♔亞緣腐宅窩♔

Story Event－Forget Me Not

（True Love Route：Alyn）

◆ Select a Suitor ◆
＞＞＞Choose Alyn

Alyn, Chapter 2：

（Huh? Where am I?）

I opened my heavy eyelids, and the world swam into slow focus, showing me Giles leaning over me.
Giles：Are you okay?
Jily：Giles—

（I was on my way to the opera house, wasn't I?）

I blinked in confusion as my thoughts came together, and Giles gently brushed the hair away from my face.
Giles：The thunder scared the horses, and in their fright they overturned the carriage.
Jily：So that's what happened.
Giles：You hit your head quite hard. The doctor was worried about you, but—
Giles：Since you're able to talk normally, you must be okay.
I nodded slowly, my gaze moving to the man standing next to Giles.
He had a sword strapped to his waist, so I assumed he was some sort of knight.
His expression was serious, and he looked worried about me.

（But who are you?）

Jily：Um—I'm sorry, who—?
The words were almost a whisper, and Giles frowned a little as if he hadn't heard me.
Giles：What's the matter?
At last he seemed to realize that I was staring at the man in confusion, and his eyes widened slightly.
Giles：Don't tell me you don't recognize Alyn?
Jily：Alyn?
The echo of my questioning tone seemed to fill the quiet room.
Alyn：You—
The man seemed lost for words as he stared at me in surprise.
Giles spoke quickly, his gentle voice soothing me and bringing my attention back to him.
Giles：I see. Perhaps it would be best if you rested a little while longer.
Jily：Okay. I'm sorry.
My eyes were still heavy and exhausted, and I closed them again and drifted back into sleep.

＊＊＊

The sound of the curtains flapping in the breeze woke me up again later.

（I feel as if I've been asleep for ages.）

My body felt light and relaxed again after my long slumber, and I sat up slowly.
I climbed out of bed and crossed the room to close the window.
As I did so I spied a figure down in the garden below.

（Is that—）

＊＊＊

I left my room and made my way to the garden where I'd spotted someone.

（When I woke up earlier, Giles said his name was Alyn, right?）

Jily：Excuse me—
I spoke hesitantly, and Alyn turned at the sound of my voice.
His expression was as serious as it had been earlier, but there was something guarded about it now.
Jily：Thank you very much for being so concerned for me earlier.
Alyn：No problem.
Alyn shrugged and turned to walk away, but a moment later he stopped again.
Alyn：Hey.
Jily：Yes?
Alyn frowned a little, hesitating over his words, and then he offered me something.
Alyn：You dropped this inside the carriage.
Jily：Oh!
It was the clock necklace I'd been wearing when I'd headed for the opera house.
Jily：Thank you.
I smiled up at Alyn, and reached up to put the necklace on.

（Huh?）

I fumbled with the clasp, unable to do it up, and Alyn sighed softly and reached out, his hands touching mine.

（Oh—）

His hands felt warm and reassuring somehow, and I looked up in surprise.
Only then did I realize how close our faces were.
He was staring right at me, his gaze intense, and for a moment it seemed as if time had stopped completely.
The moonlight seemed to make his eyes shine, and yet there was something sorrowful in his gaze.

（Why are you looking at me like that?）

Jily：Um—it's okay, I can do it myself.
I spoke more to break the silence than anything, and Alyn narrowed his eyes.
Alyn：You really are—
Alyn narrowed his eyes as he spoke, and then sighed softly.
Alyn：No, forget it.
He finished doing up the clasp on my necklace, and then dropped his hands.
Alyn：Seeya.
Jily：Okay.
As I watched Alyn walk away from me, I realized my heart was pounding.

（What is this feeling?）

I couldn't quite understand why I felt so strange just from being in Alyn's presence.
I turned around and walked away in the opposite direction.

＊＊＊

Several days later—
I was taking a break from my work, and Nico brought me some freshly made tea.
Nico：Hmm? Your watch—
Nico leaned closer to look at the watch on my necklace, his expression surprised.
Nico：The hands are stopped at exactly 12 o'clock.
Jily：Really?
I lifted the watch to look, but Nico was right—the hands had stopped moving at 12.
Jily：I can't believe it got broken! And after Alyn went to all that effort to bring it back to me, too.
Nico frowned thoughtfully for a moment, and then brightened again as if he'd had an idea.
Nico：In that case, why not ask Alyn for help? He's pretty good with his hands.
Nico：He should be in the stables at this hour.
I glanced up at the clock to check the time.

