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Story Event－Forget Me Not

（Eternal Bonds Route：Louis）

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＞＞＞Choose Louis

Louis, Chapter 2：

My head was aching, and I opened my eyes slowly.

（Where am I?）

I sat upright, and a sudden stinging pain struck through me.
Jily：Owwww—
I put my hands to my head, and then I felt warm hands around my shoulders, supporting me.
???：You shouldn't be up yet.

（Oh!）

I looked up to find a beautiful young man sitting on the bed next to me.
He lay me back down against the pillows, and tucked the blanket around me.

（Who are you?）

As I gazed up at him in confusion, I heard Giles and Nico speaking from nearby.
Giles：I'm just glad the carriage accident wasn't too far from your mansion, Duke Howard.

（Duke Howard?）

Nico：Yes, things could have been much worse if we'd had to wait any longer for a doctor.
Nico replied to Giles in a worried voice, and then turned to look at the unfamiliar man.
Nico：Thank you so much, Sir Louis.
Louis：You're welcome.
I felt suddenly grateful to Nico for inadvertently teaching me the man's name.

（So your name is Louis. We must really be inconveniencing you with this.）

Jily：I'm very sorry, Sir Louis.
I spoke the words softly, but all three of them stared at me in surprise.
Louis：Jily?
Nico：What's wrong, Jily?
Jily：What?

（Did I say something odd?）

I looked up at them all in confusion, and at last Nico spoke.
Nico：Jily, don't tell me—
Nico：Don't you recognize Sir Louis?
I looked up at Louis again, and then looked back at Nico and shook my head.

＊＊＊

Giles left the room with Louis and Nico, and they stopped in the corridor outside.
Giles：Considering her condition, it might be better to return her to the palace as soon as possible.
But Louis spoke quickly in response to Giles's suggestion.
Louis narrowed his eyes, speaking softly.
Louis：I don't think we should push her while she's feeling so ill.
Louis：Let her stay here a little longer.
Giles：Is that fine with you? Even though she doesn't remember you?
Giles's words were sharp, but Louis nodded slowly.
Giles：However—
Giles frowned, looking unconvinced by Louis's calm manner.
Nico looked back and forth between the two of them for a moment before speaking.
Nico：I'll stay here as well, in case something happens.
Giles studied Louis's expression in silence.
But at last he sighed softly and nodded.
Giles：Very well. I appreciate your assistance with this.
Louis：Not at all.
Louis turned and began to walk away down the corridor.
But he stopped almost immediately and turned back to look at them both.
Louis：Also, please don't tell her she's forgotten me.
Louis：I don't want to upset her or make this difficult for her.

＊＊＊

A sweet, light sound intruded my sleep, and I slowly opened my eyes.
Jily：Nnnn—
I looked towards the sound and saw a small music box sitting on the bedside table.

（A music box?）

A moment later Nico leaned over me, studying my expression.
Nico：Are you okay, Jily?
Jily：Nico—
I smiled up at him, and he breathed a soft sigh of relief.
Nico：You've been delirious with a fever for days, and I was so worried about you.

（I can't believe I've been out for that long.）

Jily：My head doesn't hurt anymore, though. I feel a lot better.
I spoke confidently, and Nico gave me a bright, relieved smile.
Nico：That's great.

＊＊＊

Meanwhile—
Louis was reading through some documents when a servant visited his room.
Servant：The princess has apparently woken up.
Louis continued to read the documents he was holding.
Louis：I see.
Servant：Are you fine with not going to see her?
Louis：I am.
Servant：Very well.
The servant bowed and left the room, and Louis waited till the door was shut.
He put down the documents and turned to look out the window.

＊＊＊

I got changed and then headed out into the garden to get some fresh air.

（I feel so much better—I almost can't believe that my head ached so badly that first time I woke up.）

I stretch my arms above my head, taking slow, deep breaths.

（Now I just need to get back to focusing on the party for the opening of the opera house!）

As I reassured myself, I saw someone walking through the gardens up ahead of me.

（That's the man who saved me, isn't it?）

Jily：Sir Louis?
Louis turned at the sound of my voice.
He gazed at me without speaking, his expression calm.

