Don't Remember Me - Chapter 62

Chapter 62

“Absolutely, a picnic! Once we get to the annex, I’ll make you delicious food, we can read books together, and play with dolls. When it’s time for bed, I’ll sing you lullabies, and we’ll cuddle up together under the same blanket. Isn’t that exciting? I can hardly wait to spend the whole day with you, Princess! I was so excited last night that I barely slept a wink.”

Rosé spoke with a bright smile, her voice bubbling with anticipation. Flitta, who had been hiding her face against Haven’s shoulder with tears welling in her eyes, blinked and nodded slowly.

“I… I’m excited too.”

“Exactly! Once we enter the annex, it’ll just be the two of us having fun for a while.”

Rosé continued to chatter cheerfully, hoping to distract the little girl from her fears until Flitta forgot her worries and joined in with her own excitement.

Haven gently patted the small child in his arms, who seemed to forget her illness, wiggling with joy. He turned his gaze to Rosé contemplating her strength. She was a formidable woman. Though her body might be frail, her spirit was unyielding.

No matter how much she cared for the child, he couldn’t expect her to willingly isolate herself with a little girl certain to have contracted the Dunfers disease. Even the nanny, who had taken care of Flittta since she was a baby, had rushed to take leave to escape the peril.

Haven couldn’t help but smile ruefully at the fear and terror that everyone shared. After all, life was precious to everyone.

It was something no one could be forced into—entering the annex with the sick Flitta, staying by her side until she was well again. He had thought that if no one else would, then he would need to be the one to stay.

Yet, before he could voice it, Rosé had stepped up, taking action without hesitation. Even before her own father could assert his intentions.

Was that why? The feelings he couldn’t quite articulate towards her—why his gaze kept drifting her way, why he felt a pang of sympathy when he saw her slender shoulders, and why his heart raced under her green eyes…

“Your Highness.”

At that moment, the physician’s voice broke through his thoughts. Haven’s gaze shifted from Rosé to the source of the sound. The physician stood outside the annex, straightening himself upon seeing Haven. Rosé halted her light conversation with Flitta, who tightened her grip around Haven’s neck and gradually relaxed her hold.

Haven carefully set the child down. Rosé hurried to Flitta’s side as the physician bowed respectfully to the girl.

“Princess, it’s a pleasure to see you. How are you feeling today?”

“… Yes.”

Flitta answered softly, then instinctively grabbed Rosé’s skirt, hiding her face. The physician examined the girl from head to toe before returning his attention to Haven.

“I will enter the annex once a day to check on the Princess’s condition and prescribe the appropriate medication.”

“Thank you.”

“And beyond that…”

“Please don’t worry, Physician. I will ensure that everything you need me to do is done. I’ll take the best care of the Princess.”

Rosé replied resolutely when the physician met her gaze. He nodded, then turned toward the annex.

“Very well, let’s proceed. First, I’ll assess the Princess’s condition, and afterward, I have some instructions for you, Rosé.”

“Yes.”

Rosé confirmed, taking Flitta’s hand as they moved toward the annex. Haven turned to look at the child, then back to Rosé, speaking in a low voice.

“Rosé, please… take care of her.”

A brief silence fell between them, laden with unspoken words. Rosé silently met Haven’s gaze, then lowered her head in acknowledgment, understanding the weight of his trust. As Haven watched Rosé and Flitta enter the annex alongside the physician, he unconsciously clenched his fist.

The door to the annex closed firmly behind them.

Until she recovered, Flitta would not step through that door again. Rosé would remain inside as well.

***

“We must be extremely careful. Living together naturally increases the risk of infection, but you still need to take precautions, don’t you think?” 

The physician entered the annex and checked Flitta’s condition before stepping out to relay various instructions to Rosé.

Always cover her mouth and nose with a large handkerchief, wash all items the child touches with hot water, and launder the bed sheets and blankets daily, letting them dry in the sun—these were the physician’s critical points.

“… But can you manage all this with that arm?” 

