In the end, Moran and I went walking together around the Mansion. We went towards the lake where they said I had drowned here.
It turned out that this lake wasn't that big but it was dotted with lotus flowers. There was a bridge that crossed the lake, so she and I walked on the bridge.
"Do you remember when we were kids, we used to play around here while throwing stones into the lake. We tried to see who could throw the stone with the farthest bounce," he told me.
Of course I don't remember it, more precisely I don't know what Moran and Celestial were like at all. All I knew was that they had been friends since childhood, because the Duke's family was so close to the royal members.
That's why they often played together. That was all I knew from the story I read in the novel.
Realizing that I looked confused, Moran seemed to sigh softly and then smiled. "It turns out that it's true that you have a little memory loss. But no matter, I'm here to remind you of the things we've been through."
"I'm sorry, I'm still a little unable to remember anything but if you want to tell me I can definitely remember it," I replied so that he would tell me some of the things he and Celestial had done together.
At least I had some things I could find out from Moran about Celestial when she was a child. And he told me everything they did together, even down to the little things that I found so interesting to know.
What Moran said was quite different from the nature of Celestial as depicted in the story. I wondered what the others had to say about Celestial.
"We once ran away from the village to enter the forest. At that time I was 10 years old and you were two years younger than me, we went to look for the fairy that they said roamed the forest at night," he said with a smiling face, making me feel that it was a moment that Moran really remembered together with Celestial.
He continued the story that the two of them got lost in the forest and were scared because of the darkness of the forest. But finally they followed the wandering fireflies until they finally met the royal soldiers and also the Celestial's family who were looking for them.
"Since then we were forbidden to enter the forest, but if I think back, we were too innocent to believe all those rumors." He chuckled with a slightly flushed face after telling all those things.
"That's right, fairies can't exist. But wouldn't that be an interesting memory for both of us?" I asked trying to respond to his words so that he would feel like I could remember that.
He nodded his head, saying that at that time he didn't know what would happen if he wasn't with her. Even when we were both scared, he said that I yelled at the ghosts not to catch them.
"Leave us alone! Don't eat us, we have so little meat! That's what you said while hugging me. I still remember it to this day and it's a moment I don't think I'll ever forget," he explained to me.
Again I saw that smile, coupled with the look in his eyes that was so gentle telling the story of where he and Celestial had time together.
And I'm sure Celestial also felt the same way, and all the things he told me were very sweet for both of them.
But...
In the story, Moran will have an affair with Eleanor. He would choose to be with her, and leave Celestial and even break their engagement.
But how could this love that was so sincere, even deeply drawn on his face be broken in such a short time just because of Eleanor?
What made Moran suddenly choose that girl and say bad things about Celestial, even though he had known the special since childhood.
Was his current face just a lie? But he must be very manipulative if he could really show a face as if he was this sincere to me in order for me to believe that he loved me, loved Celestial.
"Prince Moran, can I ask you something?" I asked.
"You can ask me anything. And just call me Moran. You always call me that," he replied and it seemed as if he was waiting for a question from me.
"What do you think of Eleanor? We had a chat with her earlier and then you asked me to go for a walk together. What do you think of her?"
The man was silent for a moment, thinking about the answer he would give me. Until he finally started answering my questions.
"I think she's a nice woman, she always smiles and her voice is so soft. Eleanor also looks beautiful and graceful. I hear she's talented, it's just that she's different from you," he replied.
I turned to him, feeling confused by him saying that Eleanor was different from me. What did he mean by different? Was I that much better or just not like her.
Moran leaned against the bridge railing and gazed out over the lake.
"No matter how good she is, no matter how sweet and gentle Eleanor or any other woman is. I prefer you."
He turned to me and looked at me softly. "I don't really like women who only act nice in front of others. Sometimes it feels like they wear a mask to make a good image in front of everyone. But you're different, I know what you're like and you're a woman who is very honest with your feelings," he said continuing his previous words.
Now I was the one who fell silent when he said that. Moran was very articulate, but every single thing he said really left me speechless. He was like a prince who was so perfect, and had such sincere feelings.
This sincerity, however, will change in 3 years turning into the overwhelming pain that Celestial must have felt. I can imagine what she felt when she found out that the man who used to love her so much and she loved him, chose her step sister instead of her.
Why are you saying things like this, if in the future you will only hurt Celestial?
He reasoned that Celestial's bad nature could affect the kingdom where he had to maintain his image as a prince for his kingdom.
But right now he was just saying he was not happy with someone like that. This is very contrary to what I know.
Even so, you shouldn't have betrayed Celestial. Now I feel so bad for Celestial who always thought of her as a villain character when she was betrayed by someone who understood her so well but still looked at her badly and didn't believe her words.
"Even if you forget me this time because of your memory loss, I will make you love me again, Celest. I will make you love me again and again. Just as much as I feel it for you."
I squeezed the dress I was wearing, trying not to say anything even though I could feel the pain Celestial was feeling.
"Please don't say things that will one day turn back to hurt me."