So, I tried to change the topic by asking about the progress of retrieving my memories, but everyone seemed lost in their thoughts. Finally, Lucretia began explaining why they came here, to discuss my real memories. Just as she was about to elaborate, they overheard me speaking outside the room about my encounter with Marika.
Lucretia's eyes darkened as she recounted how they arrived just in time to hear my disgraceful conversation about covering up my actions with Marika. It dawned on me that their primary reason for coming was to discuss my true memories. I recalled Lucretia mentioning she was meeting with Arsia for a conversation; perhaps Erina and Aris were there too? It seemed they had come early this morning after their discussion, coincidentally when I was discussing my incident with Marika. What rotten luck, or perhaps it was incredibly timed, leading to this whole mess.
Lucretia then said they'd discuss compensation for this matter later. What did she mean by compensation? I wished they'd at least give me some details.
"Harold, please step out for a while. You can't hear this conversation due to a spell. We need to tell Marika about the facts we've sorted out so far," Lucretia instructed. My wishes for more clarity went unheeded as they ushered me out of the room.
Resigned to my lack of choice, I left the room, and the door shut firmly behind me. Left alone with the women, Marika sensed something significant was about to be revealed and eagerly sought to get to the heart of the matter. "Princess? Before we continue, there's something we need to discuss," Erina began with a sharp look in her eyes, indicating the seriousness of the matter.
"Girl, did you really think I wouldn't know? You drugged my husband with wine to seduce him, revealing your sly intentions," Lucretia accused Marika, glaring at her with a tone she seldom used.
Cornered and unable to find an escape, Marika's expression darkened. Harold wasn't there to defend her this time.
"Marika, be honest. Harold isn't that kind of man," Aris, who had been close friends with Marika at the academy, sided with Harold.
"Right, even under the influence of alcohol, Harold wouldn’t make such a foolish decision to harm someone," Principal Arsia defended Harold, pushing Marika further into a corner.
Under pressure, Marika gnashed her teeth in frustration and finally admitted, "I targeted Harold when he was vulnerable."
Lucretia, barely containing her rage, prepared to cast an ancient spell, demanding, "Speak up... why did you dare to meddle with someone's partner!"
Yielding to the intense atmosphere, Marika confessed, "I needed Harold..."
Immediately after her confession, Lucretia, who had been at a distance, grabbed Marika by the collar in a flash of rage, demanding, "Why would you do that?!"
No one intervened as Lucretia held Marika's fragile neck, as everyone present harbored resentment towards her.
"I... I needed it... Harold was necessary for me," Marika managed to say, despite the imminent threat from Lucretia.
Lucretia, shocked by Marika's blunt admission, was left to ponder her response, holding Marika in a tense standoff. As Marika struggled for breath under Lucretia's grip, Lucretia harshly threw her to the ground, venting her anger. Lucretia expressed her reluctance to kill Marika due to the complications it would cause, given Marika's high status. Despite her fury, she promised to let it go, having received a promise of compensation.
With a swollen neck, Marika got up, the harsh treatment she received was unimaginable for someone of royal status. Lucretia warned her sternly against crossing her partner again, her voice filled with veiled threats and controlled violence.
Marika, not entirely a pushover, gnashed her teeth in anger but ultimately let out a sigh of resignation, conceding to the situation.
Lucretia then shifted focus back to Harold's memories, indicating that they had discussed something important while Marika was unconscious. Marika, catching up, questioned if they should be wary of the goddess Harold currently serves.
Erina responded, confirming their suspicion that Moreone, the goddess, might be using Harold for her purposes. Given Erina's knowledge of Harold's past, she was a key figure in solving the current dilemma.
Marika, realizing she hadn't properly been introduced to Erina, asked for her name. Erina, though slightly reluctant, introduced herself with due formality. She revealed her identity as Erina Rubias, the eldest daughter of the Rubias family, a lineage of knights serving the royal family for generations. Her brother, Elbert Rubias, was the captain of the kingdom's elite knights.
The scene highlighted the complex intertwining of loyalty, power, and personal relationships within the royal court and its affiliates. Marika recognized the Rubias family as a prominent knightly lineage known for serving the royal family, mentioning she had heard of their service in the Abne Church as top knights. Erina, a member of the Rubias family, respectfully acknowledged Marika's recognition, though her expression wasn't entirely pleasant. The complexity of their relationship was clear - while Erina needed to maintain a courteous relationship with the royal family, she was clearly distressed by Marika's involvement with Harold.
Marika felt a sense of guilt towards Erina, realizing that Erina, like herself, had deep feelings for Harold. Knowing the Rubias family's significance, Marika seemed to regret her actions slightly.
Erina, on the other hand, offered what seemed like forgiveness, but whether it was genuine or merely a formality remained unclear. She then proceeded to explain the plan they had formulated regarding Harold's situation.
Outside, Harold waited in the corridor, growing restless as the meeting inside the room seemed to prolong endlessly. He speculated about the delay, particularly due to Marika's presence and their lack of knowledge about certain matters. Despite his impatience, Harold hesitated to enter the room, fearing he might trigger another intense situation.
Considering his options, Harold thought about stepping outside for a while, to break the monotony and perhaps alleviate his boredom. He reasoned that waiting outside the door, especially when it seemed unlikely to open anytime soon, was less productive than getting some fresh air. Harold, deciding to take a break outside the hospital, hoped to accomplish some tasks or gather needed items while on his brief walk. As he strolled through the luxurious hospital corridor, his aimless wandering led him to the entrance. Pondering his next move, he chose to follow the path fate seemed to lay before him.
Suddenly, a plain wooden barrel in a dark alley caught his attention with its rattling noise. Curious, Harold approached it, only to find the barrel shaking more violently. He gently knocked on it, half-expecting a sentient being inside, although it seemed unlikely.
Before he could complete his thoughts, the barrel unexpectedly burst open, startling him into stepping back. A faint voice emerged from within, revealing a small, seemingly seven-year-old girl, peculiar for her horns and wings, suggesting she might be a dragonkin. The child was in a dreadful state, with injuries resembling cuts from a blade and ongoing bleeding.
As the girl let out pained groans, Harold, concerned, asked if she was alright, wondering how she ended up in such a condition inside the barrel. Noticing her black short hair and ruby-like red eyes, he waited for her response. Eventually, the girl regained consciousness, opening her eyes to look up at him.