ITIWAFRBIAHS Chapter 3

"The doctor will visit in the afternoon. Don't worry and rest well."

That's what Mother said when she visited my room as soon as morning broke. Mm, what I should morally say here is obviously this.

"Yes, thank you..."

Mother smiled brightly at my response and ordered an enormous breakfast spread, twice the amount I usually ate. Then after confirming I started eating, she left the room with kind farewell words. Fortunately. If she had watched me eat too, I would have gotten indigestion...

I stayed in the room and continued my meal. Clear stew with thick sandwiches, and even fresh green juice—I don't know what was in it but it had a refreshing taste. Everything tasted amazingly good. This body really doesn't seem to be sickly. Even though I just woke up, everything goes down fine.

So my theory that 'the original body owner was selectively sickly with slacker aspirations' grew stronger as I finished my meal.

When there was more food in my stomach than left on the plates, the working staff came in after polite confirmation, just as they had for over a week.

"Miss, may we open the door for a moment?"

Among them was the girl who had told me about this body's father yesterday. I became solemn remembering yesterday's awkwardness.

Anyway, I thought they came again to clean up after meals and attend to me, but the lady in front held out an envelope to me. It was elegant blue with gold-embossed border patterns that looked expensive—no, beautiful. When I carelessly received it, an explanation followed.

"Lord Moore has sent a letter."

I almost dropped the envelope.

I was torn between the urge to quickly rip it open to check the contents and the desire to carefully open it without leaving even the tiniest scratch. But ultimately, while only making efforts to open it carefully, I hastily tore open the envelope.

Inside, navy text was written in elegant script on pure white paper.

[To dear Miss Rose Aubert,

The brilliant season approaching the summer solstice is upon us.

Though I anticipated our beautiful meeting with as much eagerness as the season itself, regrettably circumstances do not permit it, leaving me most sorrowful and deeply concerned.

I have received word from Madam Sawyer that the matter in question is indeed the cause.

The tidings I promised during our brief last meeting I now send enclosed together with my heart.

I most fervently hope that brilliant recovery shall grace every aspect of your being and that we may meet again with all due haste.

Your faithful fiancé, Lucas Moore]

I've never received such an elaborate, formal letter with excessive flowery language in my life.

So... someone called Madam told him I'm sick and can't see him, and he's quite disappointed about that, right? It's like looking at a liberal arts textbook from modern literature history. If this were a dating sim, just including one of his photos would have raised affection points more. That thought wouldn't leave my mind, but imagining the handsome man writing this letter made everything wonderful.

He must have worried about how to write it well while writing this? With that face? Wow, game over. The face already won.

I headed to the library with such happy imaginings, holding the envelope. No, I was about to head there when the working staff member who delivered the letter stopped me.

"Madam suggested you rest in your room until the doctor's visit would be better."

That overprotective scent must be referring to this body's mother, right? Come to think of it, the letter also mentioned Madam. Let me probe once more!

"Madam Sawyer?"

"...Yes. That's correct."

So Mother really is Madam Sawyer. Mother must have also refused the handsome man's visit... That's quite disappointing.

No wait, then I just called Mother by name with an honorific, isn't that strange? But the working staff only hesitated briefly and didn't show much agitation. Could it really be a stepmother met through remarriage?! Was my K-intuition right?

"If you tell me what books you'd like, I'll bring them to you."

Too absorbed in my deduction, I almost mentioned the high-level romance novels I enjoyed reading. Barely succeeding in naming a magazine, I dove back onto the bed holding the envelope as soon as the working staff left.

Then something rolled out from between the opened envelope. Something sparkling... could it be a ring? Is it a ring?

But it was just wishful thinking. What fell from the envelope was a beautifully crafted small crystal bottle and a sparkling silver teaspoon. The teaspoon with elegant raised vine patterns was as beautiful as the crystal bottle. What kind of gift is this?

I first picked up the crystal bottle. The contents inside sloshed. The small bottle, only the size of two fingers, had its mouth sealed with something like a cork stopper, and when I opened the lid, there was a note rolled up around the stopper. It must have been stuffed in with the stopper at the bottle's mouth.

When I unfolded that paper, which hadn't gotten damp at all as if it had been wax-coated, neat writing was revealed.

[How to take the sedative,

Mix half a teaspoon in spring water or black tea and stir well before drinking. Must not be taken with dairy products or alcohol.

I sincerely hope this will be effective.]

Wow, what's this. I gaped. I never dreamed he'd get this and send it in just one day after I mentioned amnesia yesterday. Plus he included a teaspoon to measure the medicine or mix it? Amazing. What is this action and sense?

Moreover, looking closely, isn't the handwriting on this note exactly the same as the letter I just read?

Sure enough, comparing them, they're exactly the same. Wow, did he write this himself too? Crazy. He has looks, wealth, youth, and even character. I'm just amazed that any more period drama male lead attributes could be added to one person.

Well, since I don't really have amnesia, I can't drink the medicine, but I should at least use the teaspoon well. I put the medicine bottle with its lid closed and the teaspoon in the pocket under my skirt. They fit right in because they're small.

