BSS 88

Chapter 88

“I have no interest in anything besides swordsmanship. He can’t even remember the name of the maid who has taken care of him for over twenty years.”

“That’s harsh.”

“No, it’s accurate. I’ve been having to remind him of his nephew’s name every year for the past six years. Sigh… he even frequently gets my sister’s name wrong.”

“My goodness.”

At that level, it’s no wonder he forgets people.

“The only reason he remembers me is because I practice swordsmanship. My brother is so indifferent to his surroundings that if left alone, he can barely manage daily life.”

“I see… that makes sense…”

“Unfortunately, there are many women who like that indifferent side of him.”

“Hmm, that’s strange. From what you’re saying, it seems he wouldn’t be interested in the opposite sex either.”

“Of course he isn’t interested at all. The problem is that he doesn’t care whether women come or go. He ignores them whether they follow him to bed or not.”

So he doesn’t stop women from coming, nor does he stop them from leaving.

“And he forgets the faces of women he’s spent nights with. Of course, he forgets their names too.”

“…That’s insane.”

I couldn’t help but speak aloud.

“If there’s a woman who hates my brother with a passion, it’s probably that one.”

“That’s not me.”

Come to think of it, that guy asked me when we ran into him at Drike whether we had… done that.

Damn him.

How dare he say that? If a woman holds a grudge, frost falls even in midsummer!

What does he take me for? I’m still a pure maiden… ahem.

“By the way, Miss Crowell, you came from Dimitri, right? Where did you meet my brother?”

“I ran into him once when I came to Elan before. Oh, and recently too.”

“My brother rarely attends parties.”

“Neither do I. We didn’t meet at a party, but somewhere else. And I can assure you, there’s never been a day in my life as disheartening as the day I met Robenin Pedri.”

Maybe I was talking behind his back too much.

Rashamu stared at me intently. At first, I thought he was uncomfortable because I was criticizing his brother, but looking closely, that wasn’t it.

“…I wonder why. Talking with you about your brother doesn’t feel like it’s the first time we’ve met.”

Oh, he’s recalling something.

“You feel… somewhat familiar.”

I realized that his intense gaze reminded me a little of Bright.

It was the look of a man desperate to get attention.

“So, you’re not completely foolish. That’s right. We’ve met before.”

“Eh? Are you saying I committed the terrible rudeness of forgetting you?”

Even after saying that, Rashamu seemed surprised himself.

“I won’t blame you. I couldn’t remember immediately either.

But hearing your name, I recognized it. It’s a somewhat unique name—Rashamu.”

While pronouncing his short name, I felt his gaze never leave my lips.

When I smiled slightly, he wavered; when I pressed my lips together and licked them, he stiffened.

Men can be cute sometimes.

“Where was it that we first met?”

“Can’t you remember on your own?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Among nobles, blonde hair was unusually common. Blue eyes were also common, so my appearance wasn’t very distinctive.

“You acted like you were interested in me, but it was a lie.”

“No! The reason I’m so helplessly drawn to you is because some part of me remembers you.”

“You speak well.”

“Miss Crowell, I’m sincere. From the moment I first saw you, I felt my heart racing. Even now, at this very moment.”

With pleading eyes, Rashamu guided my hand to his chest, and I absentmindedly patted his firm chest.

It was truly pounding.

As if he had just been pulled from the water.

“Perhaps your body remembers our meeting.”

“Miss Crowell…”

He smiled gently, whispered softly, and I stroked his shoulder connected to his chest.

Even a slight touch showed how well-trained his body was.

When I lifted my head, Rashamu looked down at me with trembling eyes.

Before I knew it, we were very close.

“I swear, I’ve never felt this way about a woman before.”

“Hmmm, what kind of feeling is it?”

“The closer you get… my heart trembles, I become uncontrollably tense. My mind goes blank, and I wonder if I’ve always been such a foolish man.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You seem quite popular. You seem skilled with women…”

“Please, Miss Crowell. Tell me where we met.”

As if he could no longer restrain himself, Rashamu grabbed my hand, which had been stroking his body, and stared at me with burning eyes.

I didn’t dislike someone looking at me straight on.

Being looked at so intensely was thrilling.

“When we first met, you shouted at me.”

“That can’t be. I wouldn’t dare shout at a lady…”

“You said I wasn’t a lady.”

“You couldn’t have made me sad…”

“Ah yes. You also called me cowardly. You openly disregarded me because I came from a small country. I was so sad… and I remember getting angry.”

Pretending to be pitiful was actually quite fun.

When I lowered my eyes in sorrow, Rashamu didn’t know what to do.

He looked at me with disbelief, unable to believe what he had done, and gripped my hand tighter with a pained expression.

“Miss Crowell… I apologize for everything. I’ll do anything to ease your feelings.”

“What good is apologizing if you don’t even remember?”

“I…”

“Now, recall that day. Look at me more closely, Prince Pedri.”

No one asked for a kiss.

I blocked Rashamu’s approaching lips with my hand and frowned.

I should stop playing around before he tries to apologize with his body.

“Undine.”

I had forgotten for a moment how men console women when they are sad in this world.

Undine appeared, rippling, floating her blue body above my shoulder.

Rashamu seemed to remember something.

His wide-open eyes reflected Undine.

“This is…!”

“How about it? Do our memories come flooding back?”

Of course, the elemental spirit’s presence was much more prominent than mine.

“The elementalist from the tournament finals!”

Rashamu pointed at Undine, panicked, and unconsciously stepped back.

Judging by how he stumbled, he seemed quite startled.

“Ding dong!”

When I lightly clapped, Undine formed a large water mass.

Perfectly sized to trap Rashamu right next to it.

The massive water bubble swirled in the air like it was alive, and Rashamu alternated his gaze between it and me with a grim expression.

“No way…”

“Let’s see if you can swim now.”

“Wait, wait!”

The rather large water bubble approached him, and sensing my plan, Rashamu groped his side.

He probably instinctively reached for his sword, but weapons weren’t allowed at the party.

“Too bad.”

The spirit can’t be taken away.

Rashamu quickly submerged in the water, and I propped my chin on my hand with a satisfied look, reminiscing.

“Well, at least we won’t forget our memories now. I’m being quite kind.”

“Ughgrrrk!”

He seemed to be speaking underwater, but he had to be heard.