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Etienne pulled his arm out of my grasp. My previously fidgeting hand suddenly felt empty.

“Okay, I get it. If there’s an inexplicable reason for you not to drink, then let’s skip the tea. Shall I say what I wanted to say right here? My leg hurts a bit, but it’s fine. Whether my leg is broken or not who cares.”

After thinking for a moment, Etienne replied to my polite words.

“Let’s talk outside. I’ll be in the garden first. Make sure you wear something proper.”

Leaving only a few words to patronize, he walked away.

“What? A walk on such a moonlit night? It’s so romantic!”

I called Penny to straighten out the clothes. Penny looked at me with a frown as if, asking are you going to meet Master Etienne in such a state.

To me, it looked the same.

Grumbling to myself, I went out to the garden. The cool night air carried a refreshing scent of grass.

The lanterns in the garden swayed every time the wind blew. Etienne approached. It was dark, but his already large body seemed even bigger.

This man seems to fit better in the dark.

I thought while looking at his hair reflecting the bright moonlight.

Etienne started walking. I quickly followed him. Maybe because of our height difference, I had to take almost twice as many steps to keep up with him.

Are you trying to show off your long legs now?

I was out of breath. Etienne looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Uh, Slow- slower. walk a little slowly”

Then he slowed down his pace. I barely caught my breath.

I was moved to watch him walk slowly, conscious of me.

Etienne has become much more generous than before. Compared to the monastery days…

Ugh, thinking about it again, It was too much.

For a moment, I had the urge to bash Etienne’s little round head from behind, but I shook my head while remembering yesterday… 

I should have just punched while being drunk. One good punch would have been enough.

“What’s so enjoyable?”

“It feels like we’re a real couple while taking a walk like this. Or maybe secret lovers?”

I giggled at my amusing thought. Etienne turned his gaze away and looked straight ahead.

“That’s nonsense. What was it that you wanted to say earlier?”

“Oh, that… um… I’m really sorry about yesterday. Actually, I don’t remember much because I drank too much. But, I think you must have suffered a lot, Etienne… Haha. If I made any mistakes, please forgive me. It wasn’t sincere.”

“You weren’t sincere?”

“…Yes.”

Though my conscience pricked me, I couldn’t answer that the head-pat with the fork was something sincere.

“Hmm.”

Etienne seemed displeased.

“It seemed too sincere for that. The servants had a hard time snatching the steak from your hands. You’re stronger than I thought.”

“…”

“I was sincere about the steak.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“You probably also sincerely wanted to treat me like a bastard.”

“…Please spare me.”

“The things you said at the dining hall were probably sincere too.”

Oh, what did I say? Was it worse than treating him like a bastard? I don’t know, let’s just beg first.

“Please forgive me.”

“Okay.”

“h-huh?”

His response was so short and concise that I was taken aback.

“I said okay.”

“Uh…yes.”

I wanted to ask if he was serious, but I quickly accepted his decision, fearing he might change his mind. 

Is he really okay with it? Is he not upset? It wouldn’t suit him at all to be upset. Well, maybe it would be kind of cute.

However, Etienne’s expression was truly indifferent. 

When did he become so kind-hearted? 

He asked if that was all I had to say.

“Um…what happened to Victor?”

I hadn’t planned on bringing up this topic, but since it came to mind, I asked the question. 

Victor was the name of the man I met when I was kidnapped. 

He was certainly someone who could become the key to tracking down the stolen item since he claimed to recognize me.

“He’s a contractor. He’ll do anything for money.”

“He looked like the type to do bad things.”

“His whereabouts are still unknown. But it doesn’t seem like it’ll take too long to find him.”

“It would be great if I could remember how I communicated with him.”

“Any recent memories coming back?”

If I say there are none, it would be a little disappointing. It’s been over two weeks already…

I put on a determined expression.

“It’s not that nothing is coming to mind. Unfortunately, I don’t remember anything recent. If I could just remember a little more, I think I’ll remember everything.”

Etienne’s face, which had been looking straight ahead the whole time, turned towards me. 

He looked at me intently with his blue eyes. Not understanding the meaning behind his gaze, I awkwardly stared at him for a moment. 

Etienne was the first to look away. His long eyelashes covered his eyes. With a light breeze blowing, he walked ahead again.

“…Okay, try to remember well.”

His voice was more subdued than usual. 

What did I do wrong? I don’t think I have done anything.

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