ATPL 34

Anais’s room at the Fleur villa wasn’t very large.

As a result, everything was visible from the inner chamber to the reception room and naturally, anyone standing in the doorway was plainly in view.

No, it was impossible not to notice them, especially since light and flowers were floating around the person in the doorway.

Flutter…

It was a sight that defied common sense. A person surrounded by light and flowers?

An ordinary onlooker would’ve rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

Someone with even basic knowledge of magic would call it what it was: a magician.

Not just any magician but a crazy one.

“…Do I have to deal with this?”

“Let him be, Lord Resaloniki. His magic seems to be overflowing.”

This was the quiet exchange between two men standing beside the so-called crazy magician.

Truly, calling him crazy wasn’t an exaggeration. The flowers and light blooming around him were the work of extravagant magic—so extravagant it could rival the annual budget of a small city-state.

But what stood out most was his face. Anais was struck speechless at the sight of him.

His face was radiant, like a flower in full bloom.

His hair was as black and soft as the night sky, and beneath it were rose-pink eyes that shimmered with the colors of a fading sunset.

Eyes, an uncanny blend of blue and pale violet, and despite their cool tone, they radiated unmistakable warmth—warmth directed at her.

His thick, dark eyebrows were relaxed, and his skin was so pale and smooth it seemed not a drop of blood would spill if pricked. His straight nose and crimson lips would’ve drawn envy from countless noble ladies.

How to describe it… While Elliot Resaloniki and Abelard, standing beside him, were undeniably handsome, they weren’t even in the same league.

If Abelard embodied the wild kind of handsome, and Elliot the classic, then this man…

‘…A woman?’

If not for his tall, slender frame, his face alone could pass for that of a foreign princess.

His willowy figure was wrapped in flowing robes and gauzy veils.

“Could you be… Lord Cesar Rezaie?”

And the moment Anais said his name, he smiled like a blossom opening to the sun and extended his hand to her.

The gesture was the very picture of royal etiquette.

Anais instinctively reached out, and Cesar pressed a deep kiss to the back of her hand.

Smooch.

Was it her imagination, or did the kiss linger a little too long?

Instead of pulling away, Cesar traced her hand slowly with his lips, then gently pressed his cheek against it.

“Ah, Anais. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for you.”

“Y-Your Grace.”

Naturally, Anais stammered. The contact was far too intimate and to Anais, Cesar was a stranger!

‘Grandfather! Save me!’

She mentally cried out to her absent grandfather.

Grandfather, please barge in like you always do, tap your cane on the floor, grumble something about how I should greet you first, and then trap these absurd men in some long, complicated conversation!

But of course, her grandfather wasn’t here. Possessor #33 had shipped him off to some remote vacation spot.

Why couldn’t it have been Reims?!

Anais was spiraling.

Meanwhile, Cesar whispered,

“How cruel. You haven’t written in two months. How I’ve yearned…”

His voice was so soft it wouldn’t have seemed out of place coming from a noble lady. Though unmistakably, it was a man’s voice.

Anais tried to stay calm, but it was impossible when the other person refused to cooperate.

The man still wouldn’t release her hand. Instead, he examined it, noticing the bandages.

“Hm?”

“Um, Your Grace…”

“Wait. Are you injured?”

Cesar’s expression changed as he noticed the red scarring beneath the bandage. His rose-pink eyes widened in genuine alarm.

Anais, however, was puzzled. Shouldn’t he be asking about the mask first…?

“This cannot be. My heart aches, my love.”

He stared intently at her injured hand, then slowly raised his gaze to meet hers.

“I remember when you left—you said you’d return soon. Of course, six months is nothing, and the wait was bittersweet. How can I not be overjoyed when even your new mask speaks of love at the end of such a wait?”

“What the hell?”

Abelard, who had been standing behind them with arms crossed, snorted.

“This one’s even worse than me.”

Thanks to that quip, Anais missed her chance to respond.

Ugh, seriously! Just be quiet for a second! Didn’t he just say something about a mask?

But Cesar was already moving on.