（I really should thank him.）

I hurried towards Louis and looked up at him with a smile.
Jily：Thank you so much for helping me.
Louis's expression relaxed into a soft smile at my words.
Louis：You're welcome.
He blinked slowly, his long lashes fluttering against his cheeks.
Louis：I'm glad you're okay.
I was so taken with his lovely smile that for a moment I forgot what I wanted to say next.

（You look so gentle and kind.）

It was the first time I'd seen him smile, and my pulse was racing.

（We haven't really spoken yet. I wonder what sort of person you are?）

Louis：See you later.
Louis turned away from me, and without thinking I called after him.
Jily：Um—
Louis：Yes?
Louis turned back, his expression waiting, but I didn't know what to say.

（What should I do? I wasn't thinking when I spoke.）

Then I remembered what Nico had told me earlier.
Nico：Sir Louis is a very good dancer, you know.

（Nico told me that when I was asking him what sort of person you are.）

Jily：Um—I heard that you're a very good dancer—

＊＊＊

I spoke to Louis for a short while in the garden.
As a result he agreed to teach me the dance I needed to know for the party.
Louis：This is the only place available.
Louis led me into a small room dominated by a grand piano.
Jily：It's fine! Thank you very much.
Louis offered me his hand, the gesture elegant.
Louis：May I have this dance, Princess?

＊＊＊

I stepped into Louis's arms and we began to dance.
The moonlight shining in the window made Louis's pale hair gleam a soft silver color.

（You really are gorgeous, Louis.）

I felt captivated just looking at him, but then I realized he was looking straight back at me.
Louis：What's the matter?
Jily：Nothing.
I dropped my gaze, but a moment later Louis slid his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.
Louis：It's easier to dance like this.
Jily：Oh!
The steps had felt awkward a moment ago, but now that we were closer they seemed comfortable.
Jily：It really is.
I smiled brightly up at Louis as I spoke.

（I'm so glad we're able to dance together like this.）

But a moment later, Louis's expression changed, his smile fading.
His brow creased into a frown, his eyes moving away from me.
Jily：Sir Louis?
I spoke softly, and a moment later his soft hair brushed against my cheek.
Louis：Why?
Louis pulled me into an embrace, his arms warm around me.

（What the—?!）

I froze where I was, too startled to know how to react.
His chest was pressed up against mine, and I could feel how fast his heart was beating.
Louis：You're so close, and yet—
The clock on the wall chimed softly, announcing the late hour.
Louis let go of me with a start, and turned away from me.
Louis：You should probably get some rest.
Louis：I'll see you back to the palace tomorrow.
He strode towards the door, glancing back at me as he opened it.
My heart was pounding painfully in my chest, but I managed to nod.
Jily：Okay.

＊＊＊

The next day—
Louis took me back to the palace in a carriage, just as he'd promised.
Nico sat next to me, smiling brightly as he looked out the window.
Nico：I'm so glad you're feeling well enough to go back to the palace!
Jily：Me too.
I tried to sound cheerful, but I was still thinking about the way Louis had embraced me the night before.

（I wonder what he was thinking when he did that?）

He was sitting directly across from me, and I snuck a glance at him.
But he was gazing out the window, his expression calm and distant.
At last the carriage reached the palace, and Nico opened the door to step out.
Nico：I'll get out first and unload your luggage.
Jily：Okay, thanks.
I nodded to Nico, and then turned to face Louis again.
Jily：Thank you very much for seeing me all the way here.
Louis：You're welcome.
Louis's tone was blunt, and I sighed softly to myself.
Jily：I'll be on my way, then.
I turned to step out of the carriage, but as I did so—

（Oh!）

Louis caught hold of my wrist.
Jily：Sir—Louis?
I looked back to find him gazing at me with pained eyes.
Louis：Don't go, Jily.

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Louis, Chapter 3-Sweet Ending：

Louis：Don't go, Jily.
Louis's eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks, his expression pained.
Jily：What?
I stared at him in confusion, but then I heard someone call my name from outside the carriage.

