Don't Remember Me - Chapter 56

Chapter 56

As the memory of Rose’s words echoed in her mind— ‘I’ll be waiting outside the banquet hall’ —the little girl’s face momentarily clouded with sadness, only to brighten with a sudden thought.

‘Of course, I can sneak out and go to Rosé to feed and play with Hayang!’

With a small smile that seemed to erase any trace of her earlier melancholy, Flitta turned toward the entrance, ready to step outside.

The other guests were too absorbed in their feasts and conversations to notice the tiny figure slipping away. Even Haven, surrounded by nobility, failed to see Flitta as she made her exit.

As Flitta approached the doorway from a corner of the banquet hall, a creaking sound echoed above her, and the shadow beneath her flickered ominously.

“… Huh?”

Flitta looked up in confusion, tilting her head back to gaze at the ceiling.

Just then, Rosé, who had been pacing outside, peeked into the banquet hall and caught sight of Flitta near the entrance. The girl was staring upward, her gaze fixed on something overhead.

“What’s she looking at?”

Rosé wondered, instinctively shifting her gaze toward the ceiling as well. But before she could, Flitta straightened up and their eyes met, sparking an excited reaction from the girl.

“Rosé!”

As Flitta called out with a bright smile, a loud creak reverberated from above, even louder than before. Rosé heard it too, her instincts flaring with dread as she glanced up. A massive chandelier was swaying dangerously above Flitta.

“Flitta!”

Rosé’s eyes widened in horror forgetting to address Flitta as ‘Young Lady’ or ‘Princess’. Rosé dashed into the banquet hall, calling out her child’s name in a near-scream. Just then, the chandelier plummeted from its perch, and Rosé lunged toward Flitta almost simultaneously.

Haven, engaged in conversation with the other nobles, witnessed the chaos unfold.

“…!”

With a deafening crash, the chandelier shattered upon impact, accompanied by the terrified screams of those nearby. As the debris settled, a frail woman lay beneath the wreckage, blood pooling around her.

Haven’s face drained of color, a sharp pain gripping his chest as he forced himself to approach the scene.

Flitta…

… Rosé…

His beloved child, and…

In that instant, as if summoned by Haven’s presence, the girl wriggled from the woman’s embrace, bursting into tears.

“Daddy! Rosé, Rosé is hurt!”

Flitta was covered in blood and clutched the unconscious Rosé as she reached out with her reddened hands toward Haven, who was rushing toward them.

***

“Given that the chandelier fell, it’s nothing short of a miracle,” said the duke’s physician, astonished after examining Rosé’s condition.

“Though she has a broken arm, it’s not life-threatening. A splint should suffice until the bone heals. Honestly, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that God must have played a big role…”

“She lost a lot of blood. Is she going to be okay?”

Haven interrupted, worry etched across his face. The physician regarded him curiously, then responded.

“While it is a concern, as long as she eats well and rests, she should be fine. Her constitution seems delicate, so we’ll prepare appropriate medication.”

“Please do.”

With a sigh of relief, Haven finally relaxed a bit. The physician gave a respectful bow before exiting the room.

“Is Rosé going to be okay?” came a small voice from beneath the bed.

Flitta peeked out from her hiding spot, sniffing back tears and Haven quickly lifted her onto his knee.

Normally, Flitta would be startled to find herself there, but her focus was entirely on Rosé, oblivious to her father’s presence. He couldn’t help but smile softly, ruffling her hair as he reassured her.

“The physician said she’ll be okay, so she will.”

“… But why is she still asleep?”

Flitta turned to look at Haven, her eyes brimming with tears.

“She must be shocked. She’s probably in pain too.”

“… It was my fault. Rosé got hurt because of me. If I hadn’t been under the chandelier, if I had just stayed still like I promised Daddy…”

“Flitta.”

Haven gently turned her to face him. Flitat’s tears fell as she looked up at him.

“It’s not your fault.”

“But…”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. If anything, it’s the servant’s negligence for failing to maintain the chandelier, and the count’s fault for employing them. You just happened to be beneath it, and Rosé jumped in to save you.”

His voice was heavy, filled with sincerity as he spoke slowly, ensuring his daughter understood.

Perhaps his words reached her; Flitta’s sobs began to fade, and she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

“Is it really not my fault?”

“Absolutely.”

“… Does Rosé think so too? What if she’s angry because I caused her injury?”

“Is Rosé the kind of person to be angry like that?”

Flitta knew the answer, so she pursed her lips and lowered her head. A flicker of a smile crossed Haiven’s face at her response.

“Exactly. Rosé wouldn’t think like that. In fact, she’ll be glad you’re safe. She might even be grateful that she got hurt instead of you.”

He had never seen such dedication from anyone, especially not for a child who wasn’t even his own. No, even if she were his daughter, how many people would willingly throw themselves into danger to protect another?

Haven turned his gaze back to Rosé, noting her already pale complexion had worsened.

“She’s so weak.”

He muttered to himself, and Flitta tugged at his sleeve.

“Please give Rosé the best medicine.”

“Of course.”

“I want her to be healthy and live with me for a long, long time. Cough!”

Flitta started coughing mid-sentence. Haiven frowned at the sound.

“Did you catch a cold?”

“No. The physician said it’s not a cold.”

“Then why are you coughing… let’s check if you have a fever.”

With a frown, Haven placed his hand on Flitta’s forehead. Thankfully, she felt normal. Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, Flitta grasped it tightly.

“Daddy.”

“Yes?”

“Please do it for Rosé too.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like this on her forehead. It feels like it helps, and she won’t hurt anymore.”

“But you were not in pain to begin with, Flitta.”

“That’s true, but it feels better. So, do it for Rosé too, so she won’t hurt.”

Flitta tugged at his hand. Haven was caught off-guard, not knowing what to do. It was almost unheard of for his daughter to plead like this, especially asking to touch the forehead of her maid.

“Flitta, t-this is a bit…”

“Rosé is hurt. So, please…”

As he stammered, Flitta’s teary eyes pulled at his heartstrings. With a sigh, he reluctantly extended his hand toward Rosé.

His fingertips hovered just above her forehead, hesitating to make contact. It felt wrong to touch her unresponsive body, even if it was just her forehead.

“Daddy…”

But he couldn’t ignore the pleading gaze of his daughter sitting on his knee. After a deep breath, Haven finally placed his hand on Rosé’s forehead.

“…”

A frown creased his brow; Rosé’s forehead felt ice-cold. He kept his hand there, scanning her entire form for any signs of trouble.

Was she feeling chills?

Was there another underlying issue?

Though the physician hadn’t mentioned anything concerning, he remained vigilant, worried that he might have missed something.

“Hhnngg…”

Just then, Rosé turned to his side, gripping Haven’s hand.

“…!”

Before he could pull away, she held fast. Normally, Haven would never be caught-off by his knights, especially for an ordinary woman like her.

Yet, he found himself frozen, lost in his concern for her well-being.

“Wow, Daddy and Rosé are holding hands!”

Flitta exclaimed with delight, cutting through the tension. Haven quickly shook his head at her.

“Shh, Flitta.”

“Right! We can’t wake Rosé.”

Flitta instantly covered her mouth, rejoicing that her loved ones were holding hands.

“… Hhnngg.”

In that moment, Rosé tightened her grip on Haven’s hand. He widened his eyes, staring at her in astonishment. Was she dreaming? A slight smile danced on her lips and her brow slowly relaxed from its earlier furrow of pain.

‘It’s a relief, but…’

As his gaze fell back on their clasped hands, he felt something weird in his chest.