（Well, I still some time before my next appointment.）

Jily：That's a good idea.
I smiled up at Nico, putting my teacup down on the table.
Nico：Good luck!
Nico smiled brightly as he waved Jily away.
But his expression turned serious and worried again as soon as she was gone.

＊＊＊

Jily：Alyn?
I opened the door to the stables to find Alyn in there, brushing down one of the horses.
He glanced up at me and nodded briefly, but said nothing.
I crossed the room to where he was standing and spoke hesitantly.
Jily：Actually, my watch has stopped...
I held it out, and Alyn stopped brushing the horse, frowning as he glanced at it.
Alyn：It's fine.
Jily：What?
I blinked at him in confusion, and he turned to face me.
Alyn：I mean, leave it how it is.

（What's that supposed to mean?）

I lowered the watch again in confusion, and Alyn offered me a brush.
Alyn：Never mind that. If you've got free time, help me out.

＊＊＊

I began brushing one of the horses as Alyn had shown me, but soon I had to stop.

（This takes more strength than I thought it would!）

I rested for a moment, and then decided to start brushing again.
But right then Alyn reached over from behind me, placing his hand on mine.
Alyn：You're always too weak to do this for long.
Jily：What?

（'Always'? But this is the first time I've ever done this with you.）
（What would make you say something like that? Maybe—）

Jily：Do you brush the horses like this with someone other than me?
I turned back to look at Alyn as I spoke, and his eyes widened in surprise.
He stared at me, not saying anything, and I felt suddenly awkward.
Before I could say anything more, I heard Nico's voice calling my name from outside.

（Oh, I have to go!）

Jily：I'd better get going.
I smiled awkwardly up at Alyn and headed for the door.
Alyn：Hey.
Alyn caught hold of my hand, stopping me, his fingers warm against mine.
Jily：What?
I turned back in surprise, and a moment later he pulled me into an embrace.

（What is it that makes you look so sad?）

Jily：Alyn?
I could feel the strength in his arms as he held me tightly.
I stood stock still, feeling confused and lost, and Alyn tightened his grip briefly.

〝Alyn：Why'd you forget?〞
〝Jily：I'm sorry?〞

His husky words sounded so wistful, and I couldn't help my startled reply.
At the sound of my voice he let go again suddenly, his arms falling away.
He took a small step back, a pained frown crossing his features.
His intense gaze moved away from mine, dropping to the floor.
Alyn：Sorry.

（What is it that makes you look so sad?）

My heart was fluttering helplessly in my chest, pounding with confusion and something more.
Jily：No, it's fine.
I mumbled the words as I turned away and walked quickly out of the stables.

＊＊＊

I hurried through the gardens, determined to get back to work.
But my mind just kept going back to that moment when Alyn had wrapped me in his arms.

（Why would you embrace me like that, Alyn?）

My pulse was still ringing in my ears, and then I realized something.

（But I didn't mind at all. In fact—）
（I felt like I wanted you to keep on holding me.）

Something ached deep down inside my heart as I thought about Alyn's sad expression.

（Why do I feel this way?）

At that moment—
Jily：Oh!
The clasp of my necklace gave way and the necklace fell to the ground.
I leaned over to pick it up, and my gaze was caught by the hands of the clock.

（Maybe 12 o'clock exactly means—）

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Alyn, Chapter 3-Sweet Ending：

（Maybe 12 o'clock exactly means—）

I stared down at the clock in my hand, a hazy memory trying to surface.

（What? What does it mean?）

I tried desperately to remember, but at last I gave up with a soft sigh.

（Ahh, it's no good. I just don't remember at all.）

As I stood there I heard Nico's cheerful voice.
Nico：Here you are, Jily.
Jily：Ah, Nico.
I looked up to find Nico smiling at me.
Nico：It's time for your next appointment.

＊＊＊

Meanwhile Alyn left the stables, and headed for the study to meet with Giles.
Giles：It would appear that the only thing the princess has forgotten is her memories of you.
Alyn stood there in silence as he listened to Giles speak.
Giles stared at him for a moment, and then sighed softly.
Giles：It won't have any effect on her work, but—
Giles：Are you sure you don't want to talk to the princess about how she's forgotten you?
Alyn lifted his gaze and stared directly at Giles.
Alyn：What good would it do to tell her?
Alyn：Unless she gets her memory back, all it'll do is upset her.