（Oh—）

I turned towards the voice in surprise, and Louis let go of my hand again.
He moved back from me, sitting down again and turning his head away.
I looked at him for a moment longer before stepping down from the carriage.

＊＊＊

I headed towards my chambers, but I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened in the carriage.

〝Louis：Don't go, Jily.〞

（Why would you say something like that, Louis?）

As my footsteps slowed, I saw Leo approaching me from up ahead.
Leo：Welcome back, Jily.
Jily：Thank you, Leo.
Leo：Are you feeling okay now?
I nodded with a smile, and Leo offered me some sheet music.
Leo：These are the pieces that will be performed at the opera house.
Leo：I thought you might like them.

＊＊＊

I thanked Leo for the music and returned to my room, where Nico was bringing in my handbag.
Nico：I'll leave your bag here, okay Jily?
Jily：Thanks, Nico.
I gave Nico a smile and then returned my attention to the sheet music.
As I scanned one of the pieces, I frowned uncertainly.

（Hang on, this piece—）

Jily：I think I know it.
Some faint memory surfaced in my mind as I scanned the sheet music.

（What is it? I feel as if I really liked it.）

I tried to focus on the memory, but I couldn't quite catch hold of it, and at last I sighed.

（Ahh, I don't know.）

I looked away from the sheet music, and my gaze was caught by something sitting on the bedside table.

（Is that—）

I crossed the room and picked it up, my heart racing.

（It's the same as the music box that was in Louis's room, at his mansion.）

Jily：Nico, this music box—
I turned towards Nico, and his eyes widened as he looked down at it.
Nico：Oh, that's right.
Nico：This was made especially for you, to commemorate the restoration of the opera house.
I looked down at the music box again, and turned the key slowly.
A moment later a sweet melody filled the room.
Nico：It's beautiful, isn't it?
As I listed to the gentle sound, I realized something.

（Wait a minute!）
（It's the same as the sheet music!）

For some reason, an image of Louis flashed through my mind.

（There was a music box in Louis's room just like this one.）
（But Nico just said this was the only one made.）

My pounding heart seemed to be trying to tell me something, and I closed my eyes for a moment.

（I don't understand—I feel like there's something I have to remember—）

All of a sudden—
Jily：Oh!
The fuzzy memories began to sharpen all at once, filling my mind one after another.

（It was for our promise—）
（I gave that music box to Louis!）

I pressed my hand against my mouth in shock as everything suddenly fell together.

〝Louis：You're so close, and yet—〞

〝Louis：Don't go, Jily.〞

（Yet I forgot our promise.
（I forgot Louis, the most important person to me.）

My heart was suddenly aching painfully in my chest.

（What should I do?!）

I thought desperately for a moment, and then turned to Nico.
Jily：Nico, did Louis already leave?
Nico looked up in surprise, his expression curious.
Nico：Hmm? No, I think he said he was going to speak with Giles before he left.
Jily：Thank goodness!

（In that case I might still be able to catch him!）

Jily：Thank you, Nico!
I lifted my skirts and hurried out into the corridor.

＊＊＊

I left my chambers and dashed through the palace in search of Louis.

（I thought he'd be in the study, but Giles wasn't in there either.）

I looked around me, and then turned to one of the maids who was cleaning nearby.
Jily：Has anyone come through here recently?
Maid：No, I haven't seen anyone.
Jily：Thank you.

（Where could he be?）

I frowned to myself, and then lifted my skirts and hurried off again.

＊＊＊

I stepped out into the gardens, and then stopped again.

（Maybe he already left.）

A gentle breeze ruffled my hair and caressed my cheek.

（Ahh, Louis and I have spent so much time out here.）

I took a step forward, looking around me.

（Wait, is that—）

Up ahead, I saw the one person I wanted to see.

（Louis?!）

My eyes went wide with surprise, and then I was running towards him.

