In Place of Losing My Memory, I Remembered That I Was the Fiancée of the Capture Target - Chapter 4.4
“Xia.”
When Patrick left, Theodore appeared with a displeased expression.
“What did you talk to him about?”
“I asked about Marguerite’s situation.”
“And then?”
“And then… why do you ask?”
“He left in such a good mood.”
Theodore said, staring at my face intently.
“———Oh, right, I was invited to visit the estate during the summer break.”
“Huh?”
“They have a sea there. I want to see it.”
I’ve only seen the sea in illustrations in books, but it resembled the Mediterranean Sea from my previous life and was very beautiful.
“No, you can’t… go to the estate.”
Theodore squeezed my hand tightly.
“I’ll take you to the sea. Besides, we’ll probably go back to our estate.”
Nobles usually return to their estates in the summer. Students attending the academy and those with jobs return to the capital at the end of summer, but otherwise, they spend time at their estates until winter.
Since my father is busy with his duties as a minister’s assistant, he rarely returns to the estate during the summer, but he said he could go for a short while this year because of me.
“Father said he’d pick me up when he returns, so if I go back with him, we can meet you on the way.”
It takes about five days by carriage from the capital to our estate.
If we change the route along the way, we can get to the Adronaught Duchy’s estate faster.
“What’s that? Why are you deciding things on your own?”
“What do you mean by ‘on my own’?”
“I won’t let you go to his place.”
Theodore tightened his grip on my hand.
“Theo… it hurts.”
“Why are you so close to him?”
“Why… after all, we’re engaged.”
“Engagement… marriage… I won’t allow it.”
“Theo…”
I sighed.
“That’s impossible, you know?”
“It’s not impossible. Even back then, I…”
“Huh?”
Back then?
“———Anyway. I won’t let you be with him or anyone else.”
Theodore finally let go of my hand.
Perhaps because of all the talking, my fever rose again.
Theodore was by my side even when I lay down, but it seemed he had left the room while I dozed off.
When I woke up, I was alone.
It was already dark outside.
Is it night already… how much time has passed?
I remembered feeling thirsty, so I got up, poured water from the pitcher into a cup, and drank it all.
The water had a lemon scent, and I sighed with relief.
Was it a mistake to talk about going to Patrick’s estate?
I said it out of excitement, but…
I heard the sound of the door opening with a click.
“Are you awake, Xia?”
Theodore came in.
“I just woke up.”
“I talked to Father.”
Theodore came to my side, knelt down, and took my hand.
“Xia. Marry me.”
“Huh…?”
“I’m actually your cousin. I was adopted into this family when your engagement was decided. But… I love you, Xia. I’ve loved you since we were children… Xia, will you marry me and live together in this house?”
Theodore said it all at once… with a pleading look in his eyes.
“I told Father about my feelings too. He said breaking off the engagement is impossible because it’s a royal command, but I’ll find a way. So Xia, let’s get married after the engagement is dissolved.”
“T-That’s… no good.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
I… my feelings…
“I love Patrick.”
Theodoro’s eyes widened.
“You love him?”
“Yes.”
“Even though you hated him so much?”
“…It’s true that I might have hated Patrick. But now… the current me loves Patrick.”
“More than me?”
“———Yes.”
I nodded, looking into Theodore’s eyes.
“…I see…”
A disquieting light seemed to dwell in Teodoro’s eyes.
“So…”
“I won’t give up.”
Suddenly, Theodore pulled my hand.
Before I could resist, I fell into his arms.
“Theo…”
“Fall in love with me. More than anyone else.”
His voice, lower than usual, resounded in my ears.