Don't Remember Me - Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Rosé was taken aback by Haven’s words, glancing at Flitta with concern that the child might misunderstand in her sleep. Observing her, Haven lowered his voice again.

“If they misunderstand, they might treat Flitta even worse.”

“I…”

“On the other hand, if I were to reward you handsomely, others would pay more attention to Flitta’s safety.”

“…”

Rosé fell silent. She had witnessed firsthand the life of a child without a mother—especially one without an aristocratic mother. Even though people referred to Flita as ‘the Princess,’ they whispered about her lowly lineage. Even the nanny sometimes treated Flitta carelessly.

“Are you aware of this, Your Highness?”

Rosé looked back at him, and he raised an eyebrow in question. She gently cupped Flita’s ear and spoke softly.

“The things people say about the Young Miss.”

“…What do they say?”

“It seems you already know. That’s why you mentioned this to me.”

If Flitta’s status were secure, there wouldn’t be such conversations. The attitude of those around her wouldn’t shift based on whether a mere maid accepted a reward for saving her life.

The implication was clear: it was based on Flitta’s precarious position. Rosé wanted to convey this to Haven.

“If you know, then why…”

“What more should I do?”

Rosé’s green eyes trembled, as she looked down at the child and spoke.

“This child is my only daughter. I have accepted that. So what more should I do?”

“About those who treat the Lady carelessly…”

“Should I punish them? Would that change where Flitta came from? Would it erase the fact that she’s an illegitimate child?”

His voice grew heavier, and his blue eyes darkened as they fell on the child.

“The ugly rumors about her lineage will never disappear.”

“…Your Highness.”

“She may not understand now, but as she grows older… if she learns more about her birth, she’ll be hurt even more. Should I punish them every time? Should I make her a fool who can’t stand on her own?”

Haven turned his gaze from the child to Rosé. For some reason, there was a hint of pity in her eyes. A maid like her was feeling pity for him? He found it amusing yet strangely relieving.

“I admit I’ve been an indifferent father. In fact, it was hard to accept that a child I barely remembered was mine at first.”

Maybe that was why he wanted to be honest about his feelings. About the emptiness that had filled his heart since he lost his memory of being the harsh father who couldn’t fully embrace his own daughter.

“Even when I saw Flitta crawling alone in her crib, I never felt the urge to pick her up and soothe her. I questioned if she truly was my child.”

‘What if the late queen had played some trick on me?’

Haven didn’t voice that thought. He was being honest, but he didn’t want to reveal everything—especially regarding the late queen and his sister-in-law.

“If I had any memories of the woman I married, perhaps things would be different.”

“…”

“Well, at this point, it’s just an excuse for being a neglectful father.”

Haven chuckled softly and shrugged but as Rosé listened quietly, she cautiously asked,

“…You said you remembered… that you heard whispers?”

She referred to their previous conversation to which he nodded and smiled wryly.

“It was recently. Yeah, I think I started hearing them after you came to the Duke’s household.”

Thinking back, he realized it was true. A strange feeling washed over him as he looked at her. The color of her eyes, reminiscent of Flitta’s, combined with the faint air of nostalgia she carried, perhaps stirred fragments of memory buried deep in his mind.

“… It must be a coincidence.”

“Of course it is. Anyway, you’ll accept a reward from me. If you don’t want anything, I’ll decide what to give you.”

Haven shifted the topic again. Rosé didn’t insist on refusing; it would be odd to decline when it was for Flita.

But her heart felt a little heavier.

She could feel the weight of his solitude and the cold emptiness that must have filled his heart after losing his memories. The guilt nagged at her—after all, she was the one who had caused his amnesia, even if it was through the late queen’s coercion.

“By the way, the doctor said there’s nothing to worry about.”

“… What?”

Rosé shook off her thoughts, focusing on Haven’s voice.

“He said you injured your arm, but fortunately, there are no serious issues. It’s almost a miracle.”

“Ah… thank you, Your Highness.”

She realized he was talking about her. Rosé looked down at her arm, which was in a cast, feeling oddly foreign and strange.

As she stared at her arm, Haven chuckled and teased,

“You shouldn’t be nodding so calmly; it could have been a serious situation.”

“… Well, I’m still alive.”

Rosé replied with a nonchalant tone, trying to brush it off.

I’m alive. 

Flitta is safe. 

What more do I need?

Seemingly sensing her feelings, Haven chuckled softly and shook his head.

“You make a fuss if Flitta has the slightest pain, but you show no concern for your own body.”

“That’s not true.”

“Not true? If you gained a little weight on that skinny body, I might believe you.”

He joked and stood up.

“Ah, I heard you’re frail.”

“…!”

Rosé’s calm expression momentarily faltered, as though her biggest secret had been revealed. 

“Ah, well, it’s just that I’ve been a bit tired lately…”

“It’s not a crime to be weak, is it?”

Haven narrowed his eyes at her exaggerated reaction. Rosé looked down, avoiding his gaze, and spoke hesitantly.

“Well… I was worried you might be displeased. If I can’t take care of myself, how could I care for the Young Miss?”

“Enough. You think someone who can’t even care for herself has saved Flitta twice already?”

Haven waved it off with a laugh. Suddenly, Rosé looked up at him, her gaze reminiscent of someone from a distant memory, filled with longing.

“… Why do you look at me like that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just… like seeing you smile comfortably.” 

‘Comfortably smile?’

Haven found himself unconsciously touching his mouth after Rosé replied with a smile. He realized his own expression had softened as well.

The crackling of the fire suddenly filled his ears. Had the flames in the fireplace grown larger? That was the only explanation he could come up with for the warmth spreading through him.

“Ahem, well, it’s getting late. You should rest since a good sleep will help you recover.”

As he awkwardly redirected the conversation, Rosé’s eyes widened in surprise as if she had forgotten something important.

“Right, I need to return to my room.”

“Don’t move.”

He hurriedly blocked her attempt to get off the bed, frowning as he continued.

“Stay here.”

“But this is Your Highness’s bedroom. How can I… No, why am I here?”

Rosé repeated her earlier question. Haven shrugged, offering a straightforward answer.

“Because I brought you here.”

“You, Your Highness? Yo-you brought me here?”

As she looked at him, her gaze suddenly dropped. Haven noticed for the first time that there was blood on the sleeve of his shirt. The dim light had hidden it from view before.

“Oh dear… I meant to change my clothes and completely forgot.”

Realizing where her eyes were focused, Haven mumbled in embarrassment and took a step back. But her gaze remained fixed on him.

It wasn’t burdensome or unpleasant; instead, it made his heart swell with pride, a feeling of wanting her to keep looking at him like that…

 ‘Again with these crazy thoughts.’

Haven shook his head, trying to clear his mind then he raised a hand toward her.

“You really need to sleep now. It’s quite late.”

“But where will you sleep, Your Highness?”

“Hmm…? The sofa is comfortable enough.”

“Pardon? How can…?”

Haven, flustered by her confusion, turned away and headed for the sofa. He leaned back against it, crossing his arms and shutting his eyes. All he could sense was her restless presence behind him.

A moment later, he heard her sigh softly, followed by the rustling of blankets as she settled back under them. With his eyes closed, a slight smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

It wasn’t the most comfortable sleeping arrangement.

But somehow, it felt like it would be the warmest and coziest night he had ever experienced.