The physician said in worry and gestured toward Rosé’s splinted arm. Rosé was bent over, jotting down the instructions on her notepad, and straightened up with a smile.

“Yes, Physician. I can manage carefully.”

“Hmm… Well, if you say you can’t do it, that would indeed be a problem. You are remarkable. I’m responsible for the health of the Duke and the Princess, but you…”

“I have a duty to care for the Princess, so it’s only natural.”

Rosé dismissed his praise with a shake of her head. Now was not the time for her to feel flattered; what mattered most was Flitta’s recovery. The physician understood that and kept his small talk to a minimum.

“Anyway, I’ll take my leave for now. I’ll return around this time every day. And please! If the Princess’s condition worsens suddenly, remember to hang a red handkerchief at her window. Though I hope it doesn’t come to that…”

“Thank you, Physician.”

Rosé bowed her head respectfully as he exited the annex. She watched him leave for a moment before turning back.

“Princess? What are you doing?”

Upon entering the bedroom, Rosé approached Plita, who was sitting in front of her bag. The little girl tilted her head curiously, inspecting Rosé’s belongings and then beamed at her.

“Oh, just… looking at the bag.”

Roze chuckled to herself, thinking, ‘What’s so interesting about a closed bag?’

She squatted down in front of Flitta, grinning as she asked again, “Why not open it?”

“Because it’s your bag. I can’t just open it without permission.”

Flitta shook her head decisively. Rosé observed the girl’s small face and noticed her hands fidgeting, wanting to open the bag.

“Other people can’t, but you can open it anytime, Princess.”

“… Why?”

“Because, to me, you are the most precious person in the world.”

At Rosé’s words, Plita clapped her hands in delight but then tilted her head, puzzled.

“Then what about Daddy?”

“… Huh?”

Rosé flinched at the unexpected question while Flitta continued to tilt her head, pressing further.

“Isn’t Daddy precious too?”

“W-Well…”

Rosé was momentarily speechless, her lips pressing together as her green eyes shimmered with emotion.

“… Of course he is. Just as precious as you.”

Is it okay to be honest now? After all, it’s just the two of them—no one else around to overhear, no chance of rumors spreading. So, just for this moment…

“The Duke and the Princess are equally precious to me. …More than my own life.”

“Hehe.”

Flitta smiled brightly at her words, her mood visibly lifting. She leaned closer to Rosé and continued, 

“Then let’s open the bag quickly, Rosé! I’ve been wanting to see what’s inside since earlier.”

“There’s not much to see… but sure. After that, you’ll lie down and rest, right?”

Although the medicine had eased her symptoms, Flitta wasn’t well yet. Rosé knew she shouldn’t let the child overexert herself. After getting a promise from Flitta, she opened her bag.

“Wow!”

The exclamation burst from Flitta’s lips. Although there was nothing particularly special inside, she looked as if she were on a treasure hunt, her eyes wide with wonder as she pulled out item after item.

“Wow! So pretty!”

Rosé couldn’t help but smile awkwardly as Flitta admired an old piece of clothing she had brought from the countryside, as if it were the most beautiful dress in the world. But then Flitta’s expression shifted as she dug back into the bag.

“Oh?”

“What’s wrong…?”

“What is this, Rosé?”

Rosé’s smile faltered as she turned to see what Flitta was holding. Her heart raced as she noticed the object in Plita’s hand. Unaware of Rosé’s unease, Flitta shook the item, her curiosity evident.

“What is this? Is it a doll?”

“Um…”

Rosé tried to respond, but her throat tightened, making it hard to speak.

“Rosé, this isn’t a doll, is it? It looks like a rabbit doll… wait, it only has one ear?”

“… It’s a doll, yes. A rabbit doll.”

“But why does it only have one ear?”

Flitta tilted her head, examining the ragged doll in her hand. Rosé stared at the doll, her heart sinking as a bittersweet smile formed on her lips.

“I… didn’t get to finish it.”