When the “curse of oblivion” is lifted, the memories of the cursed period will disappear.
When I told Sylphy about this, she said
“……………………Eh?”
She looked despairing and uncomfortable to look at.
Sylphy, though, asks me with a tremor in her voice.
“Does that mean I’m going to forget about the past year ……? Everything that has happened since I met Mel-kun, my travels with Clara and Liza, Nanalee and her grandma…… everything?”
“Yes”
I tried my best to keep my cool, but Sylphy hugged me.
“No……. No, no, no! Why? How could I forget?”
If I read it, I can get the answer. But I don’t care how it works.
All I want to know is how to get around it. But that was “impossible”.
Sylphy’s shoulders shook.
“I won’t do it. …… You don’t have to break the curse. If I would rather forget about you, Mel, then I’ll stay like this…….”
I was so happy to hear her say that. But it’s no good. I couldn’t go on like this.
I gently put my hand on her shoulder.
Sylphy, you have to get your memory back. You have to remember your mother and your birthplace. You must regain your identity as “Goddess’ Child, Priestess of Light”.
Goddess’ Child, Priestess of Light.
That’s what she wanted before she lost her memory.
She accepted her fate at an early age and embarked on a journey to find a “successor to the heroes,” prepared to die.
She was not forced to do so by anyone, nor was it the poor idea of a child, but with a dazzlingly noble determination, she became a ” Priestess of Light”.
She must not tarnish it. Even if she denies it now.
“That’s why…”
” Wait a minute. You should not push her so hard.”
The old lady interrupted me, and I finally realised that I had been speaking too loudly.
“A day or two won’t make much difference. How about coming over to my house for the time being? You can take your time and think it over there.”
” …… Yes. Sorry about that. Sylphy, too, sorry.”
“…..Yes”
We followed the old lady’s suggestion and left Gutte’s castle.
On the way back.
In the corner of the carriage’s back, Sylphy was holding her knees all the way.
When we finally saw the town.
“I don’t want to forget ……. I don’t want to forget……”
That was all she said. The sun had already set.
Dinner was served at a cramped table for four. Sylphy tried her best to eat Nanalee’s home-cooked food without leaving any leftovers. She was in a state of “not being able to pass anything down her throat,” but she forced herself to do so.
I had told her in the past, “Don’t leave any food behind,” and she kept it in mind even at a time like this.
The house is not big, but six people can manage to sleep in it.
But Sylphy and I decided to spend the night in the back of the wagon.
We sat down side by side and wrapped ourselves in one blanket.
We huddled in silence for a while.
Then Sylphy quietly opened her mouth.
“Mel, do you remember?”
“Hmm?”
“When we first met.”
“…… Yeah. Sylphy, you were in a daze, weren’t you? I tried to talk to you, but you just ignored me.”
“Yes. I was anxious for a long time. I didn’t know who I was, and I didn’t know anyone around me. So I wanted to be left alone. Everyone let me do that. But you always talked to me when I came to church.”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Yes. That’s why I didn’t like you when I first met you.”
“Ugh…….”
Well, I guess she did. I was pretty persistent in my approach. And since my goal was to “make her laugh,” she must have thought I was a really weird guy, making funny faces and gestures and so on.
“But before I knew it, I realised how much I was looking forward to Mel’s next visit.”
Sylphy buried her face in my chest. She grabs my clothes and hugs me.
“I wish I had never known…… until a moment ago. If I hadn’t known I was going to forget you, Mel, I wouldn’t have been in so much pain……”
“Sylphy …… sorry.”
“Don’t apologise, Mel. I don’t think that now. I am sure that if I lift the curse without knowing it, I will hold something bothering me in my heart for a long time.”
I can’t read the future. So I don’t know if I’m right or not. But I figured if Sylphy said so, then so be it.
I stroked Sylphy’s head. Her silver hair felt good in my hand.
“I’ll tell you everything.”
“Eh?”
“Even the smallest events that you don’t remember, I can read them now. Even if you lose your memories, I will tell it all to you, Sylphy.”
“…… Yeah. Please. Even if I don’t like it, tell me everything.”
“Oh. You don’t have to request it, it’s me. I’ll keep talking to you even if you don’t want me to, I promise.”
“Hmmm, yes, I suppose so. You’re Mel, after all. Even if I don’t want to………..”
Sylphy squeezed my clothes and put a lot of strength into her hands.
Then, she slowly looked up.
“I love you, Mel-kun!”
The sudden confession left me speechless.
I was overwhelmed by the straightforwardness of her eyes. The passionate gaze gripped my heart.