＊＊＊

At last I finished my work for the day and I made my way through the palace.
Up ahead of me I saw Alyn stepping out of the study and closing the door.
His expression was flat and serious, his hands clenched.
Jily：Alyn?
I spoke softly as I walked towards him, and he turned at the sound of my voice.
His eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression was still flat.

（It's rare for any of the knights to be visiting the study like that.）

Jily：Did something happen?
Alyn looked down at me, and then smiled faintly.
Alyn：Yeah, just a little something.
He reached out then and caught hold of the clock on my necklace, lifting it towards him.
Jily：Alyn?
I blinked up at him in confusion as he stared down at the clock in his hand.
After a moment he opened the back and turned one of the screws inside it.
Alyn：This should make it work again.
Jily：Really?
I took the clock back from him, remembering our conversation in the stables.

（Did you fix it for me just because I asked? Even though you said I should leave it like that?）

Jily：Thank you very much!
I smiled up at him, and he reached out and patted me lightly on the head.
Alyn：Seeya.
He walked past me and began to move off down the hall.
At the same time the clock began to make a ticking sound.

（Oh wow, he really did fix it!）

I smiled happily, but my heartbeat began to pound faster, in time with the tick-tock of the clock.

（Huh?）

The sounds of my heartbeat, Alyn's footsteps, and the ticking clock seemed to mix and fuse together in my head.

（I feel as if I'm—）

＊＊＊

A moment later—
Jily：Alyn, wait!!
I called his name almost without thinking, the necklace clenched tightly in my hand.
The sound of his footsteps stopped, although they seemed to still echo in my mind.
I turned slowly to face him and found him looking back at me.
I stepped hesitantly towards him, looking up into his deep red eyes.
Jily：I feel as if—I'm forgetting something really important.

（And I feel as if it's got something to do with you.）

Whatever I was forgetting seemed to dangle alluringly just out of reach.
The voice whispering in my mind urged me forwards.
I reached out and placed my hand against Alyn's cheek.
Alyn's eyes narrowed as my fingers touched his warm skin.
He placed his hand over mine, and then he pulled me towards him.
Alyn：You—
A moment later his lips caught mine in a sudden kiss.
I caught my breath in surprise, my eyes widening, but then they fell shut.
Instead of pulling away, I found myself leaning into Alyn's strong embrace.
My mind felt fuzzy and confused, yet my heart was singing in my chest.
His kiss just felt right somehow, and I wanted to kiss him back.

（Why? Why is this so familiar?）
（Why am I not pulling away?）

My eyes were closed, yet I could still see Alyn's face in my mind.

（And it's not even just that I'm not resisting.）
（I want more of this. I want to hold you tight.）

Our lips parted even as I thought that.
I opened my eyes slowly and looked up at Alyn's face, so close to mine.
He was frowning as he gazed down at me.
After a long moment he buried his face in my shoulder, sighing softly.
Alyn：Why aren't you pulling away?
Alyn sighed softly as he buried his face in my shoulder.

（I don't know the answer to that.）
（I don't even know what I'm doing, or what I'm feeling.）

Jily：Because—
As I desperately tried to find the words—

（Oh!!）

I could see Alyn's strong figure clearly in my mind.

〝Alyn：Just let me protect you and be done with it.〞

〝Alyn：You really are—〞

（Oh gosh! I've always—）

My eyes grew wide, and I spoke in a soft, breathless voice.
Jily：Because I love you, Alyn.
Alyn lifted his head slowly at my words, his serious gaze meeting mine.
My eyes filled with tears as we stared at each other.

（At last I remember how much I love you. How could I ever forget?）
（And all this time I've been treating you like a complete stranger.）

The tears overflowed and trickled down my cheeks.

（All this time I've been hurting you.）

Jily：I'm so sorry, Alyn—
Alyn：Jily—
Alyn's eyes widened in surprise, and then he pulled me into a rough embrace.
Alyn：Geez. Do you know how worried I've been?
Jily：I'm sorry...
My voice was hoarse and shaky, and Alyn loosened his embrace to look down at me again.
Alyn：It's okay.
He moved towards me, his lips pressing against mine in a kiss.

