Anna had not awakened for two days after returning from the basement, covered in blood.
Latilda had not left the bedside, nursing Anna all night. The house steward, Bene, was concerned about her health and brought her food himself instead of ordering the maid. However, she did not even acknowledge Bene’s presence.
As Bene was descending with a tray, he sat down on the stairs and handed a piece of bread to Loyal, saying, “Miss is terribly angry.”
Loyal took the bread and replied with an unnecessary argumentative tone, “Isn’t it your own doing?”
“Fortunately, it is. If someone is to be hated, it’s better that it’s me.”
Bene left an enigmatic remark and withdrew. Count Johnstein wouldn’t be the only one who had watched Latilda’s growth with a fatherly feeling. It wasn’t possible that Bene was not affected by such treatment. It was clear that he did not make any excuses in order to protect someone, to shoulder all the responsibility himself.
‘Protecting whom? Count Johnstein?’
Loyal cautiously said to Latilda, “Bene must have his reasons too.”
Latilda, who he thought would yell right away, suddenly rose from her seat, “That must be it. Alright, I’ll speak with Bene.”
“No, eat first. You’ve not been eating.”
Loyal barely persuaded her, “Alright. Liza, watch over Anna. And if anything happens to Anna, call me right away.”
Liza, the maid with a timid-looking face, answered respectfully.
Latilda picked at her food, then stood up without even touching her dessert. Loyal, too, stood up without eating his dessert. The cheesecake had looked tasty.
Her striding gait did not suggest that she was going to have a friendly conversation with Bene. And as expected, the moment she saw Bene’s face, Latilda growled, “What’s in the basement?”
The two crows in the cage, feeding from Bene, flapped in surprise.
“Calm down, Miss.”
Bene appeared to be struggling not to be flustered. He was not disturbed by the fact that Latilda was angry.
“Please sit down first.”
“I’ll stand. I don’t want to drag this out.”
“Will you talk without even having tea?”
“I’ll enjoy it with pleasure once my doubts are cleared.”
Bene sighed, managing a smile.
“I have sent two letters to the Count the day before yesterday and yesterday to inquire what to do about this matter. Even crows that find their way well take two days to go to and fro from a fixed place. Especially since the Count is on the battlefield now, always moving his position. Plus, considering the process where the messenger receives the crow and delivers the letter to the Count, it’s only natural that the reply takes time.”
“What permission? When my father went to the battlefield, all the authority is with you! But what letter…?”
Latilda’s eyebrows flicked as she was yelling.
“Oh, you don’t want to take responsibility, do you?”
The crows cawed and screeched at Latilda’s sharp tone.
“That’s not what I mean. Miss, I am also frustrated. So please wait a little longer for the reply.”
Just before Latilda yelled again, there was a knock on the door. Seeing it as an opportunity to defuse the tense situation, Loyal hastily opened the door. It was the maid Liza.
“I apologize for the interruption, Steward Bene. Oh, Miss Latilda.”
Liza was surprised to find Latilda and momentarily lost her words until Bene urged her, “What is it?”
“Just now, Anna woke up. I went out to find the Miss but didn’t know where you were, so I came to you, steward…”
Liza’s discomfort with Latilda was glaringly obvious.
‘Well, the only people not intimidated by Latilda here are Anna and Bene.’
Latilda spoke with a fierce face to Liza, “Didn’t know where I was? Didn’t I tell you I was going to see Bene before I left?”
“Sorry, Miss,” Liza looked like she would drown in Latilda’s gaze.
“Enough. Bene, we’ll talk about this later.”
Latilda left the office, and Liza, not knowing what else to do, hastily followed her. Bene and Loyal looked into each other’s eyes in the silence left by the sweeping departure of the two women.
“Loyal, can’t you find a way to calm the young lady down?”
“Shouldn’t we just clear all of Latilda’s doubts?”
“The situation is not that simple.”
“Then of course it would be difficult for me, who doesn’t know the situation.”
Bene went back to the crow’s cage and fed it.
“Have you ever seen the painting that Latilda drew? The painting of the Black Knight.”
Loyal suddenly asked, recalling a thought.
“You mean the knights of Excelon. I’ve seen it. She drew it well.”