It feels like... receiving official goods personally planned by an idol through an event lottery. I wiped my nose while wanting to savor this unreasonable sense of achievement and pride.

I put the letter, envelope, and note in the desk drawer in my library connected to the bedroom. Soon after, a working staff member returned with various magazines, and I spent leisurely time reading them one by one until the doctor arrived.

The doctor arrived right after lunch ended.

And the amnesia concept crashed and burned beyond all repair.

"Miss Aubert, could you tell me about the most impressive incident from last month?"

"..."

This is bad. I thought they'd just ask when and how my head hurt, and when I remember the least. But they're asking what I remember instead!

I answered with difficulty.

"During a walk... I saw roses shining in the sunset, and they seemed very beautiful... Yes, I think that's how it was."

By the way, I saw something similar to this description yesterday too. Since they make me walk every day, surely I must have seen it once last month too, right? But the doctor looked at me and the chart in his hand with bewildered eyes and asked carefully.

"According to the records, walk time was in the morning last month."

"..."

I'm screwed. I uselessly attempted to recover once more.

"Ah, I got confused. That was this month... Um, last month I read a novel called Gardens and Romance in the library, and that was quite impressive."

Just from the title, it seems like a book about Rococo garden styles, but it's actually an intense love triangle romance novel. The doctor nodded, and Mother standing beside called a working staff to bring that book.

Whew, did this one work a bit?

"This book... was published in mid-month of this month."

"..."

Can't you hear that? The sound of something crashing down...

Yes. That's the sound of my excuse coin plummeting, professor.

Hey, give me back my high point...

After that, the doctor threw a few more questions at me. I gave up on everything and had a rambling word festival, and the more I did, the more somber the room's atmosphere became. The doctor became increasingly quiet, and only after a long while did he look back and forth between me and this body's mother and speak carefully.

"I'd like to have a conversation with Madam Sawyer regarding consultation time. Miss Aubert, please wait just a moment."

"Yes yes."

Yes, anyone can see this is a doctor trying to have a private consultation with the guardian to avoid shocking the patient.

"Don't worry, Rose."

Mother, who had been biting her lips, tried to smile and said this, then left the room with the doctor.

...Mm, maybe I should have said I couldn't remember anything from the beginning? I kicked the blanket in regret. Damn it!

A little later, Mother was the first to open the door and enter.

"Dr. Bert is preparing medicine. Don't worry, our Rose. If you relieve stress and recuperate, you'll see improvement soon."

"...Y-yes."

Cold sweat flows. This guilt, how do I handle this atmosphere? I couldn't stand the long silence that followed and babbled desperately.

"But actually, it doesn't interfere with daily life or anything. You don't need to worry too much..."

"Oh no, that can't be, that can't be..."

At that moment, the doctor opened the door and entered the room.

"...Madam?"

He was holding what looked like a medicine packet, but seemed surprised by Mother's unusual reaction. However, this body's mother didn't even respond to the doctor's call and ran out the open door with her head down.

What, what's wrong? Why is she like that? I almost opened my mouth and spoke aloud. The doctor also seemed a bit surprised, but soon nodded and spoke to me discreetly.

"You might think Madam's reaction is excessive, but please understand generously. Since Lord Aubert departed like that, she has great concerns about mental illness in those around her."

Wait. Since this body's name is Rose Aubert, the departed Lord Aubert must be this body's father, right? At the intense feeling of 'there's definitely a story here!' I finally couldn't hold back and opened my mouth.

"How, how did he depart? Since what I remember might be different again, just in case."

"Well. As I understand it, in his later years he suffered from severe depression and emotional instability. To think an accident happened the day before the ceremony like that... Anyway, it was truly heartbreaking."

What do you mean "like that" and "how" exactly?!

But the doctor seemed reluctant to speak about it and trailed off. Then he hastily rattled off obvious health maintenance repertoire like getting plenty of sleep, avoiding stressful activities, and taking care of one's body. Anyone could see he wanted to avoid that topic.

So I became curious to the point of going crazy. No, what kind of accident happened the day before what ceremony? With this much wealth, they probably attended all kinds of events, right? Funerals, memorial services, celebrations, weddings. With all kinds of ceremonies, I can't guess.

This is like watching a drama where the crucial evidence of the culprit is revealed, but without showing anything important, only the actor's surprised expression is frozen while the episode ending sponsor banner appears. Ugh.

I racked my brain trying to figure out how to bring up that topic again, but it was useless. The doctor showed me the medicine and explained each effect, then said the head housekeeper Mrs. Perkins would handle it so I must take it consistently, before hurriedly leaving the room.

I was completely drained by the endless sweet potato frustration of intense story hints without actually learning anything concrete. The cringe from creating black history with my botched act also didn't help.

"Aaahhhhh."

I spent the afternoon in such a daze.

And as soon as I came to my senses, I thought. Since everything's ruined anyway, let me at least have a cola!

