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Everyone waited calmly for Theon to open his mouth.
After a moment, Theon began to speak.
"It was nearly ten years of expedition. During that time, I traveled with the knights who set out with me, wandering across the Grand Duchy of Luxior and throughout the northern region of Alcyone, keeping watch over movements and subjugating demon beasts. It was a dangerous and long expedition, but just as the grand dukes before me had done, it was also a path I, too, had to go through."
At that, Commander Valdeor spoke.
"But for someone as young as you, Your Grace, to have gone on such a long expedition, that was quite unusual. That is why the grand duchess and the retainers at the grand ducal castle had been so concerned."
"I had originally intended to return a few years ago. But I wanted to investigate further into the recent surge of demon beasts moving southward. I had the sense there must be a more fundamental cause behind it."
After pausing to gather his thoughts, Theon continued.
"The last battle I can remember took place somewhere along the cliffs where the Alpheon mountain range meets the Alketa ice field. We encountered a dangerous pack of high-rank beasts, and it became a grueling fight. While locked in a life-or-death struggle with one of them, I recall falling with it down the cliff."
"…I see."
"When I awoke, I had lost my memory, as if from a head injury. After that, I wandered the mountains as a stranded soul."
"So that's why you were in the Alpheon mountains. How long were you in such a state?"
"I endured through one harsh winter, so it must have been about a year, perhaps a little more. I hunted beasts and wild animals to stave off hunger, and sought just enough shelter to avoid freezing to death… By some miracle, I managed to survive. Even so, it seems that unconsciously, I was always trying to return north."
When Theon finished his account, Diene and Garen spoke.
"It is a miraculous coincidence that we encountered you in those mountains."
"I feel the same. And I should mention, even when I traveled with Sion and with you all, my memory was not yet complete. It was only quite recently that the memories of myself as Theon Luxior fully returned."
That must've been when he clutched his head and groaned in front of Genevia and me.
I stroked my chin as I listened to Theon.
What he had gone through, the current Theon Luxior, were not events that had happened to the male lead in the original story. In the source, the male lead had completed his expedition and returned to the grand ducal castle without issue.
'…Then, was it because I brought the heroine, Genevia, here that Theon's storyline changed as well?'
Now that I thought about it, it was Genevia who first discovered Theon buried in the snow.
'Could it be this world's will? Fate? Something that works to bring the heroine and hero together?'
I anxiously bounced my leg under the table.
'…This is bad.'
At that moment, Genevia threw the decisive question.
"Um… then, Your Grace. Even after your memories returned, why did you keep hiding your true identity?"
That was something I had also been wondering.
What scheme are you playing at?
At her words, Theon gave a faint, bitter smile.
It was a very different expression from the indifferent yet sly character of Theon, the young grand duke, that I'd known from the original story.
"…It may sound terribly irresponsible, but…"
Everyone's gaze turned to him.
"…When my memories came back, my head was in turmoil. For just a brief moment, I wanted to be free, from my duties, my responsibilities, my past. It had been so long since I'd felt such a lightness in my heart."
Weariness was deeply etched in Theon's voice.
But at those words, Sion's expression hardened like stone.
"What a pathetic excuse."
With a cold remark, he rose from his seat and walked straight out of the office.
"…Sion."
Still seated on the sickbed, Theon quietly watched his back. In his eyes lingered bitter regret, resignation, and a profound loneliness.
Carefully, I followed Sion out of the meeting room.
His side profile, set harder than anyone's, was calm and composed like a frozen winter, yet I could almost see the storm boiling inside him.
Without a word, Sion strode off toward the training grounds. There, as if nothing had happened, he unsheathed his sword and stood at the center.
Clang.
"……"
"Sion… are you okay?"
I approached carefully and placed a hand on his shoulder.
But instead of answering, Sion swung his sword through the air with another loud clang!
'Hmm… maybe now's not the best time to talk.'
Reading the atmosphere, I quietly stepped back.
Sometimes, what a person needs most is time alone.
***
That night, I had been busy running around the fortress until late, and finally made my way down a corridor.
And there, of all people, I ran into Theon.
His face was neat and composed, but shadows hung beneath his eyes as he offered me a calm smile.
"Fairy."
"Hmph."
I deliberately ignored him.
"Could we talk for a moment?"
"No, thanks."
'As if! He's already unlikable enough for being the main male lead, and now, after hurting Sion, I have zero intention of entertaining him!'
"…I see. I wanted to talk about Sion, but I suppose that can't be helped."
Theon nodded as if ready to turn away, but I fluttered my wings and blocked his path.
"…What kind of talk?"
I asked with a sulky expression.
Soon after, we moved to a quiet courtyard outside.
Well, curiosity is curiosity, after all.
"Fairy, I know you've been keeping an eye on me."
"So what?"
"I worried a great deal about how Sion was doing while I was gone… but hearing that someone like you stayed by his side puts me at ease."
"…Hmph. You abandoned Sion so coldly before, and now you say things like that?"
"……"
Theon gave a bitter smile.
I crossed my arms and glared at him.
After a pause, Theon continued.
"…Back then, I thought leaving the castle would be the better choice, for both me and that child. But now… I don't know anymore."
Excuses.
What kind of "weighty burden" or "hardship" could a twelve-year-old possibly have? He must have known how difficult Sion's life would be at the ducal castle, and yet he left him without a word.
In the original story, it was explained away as Theon crumbling under the pressure of inheriting the grand duchy… but still.
"You were gone for ten whole years, and you couldn't even send a single letter? Sion waited for you all that time."
Theon lowered his head and replied.
"There were… circumstances. Complicated ones."
"What circumstances."
"…Ones I can't speak of yet. Even I haven't found the answer to them."
"What's that supposed to mean? That's still just an excuse."
I frowned, glaring at him.
Seeing my expression, Theon gave a helpless, rueful smile.
"Yes. They're all excuses."
"Good. At least you know it."
"Still… knowing that Sion has someone who gets angry on his behalf like this, it does put me at ease. For that, Fairy, I'm grateful."
"You don't need to thank me. I'm Sion's fairy. This is only natural."
"I see."
"No matter how great you may be, the main ma… I mean, the illustrious young grand duke Theon Luxior, if you stand in the way of Sion's happiness or love, I won't forgive you."
Theon tilted his head slightly.
"Love…?"
"…Hmph."
I turned my head sharply and snorted.
Then Theon seemed to realize something.
"Ah. Could it be, you're talking about Miss Genevia? That's why you've been keeping such a close eye on me."
I faltered, then decided there was no point hiding it anymore and went straight for it.
"Y-yeah! Genevia is the destined partner I've chosen for Sion. So don't you dare hover around her, go back to your grand ducal castle and do your duty, whatever it may be."
"…That, too, is something I haven't yet reached an answer for."
The moment I heard that, I shot up into the air and shouted.
"Hmph! That's your problem. Anyway, I've warned you! You're forbidden from being alone with Genevia or chatting her up!"
I flapped my wings and turned my back on him.
"Today's truce talks between you and me end here! I'm leaving!"
Leaving Theon standing there blankly, I flew away.
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