“That is not a knight of Excelon.”
Loyal said this, watching Bene’s face. He wondered if there might be a slight change in expression, something odd. But Bene merely smiled as if genuinely curious. Loyal never knew how to penetrate the minds of others.
“The memory of an old man is something, isn’t it? So what’s this Black Knight then?”
Loyal turned his head away from the seasoned swordmaster, fearing his true feelings might be discovered.
“I don’t know either; I just wanted to ask. Let’s go check on Anna’s condition together. If we show concern, it might ease Latilda’s mind a little, don’t you think?”
Bene agreed and rose from his seat.
Anna’s pale face looked blankly out the window. Latilda, Bene, Loyal, Liza, and two maids were in the room, but Anna spoke to no one and met no one’s eyes.
“Everyone out.”
Latilda ordered, specifically pointing at Bene. The two maids left without a word, bowing their heads, and Bene looked at Loyal.
‘I’m sorry.’
Loyal mouthed the words, giving a quick nod.
“If you need anything, just call. I’ll be waiting outside.”
After Bene left, Loyal started to follow, but Latilda stopped him right away.
“Where are you going? You don’t need to leave.”
She hit Loyal’s shoulder as he sat next to her.
“Remember, when I say ‘everyone,’ I always mean to exclude you.”
“If you trust a man you’ve known for less than a month more than someone who’s looked after you all your life, Bene will be very upset.”
“Let him be upset.”
“And the basement may not hold as significant a secret as we think.”
“I’m angry about the fact that they are keeping such things secret from me in the first place.”
Loyal quietly recalled Bene’s words and the events of the past few days in the castle.
“Did they really keep it a secret from you?”
“What?”
“Whatever it is. The basement incident, or the reason Anna came back like this…”
“Am I a fortune teller? How am I supposed to know something they didn’t tell me?”
Loyal swallowed the words ‘Well, you were indifferent’ and Latilda turned back to Anna.
“Anna, nobody’s here now. Speak up.”
“Miss Latilda.”
Although Anna was never a particularly cheerful woman, her face now looked as though her facial muscles had stiffened.
“I can’t remember anything.”
Anna spoke again with a blank gaze.
“I’ve been trying to remember what happened yesterday since I woke up, but I can’t remember anything.”
“Anna, it’s not yesterday, it’s the day before. You’ve been asleep for two days.”
“Is that so?”
Anna spoke, seemingly unalarmed.
“Tell us at least what you do remember.”
Loyal urged.
“Loyal, let’s just be glad Anna is safe for now. If we try to dig up memories, it might be hard for her.”
Latilda pointed out. Anna closed her eyes for a moment, then spoke as she opened them.
“It’s not particularly hard. Just… I can’t remember anything after going to see my father. Then I was wandering in the darkness, constantly climbing stairs. Running toward the light is all I remember… And I saw Loyal’s face.”
From Anna’s emotionless and numb face, Loyal felt a dissonance once more. The atmosphere that had pervaded the entire castle, trying to reject Loyal, was also apparent in Anna’s face.
“I’m sorry. But I really don’t remember anything else.”
“Sorry for what? Focus on getting better first. We can talk slowly later. Is there anything else you need?”
“Water. And, um, I’m hungry.”
Anna did not hesitate to say so.
“What a relief. Wait here.”
Latilda stepped out briefly into the corridor, ordering the maid waiting outside to bring food and was accompanied by Loyal. At the end of the hallway, Bene communicated something with his eyes to Loyal, but Loyal couldn’t understand what it was.
‘Is he asking me to ease Latilda’s mood?’
Loyal nodded, guessing as much.
Latilda pressed her temples gently and started walking slowly before asking,
“What do you think?”
“Her memory will return soon. We’ll have to wait until then.”
Loyal hesitated to speak his odd feeling.
“Soon we will find out. But why doesn’t she remember? Could it be from a severe shock? I’ve read about such cases in books.”
Latilda continued speaking, almost to herself.
“Someone might have hypnotized her and stolen her memories, or perhaps even cast a spell.”
Latilda stopped at the stairs leading down to the lobby.
“Is there nothing else that can erase memory, Loyal? Besides those things?”
