The Strongest Brother Lost His Memory
Chapter 81

“Ow ow ow, I was wrong.”

Startled, I looked ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) up to see Yuta speaking seriously.

“I got too excited because Rosie placed first. I made a harsh comment to a twelve-year-old. Can you believe it? I sounded just like Theo, didn’t I?”

“Gasp...”

Flustered, I wiped my mouth and bowed repeatedly.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! Assistant, I’m really sorry!”

It wasn’t just a quick nap—I had fully dozed off lying on the table. I had never been this rude before. As I began to whimper, Yuta smiled gently and said,

“It’s fine. Looks like you didn’t get much sleep last night. Was something bothering you?”

“Ah...”

I had been worrying all night about whether the High Priest would catch me and kill me.

And it was true that today it felt like that future had gotten one step closer.

I hadn’t planned to say anything about that, but Yuta smiled softly and added,

“Whatever it is, you don’t need to worry.”

“...What?”

“Concerns like those are things adults should take care of for children. So don’t worry about anything and get a good night’s sleep, Miss Rosie. Everything will be fine.”

His green eyes, looking at me, felt strangely warm.

And without realizing it, I nodded.

“Don’t mind the comment I made earlier. You can submit it as-is—you’ll still get a good score.”

Tragically, I couldn’t have minded the comment even if I wanted to. I hadn’t heard a single word because I was nodding off the whole time.

“Well then, goodbye.”

Yuta stepped back a bit and gave a polite farewell.

“I have another appointment.”

“Ah, yes... I really am sorry, Assistant! I promise this will never happen again. Really!”

I bowed over and over, then finally stood up.

“Goodbye, then! See you in class tomorrow!”

“Yes.”

Yuta waved with a gentle smile.

“It was nice seeing you, Rosie.”

He sounded quite firm when he said he was busy, so I quickly gathered my things and left the library.

But just as I glanced back one last time, Yuta’s expression looked terribly unwell.

As if he’d been masking it until now—his face suddenly darkened.

‘Ugh, what do I do?’

I thought with a distressed look.

‘He must’ve been really offended... I mean, if I were him, I’d be upset too. I scarfed down cake and then slept through his whole explanation.’

And because I was speed-walking through the hallway, I didn’t hear the sudden “BLUUEEEGH!” sound that echoed inside the library moments later.

* * *

That night, in the rose garden.

Zahid sat on a bench, arms crossed and one leg draped over the other.

With the ever-lit fountain and beautifully blooming rose vines beside him, Zahid waiting for me looked just like a painting.

And on his left hand was the ring I had given him, still in its usual place.

I paused and quietly stared at that image.

“Woof woof! Woof woof woof woof!”

<Excited! Excited!>

And then Fire jumped up, wagging his tail like crazy.

“Ah, seriously, what’s with him now.”

Zahid clicked his tongue at Fire in disbelief.

“Why are you just standing there? Come over already.”

Even as he said that, he had already laid out a handkerchief for me to sit on.

I trotted over and sat next to him.

“You could’ve just come casually. Why’d you dress up so much?”

Zahid brushed away the rose vines hanging above me as he spoke. His mouth kept grumbling, but his hands were busy moving for my sake.

“Aren’t you tired from meeting so late at night all the time?”

“Yeah... I’m probably more tired since I don’t nap during class like you.”

“I only had my eyes closed a little bit at the beginning. I wasn’t sleeping.”

“Same here... I just closed my eyes for a bit during the meeting today, and when I opened them, it was already over and I couldn’t remember a single thing Assistant Yuta said.”

“...”

“Well, either way, it’s nice seeing each other often. We won’t be at the Academy for much longer.”

I smiled softly as I said it.

“How many more days do we have to see each other like this every day before we’re adults? You’ll be busy with duchy affairs... so we have to take every chance we get to see each other and grow attached quickly.”

“...Ha.”

“Better get a good look at my face while you can. If you end up falling for a duchy maid you see every day, I won’t let it slide.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

As I leaned in close, Zahid’s ears turned red and he instinctively pulled back.

