Harvey was all smiles. Even though he was speaking to someone who had once tried to murder him, he didn’t seem at all wary. Allen let out a little sigh and extended a hand to Charlotte, who was lying on the ground. She was fast asleep, her eyes closed.
“I’m so glad she’s safe...” Allen murmured. He felt a rush of relief to see her peaceful face. He gently stroked her head, then looked up. “Harvey Crawford... Before you take me with you, I have one thing to ask.”
“What is it? Mercy?”
“I don’t need a thing like that.” Allen bowed down, supplicating to him without any hesitation. “A powerful wizard like you...you should know how to use magic to change people’s memories. Can you do a spell like that to make her forget about me?”
Harvey was doubtful. “Are you sure...? She means a great deal to you, doesn’t she?”
Allen nodded slowly. “Yes, but I’m sure.” He looked down a little, and for the first time, a single tear fell from his eyes. “This scared her... I don’t want her to remember a feeling like that—not her.”
“Hm.” For a while, Harvey was quiet. A slight breeze swayed the grass and flowers in the field between them. Eventually, he crouched down and studied Allen’s swollen face, then flashed a wide smile. “You know, you’re a completely different person from the one who attacked me.”
“Really...?”
“Oh yes. You have very gentle eyes now. Perhaps thanks to her.” Harvey looked at Charlotte and gave a light nod. “I understand. I’ll grant your earnest wish.”
“Y-You will?!”
“Yes, and if I may ask a favor in return... Could you answer a few questions for me?”
“I’ll tell you anything. You want to know what these guys do?”
“Oh, I know all about their background. They’re part of the human trafficking ring that I was trying to destroy, aren’t they? I’ve already captured their head,” Harvey said casually. He held up three fingers. “There are just three things I want to ask you. What’s your name and age?”
“Huh...? Allen, and I’m nine...”
“And would you like to see your parents again?”
“I...don’t even want to see their faces. I hope they suffer and die.”
“Perfect, how convenient! You passed the test!” Harvey cheered and grasped Allen’s shoulders. With a big smile, Harvey said, “From now on, you’re my son.”
“Huh...?!” Allen was baffled. All strength left his body. He fell to the ground next to Charlotte, who was still sound asleep, and glared at the man in front of him. “You...you just used De Lusion on me...?!”
“Indeed I did. And an especially powerful one at that,” Harvey said without a trace of guilt, then stroked Allen’s head gently. “Don’t worry about the little girl either. I’ll erase her memory and take her back home. So don’t worry about anything—relax and go to sleep.”
“Why...did you...?”
“You made me curious to see how you’ll change, and who you’ll grow up to be. You are far too promising to rot away as a gang’s underling.”
“That’s...ridicu...” Allen’s eyelids drooped shut, and sleep was pulling him in. Just before he blacked out, he heard the voice of the man who was to become his father.
“Forget all the painful memories, and start over from scratch. I’m sure you’ll become a good wizard.”
♢
As soon as he regained consciousness, Allen sprang up with a gasp. He was breathing hard, as if he’d just been running at full speed, and his heart was racing wildly. He seemed to have sweated a lot, and he felt clammy all over. He wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead in one rough stroke and looked around.
He was in an unfamiliar house. It was sparsely furnished and dusty. He had been sleeping in an old bed in the corner of the room. It creaked every time he moved—apparently, it had been left unused for a long time.
“Where...?”
The door opened, and Charlotte looked in. “Oh, Allen!” As soon as she saw him, she hurried to the bed. “I’m so glad you’re awake! How are you feeling? Do you feel any pain?!”
“N-No... I’m fine.”
“Really? Are you sure...? You look kind of dazed.” She touched his forehead and cheeks, checking for fever. Her face was full of concern.
Allen gazed at her. A feeling gradually welled up from the depths of his heart.
Charlotte sighed, knitting her brows anxiously. “You collapsed all of a sudden. I was so worried...but it was really lucky the house was still here—”
The feeling overflowed and overtook him. He grasped her shoulders and pressed his lips on hers. She jumped a little in surprise, but he didn’t let her go. When he drew her close, she readily yielded to him. This made him happier than anything else.
He felt her softness in his arms, a sensation he would always keep in his heart. Then he remembered his own declaration that next time they kissed, he would make the move. He hadn’t planned to, but he had succeeded in taking his revenge. Eventually, he gently freed her lips.
Charlotte was flushing bright red. “U-Um, why...” she stammered, “so sudden—”
“Charlotte,” Allen cut her off.
Ever since he’d found her near his mansion and took her in, he had thought only about making her happy. Until now, he’d thought it was love at first sight. But he was wrong. The real truth was much more simple. I just...wanted to keep that promise I made to her. Now that he remembered, he understood everything.
“Did I manage to teach you fun things?” he asked.
“Huh?” Charlotte’s eyes went round. But her face soon broke into a glowing smile. “Yes. You’ve taught me so much.”
For a moment, Allen couldn’t speak. “Thank you...”
“Oh!”
He couldn’t stop himself, and he pulled her into another tight embrace. She got flustered again, but Allen squeezed her close. Then he told her the words he never got the chance to tell her when they had first met.
“Thank you, Charlotte. I’m glad I met you.”
“Oh...u-um, Allen...?” Though she was confused, she still put her arms around him timidly.
✦ ✦ ✦
For a while, they held each other close in silence. The warmth from their bodies melted into each other until they couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began. Allen felt perfectly content from the bottom of his heart.
I really am...one lucky guy. Just when he was basking in happiness, he heard a weary sigh.
“Well well, I feel drunk with all the love in the air.”
“Hm?” Allen looked up to find Gosetsu standing just outside the open door, with Roo plopped down beside her. He froze at their unwavering stare. “Wait...how long have you been there?”
“Since the very beginning. Young Roo and I have been helping Lady Charlotte look after you,” Gosetsu reported dispassionately, her nose twitching.
Roo got up and peered into the couple’s faces, full of curiosity. “So humans boop noses to say hi too. Never knew that!”
“You mustn’t tell anyone about this, Young Roo. Sir Allen may be fine, but it will only worry Lady Charlotte.”
“Oh, really? Is it a secret boop? Hey, Mommy, what’s it for?”
“Umm...!” Charlotte couldn’t bear Roo’s innocent gaze anymore, and she jumped away. “A-Anyway, Allen, you fainted all of a sudden!” she said rapidly to change the subject. “You should get checked by a doctor!”
“Uh-huh...” Allen pondered over his next step. He came to a conclusion immediately. “All right,” he announced, “let’s head to the Athena School of Magic.”
“Y-Yes, good idea. Harvey can take a look at you—”
“And I’ll punch him in the face. Can you watch me do it, Charlotte?”
“Why would you start a fight?!” Charlotte cried out. Gosetsu and Roo looked bemused too.
“Now I have a reason for punching that asshole. Don’t worry, I’m sure Uncle will happily take it. It’s a hit from his precious son, after all.”
“I-I don’t know what you have in mind...but punching is a no-no!” Charlotte was all in a fluster, but she raised her finger and said sternly, “Fighting isn’t a naughty thing; it’s a bad thing! Understood?”