Latilda asked.
“Alcohol.”
“Alcohol?”
“The only time I completely lost my memory like that was when I drank and passed out. I remember singing and making everyone laugh, but I can’t remember what it was about at all. My friends still won’t tell me what happened, saying they’ll tease me about it for the rest of my life.”
Latilda asked, her expression torn between laughter and anger.
“Is there anything else?”
“Anna might remember but is choosing not to speak about it.”
Latilda’s unlined face twisted unmercifully to one side.
“You mean Anna is lying to me?”
Loyal inwardly thought, ‘Oops,’ but he did not deny it.
“Perhaps.”
“Why would Anna?”
Latilda insisted.
“Is ‘lying’ too harsh a word? To put it another way… she’s not telling the truth. Bene is the same.”
Loyal pointed towards the basement entrance in the lobby.
“I’m forbidden, so I can’t enter there. But if I want to, I can go in there anytime. I believe you can too, Latilda.”
“So what are you saying?”
“Let’s go in together.”
“It’s locked!”
Loyal jumped from the 2nd-floor railing, landing in the 1st-floor lobby, covering a height of 3-4 meters. Latilda was visibly surprised but folded her arms and watched Loyal’s act, pretending not to be astonished. Loyal walked to the basement door and pulled it.
The door opened.
Loyal pointed inside the emergency stairwell as if showing her.
“See? It’s not locked. And there’s no one guarding it now. Shall we go down together?”
“No!”
Latilda yelled.
“Loyal, you’re acting stranger and stranger. First, you meddled in my life, now you’re trying to control me and make my decisions. I clearly told you to go down to the basement, but you didn’t go because of Bene’s orders, right? Now you’re commanding me to go down?”
“That’s not it, Latilda. What I mean is…”
“Shut up!”
Latilda screamed, grabbing the railing tightly. A tear was already forming in her eyes.
“Lies? Yes. Everyone is lying to me. You’re no different, Loyal! You’re lying to me too, or at least not telling the truth. You still haven’t told me who you are!”
“No, Latilda. If you want, now…”
“Leave this house right now! You’re fired!”
Latilda turned and stormed away. Loyal’s words were left for the empty corridor.
“…I can tell you who I am.”
A long sigh escaped him. Then he turned and descended the basement stairs.
Inside, there was far less than what Loyal had anticipated.
☆ ☆ ☆
Anna’s recovery was swift, as she hadn’t been seriously injured. Although she occasionally complained of headaches, they were not severe. The next morning, she was well enough to get up and walk around, displaying a determination to recover. Latilda, filled with joy, placed the breakfast she had personally prepared on the table.
“Oh, why go to such lengths? It makes me feel even more burdened.”
Anna spoke not so much in gratitude but in an unpleasant tone. Latilda was momentarily irked by her words, but she paid no mind.
“It’s fine. You’ll have things to do for me once you’re fully recovered, right? I just wanted to do something in advance.”
Anna looked at the breakfast laid out on the table.
“You’ve changed.”
“Me?”
“Probably since Loyal showed up?”
Latilda couldn’t deny it.
“Why? We used to be like this, didn’t we?”
“Only when we were young.”
Anna said weakly.
It sounded like a reproach, but Latilda managed to smile and nod her head.
“We should be like this more often from now on. Come on, let’s eat.”
Anna picked up her spoon and took a slow bite, and Latilda ate at Anna’s slow pace.
“You still don’t remember?”
Latilda asked cautiously.
“No.”
“Not at all?”
“No.”
“Are you hiding something from me because I shouldn’t know? Is that why you can’t remember now?”
Latilda asked, still bothered by what Loyal had said.
Anna put down her spoon.
“Why would you say that all of a sudden?”
“Just a thought. Maybe you’re telling such a lie because you’re worried about me.”
Always indifferent, Anna’s eyes suddenly narrowed.
“Did Loyal say something?”
“Huh?”
Latilda quickly stuffed a piece of bread into her mouth, pretending not to be able to speak, while she gathered her thoughts.
“No, never mind. It’s just a sudden thought.”
Anna wiped her mouth and got up from the table.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry. I must have been too sensitive.”
