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nMy father pulled a blanket over me. Watching him leaving the room, I fell asleep.

nHow much time passed? When I opened my eyes again, I saw Lina standing beside my bed in embarrassment.

n“Lina, give me some water.”

n“Oh, here it is, my lady.”

nWhen I quenched my thirst with lukewarm water, I felt a bit better.

nHolding the empty cup, she said, “My lady, there is something for you from the Imperial Palace… ”

n“Huh? What is it?”

n“Here you go.”

nWhat Lina gave me was a small box and a letter. The moment I saw the envelope, I was short of breath. An envelope with golden pearls on a blue background. It was from the crown prince. Breathing hard, I opened the box. I saw the finest lavender leaves inside. The peculiar scent of lavender leaves tickled my nose. Was it because I smelled lavender leaves that were known for soothing the nerves? My breathing eased little by little. I took a big breath before opening the envelope.

n< I heard that you took sick leave.>

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nI let out a deep breathing. When I saw the last part of the letter written in sloppy writing, which was unusual, I felt stuffy again.

n“Oh, my lady?”

n“Huh?” I came to my senses when she called me hesitantly. She was usually hesitant.

n“Well… Duke Verita’s son is here.”

n“Allendis?”

n“Yes, he came a long time ago, but he said he just wanted to see your face before leaving…”

n“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I quickly got up, started. Why didn’t she wake me up If I had a visitor instead of keeping him waiting?

nI hurriedly changed into casual clothes and headed for the reception room.

n“Hi, Allen’.”

n“It’s been a long time, Tia.”

n“Huh? It’s only been three days since we met last. ”

n“Really? By the way, I hear you’re sick. You don’t feel so good? Can’t you take some more rest?”

n“Oh, I’m fine now. I got better after rest. ”

nSuddenly, I remembered my first meeting with him. One day after I had just returned from the past four years ago, I was sitting here like I am now. When I saw his with light green hair, I stood up. ‘At that time I called Lina and gave him tea.’

nLost in old memories, I asked Lina to bring the same tea I had served him back then.

n“Lina, please bring a cup of rosemary tea. ”

n“Yes, my lady.”

nHearing my order, Allendis laughed brightly. Back then, he was only thirteen. Now, he was a seventeen-year-old young man. Her fresh light hair and emerald eyes were still the same as before, but his short hair grew long enough to come down to his chest. The boy with white face now looked more mature.

n‘Wow, time flies!’

nSo much time has already passed since the day I started living a new life from the day I came back as a ten-year-old girl.

n“Tia, that sounds like what we talked about when we first met, righ?”

n“That’s right. Oh, you also remember it. ”

n“Of course. I remember vividly whatever I have seen or heard once. ”

n“…That must be hard for you.”

n“Huh?”

nI laughed bitterly at Allendis, who seemed to be puzzled at my response.

nMemories of one’s past that came to mind vividly? What if I remembered the memories for the rest of my life, which always tormented me before accepting a new reality? I would go mad. I didn’t even want to think about it.

n“To remember anything vividly means that you keep thinking of bad memories or things that you want to forget as if you just experienced it, right? That must be hard for you.”

n“Well, you’re right, but it depends on how you think about it.”

n“How?”

n“Well, you just keep making good memories so much that you don’t recall bad things or what you want to forget.”

nMaybe he was right.

nWhen I had just returned from the past, I was troubled by the memories of the past that came to mind, but as I made new acquaintances and relationships, I recalled fewer things than I did before. But that doesn’t mean you’re completely free from that memory. After the day I wrote everything down in the mirror room in my dream, the memories that came to my mind vividly were fading away little by little, but I could not completely get rid of my painful memories of the past.

n“Here you are, my lady.”

n“… Oh, just leave it here. ”

nI woke up from my idle thoughts as Lina came in. When I lifted the mug, I suddenly saw a small basket next to Allendis. What is that? I have never seen him carrying something like that.

nAs if he noticed my gaze at that, he put the mug down and said, “Well, I planned to give it to you, but forgot while we were talking about our old memories.”

n“Ugh?”

n“I went to the village and bought it, thinking about you. Take it. ”

nI stood up hastily and received the basket that he gave me. What is this?

nWhen I tried to ask him what’s inside, I noticed a bunch of round hair moving. ‘Huh?’

n“… a cat?”

n“Yes. I heard the cat was born two or three months ago. I was about to pass by the pet shop, but I bought it as it looked like you. The moment I saw it, I thought of you. ”

nIt was a kitten I saw in the basket. She was very small, with soft, long silver fur. When I touched it curiously, the crouched cat raised her head. When she raised her right foot and mewed, rubbing her golden eyes, she was so cute.

n“So pretty…”

n“Do you like her?”

n“Yes. Thank you so much, Allen. ”

nThe small cat curled up again and fell asleep after yawning. I carefully put the basket down next to me and raised my head. I could see his emerald eyes warmly looking at me.

n“Allen, what’s her name?”

n“Huh? You have to name her, Tia. ”

n“Really? Well, which name would be good? ”

n“Think hard about it and let me know later. Okay?”

n“Sure, Allen.” I nodded, smiling at him brightly. What’s a good name? I wanted to give her a really good name. I thought about it, but couldn’t find one.

nWhile I was thinking hard about her name, I suddenly felt sorry for Allen looking at me.

nOh my god! I was neglecting him while I paid attention to the cat! Originally, I planned to go to the village to enjoy the festival with Allen. I got a little better, but I couldn’t go out today.

n‘Oh, let me try that.’ I suddenly thought we might play a chess game that we used to enjoy in the past.

n“Allen, how about playing chess? We haven’ played in a long time.”

n“Sure, I’d like to. Let me see if you are better now, my lady,” he replied with a smile.

nWhen he and I were practicing fencing together, we often played chess together in the parlor on a rainy day when we couldn’t practice. I thought I was above average, but I was defeated every time I played against him. No matter how hard I practiced it, he used all sorts of extraordinary tactics to beat me.

n“Checkmate!”

n“… ”

n“Well, this is my 78th win, Tia.”

n“… Hey, don’t remember that. ”

nWhen I retorted bluntly, he grinned at me. ‘Dang it! How can you sacrifice a lot of pawns and throw knights as bait, then catch all my pieces with just one bishop? Does it make any sense?’

nWhy can’t I beat him even once?

n“Would you like some advice?”

n“Ugh? What is that?”

n“Tia, you tend to focus on rooks and knights. Why don’t you try other things such as bishops or your queen? ”

n“Oh, I see. Thanks, Allen. Let’s play one more game.”

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n“Sure, no problem.”

nHe then put the knights back. Let me try using bishops and queen like he suggested, taking out some rooks and knights.

n“Uh, it’s a draw!”

n“Yea, you’re right!”

n“Wow, I played a draw in our 79th game!” I exclaimed with joy.

n“Hey, you told me not to count the game, but you cared about it deep down, right, Tia?”

nDespite his teasing, I was happy. When I used knights like he advised, I played a draw for the first time. Although I didn’t win, it’s an achievement for me. While looking at me, he stood up with a smile. I stood up, too.

nHe gently stroked my hair and said, “I have to go. You should rest now. ”

n“Okay, Allen. By the way…”

n“Ugh? Why, Tia? ”

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