（Oh, Alyn—）

＊＊＊

We made our way back to my room, and Alyn shut the door behind us.
A moment later he was kissing me again, his lips rough and passionate.
I leaned back against the door, returning his kisses eagerly.
I parted my lips to sigh, and Alyn's tongue slid between them.
I moaned softly in my throat as our tongues twined together.
It was as if a short eternity had passed since we'd last embraced, and I felt a pang of regret as our lips parted.
Alyn looked down at me, his eyes smoldering and intense.
He slid his arm around my shoulders, and I sighed happily to be in his embrace again.
Without warning he smirked and lifted me into the air.
Jily：Alyn!
I squirmed helplessly as he carried me to the bed and laid me down.
Alyn：What's with that face?
I realized that my cheeks were bright red, and I pouted up at him.
Jily：Well, I only just got my memory back!

（At least give me a moment to catch my breath!）

Alyn：Well if you've got your memory back, then you remember all the things we've done together, right?
Jily：Well—
I felt myself blushing more as my mind insisted on giving me plenty of examples of what he was talking about.
Alyn grinned as he watched my reaction, and then leaned over to whisper in my ear.
Alyn：It's been a while. I'm looking forward to this.
Alyn's lips nibbled on my earlobe, then slid down towards my collarbone.
His movements bumped my necklace, and it slid off to one side.

（Oh!）

As it did so I suddenly remembered something else.

（That's right! We made a promise.）

Jily：Alyn, our promise—
I spoke the words hesitantly, and Alyn lifted his head to look at me.
Alyn：We can fulfill that promise any time.
Alyn：Right now I don't want to let you go, even for a second.
His intense gaze seemed to pierce right through me, and then he kissed me again.
The warmth and passion of his kisses seemed to set my heart aflame, filling me with desire.

（I don't want to let you go either.）
（I want to make sure I never forget you again.）

Our bodies moved together in the dim room, full of passion and need.
The tick-tocking of the clock on my necklace echoed through the room, marking the passing of each perfect second...

fin.

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Alyn, Chapter 3-Premium Ending：

（Maybe 12 o'clock exactly means—）

As I stared down at the clock in my hand, I heard a cheerful voice.
???：There you are.
I looked up to find Nico smiling brightly at me.
Nico：Giles is looking for you.

＊＊＊

Nico led me to the study, where Leo and Giles were both waiting.
Nico：See you later, Jily.
Nico left the room, shutting the door behind him, and Giles began to speak.
Giles：I wanted to talk to you about the opening ceremony for the opera house.
Giles：It was postponed due to your accident, but they have rescheduled it to be held in a few days' time.
Jily：Really?
I'd felt awful when I heard that the entire ceremony had been postponed because of me.
It was a relief to hear that it was going to be held after all, and I smiled up at Giles.
But then I realized that Leo was frowning slightly.
Leo：But we think it would be better if you don't attend.
Leo：If something happens again it will cause even more problems.
Jily：What?!
My eyes widened in disbelief at Leo's words.

（I know you're being considerate when you say that, but—）
（It's the reopening of the opera house! Surely there's something I can do.）

I had a sudden idea, and I looked up at them both hopefully.
Jily：Well, if I can't attend, can I at least write thank you letters to all the guests?

＊＊＊

The sun was setting slowly as Leo stepped out of the study.
As he shut the door behind him he spotted Alyn walking in his direction.
Leo：Jily really has a good heart, doesn't she?
Alyn glanced at Leo as he stepped closer, his expression flat.
But instead of replying he just stepped past Leo and continued on his way.
Leo：Hey, wait.
Leo：This one's for you.
Leo handed the letter to Alyn, and then walked away without another word.
Alyn stared down at the letter in his hand, a frown on his face.
His name was scrawled neatly across the front in Jily's familiar handwriting.
He sighed softly to himself, closing his eyes for a moment.
Alyn：Nothing's changed, but—

＊＊＊

At last it was the day of the opening ceremony.
The palace seemed unusually quiet, and the teapot clattered as Nico set it down.
Nico：It's a shame you couldn't go in the end.
Jily：Yeah.
I took the teacup he offered me, and turned to look out the window.
The sky seemed bright with a thousand shining stars.
Jily：It's getting late. I wonder what time everyone will come home?
I sighed softly, and after a moment Nico spoke thoughtfully.
Nico：If I remember right they said they'd be there until they turn out the opera house lights.
Nico：I guess they'll return at around midnight?
Jily：What?
As Nico spoke the word 'midnight,' something flashed through my mind and was gone again.

（What is it?）

I looked down, trying to think, and found myself staring at my necklace.
I picked up the clock pendant slowly, staring at the hands that had stopped at 12 o'clock.