“But seeing your wounds, oh, Anais. Forgive me. While my heart breaks, the green-eyed monster inside me awakens with fierce jealousy. Is this, too, a symbol of love?”

His pink eyes filled with sorrow on cue.

“Even so, my love remains unchanged, and I shall offer—”

“Duke Cesar Rezaie.”

At that point, Anais decided to cut off the crazy magician’s speech.

It wasn’t just because Elliot and Abelard were watching from behind with unreadable expressions.

At this rate, she’d be stuck listening to poetic declarations all night.

The magician flinched as Anais interrupted him with a firm tone.

She tried to make her voice as clear as possible as she continued.

“I am Anais Fleur. And Anais recently learned that she has lost her memories.”

“…Anais?”

Cesar’s eyes widened in shock.

Yes, a man with such a breathtaking face. How No. 33 had managed to win him over was beyond her. Incredibly skilled—or perhaps… not?

Anais closed her eyes and screamed internally.

Number 33!

Anais cannot accept a fiancé who’s prettier than Anais!

In her mind, she could almost hear an imaginary Elliot saying, “Is that really the issue here?” in utter disbelief.

But it is! Anais is supposed to be the princess! Anais must be the prettier princess!

Of course, there was no time to bicker with imaginary Elliot now.

She quickly pulled her hand from Cesar’s grasp and explained.

Leaving out the whole story about being possessed, she told him what she’d told Judy: that she had lost an entire year of memories.

“And… I just arrived and heard from the maid Judy that Anais had a secret engagement ceremony with Your Grace.”

“A secret what?”

“…Hah.”

Abelard echoed the sentiment, and Elliot rubbed his forehead. Anais wanted to crawl under the floor.

Why did she have to bear the shame of it all? Oh, right—because Number 33 had disappeared.

Still, Anais had to handle the situation properly.

“So, Your Grace, to be honest… to the current Anais, you are a complete stranger.”

Cesar only blinked. Anais continued calmly.

“I’m honored, truly. But since I have no memory of being engaged to you, it’s a bit uncomfortable when you treat me so… affectionately.”

“Ah, is that so?”

…Pardon?

Now it was Anais who blinked.

As if nothing had happened, Cesar opened his eyes wider and offered a gentle smile.

“You say you don’t remember being engaged to me… then have you forgotten me entirely?”

“W-Well, yes…”

“Then this is our first meeting, is it not, Lady Fleur?”

Why is he so quick to accept this?

Anais glanced at Judy, whose eyes were just as wide in disbelief.

She then turned her gaze toward Elliot.

‘Sir. Since you know the family circumstances of the royal families of the continent, please tell me. Is Lord Cesar a genius not only in magic but also in situational awareness?’

‘Well… I’m not sure. But if he’s clever, it wouldn’t be impossible…’

And yes, if you’re wondering whether such elaborate communication is possible with just eye contact—it absolutely is.

Still, Anais was completely thrown off.

Hey! You’re taking this way too well! Even I needed days to accept I’d been possessed! I’m still not over it! But you? You’re just nodding along like someone told you it might rain later!

Ah. Is it because it’s not your problem?

“Um… I’m honored, Your Grace, but do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Of course, Lady Fleur.”

The magician straightened, offering a soft, reassuring smile.

Tall and slender, with elegant limbs and a graceful neck, he resembled a deer in motion.

He took Anais’s hand gently and smiled once more.

“You’ve lost your memories, and you must be in a state of confusion. I imagine it’s troubling… forgetting someone like me.”

“That’s… yes.”

It was true, but something still felt off.

Unbothered by her hesitation, Cesar glanced at Judy and asked,

“But, perhaps…”

“Ah—if my presence makes you uncomfortable, should I take my leave? However…”

Judy looked at Anais with concern. Anais quickly stepped in.

“Your Grace, Judy was telling Anais, who had lost her memory, about what happened in Reims. And about you….”

“Ah. I see…”

The magician nodded slowly.

‘But… just like that?’

The questions only grew.

Anais couldn’t make sense of how easily Cesar accepted everything.

He nodded along to the shocking news that his fiancée had lost her memories as casually as if someone had told him one plus one equals two.