Chapter 40
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Selachia suppressed the urge to grab Chester’s hand and pull it down, instead asking politely. Chester couldn’t bring himself to look at her, his eyes darting nervously.
“You look… very different from how I remember you.”
“Ah.”
Now that he mentioned it, she was still wearing the same dress from that morning. Nancy had also styled her hair. Compared to the past, when she used to comb her hair alone and wear only muted dresses, her current appearance was far more extravagant.
It made sense for Chester to feel awkward. Selachia fidgeted with the hem of her dress for no reason.
“It doesn’t suit me, does it? I had my reasons for dressing like this today…”
“What are you talking about, Sela? It suits you perfectly. I just… I thought you’d be beautiful, but you’re far beyond what I imagined…”
Chester uncharacteristically began rambling. He seemed desperate to ease Selachia’s embarrassment.
Selachia nearly burst out laughing at his kindness, but before she could, sharp voices interrupted from both sides, making her turn her head instead.
“Did you just call her ‘Sela’?”
“Milady. This gentleman is…?”
Roberta and Nancy, who stood closely on either side, were glaring at Chester with heavy suspicion. Now that she thought about it, this was their first time meeting him.
“Ah. He’s the young master of the Piregen family. This is my knight escort, Sir Belphona, and my maid Nancy. Sir Belphona, Nancy—this is my longtime friend, Chester Piregen.”
Selachia made sure to add a fabricated explanation.
“Of course, as I’m currently suffering from memory loss, I don’t remember him at all. I set up this meeting thinking it might help me regain some memories.”
Roberta and Nancy were already aware of her somewhat exaggerated memory loss. While she had admitted to recovering certain memories, she intended to continue pretending not to remember anything about Chester.
Chester gave Roberta and Nancy a quick nod before throwing Selachia a knowing glance.
“You still haven’t remembered anything?”
‘Do I still have to keep acting?’
Selachia sighed as if regretful and met his gaze.
“Unfortunately, no.”
‘So play along.’
Understanding the signal, Chester let out a dramatic sigh.
“I see… Then it’s best if we talk somewhere more private. How about a nearby tea house? I know a good one.”
“Rather than that, since you’re here in the Duchy of Seidon, why don’t you experience something unique to this region?”
“Something unique?”
“Yes. The Duke recommended a boat ride. He even generously offered one of his boats.”
Technically, Tenus hadn’t exactly given permission, but since he had granted her authority over Seidon’s privileges, it wasn’t a lie.
Selachia began walking toward the canal dock not far from the plaza.
“A boat ride, out of nowhere?”
Though confused, Chester followed beside her. Just like before, a few boats were peacefully drifting along the canal.
Once she mentioned the name of the Seidon Duchy, everything progressed quickly. The dock manager greeted them with an almost burdensome level of deference.
“Milady, which boat would you prefer? Shall I prepare the largest one?”
“No.”
Selachia pointed to a boat currently passing by.
“One like that.”
“A… two-person canoe?”
The manager glanced blatantly at Chester, standing beside Selachia.
Two-person canoes were typically meant for lovers. It was taboo for a man and woman who weren’t lovers to ride one together, though not illegal. Selachia decided to be shameless about it.
“What? Is there a problem?”
“N-no, not exactly, but…”
The manager hesitated to bring the boat. Roberta and Nancy intervened instead.
“No, milady. You can’t go on a boat ride alone with a man who isn’t the Duke. His Grace would be terribly disappointed!”
“A two-person canoe makes it difficult to provide escort. Please take the boat the manager suggested, milady.”
“But I really want to ride a two-person canoe here, on the famous Willem Canal. Tenus is always so busy—I don’t know when I’ll get another chance like this.”
Selachia put on an intentionally innocent expression.
“Even if I lost my memory, the fact remains that the young master of Piregen is my friend. There’s no issue with friends riding a canoe together, right? I’m sure His Grace won’t be upset, Nancy.”
“Th-that’s true, but still…!”
“And Sir Belphona, please follow us in the escort boat. I know I won’t be able to see it, but Sir Pinter must be around here too, right? With two fine knights, my safety is guaranteed.”