Hey, whatever! Since I've now become a severe mental patient with completely erratic memory, I'll ask everyone I meet without any filter from now on. I'll definitely make everyone I meet bewildered with question bombardments.

...If this body's original owner ever returns later, I'm truly sorry about this crazy situation. Anyway, I hope you know I really did my best to handle it naturally... Anyway, I'm now a free Dobby. I can act as I please!

I got up and threw open the window. I felt like I should at least let out an internal shout while looking at the scenery, like shouting once from a mountain peak.

But it happens to be sunset again. Aaahhh. The interview with the doctor comes back to mind...! I hastily tried to close the window again, but I saw something black beyond the garden trees.

"What's that?"

It's a dark color that stands out in the entirely red and orange garden. What is it? I forgot my troubles and stared intently at it. That elongated shape... looks like a person? It looked like a tall man.

Let me look more closely. I leaned both arms against the window and stretched my body out. The figure half-hidden in long shadows changed angles and revealed its outline properly.

"Lord Moore?"

It was this body's fiancé.

Whoa. Did I see wrong due to the intense afterimage of that handsome face? I rubbed my eyes several times and looked again, but it really was that face genius.

Wow, looking like this, he has a good body too.

Even from far away, his solid body line and prominent facial T-zone are like fountain statue... Ah, no. That's important too, but isn't the time and place strange?

Why is he here now?

Having gained mental liberation five minutes ago, I decided to just call my fiancé without overthinking.

"Lord Moore!! What are you doing here?!"

The fiancé seemed a bit surprised. He flinched and looked precisely in my direction.

That handsome man still nodded gently to me. And soon he walked over without hesitation.

The closer he came, the clearer his face became as he passed through the shadows, and his cheeks catching the sunset glow made him look almost bashful, warming the heart.

Anyway, he's really handsome.

"I was taking a walk in the garden. I thought I couldn't see you today, but I'm happy to check on you even like this."

The fiancé greeted me as casually as if we'd met while walking in a neighborhood park.

What is this bizarre situation? I asked with shaking pupils,

"But how are you taking a walk in this house's garden this late in the evening? You even sent a letter..."

"Ah, that was written after arriving at this manor."

"What?"

The fiancé explained the situation with a somewhat sheepish expression. He got the medicine and visited urgently this morning, but Mother refused, saying I needed absolute rest due to my examination.

But this fiancé had a schedule the next day, making a return visit difficult.

So he decided to wait until my examination was over, just in case the results were okay and we could meet. He sent the medicine to me through the working staff first since we might not be able to meet.

"And I waited until just now, but strangely there was no contact from Madam Sawyer. I was getting restless, so I came out for a garden walk."

Probably this body's mother couldn't contact him because she was frantic after running out earlier.

"I, I see."

But what is this wholesome innocence? I started having pupil earthquakes for an entirely different reason than before.

This face combined with this national treasure-level personality... Simply incredible.

If I had that face, I think I would have lived way more recklessly, but this is remarkable. I was speechless with admiration for a moment. Then I snapped back to reality at my fiancé's next words.

"How was your examination, Rose?"

"..."

No.

I barely avoided giving an immediate answer and spoke evasively.

"I remember less than I thought. So I got a prescription for now. But it's not at a level that hurts or interferes with life!"

Even with this answer, the fiancé frowned worriedly and spoke gently.

"It's truly fortunate there's no inconvenience in your daily life. But memory is an important part of what constitutes a person, so please don't skip taking your medicine. What I gave you is closer to a tonic, so it's fine to take it together."

"Yes."

I'm hearing this same thing for the third time in a row from different people. I nodded vigorously to at least give a good response. The man finally relaxed his expression and looked up at the sky. My gaze naturally followed.

Before I knew it, the sunset had half-sunk, leaving only red traces in the sky. The garden was also gradually losing that deep primary color and being dyed blue.

Against that backdrop of everything losing light, a dazzlingly beautiful person suggested to me.

"How about a brief evening walk?"

Hahaha, look at this. Right now that's something I should suggest, or even pay for. I struck a pose to jump down from the window.

Work Regulations

11. Entry to the garden is restricted after sunset. No personal reasons are exceptions except for work purposes.

It would take 10 minutes to go down to the first floor and walk around the garden to reach that spot. And I want to see that facial prodigy's face up close right now.

"Wait a moment."

"Rose, what are you...?!"

I hung from the window frame like doing high-rise fire drill training. Since the first floor of this manor doesn't have very high ceilings, I could easily land on the ground from the second floor without problem.

Due to hanging, the fiancé's voice came from behind my head.

"Rose, I'll catch you..."

"Eut-cha!"

I lightly jumped down and landed in the garden. Fortunately the ground below was grass, so it was soft and stable. No dirt on my knees and my shoes are fine. It was a very good landing. I brushed my nose.

"...Doesn't seem sickly..."

"What?"

"As you said, you don't seem sickly at all and appear very healthy, Rose. That's fortunate."

Turning around, I saw the fiancé's face with upturned lips. Wo-hoo, he's even more handsome up close!