Don't Remember Me - Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Haven stood quietly in front of the annex, gazing toward the upstairs bedroom. Though night had fallen, the hour was still too early for sleep, and the lights in the bedroom shone brightly.

It was peculiar. While lights were lit throughout the main building, the glow filtering through the annex’s bedroom window appeared unusually warm and cozy—more so than his own room. In fact, he had never felt such coziness in his own space.

“How ridiculous. My child is ill over there, and here I am lost in such useless thoughts.”

He scoffed at his own sentimentality, then returned to surveying the bedroom with worry etched across his features.

It was only the first night. Suddenly, the anxiety he had been trying to ignore surged within him.

He clenched his fists. Would Flitta truly overcome her illness and return to health? He tried not to show his concern in front of her, nor in front of the others at the Grand Duke’s residence, but deep down, he was just a father with a sick child.

This burden was his alone to bear.

No one to share this fear with.

“She must be doing well… Rosé is with her. If there were any issues, they would inform someone outside.”

Haven murmured to himself, trying to soothe his unease. He turned to head back to the mansion, knowing that if anyone saw him lingering around the annex, it would be problematic.

He couldn’t bear the stigma of the Dunfers disease spreading from the Grand Duke’s household.

His mind raced back to the royal family, turned upside down by news from Middlepion. Even the late queen, who had been a nuisance to him, sent a letter suggesting he avoid the palace for the time being…

Haven chuckled softly. Regardless, the capital was in chaos. Those who had received the news first—royalty and nobles alike—had hastily locked their mansion doors or abruptly left for the countryside. All within a single day.

Reflecting on the whirlwind of the past hours, he impulsively turned back toward the annex.

He knew he shouldn’t go inside.

But he couldn’t help wanting to sneak a glance at his child who was sick with the very disease that made the nobles tremble.

How was she doing? How had her day been?

Was her health improving?

It was an impulsive decision, but once made, he acted without hesitation. Haven quietly slipped into the annex, so softly that even the creak of the door went unheard.

The corridor inside was dim and silent. Unlike the warmth that had seeped from the bedroom window, a chill lingered in the hallway. As he walked, a bitter smile tugged at his lips.

This was only to be expected. With just a child and a maid staying here, how could it possibly feel warm and cozy? The building wasn’t large, but it wasn’t small enough for just two people either.

‘What if she cried because she felt lonely?’

Haven imagined Flitta, frightened and crying in the silence. She must have felt scared, especially being unwell. And the thought of having to endure such a life indefinitely must have been overwhelming.

‘… What if she’s crying in the bedroom too?’

His face darkened with worry. He wanted to slap himself for ever thinking the place looked warm and cozy from outside.

Heavy with self-reproach and concern for his child, he still made his way to Flitta’s bedroom door. It was precisely because of this weight that he couldn’t turn back.

‘Just please, don’t let her be crying…’

Suddenly, he heard a bright peal of laughter coming from inside the bedroom. Haven’s eyes widened. He stood at the door, hand hovering near the doorknob.

“Today was really fun, Rosé!”

Flitta’s excited voice rang out, and he could hear Rosé responding warmly.

“Did you have fun?”

“Yes! Spreading syrup on pastries was fun, and also… making bread earlier was fun! Let’s do it again tomorrow! I’ll help!”

‘What is happening…?’

Haven’s expression faltered, convinced he must have misheard something.

‘She’s making bread…?’

His brow furrowed, and a chill settled in his gaze. Why was a child who should be resting and taking medicine doing such things? It was something she shouldn’t even be doing when healthy.

How could a young lady engage in such trivial tasks?

“I think my dough was better because I helped with the flour.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! And I feel like I’ve become an amazing person!”

Unlike Haven, who was astonished, Flitta’s voice was full of delight. Listening to her, his frown deepened.

‘… An amazing person?’

“An amazing person?” Rosé echoed his thoughts, prompting Flitta to respond.

“The nurse told me not to do anything. Not just her, everyone. They just said I should sit quietly like a proper lady. Rosé, can’t I just live like this instead? Living like a doll is boring.”

“…!”

Haven’s blue eyes widened in shock, and his hand, which had been almost touching the doorknob, fell back. As he stepped back in confusion, Flitta’s voice echoed in his ears once more.

“But today, I got to do so many things. I even cracked an egg for the first time! I can do so much. I’m not stupid, right?”

“Of course not, Your Highness.”

Haven extended his hand again toward the doorknob. Carefully, he opened the door. The sight that greeted him was Flitta and Rosé sitting side by side on the bed, engaged in lively conversation.

He had no intention of reprimanding the maid for daring to share the bed with his daughter; after all, what was more shocking was that his own child was doing such things.

…  And the child looked so radiant because of it.

Flitta beamed with joy, declaring she felt like an amazing person.

As he peered through the slightly ajar door, a vague smile crossed Haven’s lips. It was absurd and baffling, but it seemed that Flita had been cooking with Rosé in the kitchen. Of course, she likely just played around and got in the way rather than actually cooking.

Such behavior wasn’t typical for a child of the royal family, or even of a modest noble family. He should have scolded the maid for allowing such things.

Yet Haven couldn’t help but smile as his gaze shifted back to Flitta.

Though half her face was covered by a handkerchief, obscuring her complexion, she didn’t appear unwell. In fact, she looked even brighter and more vibrant than when she was in the mansion.

Just like any other ordinary child.

Like the village kids who ran around, covered in dirt.

[“I should make my child the boss of the alley.”]

[“What do you mean making a girl do that?”]

[“Ah, saying ‘a girl’ is quite the remark, wife.”]

The playful words echoed in his mind. He recalled a woman laughing incredulously as she cradled a baby, stroking its cheek with her delicate hand.

“Ugh…”

Suddenly struck by a headache, Haven leaned against the wall beside the door, cradling his head in one hand.

‘Perhaps…’

If what he had just heard was indeed a recollection from the past, maybe the scene he had secretly witnessed was of him, Flitta, and her mother—a moment shared among the three of them.

Not at all noble, nor elevated in status.

Yet the thought that such a scene might not have been so bad followed closely behind. Initially, he had been incredulous and even angry upon hearing Flitta’s words. But seeing her so happy conjured images of her laughing and playing in flour with her mother.

“Ah…”

Haven let out a small sound, almost involuntarily. Just then, Flitta’s voice echoed from within the bedroom.

“Rosé, where are you going? I want to come too!”

“No, Your Highness. I thought I heard something outside the door. Please wait a moment.”

Haven quickly stepped into the side room, concealing himself as Rosé continued.

“Oh dear, the door was slightly open. That’s why I thought I heard something.”

Rosé’s gentle voice drifted through the door. Haven leaned against it and closed his eyes. He could hear Flitta’s footsteps, as she presumably approached the door.

“Is Dad here?”

Haven’s eyes snapped open at the child’s voice while Rosé chuckled softly, asking in a calm tone.

“Do you want to see your father?”

“Uh-huh… I just thought maybe Dad was here. It’s okay. We’re supposed to be just the two of us. I didn’t forget.”

Flitta forced a cheerful expression, trying to hide her disappointment. Haven felt a strong urge to open the door right then and step out.

As he held back the impulse, the sounds of Rosé and Flita returning to the bedroom faded away. Only then did he exhale deeply and step back into the corridor.

The light spilling from the bedroom door had grown dimmer, as if they were preparing for sleep.

Now that he had confirmed his child was doing well, it was time to return.

Yet Haven found himself standing motionless in front of the bedroom door for a while, watching the moon peek through the window until it tiredly drifted away into the night sky.