Chapter 13 …………………………………………
“You’re just a stranger to me right now. None of this is your fault…”
“So you’re saying you’re confusing the real me with the one in your memories.”
“Maybe that’s true.”
Psyche admitted it without resistance.
She missed the gentle husband named Karhis from the past, and because of that, she had drawn a clear line between them.
Feeling the stark difference between who he had been and who he was now, she had been pushing him away without realizing it.
Psyche bit her lip at her own ignorance.
Psyche Benoian. Haven’t you realized anything? After losing everything, you should accept it. Endure it. He hasn’t changed. Only you have. Karhis is still Karhis.
He is still the person you love.
So there’s nothing to think about.
She wanted to go to him without hesitation.
All the emotions she had suppressed so far burst out.
“I—I didn’t mean it like that. It was only natural for you to treat me like a stranger since you didn’t know anything. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. You didn’t need to consider anything like that in the first place because you’re just you.”
“No matter how you see me, I don’t care. So don’t draw that line between us. Every time you do…”
I hate it.
Karhis swallowed the rest of his words and let out a deep breath.
Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair, his silver strands falling into disarray.
The calm atmosphere between them shifted in an instant.
Karhis stepped closer to Psyche.
Now only a hand’s width separated them.
“Strangely… my head hurts when I stand in front of you. And my chest aches. Did I really… meet you before?”
“Yes. We did. A long time ago.”
Psyche answered without hesitation.
Her clear, shimmering eyes were firm and resolute.
“If that’s true, then what kind of person was I to you?”
“To me… you were my world. You were all I had.”
“Did I save you when we were young? I don’t remember meeting you.”
“Maybe… when we were children.”
Psyche murmured for a moment, then slowly nodded.
“You will remember someday.”
“And if I don’t?”
“It will be a little sad… but it’s okay. Because I remember everything. Even for you. After all, you are still you.”
She thought for a moment before answering.
Even if he never remembered, it would be fine. Truly.
If she alone remembered him and could still save him—that alone would be enough.
“And I like you as you are now as well. I always have.”
“…What?”
Psyche smiled at him calmly.
Karhis froze in shock, unable to hide his surprise.
His usually cold face flushed, and the tips of his ears turned red.
But neither of them noticed.
“You like me too. Just because you are you.”
“Are you… confessing to me right now?”
A faint smile crept onto Karhis’s lips.
He covered his mouth with his hand, trying to suppress his expression.
Unnecessary emotions. Things that don’t matter in life. Love is a weakness. But… if it’s Psyche…
He struggled to cut those thoughts off.
But it was useless.
I want to hear more.
He wanted to hear it directly—from her expression, her eyes, her lips.
Even though he knew he shouldn’t.
“I’ve arrived at the Benoian estate.”
Their brief moment alone ended.
Yet Karhis’s expression remained slightly distorted.
There was an unquenched thirst in his eyes.
His gaze, heavy with desire, looked languid and dangerously intense.
He swallowed, his throat bobbing as he looked at Psyche.
Psyche’s eyes darted around nervously.
She turned her back to him and reached for the carriage handle.
Her face was clearly flustered.
She had never seen Karhis like that before.
He had always been calm and rational.
He never acted on impulse.
That’s why this version of him felt so unfamiliar.
“If I say anything more… I won’t be able to handle what happens after.”
“I’ll be back now.”
Psyche quickly opened the carriage door.
She put weight on her injured ankle.
But Karhis’s voice came from behind her.
“Wait. Isn’t your ankle injured?”
“Pardon?”
“It’s swollen. Be careful, or you might not be able to walk again.”
“It’s not that serious.”
“Wait.”
Karhis approached and lifted her into his arms.
His hold was unexpectedly steady.
Psyche’s face ended up pressed against his chest.
“…! Karhis!!”
She called his name without thinking.
But he paid no attention and carried her toward the Benoian estate.
Servants and guards at the gate noticed them.
“W-Who goes there!”
“You should recognize me immediately.”
“P-Perdian… Duke…!”
Realizing his identity, the knights turned pale and stiffened.
Karhis spoke coldly.
“I requested assistance from the duke. Surely you don’t mean to say you can’t even recognize me.”
One of the knights quickly opened the gate.
Servants guided them inside while trembling.
Karhis continued carrying Psyche all the way to her room.
“You can put me down now.”
“Stay still.”
“I’m heavy. And you’ll get tired.”
“Do you think you’re heavy? I can hold you with one hand.”
He frowned slightly.
Psyche still worried she might be too heavy for him.
A pointless concern.
“Then… thank you.”
“Stop worrying unnecessarily. You’re always stumbling anyway.”
“I don’t always do that.”
“That’s a fact. You look like you’ll collapse any moment.”
Without further argument, he carried her to her room.
“We’re here.”
“Thank you… for bringing me here.”
“Is your ankle okay?”
“Yes, really.”
“Then I’ll take my leave—”
“W-wait!”
Psyche grabbed his wrist as he turned away.
“What is it?”
“I want to send you a letter of thanks… for today.”
Karhis did not respond.
Psyche grew nervous.
“…Go ahead.”
“Really?”
A smile slowly spread across her face.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Earlier you called me ‘you’ so easily.”
“What?”
“Call me by my name instead.”
Karhis stepped closer and whispered into her ear.
His deep voice sent a shiver through her.
“I’ll call your name too, so call mine as well.”
He pulled back and looked at her.
Her delicate face flushed pink like the sunset.
Karhis watched her with quiet amusement.
Then he added lazily,
“Go on, Psyche.”