Anna returned to her bed.
“I’ll rest a bit. I’m still tired.”
“Alright.”
Latilda awkwardly agreed, clearing the table full of uneaten food. Anna’s bare feet were incredibly dirty as she returned to bed.
‘It’s not just because she walked on the dusty living room floor barefoot. It looks like she’s been walking on a dirt floor.’
She wanted to ask why, but the atmosphere was too tense, so she didn’t.
‘No need to think too deeply. She probably just went for a walk or something.’
Latilda stood up. And then she remembered having dismissed Loyal.
She searched the mansion for Loyal but couldn’t find him. Helplessly, she stopped one of the servants to ask.
“Lord Loyal went up to the tower earlier.”
“The tower under construction?”
“Yes, Miss.”
The servant bowed politely.
“What shall we have for dinner tonight?”
“Anything.”
Latilda responded with her usual lack of enthusiasm, then stopped.
“Wait.”
“Yes, Miss?”
The questioning servant turned around. He was in his mid-forties, tall, and Latilda suddenly felt like she was seeing his face for the first time.
“Have you always asked me about dinner?”
“Yes.”
“Yesterday?”
“You said ‘anything’ yesterday too.”
“And this morning?”
“You had bread prepared. Liza helped you.”
‘Liza helped? Was she there? I thought I did it myself.’
Latilda was suddenly confused.
“It might be an odd question, but how many servants are there in this castle?”
“40, Miss.”
She knew that fact. She remembered how many men and women there were. But she couldn’t remember their faces at all.
“You, what’s your name?”
“Do you mean me? I’m Etman, Miss.”
The servant tilted his head as he spoke.
“How many years have you worked here?”
“15 years.”
“Ah, thank you, Etman. You may go.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Latilda climbed the stairs to the tower where construction was in full swing.
‘Why did I ask that?’
The laborers carrying stones bowed and greeted her as she passed by. One of the supervisors recognized Latilda and acknowledged her.
“Good morning, Miss Latilda.”
Latilda responded with a casual wave, then stopped.
“Have you always greeted me?”
“Excuse me?”
The supervisor responded with eyes that said he had encountered all sorts of strange questions.
“Yes.”
“Did we meet yesterday?”
“No, not yesterday.”
“The day before?”
“We did. Not every day, but I reported to you every three days without fail.”
“Report?”
“It’s about the progress of the castle’s construction. It’s been a few days since the work started, and I spoke of recent accidents and such.”
The supervisor spoke with slightly bewildered eyes.
“Was my report from the day before yesterday insufficient? If so, I’ll quickly prepare more detailed information…”
“That’s not it. Why are you reporting to me?”
“That’s because…”
The supervisor spoke with a face that had gone almost ashen.
“It’s always been that way.”
“What did I say the day before yesterday?”
“You told me to leave as soon as I reported. I heard that one of the maids had an accident, so I promptly left.”
It was something completely absent from memory.
“Who told you to report to me?”
“Count Johnstein, miss.”
The supervisor answered, then asked with a trembling voice.
“Miss, if I have done something wrong, please tell me so I can correct it…”
“No, that’s not what I’m asking about. Don’t worry about it. Ah, right. Where is Loyal?”
The supervisor replied with relief.
“He’s upstairs.”
Latilda practically ran up the stairs.
She was terrified, as if she had suddenly stepped into another world. Everyone was saying they knew about something she didn’t. She felt like Loyal had said, as if people were telling her “You did it” about something she had done but couldn’t remember due to drunkenness.
Loyal was at the top of the tower. Standing precariously on the edge of the tower, which had no walls or ceiling, his arms crossed, he was looking down below. Latilda waited for Loyal to turn around, but he seemed so focused on something that he didn’t.
“Why are you standing in such a dangerous place? I’ve been looking for you for a while.”
With no other choice, Latilda approached Loyal, fastening her cloak. She looked down at the castle below and quickly stepped back two paces, feeling dizzy.
“This is my favorite place in the castle. I wanted to see it one last time before I leave.”
Loyal asked with a broad smile.
“The dismissal… did you really accept it?”
Latilda asked, feeling embarrassed.
“Weren’t you sincere back then?”