（I need to be with you—I need to tell you—）

Jily：Louis!
Louis：Jily?
Louis turned in surprise, and I threw myself into his arms.
Jily：Louis—I'm so sorry—

（You were trying to tell me, all that time—）
（But I never realized a thing.）

I knew I hadn't forgotten him on purpose, yet I still ached at what I'd done to him.
Louis tilted his head, trying to catch my gaze, but I buried my face in his chest.
Louis：Look at me, Jily.
I hesitated, my heart still aching at how much I must have hurt him.
But at last I slowly lifted my head and looked up at him.
He reached up and gently wiped my tears away.
Jily：Louis—
I had no idea what to say, but then he smiled at me.
Louis：I know. It's okay.
His kindness only made me feel even worse.
Jily：But—
I tried to say something to make it better, but he pressed his finger against my lips.
Louis：It's okay, really.
He leaned over and kissed me, a soft kiss that was over far too soon.
Louis：So long as you're here with me, that's all that matters.
Jily：Oh, Louis—
We stared at each other, and then our lips came together for another kiss.
His mouth was warm and sweet against mine, and I ached to taste it again after so long.
He lifted his hand to cup my cheek, deepening the kiss as he did so.
As our lips moved together, I remembered the music playing from the music box.

（I wasn't able to fulfill our promise, but—）
（Even if I forget everything else—）

Louis's tongue traced along my lips, and I parted them, welcoming it into my mouth.
I moaned softly as our tongues twined together.
I kissed him again and again, wanting to make up for all the time we'd lost.
His arms were warm and sure around me, and I wrapped my arms around his neck in return.

（I will never forget you again, Louis. I promise.）

Nothing else in the world seemed to matter at that moment.
All that mattered was our bodies pressed together, and the warmth of our kisses...

fin.

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Louis, Chapter 3-Premium Ending：

Louis：Don't go, Jily.
Louis stared right at me, his eyes wavering with emotion.
Jily：What?

（What did you just say?）

I didn't know how to reply, and then Louis let go of me again, turning his face away.
Louis：I'm sorry.

＊＊＊

When I returned to the palace, Giles summoned me to see him in the study.
But I couldn't focus on what he was saying—I could still feel the warmth of Louis's fingers on my wrist.

（Why did you do that? And did you really say what I thought you said?）
（You looked so sad and upset. Is there something I don't know about between us?）

Giles's stern voice interrupted my thoughts.
Giles：Are you listening, Princess?
Jily：Oh! Yes!
I looked up with a start, and then gave Giles a chagrined smile.
Jily：I'm sorry.
Giles sighed softly, and then began to speak again.
Giles：This is about the postponement of the opening ceremony, so please listen.
Jily：Yes, of course.
Giles looked back down at the documents in front of him and began to speak again.
But right then I had a sudden idea.

（Nothing escapes Giles's notice, right? Maybe he knows something.）

Jily：Um, Giles—sorry to interrupt, but—
Giles：Yes, what is it?
I pulled all my courage together as I looked him in the eye.
Jily：It's about Sir Louis and I.
I pulled all my courage together to ask Giles about Louis.
Giles's expression turned serious at my words.
But he said nothing, simply waiting for me to continue.
I hesitated, trying to find the right thing to say.
Jily：If you know anything about us, please tell me.
Giles frowned at my question, and fell silent for a long time before speaking.
Giles：Louis is the prince consort.
Giles：He was chosen by you.
Jily：What?!
I stared at Giles in shock, unable to believe my ears.

（I chose him? Does that mean he's the one I—）

My mind was blank, but Giles continued to speak.
Giles：However, you have no memory of him, so he has stepped down.
My thoughts were whirling, but one thing seemed clear.

（You're telling me I loved him—and yet I've forgotten him?）

I sat there in silence, my hands clenched in my lap, unable to think of anything more to say.

＊＊＊

At last it was the day of the opening ceremony for the opera house.

（Were Louis and I very close? Were we a couple?）

Even as I sat down in my seat, I was still thinking about what Giles had told me.
The two seats directly in front of me were empty.

（I wonder why those seats are empty? They're the only ones.）

Soon the opera started, and the leading lady began to sing.
The melody was sweet and yet mournful, and she sang the words wistfully.

（What a beautiful song.）

As I listened, I felt something nudging my memory.

（This song—）

My heart began to pound as the song went on.

（I don't know why, but—）

Jily：I think I've heard this before.
I whispered the words, my heart pounding desperately.

