a low voice.
Byron：I want to get engaged to you again.
Byron's deep voice set my heart aflame as he spoke.
Jily：What?
I was lost for words, and Byron lifted my hand, placing it against his chest.

（Oh!）

I could feel the rapid pounding of his heart under my hand.

（Do you feel the same way I do?）

I looked up at him again, and he smiled gently.
Byron：Even if your memories don't come back—
Byron：I still have my memories of you, here inside me.
Jily：King Byron—
My eyes filled with tears at the gentleness of his words.

（Even though I've lost my memory, and hurt you so badly—）
（You still care for me, so very much.）

Byron：Will you stay by my side?
Tears trickled down my cheeks, and I wiped them away as I nodded.
Jily：Please, I would like to try again.
Byron's expression relaxed into a gentle smile at my words, and he kissed the back of my hand.
Byron：Thank you.
He pulled me gently towards him, and placed a soft kiss against my lips.
I caught my breath at the sweet taste of him.
He slid his hand behind my head, pulling me closer, and I kissed him back.
I clung to his warm body, thinking desperately to myself.

（I'm so glad that I can be with you together like this.）
（But I wish I could remember all the times we've spent together already.）

At that moment I suddenly remembered my sketchbook.

（Those words—）

I opened my eyes with a start, my heartbeat roaring in my ears.
The world seemed almost too bright for a moment, and then—

（That's right—Byron and I made a promise—）

Byron pulled back slowly from our kiss, as if noticing my reaction.
He looked down at me, studying my expression.
Byron：What's wrong?
Jily：Nothing.
I shook my head slowly as I smiled brightly up at him.

（I finally remember.）

I stood up on tiptoes, placing my hands on his upper arms, and kissed him.
Byron's eye widened a little in surprise at my boldness.
He wrapped his arms around my waist, and pulled me into a deeper, more passionate kiss.

（One day we'll fulfill that promise, won't we, Byron?）
（But right now, I just want to feel you right here next to me.）

Jily：Byron, I love you—
I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, clinging tightly to him.
Our lips came together again, as if sharing the love we both felt deep down inside...

fin.

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Byron, Chapter 3-Premium Ending：

（The opera house?）

I reached out and touched the words written on the page.

（Why would I write that down?）

A wisp of a memory surfaced in my mind, but it vanished before I could catch hold of it.

（I've been using this sketchbook to help me remember my time with King Byron.
（Maybe this has something to do with him?）

I closed my eyes tightly, whispering to myself in my head.

（Please—I want to remember.）

But try as I might, I still couldn't remember a thing.
I sighed with frustration, staring down at the words on the page again.
Jily：Why?!
I clutched the sketchbook to my chest, my words hoarse with regret.

＊＊＊

I threw myself into my work in an effort to escape the aching pain in my heart.
The days passed by and before I knew it, the rescheduled opening ceremony for the opera house was being held.
The ceremony had been postponed because of my accident, so it was a relief to see it finally happening.
As the opera ended, the venue was filled with the sound of applause from the audience.
Giles：What a great success.
Giles：The guests all seem to be enjoying seeing the opera house restored, too.
Jily：Yes, they do.
I smiled at Giles as I looked around the venue.

（I was worried that less people would be able to attend after it was rescheduled.）
（But I'm so glad to see so many people here!）

As I scanned the crowd, my gaze was caught by a familiar face.

（Is that—）

Jily：King Byron?
As I looked around the opera house, I spotted Byron sitting in one of the nearby seats.
He was looking up at the stage, applauding with the rest of the crowd.

（I didn't realize you were coming tonight.）

My heart ached as I watched him quietly.

（I want to go and say hello.）

I frowned to myself, clenching my hands together in my lap.

（But now that our engagement has been annulled—）
（I have no idea what to do or say, or how to act with you.）

As I stared silently at Byron, he stood up from his seat and turned towards the door.
Jily：Oh!
Paralyzed by indecision, I followed his retreating figure with my gaze.
At that moment Giles leaned closer and spoke softly in my ear.
Giles：Why don't you go and say hello?
Jily：What?
Startled, I looked up to find Giles smiling down at me gently.
He glanced at Byron and then looked back at me again, one eyebrow raised.
His simple kindness filled me with warmth, and I smiled up at him.

（Sometimes you see straight through me, Giles. And sometimes it's exactly what I need.）

I lifted my chin determinedly, and nodded at him.
Jily：I'll be right back.
I picked up my skirts and hurried in the direction Byron had gone.