（That's right!）

〝Alyn：Geez. Do you want to be alone with me that badly?〞

My heart was suddenly aching as visions of Alyn flashed through my mind.

（That's right—I have to—）

Jily：I have to go!
Even as I whispered the words, a lost memory of Alyn seemed to fill my mind.

〝Jily：We haven't seen each other much lately. I guess I'm a bit lonely.〞
〝Alyn：Geez. Do you want to be alone with me that badly?〞
〝Alyn：In that case, meet me at midnight after the opening ceremony.〞

I clenched the clock pendant tightly, my knuckles turning white.
My heart was pounding almost hard enough to burst.

（I was the one who set the hands of this clock to midnight and stopped them there.）
（I did it so I wouldn't forget my promise with Alyn.）
（And then the carriage overturned on the way to the opera house, and—）

I realized suddenly that Nico was leaning close, studying my expression.
Nico：What's the matter, Jily?
I lifted my head slowly to meet his gaze, filled with sudden determination.
Jily：I have a favor to ask of you, Nico.
Jily：Can you take me to the opera house?
Nico：Right now?
Nico's eyes widened in surprise, and I nodded firmly.
Jily：I really have to go, no matter what.
Nico frowned down at me, his expression worried.
But after a long moment he sighed softly and then smiled.
Nico：Ahh, I can never say no to you, Jily.

＊＊＊

Nico arranged a carriage for me and took me to the opera house himself.
He had the driver stop outside the opera house, which still had its lights on.
Nico：Is this where you want to get out?
Jily：Yes!
I climbed carefully down from the carriage, and glanced back at Nico.
Jily：Thank you, Nico!
I smiled brightly up at him and then turned and walked away.
My skirts fluttered around my legs as I hurried towards the opera house.

（I need to see Alyn—I need to tell him—）

I felt flustered and impatient as I hurried forwards.
A moment later I spotted Alyn up ahead, sitting outside the opera house.
He was staring up at the starry sky above, his expression wistful.
I felt a sudden ache deep down inside at the sight of him.

〝Alyn：Why'd you forget?〞

（You're the most important person in my life, Alyn.）
（What on earth have I done? How could I forget?）
（I need to tell you—I need you to know how I feel.）

Jily：Alyn!
I hurried towards him, my voice breathless, and he turned towards me in surprise.
Alyn：Jily?
Jily：I'm so sorry, Alyn! I—

（Ahh, there's so many things I want to say!）
（It's all too much, I can't find the right words!）

I could feel tears trickling down my cheeks, and Alyn stood up and gently wiped them away.
Alyn：Say what you need to say. I'm listening.
I looked up to find his intense gaze focused on me.

（I need to find the right words.）

Jily：Alyn—I love you—
Alyn's eyes widened slightly, just for a moment.
He stared down at me, his expression still serious, and then at last he smiled.
Alyn：I know.
Then without warning—
Alyn smiled at last, his gaze still intense as he stared at me.
He reached out and wrapped me in a warm embrace, his arms tight around me.

（Oh, Alyn!）

Alyn's strong arms were more reassuring than anything, and as I closed my eyes—

（Oh!）

The lights in the opera house went out.
I remembered the promise we'd made together, and my pulse sped up.

（The reason I wanted to meet you at midnight was—）

Alyn：You wanted to be alone with me, right?
Alyn finished my thought for me, and I buried my face in his chest.

（It was because we could be alone when the lights went out.）

Jily：I did.
I nodded slowly, and Alyn cupped my cheeks with his hands.
Alyn：And what did you want to do with me then?
Jily：Well—
Memories of the two of us together flooded through my mind, and I felt myself blushing.
Alyn slid his fingers gently under my chin, lifting my face towards him.
Alyn：I dunno about you, but I've been wanting to do this.
His lips pressed against mine in a soft kiss.
I closed my eyes as I kissed him back, giving myself over to his sweet taste.
His tongue slid between my lips, seeking my tongue.
His hand moved around behind my neck, pulling us even closer together.
I moaned softly in my throat, feeling light-headed with pleasure.
I wanted to drown in his kisses and never surface, but at last our lips parted.
Alyn moved towards my ear and whispered softly.
Alyn：Even if you forget me—forget what we have—
Alyn：I will always protect you.

（Oh, Alyn—）

I nodded as I slid my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

（It doesn't matter what happens, does it?）
（You'll always care for me, and take care of me.）

The stars shining brightly in the sky overhead seemed to watch over us as we shared another sweet kiss...

fin.