（But where did I hear it?）
（I don't know, but I feel as if it was a special song to me.）
（Why is that?）

The memory lingered just out of reach, and I tried to focus on it as I listened closely to the song.

（I can't remember. I—）

I was about to give up in frustration, when—
Jily：Oh!

（The music box!）

I thought back to the time when I'd stayed in Louis's room while I was hurt.

（It's the same song as the one playing in the music box.）
（And that music box was—）

My eyes widened in shock as a memory hit me.

〝Louis：What's this?〞
〝Jily：It's a music box that I had made to commemorate the restoration of the opera house.〞
〝Jily：I had one made for you as well as for me.〞
〝Louis：Thank you.〞
〝Jily：It would make me happy if we could share this together.〞
〝Jily：Would you come to the opera house with me, and listen to this song with me?〞
〝Louis：Yes, I'd love to.〞

I stared at the empty seats in front of me as memories flooded my mind.

（Louis and I promised that we'd sit there and see this together.）
（I remember—at last—）

I ached suddenly as I realized what I'd done to Louis by forgetting.

（Oh, Louis!）

I thought desperately for a moment, and then turned to Giles who was sitting beside me.
Jily：Giles, I have a favor to ask.
I looked up at Giles, my heart pounding so hard my chest ached.
Jily：I remembered—about Louis—
I was so desperate to explain that my words tumbled over each other and got caught in my throat.
Giles looked down at me, and then sighed and spoke gently.
Giles：Well, I guess it can't be helped. But only this once.
Giles：And make sure you come back before the opera is over.
Jily：Thank you!

＊＊＊

My skirts rustled around my legs as I hurried out of the opera house.

（Those seats were empty, which means Louis must still be at his mansion.）
（I'm going to have to go there by carriage.）

I looked around me desperately, trying to decide who to speak to.
I hadn't forgotten that Giles had asked me to return before the opera was over.

（I don't have much time—I can't think—）

As I stood there trying to focus, a single carriage pulled up in front of the opera house.

（Oh!）

I felt a sudden burst of hope welling up inside me as I watched the carriage.

（It couldn't be—could it?）

I clenched my hands together as I watched the carriage door open.
My eyes widened as Louis stepped down from the carriage.

（Louis—）
（It's you! You came!）

Louis turned towards the opera house, and looked up at me in surprise.
Louis：Jily?
Just the sound of him speaking my name sent a wave of emotion flooding through me.

（How could I forget you when you mean so much to me?）

Jily：I'm so sorry, Louis!
Louis：What?
Jily：I remembered at last—
My words caught in my throat again as I stared into his eyes.
I swallowed and tried again, and my voice shook as I spoke.
Jily：You are—the most important person in my life—
My voice was shaking, and tears spilled down my cheeks as I spoke.

（And yet I forgot you.）

I couldn't bear to say anything more as I waited for his reaction.
Then Louis smiled slowly at me, his expression gentle.
I let out the breath I'd been holding, and spoke again.
Jily：I really am so—
But before I could finish speaking—
Louis：I'm the one who should apologize.
Louis's soft hair brushed against my cheek as he pulled me into his arms.
His embrace was warm and sure, and I clung desperately to him.
Louis：I knew that you didn't remember me.
Louis：Yet I couldn't help myself when I was with you.

（What?）

His words confused me for a moment, and then I remembered our dance lesson.

〝Louis：You're so close, and yet—〞

（You didn't do anything wrong. You were trying so hard to protect me.）
（And without even realizing it, I hurt you so very badly.）

I shook my head, trying to deny his apology, and he clung even tighter to me.
His voice whispered in my ear, husky and full of promise.
Louis：But I want you to know this.
Louis：Even if you forget me—even if we're apart—
Louis：I will always love you, Jily.

（Oh, Louis—）

I nodded firmly at his words, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall again.

（I feel the same—you're the only one I love.）

Louis relaxed his grip on me at last, and I looked up at him.
A moment later his lips captured mine in a kiss.
I closed my eyes, wanting to give myself over to the moment completely.
Our lips moved together, our kisses sweet and sure.
All that mattered to me was his warmth against me, holding me close...

fin.