“You always say things like that! As if anyone would do something so crude and irresponsible!”

“My mom did.”

“...Well, I mean, it does happen a lot in noble families. A-anyway, I wouldn’t.”

Zahid added quickly, eyes darting.

His cheeks were still a bit round, his hands small and delicate, and his forehead youthful and soft. He was still so cute.

I just grinned and said nothing, and a short silence followed.

In the peaceful atmosphere, Zahid suddenly changed the subject.

“About the High Priest coming—do you think it’ll be okay?”

His face looked troubled. It must have been on his mind all day.

“From what I know, the Divine Beast’s master can be completely hidden... but I don’t know about divine power and all that.”

“Me neither.”

I shrugged. And then I told him the conclusion I’d reached after a day of tormenting myself with worry.

“But Assistant Yuta told me not to worry and just get some sleep. And when I thought about it, there’s really nothing I can solve just by worrying.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. If something happens, won’t Julian and Grandpa take care of it? They can at least do that much for me.”

After all, they were both alive thanks to me.

Just like Yuta said—adults would protect me.

Julian and Grandpa would want that too.

Rather than me being all anxious and pacing, it’d be better if I trusted them and stayed calm.

“And Theo is at the Academy too. No matter how powerful the High Priest is, he can’t just act however he wants here.”

Theo was the kind of person who would stick to Academy rules and argue stubbornly even in front of the High Priest.

And by Academy regulations, students currently enrolled are guaranteed personal protection on school grounds.

“So I’d rather not waste the moment worrying about something that might not even happen.”

I grinned and spoke impulsively.

“And on that note—give me a present.”

Zahid furrowed his brow in disbelief.

“What? Now? All of a sudden?”

“Yep.”

“If you wanted something, you should’ve told me in advance. What kind of present are you expecting now?”

“I’m already regretting it too. But I suddenly felt like getting one.”

I blinked up at him, a little pouty.

“I just... wanted to commemorate this moment.”

“Then wait a bit. I’ll give you something tomorrow.”

“Nope, I want it now.”

Zahid sighed deeply at my unreasonable demand.

After a brief pause, he suddenly reached into the inner lining of his coat and tore off the nametag pinned there.

It wasn’t visible from the outside, but it was distributed by the Academy to help identify belongings in case of loss.

It had an enchantment—only the owner could remove it.

They didn’t give out many, so we were told to only attach them to the most valuable and important things.

“Huh?”

“You said you wanted to commemorate it.”

I had expected something like a fallen rose petal at best, so I was stunned.

“Here. Take it.”

“Wow...”

I accepted Zahid’s nametag with a beaming smile.

“Thank you. ‘Zahid Dyfenril.’ I’ll treasure it. Let’s go together and stick close every day, okay?”

“...Don’t read my name out like that.”

“And you wore your nicest clothes just to see me, huh? Even though it’s so dark out no one can really see.”

“I just threw on whatever I could find.”

“Your ‘whatever’ happens to be the kind of outfit with the most buttons? That’s a weird habit. But I like you anyway.”

“Please... just keep that stuff to yourself.”

Zahid grumbled, blowing softly on his sore fingers from tearing off the tag.

Then he glanced at the small shopping bag I brought and asked,

“What’s that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

I pulled out two bottled drinks and two packs of bread from the bag.

They were mass-produced items sold at the campus store.

Honestly, nothing either of us would bother with at our own estates—but here, everyone enjoyed them just fine.

“I brought it to share.”

I struggled to open the rather stiff bread packaging, and Zahid silently took the bag and opened it for me.

He even popped the cap off my drink and handed it over with a flick of his hand.

Then he said casually,

“Have you been getting hungry around this time? I’ll bring food next time, so you don’t need to. Anyway, thanks.”

And just as he opened his mouth to take a bite of the cream bread—

“Woof woof!”

<Don’t eat that, idiot!>

Fire smacked Zahid’s arm with his front paw.