Published: August 10, 2026
......Ah, this is our living room. How nostalgic.
The scenery of the temple had turned into the living room from Myne's era, the one she could never go back to no matter how much she wanted to.
"Since we're here, I'd like to go somewhere with lots of books, like a library or my room."
"Unfortunately, I haven't been shown such a place, so it isn't in my memory."
"Aaaah, why didn't you take me there last time? A library or bookstore from the last time would be fine, too. If there are books, let's go there."
"No."
Even though I was aching to be surrounded by the books from Myne's era, Ferdinand was thinking, "It would be a waste of time just reading books, so it was good I didn't know about it." How awful.
Ferdinand completely ignored my invitation to go somewhere with books and headed to the shelf with mom art, pointing at the lacework.
"Last time, you explained it to me, but this is the lacework that became the basis for your hair ornament, is it not?"
"That's right, but you remember it well after seeing it only once."
I didn't even remember what I had shown him or how I had explained it, and yet Ferdinand remembered clearly. Our brains must be built differently. While I was admiring that, Ferdinand's emotions stirred a little. It felt like he was getting slightly tense.
"Is something wrong, Lord Ferdinand?"
"Rosemine, do you remember where, by whom, and for what purpose the first hair ornament you sold to Benno was made?"
"Eh?"
Feeling Ferdinand's presence waiting quietly for my answer, I searched through my memories. I remembered that after paper-making settled down, I had sold hair ornaments to Benno as a new product. The Guild Master had said he wanted a new hair ornament for Frieda's baptism ceremony, and I think we made quite a lot of money at the time.
......Huh? But why did we make it in the first place?
"I don't know."
"It was apparently made for Tulli."
"For a hair ornament artisan, right?"
"I have not met Tulli many times, but I was present when the hair ornament was delivered."
The scenery changed in a flash. In the orphanage director's office, it was time for the hair ornament made for Eglantine to be delivered, and from the conversation I could tell that Ferdinand would be attending.
"I do remember receiving an order for lady Eglantine's hair ornament."
"I see. Then, do you remember why you glared at us with such an unhappy face?"
"I don't think I'd remember a reason like that, whether the memories are connected or not."
In my memory, Rosemine was glaring at us with a face full of caution and dissatisfaction. Ferdinand, who had to inspect a gift for royalty while already busy, was also full of irritation, as if to say, "What is with that face when you're the one who brought more trouble here?" He pinched her cheek hard enough to make her nearly cry, which somehow helped him vent his frustration. Ferdinand was surprisingly childish.
......Half of that was just taking out his anger on me!
"She is Tulli."
A girl with green hair braided down her back came with the others from the Gilberta Trading Company. Ferdinand watched Rosemine's face carefully as it stiffened slightly upon seeing Tulli.
Inside Ferdinand's heart was anxiety and caution over how much shock Rosemine would take from this first reunion after waking from Yureve, and how much their relationship had changed in the two-year gap. So that if the shock or emotional surge caused her mana to run wild, he had already laid his hand on the leather pouch so he could draw out a mana stone at once.
Ignoring Ferdinand's worries, Tulli merely exchanged glances and smiled, and Rosemine's stiffness melted away. Her smile was bright, and her blue eyes held affection that was obvious at a glance. The look one gives to someone precious, someone cherished. It was the same as the eyes of my father and mother, whom I could no longer recall.
......I know these eyes.
"I would like to present this to Lady Rosemine."
While I had been soaked in Yureve, Tulli must have been making the spring hair ornament. Rosemine smiled as happily as when facing books and turned her body so Tulli could easily place it in her hair, asking, "Will you put it on for me?"