Loyal turned his gaze outside again, speaking.
“I exchanged various stories with the Count here.”
“What stories with my father?”
“He asked me to take good care of you.”
“If he’s so worried about his daughter, he shouldn’t have sent me away.”
Latilda tried to see what Loyal was looking at with a bit of courage. From where he was standing, not only the village but all of Denmoju was in sight.
Loyal said,
“I was observing the villagers. I’ve been watching people’s actions continuously since Anna’s incident, but nothing strange appears. Mornings they go to work, evenings they return home. It’s just a repetition of daily life. Since people are suspecting me, it’s even hard to ask them outright.”
“You’re right, Loyal.”
Latilda said, feeling ashamed of herself.
“I’m angry because I feel like everyone is deceiving me. Anna too, Bene, all the servants!”
Latilda tried to tell about the strange events she experienced that day but didn’t know where to begin. Loyal silently smiled.
“Didn’t Anna say anything?”
“She got angry. I’m not sure why.”
Latilda briefly explained their conversation.
“I think I know why Anna acted that way.”
Loyal’s casual words made Latilda’s heart sink.
“Why?”
“Do you remember this?”
Loyal tapped his chest.
‘I put her hand on my chest.’
Latilda blushed and nodded. Even now, she felt embarrassed thinking about that moment.
Loyal continued with a gentle smile.
“You lost something that should originally be in your heart. It’s not just indifference. Either you don’t possess what you should, or you lost it due to some event. Anna’s anger is about that part. Did you ever worry about Anna’s father?”
Latilda was taken aback.
“No.”
“You never thought of it? It’s not just Anna who disappeared. Anna’s father is missing too. But you, Latilda, you’re only concerned about Anna’s well-being.”
“But Anna is the one who is in front of my eyes right now…”
Latilda closed her mouth, realizing her words were no more than a nonsensical excuse.
“You know it’s not just a matter of simple courtesy I’m talking about,” Loyal said, finishing his thought.
“Latilda, you know as little about Denmoju as I do. You just thought it was because you hated Denmoju. It could happen. Then I thought maybe you don’t know because you don’t want to know. But I know. There are things you can’t do even if you try when you’ve lost something inside. I know because I’ve been there.”
Loyal stood at the parapet, looking down from a dizzyingly high spot on the crumbling brickwork. Just watching him was enough to make Latilda feel vertiginous.
“I used to be a person who couldn’t understand others’ death and fear. I lost it due to something that happened when I was young. For a long time, I killed countless people without feeling guilt, only understanding with my head why it was wrong, but not feeling it in my heart. You are the same. You don’t pay attention to those around you. Even when you hear something, you forget it.”
Loyal pounded his chest with his fist.
“Do you remember saying this before, Latilda? That you no longer converse with Anna like when you were young? That’s not it. You’re not listening to Anna’s voice. You’re forgetting all the people with whom you have a relationship. All human connections in everyday life!”
The wind at that height was exhilarating. Her head cleared, and her body felt light. From up here, even Denmoju, which had grown so tiresome, looked incredibly beautiful. Though the wind blew her skirt, revealing her legs, Latilda didn’t even think to hold it down.
“Latilda, you don’t even think of the deceased Regeni anymore, do you? Is it just indifference, or have you forgotten your once fiancé because you’re cruel? No.”
“Loyal, why would you say that…?”
“Think about it. The one who has lost her memory isn’t Anna; it’s you, Latilda.”
“What have I lost?” Latilda asked, her voice trembling. Loyal came back down from the parapet.
“Obviously, I don’t know.”
Loyal stood before Latilda again.
“But I’ve figured out a fact that succinctly explains how much you’ve forgotten about those around you.”
She didn’t want to hear it, but Loyal spoke more quickly.
“Latilda, the owner of this castle is you. All of Denmoju is yours.”
“Loyal, what on earth are you talking about?” Latilda said, eyes wide.
“Yes, I’m telling you this prepared to be fired by you again. So listen well. Though I’m not entirely sure, Denmoju must have been yours for a long time already. This castle too.”
Loyal spread his arms wide and continued.
