IOTB Chapter 55

Despite the overwhelming joy from Licht’s confession, Louise’s body stiffened in confusion.

 

What is this memory…?

 

The boy’s high-pitched voice, so vivid as if it had just whispered in her ear, was different from Licht’s current one. Yet, Louise did not doubt the boy’s identity at all. She was equally certain that the girl facing the boy was herself.

 

It was similar to how she could understand the language of the Melbeth and Rugaru Clans, despite having no memory of learning it. It was a fact she couldn’t ignore, no matter how much she tried to feign ignorance.

 

Did I… know Licht even before I lost my memories?

 

But then… why hadn’t Licht told her?

 

Why hadn’t he mentioned anything about where she was born, how she grew up, how they came to know each other, or any other details?

 

Could it be… on purpose?

 

The moment a sliver of doubt crept in, one of the tightly bound knots snapped with a loud pop. At the same time, an overwhelming pain surged, causing Louise to clutch her head.

 

‘No, this is a mistake. It’s just a dream, so what does it matter? Licht would never do that to me.’

 

This horrendous pain, something she had never experienced before, might be a punishment for doubting Licht. Especially at such a joyous moment, right after confirming his feelings.

 

She should have apologized for realizing it too late, confessed that she felt the same, and embraced him.

 

It hurts. It hurts, hurts, hurts.

 

Why was this happening at such an important moment?

 

Did she scream? Or was she unable to even let out a sound? Did she stagger and collapse, or somehow manage to hold on?

 

Though her eyes were wide open, she couldn’t perceive anything.

 

Her head felt like it was about to burst from the flood of memories forced upon her, even though she didn’t want them.

 

“…Louise! Louise!”

 

[Louise.]

 

Faintly, she heard his voice. The voice of someone she missed dearly, someone who had filled her childhood with excitement.

 

[As a token of our promise, I’ll give you my blood. Someday, when you’re ready, give me yours.]

 

The memory of her younger days, when she felt she could do anything just to delay today’s parting until tomorrow, seeped into her, carrying all the emotions from those moments.

 

[I’ll wait by your side.]

 

Just as she desperately clung to those memories she never wanted to let go of,

 

“Rest for a moment.”

 

A low, gentle voice, distinctly different from the boy’s, echoed in Louise’s ears.

 

Soon, her vision dimmed, and the pain that had been raging within her quietly subsided.

 

***

 

What startled you so much?

 

Licht gently caressed Louise’s tear-streaked cheek. The tears soaking her face were undeniable evidence of the unbearable pain she had endured.

 

Was it the fact that I’ve loved you? Or something else…?

 

Licht had not considered that Louise might be unaware of his feelings. His fatal mistake was not accounting for the unique circumstances of their roles as a priest and a holy knight.

 

Though they acted otherwise in private, their professions demanded celibacy, leading her to dismiss any affectionate behavior as mere confusion.

 

I should have let her realize it gradually, at her own pace.

 

Louise never seemed to rely on Licht. She saw him as someone to protect and tried to handle dangerous situations on her own.

 

Her behavior made it seem like she was always ready to run away from him, as if his presence in her life could vanish without consequence. It upset and saddened him deeply.

 

So, he ended up confessing his true feelings without considering her perspective.

 

[Hurting you… I never wanted that.]

 

Licht carried the unconscious Louise back to his residence in an instant, using magic.

 

After laying her on the bed, the first thing Licht did was make the entire bedroom his personal domain.

 

He transformed the Pope’s quarters, deep within the Holy Kingdom and guarded by divine protection, into a place impenetrable even by holy power.

 

It wasn’t difficult, as he had already prepared the magic circle before going to retrieve Louise.

 

Having done so to ensure she wouldn’t suffer even if she regained the full power of the Rugaru Clan, Licht then set about re-sealing the fragments of Louise’s memory that had begun to unravel.

 

She’s not ready to accept it yet…

 

Licht realized he needed to make her understand his feelings again, but more delicately and carefully this time, so she wouldn’t be startled.

 

[I’m sorry for being too hasty, Louise.]

 

Until they were certain of each other’s feelings, it was best that Louise didn’t recover her memories.

 

Unlike when we were young, she might regret it now.

 

Unlike Licht, who fully understood the weight of his actions and had made his choice, Louise might not have grasped everything. Being separated from her family for an extended period, the possibility of conflict between their two clans—these were burdens she might not yet comprehend.

 

The mere thought of her resenting him and returning to the Rugaru Clan was enough to freeze his heart.

 

No. I can’t let that happen.

 

Standing in the middle of the room, Licht cast another spell while gazing at Louise on the bed. Layer upon layer of magic enveloped the space, mirroring the depth of his anxiety.

 

If the spell he had used to seal Louise’s powers was a testament to his extraordinary talent as a member of the Melbeth royal family, this spell, born from his most desperate feelings, was now being enacted.

 

From this moment, no one could enter or leave the space without Licht’s permission.

 

Even if Louise regained all of her clan’s powers, she wouldn’t be able to break this barrier. It was a suffocating sealing spell, created out of his overwhelming desire to keep her by his side.

 

This should do it.

 

After thoroughly inspecting the space, Licht returned to Louise.

 

Sitting on the bed, he gently lifted the sleeping spell he had placed on her. As he did, he noticed her eyelashes fluttering.

 

Gently brushing over them, Licht suddenly tasted something metallic in his mouth. In his anxiety, he had unconsciously bitten the inside of his cheek.

 

What if something terrible happened to her?

 

It was as if someone deep inside his heart was warning him, telling him that his approach was wrong. That he was going to ruin everything.

 

But…

 

It’s too late to turn back now. There’s no better way.

 

Unless he was willing to let Louise go, this was the only path to their happiness.

 

So, when Louise finally opened her eyes and looked at him, Licht smiled as beautifully as he could.

 

“Louise.”

 

He presented himself in a way she would surely like, to distract her from thinking of anything else.

 

As expected, Louise squinted as if dazzled, staring at his face for a long while. Only after she seemed content enough did he softly whisper in a gentle voice.

 

“It’s time to wake up. It’s already noon.”

 

“Huh?!”

 

Startled, Louise quickly sat up. Even though it was the second time, her reaction was still as adorable as ever.

 

“I’m sorry, Licht. I slept in so late…”

 

Fortunately, it seemed Louise had forgotten everything that had happened the previous day.

 

“It’s fine. As long as you rested well. I did too, thanks to you.”

 

Not wanting her to feel any unnecessary déjà vu, he stepped aside and helped her prepare for the day. He brought a comb and carefully brushed her hair, then dressed her in the neat dress he had been saving for later.

 

The dress, which covered her from neck to ankles, was the type noblewomen typically wore when attending religious services, making it perfect for everyday wear in this place.

 

Louise seemed inclined to wear pants, but Licht didn’t like how those revealing clothes exposed the beautiful shape of her body.

 

If she insisted on wearing pants, he’d want to buy her loose ones with lots of pockets.

 

“What if I trip and dirty or tear the fabric? It looks so expensive…”

 

“Did you forget? I’m a skilled magician.”

 

“But Licht, you’re the Pope. Should you really be seen using magic in front of people?”

 

“Then I’ll pretend it’s divine power. A Pope who can mend fabric? Not a bad image.”

 

“That’s… that’s…”

 

Louise’s mouth hung open.

 

Her speechlessness, with so much to say but unable to express it, was so adorable that Licht wanted to kiss those red lips right then and there. If he could taste them, he was sure they’d be sweet beyond measure.