＊＊＊

I made my way through the door Byron had vanished through,
and soon found myself on a small hill of flowers situated behind the opera house.
Jily：King Byron?
Byron was standing on the edge of the field, silhouetted by the bright moonlight.
He turned back at the sound of my voice, his expression as calm as ever.
He watched silently as I walked slowly towards him.
Jily：Thank you very much for coming today.
Byron：My pleasure. It was a good opera.
His gaze seemed to gentle as he spoke, and I caught my breath.

（Just hearing your voice—just being with you like this—）
（Why does it make me feel so happy?）

Jily：I'm glad you enjoyed it.
An odd tremor of excitement was running through me.

（I may not have my memories back...）
（But I guess that doesn't change how I feel about you, Byron.）

He was standing right there in front of me, his gaze as gentle as ever.
The tender light in his eyes made my heart pound faster than ever.

（I love you.）

The wind whistled softly past, and the flowers swayed around our feet.

（I need to tell you.）

I licked my lips hesitantly, then lifted my head to meet his gaze.
Jily：King Byron—I—
The wind picked up suddenly, ruffling Byron's hair and swirling his cloak around him.
The sight of him in that moment, bathed in moonlight and surrounded by night-blooming flowers, took my breath away.
I forgot what it was I wanted to say as I just stared at him in silent wonder.
A moment later—

（Wait a minute—）

The wind ruffled Byron's hair and swayed the flowers around us, and a buzz of excitement thrilled through me.

（This scene—this moment—）
（I feel as if I've seen it before.）

I stared silently at Byron, trying to catch hold of that elusive memory.
Byron：What is it?
Jily：Nothing, I—
I shook my head slowly, but I realized I could hear voices echoing in my mind.

（What is this? Someone's conversation?）

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to focus on the words, when—

〝Jily：Wouldn't it be lovely if we had a painting of the two of us together?〞
〝Byron：Why is that?〞
〝Jily：If we did, we wouldn't feel lonely even if we were apart.〞
〝Byron：I see. That does sound rather nice.〞
〝Jily：Really? Will you promise me, then? To have a picture painted with me?〞
〝Byron：Yes, I will.〞

（And then I thought it would be nice to be painted together here in the garden behind the opera house.）
（That's why I wrote it down in my sketchbook.）

I looked around me, my eyes wide as I spoke with soft wonder.
Jily：I finally remember...
Tears trickled down my cheeks as the memories flooded through my mind.

（I need to tell you!）

Jily：King Byron—!
I looked up at him, but all my words seemed caught in my throat.

（There are so many things I want to say right now.）
（But they're all piling up on top of each other—I can't find the right words—）

I stared up at Byron, tears still spilling down my cheeks.
He watched me quietly, his expression gentle and encouraging.
Jily：I don't know what to say first—
I choked the words out helplessly, and Byron wrapped me in a warm embrace.
Byron wrapped his arms around me, his embrace sure and strong.
Byron：It's okay. You don't have to say anything.
Jily：Oh, Byron—
I nestled into his embrace, reaching up to wipe away my tears.

（This is hardly the time to be crying.）
（It must have been so much worse for Byron, knowing I didn't recognize him at all.）

Jily：I'm so sorry.
He leaned closer, and I felt his soft hair brush against my ear.
Byron：You're the only one.
Jily：What?
Byron：The only one who makes my heart ache so much when we're apart.
His arms tightened around me, and his husky voice continued to whisper in my ear.
Byron：Even if you forget me—even if we're apart—
Byron：My love for you will never change.

（Oh, Byron—）

My heart was filled to overflowing at his sweet words.
Jily：Thank you.
I murmured the words softly against Byron's chest, and he reached down and caught hold of my chin.
He lifted my face towards him, and I was captivated by his soft smile.
I smiled back at him, and a moment later his lips captured mine.
I closed my eyes and gave myself over to the kiss entirely, wanting the moment to never end.
He tightened his grip on me, pulling me closer, our warm bodies pressed together.
I gasped softly, and his tongue slipped between my lips.
Our mouths moved eagerly together, both of us hungry for something we'd been missing for far too long.
My heart was singing with joy and love as I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck.

（Even if I lose my memories of you, it won't matter.）
（I will always be captivated by you.）

I pulled back for just a moment, meeting his gaze, and then kissed him again...

fin.