“At first, I wasn’t sure. I was swept away by your words, and my mind doesn’t work well in this direction, so I didn’t know. I kept mistaking the owner of this castle for Count Johnstein. Isn’t that what anyone would think?”
“I… I don’t know.”
Latilda stumbled backward, wanting to laugh off the joke but unable to.
Loyal grabbed her arm as she moved toward a dangerously high spot, startling her even more. He didn’t let go.
“I should have known from the beginning. The sense of incongruity pervading the entire castle, I was always curious about what it was, and now I finally know. Nobody here calls Count Johnstein their master. I would have known right away if I were a noble, but I’m not familiar with such titles.”
Latilda felt a little deflated.
“Is it just because of a title?”
“The Twelve Thorns were the same. I know well the mindset of those mercenary fellows. Their attitude towards Latilda is not how one treats an employer’s daughter. It is how they deal with someone above their employer. They would have picked a fight with me a few times and even dueled a few times, but they didn’t. It’s because I’m a Latilda’s Knight.”
Latilda shook her head, but Loyal continued.
“What did Count Johnstein say when he brought me along? ‘If Latilda has decided, I have nothing to say!’ That was his manner. It wasn’t the tone of respecting his daughter’s decision.”
“So what are you saying? That I’m above my father?”
“Yes, Miss Latilda.”
Bene appeared where the two were standing and spoke. His voice was not particularly loud, but Latilda was shocked as he appeared suddenly from behind. Bene spoke with a bewildered expression as though his voice was not something to be so surprised about.
“Miss Latilda has been the lord of Denmoju for a long time.”
“That can’t be! You didn’t listen to what I said.”
“That’s because my employer was the Count.”
“What’s the difference?”
Latilda realized the answer as she asked.
Bene explained carefully.
“You’ve thought of it backward, Miss Latilda. You think you hired me by yourself and brought me into this castle? No, the Count hired me alone to place me in this castle. Everything else belongs to you. Denmoju, this castle, even the servants within.”
“But I’ve never been involved in this castle! Since when?”
“Six years ago, just before the Count fell ill, his will stated that he left everything to his daughter. He had already finished all the procedures when he thought recovery was impossible. He even took measures to sell the castle through me so you could live comfortably for life. But, as you know, the Count was miraculously cured. However, the will had already been executed.”
Latilda was at a loss for words. Bene spoke in the most cautious tone.
“The command not to go down to the basement wasn’t the Count’s order. It was your order, Miss. It was an order you screamed at all the servants, including me.”
Latilda heard her voice echoing within her, like lightning.
‘Do not ever let me into the basement!’
Her head was spinning, and she felt dizzy. Latilda stumbled back and fell into Loyal’s chest. He barely managed to catch her, but her legs were so weak she couldn’t stand.
“I wrote a letter to the Count about this matter. It was not a letter to ask for permission. It was a letter to ask if I could explain everything to you. He has not replied yet, but I think I know what the answer will be.”
A brisk wind blew. Bene turned his head slightly and asked loudly.
“Miss, may I explain what happened a year ago and what is happening in Denmoju now?”
Latilda looked up at Loyal with trembling eyes.
“Lo, Loyal?”
Loyal, holding Latilda, spoke.
“Do not turn your eyes from the truth. I will be by your side.”
Loyal then turned to Bene and asked.
“So, first, we need to go to the basement, right?”
“You went down to the basement without permission.”
“Yes. I saw roughly what’s there. But after hearing what you said, I think Latilda really didn’t see what she needs to see.”
“I suppose so. But before that…”
Bene came and stood next to Loyal. Then, squinting his unseen eyes, he said,
“Do you see that?”
“Yes. I see a few soldiers on horseback in the northern land. Probably Black Lion Count’s reconnaissance unit.”
Loyal spoke calmly.
“Since when have they been there?”
Bene asked.
“Since just now.”
“Does it look serious?”
“In my opinion, yes.”
Latilda’s mind was still reeling, and she leaned on Loyal, gazing into the distance, wondering what the two were talking about. Sure enough, two or three knights were standing on the hill, keeping an unflinching watch over Denmoju.
“It seems too late to respond now,” Bene said, turning back towards the stairs.
“Miss, there will be time for a detailed discussion later.”
–TL Notes–
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