Roberta briefly turned her head, seemingly checking for Mark’s location, then asked in confusion.
“Escort boat?”
The rowing that had felt clumsy at first quickly became familiar. Her childhood experience hadn’t completely rusted away.
While Selachia eagerly paddled, Chester sat frozen with a dazed expression. He glanced around anxiously, then flinched as he noticed something.
“Your maid is glaring at me like I’m her mortal enemy.”
“What? Nancy? No way. You must’ve imagined it.”
Selachia didn’t bother turning to look at Nancy in the trailing boat. She had chosen her position deliberately to prevent lip-reading and facial expression reading, even if it meant risking misunderstanding. So she kept facing forward.
Chester, seemingly bothered by Nancy’s gaze, kept glancing over her shoulder before covering his forehead with his hand.
“Everyone’s staring… Sela, is this really what you wanted?”
“Hmm. I suppose…”
In the end, Selachia had insisted on riding a two-person canoe with Chester. It was her strategy to completely isolate their conversation.
Though it broke social norms, it was the only way to shake off Roberta and Nancy, who wouldn’t leave her side. Even at a tea house, they would’ve sat right next to her.
Currently, Roberta and Nancy were on a following boat with an entire musical ensemble—a surprisingly large one with professional boatmen.
The music, which began the moment Selachia picked up the oar, was far more lively than any chamber music she’d heard before. It was a bright melody that harmonized well with the water, boosting the mood.
She understood now why Tenus had subtly suggested it. It was a luxury even an emperor might envy.
There was just one flaw: they were drawing too much attention. People walking along the canal path and those enjoying their own rides kept glancing at her and Chester.
“This is more embarrassing than entering a ballroom.”
Chester couldn’t even lift his face from his hands.
Selachia, who had never even attended a ballroom party, deeply sympathized. But since she had brought it on herself, she forced her chin up and pretended to be composed.
“Nothing we can do. Just focus on me, Chester. Ignore the others.”
“That’s the hardest part today…”
Chester peeked at her through his fingers.
“Should I row instead?”
He was looking not at her face, but her rowing hands. Selachia firmly shook her head.
“I’m better at rowing than you, Chester. Did you forget where I’m from?”
With the music loud enough that even sharp-eared Roberta wouldn’t hear them, Selachia relaxed and spoke freely, paddling boldly.
She had lost count of the days spent on the sea with her mother and father in tiny rowboats. Rowing on a calm canal was nothing compared to that.
She could feel the smooth resistance of water splitting under her fingertips. The sensation brought back fond memories. With the cheerful music in her ears, it felt like walking on cloud nine.
Gradually, she grew numb to the gazes and was swept up in emotion.
“I wish we had done this in Renshie too.”
“It’s not too late. We still have time ahead of us.”
Chester, his eyes vaguely focused near her shoulder, added softly.
“I’m just glad you look well. I’ve been worried since we last parted that way.”
“You think I look well?”
“Your life at the ducal house must be going okay, right?”
“Don’t even get me started.”
Selachia pouted and muttered the complaints she hadn’t told anyone.
“I’ve been swamped the past couple of days. I’m now in charge of the duke’s ledgers—there’s so much. On top of that, we’re preparing for a banquet soon, and that’s no easy task either. Managing the household is harder than I thought.”
“You say that, but you seem to be enjoying it.”
“…Was it that obvious?”
Selachia chuckled sheepishly.
“This is my first time doing something like this. I guess I’m a little excited.”
Though she’d never admitted it aloud, she had once envied Chester for inheriting his family’s merchant guild after reaching adulthood. While she felt like she was barely functioning as a person, he had matured so quickly. She had felt a little left behind… and a bit betrayed.
“You…”
Still, she had congratulated him with a smile. She knew Chester would have done the same if the roles were reversed.
But the Chester sitting in front of her now didn’t look congratulatory or encouraging. Instead, he looked deeply conflicted as he lowered his voice.
“Did you change your mind about leaving House Seidon?”
Selachia couldn’t answer right away.
