I’m Looking for the Male Lead for the Ending - Chapter 73

Chapter 37.2

“….”

“Of course, my brother insists that’s not true.”

Her words made my lips feel inexplicably dry.

Perideline continued with a sulky expression, likely remembering the way Estieren had dismissed her claim.

“It’s not that I’m underestimating my brother’s abilities, but he was only fourteen at the time! Even if he could wield aura, how could a fourteen-year-old possibly save me? Don’t you think so?”

I gave her a nervous smile, unsure how to respond to her attempt to get me to agree.

By that logic, I was only ten years old at the time.

“Besides, my brother didn’t even show up until everything was already taken care of. Who couldn’t beat someone who was already worn out? Isn’t that right?”

I hesitated, debating whether to go along with her or admit that I honestly couldn’t remember. After a moment, I gave Perideline, who was eagerly awaiting my answer, an awkward smile and replied.

“Um, Lady Perideline, I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t actually remember what happened that day.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure how this will sound, but I have no memory of the time between when I was ten and eleven years old.”

“Huuk!”

Perideline gasped, surprised by my words. She blinked a few times, thinking it over, then leaned closer toward me and asked,

“So, you have no memory of saving me?”

“No, it feels like that memory has been completely erased from my mind.”

“….”

“To be completely honest, Lady Perideline, while you believe I saved you, I can’t say for sure that I did.”

“….”

“I’m sorry for only telling you this now.”

Perideline’s face hardened at my words.

Seeing her stiffened expression, I began to regret bringing it up. I wondered if I had been too eager because she was the first person to show me genuine kindness, aside from Marie.

‘If she thinks I’m the one who saved her eight years ago, and that’s why she likes me, but it turns out I wasn’t the one who saved her…’

I instinctively glanced at the top of her head, a wave of bitterness washing over me. I hated myself for checking the system even in a moment like this.

Just then, a ding sounded, and the system window popped up.

[ 〈SYSTEM〉

Perideline Kaisian’s trust increases by 1%.

Perideline’s current trust: 68% → 69% ]

…What?

Startled, I looked at Perideline, who seemed on the verge of tears as she spoke.

“Isn’t that proof that you saved me?”

“…Yes?”

As I blinked in confusion, she leaned forward and continued.

“Honestly, why wouldn’t a ten-year-old remember something like that? Doesn’t it make sense that something huge must have happened?”

“Uh…”

I couldn’t find the words to respond, my mouth opening and closing uselessly. Perideline nodded as if she were certain she had just proven her point. Seeing her nodding so confidently, I finally raised my hand in an attempt to calm her down and spoke.

“W-Well, there’s a reason for that.”

“Huh? Wh-what reason?”

“The reason I don’t remember that year is because I was unconscious for most of it.”

“Unconscious?”

“Yes. According to the servants, I collapsed from the shock of my mother’s death. Of course, all the servants working at the estate were dismissed before I collapsed, so I can’t be entirely sure.”

“…The servants were all fired?”

“Yes, but I don’t think they were lying. After all, I truly have no memories after my mother’s funeral.”

At my words, Perideline furrowed her brows, looking deep in thought. I smiled awkwardly and stirred my tea with a teaspoon out of nervous habit.

She tapped the table lightly with her fingers before speaking in a careful tone.

“Um, Fairy… no, Lady Ardi. I’m not sure how this will sound, but…”

“It’s alright. Please, go ahead.”

“Lady Ardi, your mother’s death must have been a huge shock for you as a child. But I don’t think that’s the only reason you lost all your memories.”

“….”

“Doesn’t something about this seem strange?”

“Yes?”

“The fact that the servants were let go. If you had simply collapsed from the shock of your mother’s passing, there wouldn’t have been any reason to dismiss them, would there?”

Her words made perfect sense.

As I thought about it, just like one of the former servants had mentioned, it seemed plausible that I really did travel to Neitzia through the teleportation stone in the marquisate. Still, there was no way the servants would have been dismissed just because I went there.

‘Something must have happened in Neitzia. That’s the only explanation for their dismissal.’

As I mulled over what to do, Perideline spoke again.

“And I looked into the ?? I met in Neitzia. It turns out that ?? has ??? abilities. They say that people affected by ?? exhibit a distinct characteristic, which is ??.”