194 – Erasing Them Herself
Pallin finally pushed open the door to Viktor and Scarlett’s bedroom. Viktor, who had been sitting on the bed dressed, turned his gaze towards the door.
Pallin spoke, “Captain. Even if you shoot me dead right now, I must say something. If we continue like this, Vestina will easily invade. Unless Lady Scarlett can produce the flying object, it’s the end for Salantier!”
Pallin kept speaking until Viktor caught hold of him. Soon, Viktor’s hand was over Pallin’s mouth.
“It’s okay. I don’t need to know.”
Despair filled Pallin’s expression at his words.
Just then, a rustling sound came from the bed, and Scarlett sat up. Viktor turned to her, but Pallin pushed his hand away and shouted, “Lady Scarlett! Get a hold of yourself! Salantier is falling!”
His shout made Scarlett flinch. Then, she saw three men standing in front of her bed. She got out of bed and retreated.
“Master?”
“What?”
As Scarlett spoke, Viktor turned his gaze to her.
Viktor’s grip loosened.
Scarlett blinked rapidly and then, upon seeing her own attire, gasped and retreated under the covers in fright. Her actions left the three men speechless for a while, and it took some time before Evan finally spoke up.
“Originally… was Lady Scarlett’s memory erased until the early days of your marriage?”
“…No. It wasn’t.”
Viktor strode over with wide strides and pulled Scarlett into his embrace. At that moment, Scarlett was so startled that her shoulders trembled. Viktor released her.
Startled, Scarlett took a step back. “M-My lord, you’re here?”
“….”
“I-I must have overslept…”
Viktor froze in his place, and for a while, he just gazed at Scarlett.
Breaking the long silence, Evan spoke, “You seem to have forgotten. About your time with Captain.”
“….”
“Captain, you need to take the antidote.”
If the memories were to go back to before she met him, what would happen then?
Viktor let out a small chuckle. “We can start over. From the beginning.”
“Captain.”
“Leave.”
Viktor spoke and closed the door.
He himself didn’t know what he was doing, but this was the only solution that presented itself. He locked the door completely and slumped against it.
Like every other individual in Salantier, he had a deep devotion to the Lesquia faith. The reason he didn’t go to the cathedral was simply because he detested the monarchy’s oversight.
He believed that when he died, he would descend into hell, forever consumed by the flames set by the pirates.
Even just for a day, please let me fall into hell.
He prayed this way every day.
His mother was right. He shouldn’t have been born.
♔♔♔
As Viktor turned and walked towards her, Scarlett became frightened and stepped back.
Viktor halted in his tracks.
“Come towards me, Scarlett,” he extended his hand to the trembling Scarlett.
During the early days of their marriage, she had been afraid of Viktor approaching, but oddly, whenever he distanced himself, she thought a few times that he approached her like a curious cat.
When Viktor called, Scarlett finally walked towards him.
Truly, as Evan had suggested, Scarlett might be erasing memories of herself from her mind. At this rate, she thought, she might eventually vanish completely from her own thoughts.
For her sake, it might even be better if she believed he never existed in her life from the start.
But he couldn’t bear that. He wished for her to at least look at him with eyes of disdain. Pathetically, he even desired to receive her hatred.
Viktor spoke, breaking the silence.
“I’m sorry, Scarlett.”
“What…?” Scarlett responded, puzzled.
“Just…”
Scarlett, though puzzled, cautiously approached Viktor.
As if capturing her, Viktor pulled her into an embrace, soothing her trembling back while gently caressing it to calm her.
Scarlett, in a simple way, found solace in that touch. Gradually, her tense body and face relaxed.
Releasing her, Viktor asked, “Have there been any troubles lately?”
In response, Scarlett, seeming embarrassed, couldn’t meet his gaze and slightly shook her head.
“None.”
Viktor was holding Scarlett quietly. After a while, Scarlett, thinking he wouldn’t get angry, asked,
“I’ve been practising walking. Do you want to see it?”
Viktor gently wrapped his fingers around her hand and said,
“Please, my lady.”
As he agreed, Scarlett dashed somewhere and returned with a book, placing it above her head. She straightened her body and took light steps.
“How is it?”
“Excellent.”
He said as he gently pulled Scarlett’s body closer, his hand encircling her waist. Then he leaned down and asked,
“Have you learned to dance?”
“I still can’t dance…”
“Try.”
He began skillfully leading her.
Scarlett began dancing the steps she had learned since their marriage. Even without music, the dance that hadn’t been going well when the music was playing turned out to be incredibly flawless with Viktor. She remembered the governess saying that the man who leads in dancing is crucial. She was right.
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