Ciel's Point of View
I left the dining hall and made my way to my study. The flickering candlelight cast shadows across the room as I sank into my chair, raising my head to stare at the ceiling.
What was going on?
Why couldn't she remember? The illusion had been broken, shattered completely—yet she still looked at me like a stranger.
If this continues… if she never remembers... it could destroy us. And worse, it could destroy her.
I exhaled heavily, a tight pain constricting my chest.
"Jason," I called out.
"Yes, Your Highness?" he responded, appearing by the doorway.
"In the illusion… did anything strange happen? Anything that might have disrupted the spell?"
Jason paused. "No, Your Majesty… wait—there was something. An intruder."
My eyes narrowed. "What? And you're just telling me this now?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," he said, bowing his head.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Who was it?"
"I don't know. But he was strange. He assumed the role of Her Majesty's brother in the illusion. I caught him, but he escaped before I could confront him properly. After that… it was like he never existed. Everyone forgot him."
My heart clenched.
A false brother... a memory erased... Could he be the reason she's still lost?
Suddenly, a sharp surge of sorrow struck my chest. My heart—her heart. Clara.
She was in pain.
The sorrow was deep, overwhelming… suffocating. I could feel every ounce of it.
"I have to go," I said quietly.
"You may leave now, Jason."
"Yes, Your Highness," he said and slipped away.
I headed straight for her room. I pushed the door open gently and stepped inside.
She was already asleep.
Peaceful… and yet, her expression was stained with traces of pain. I walked over and sat beside her, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. Her cheeks were damp.
"Why are you so sad, my love?" I whispered.
"Do you miss your life in the illusion that much?" I asked softly, though I knew she couldn't hear me.
The ache in my chest deepened.
"You must be going through so much," I murmured as I leaned closer, gathering her into my arms. She fit against me perfectly, as though she had always belonged there.
"I'm here now," I whispered. "And I'm not going anywhere. I promise—I'll make everything right."
I stayed there for a while, holding her gently, stroking her hair as her breathing evened out.
Whatever it took, I'd help her remember.
Even if I had to destroy heaven itself to do it.
Clara's POV
I woke up to the gentle sound of someone breathing beside me.
Still half-asleep, I looked up—and there he was.
Ciel.
He was holding me in his arms like I was something precious, like a child he didn't want to let go of. And strangely… I liked it.
It felt nice. Safe. Comforting.
Without thinking, I nestled deeper into his arms.
What are you doing? I screamed at myself internally. Get a grip, Clara!
But no matter how hard I tried to fight it, I couldn't stop. Something about his presence made my walls weaken.
"It looks like someone's awake," he said softly, looking down at me with that same gentle smile.
My face flushed instantly. I turned away from him, hiding the heat rising in my cheeks. Why am I reacting like this?
Panic flared, and I immediately sat up, pulling away from his arms.
"Why are you getting up so quickly? I don't mind," he teased with a smirk.
I glared at him, my embarrassment turning to fury.
"What are you doing here, you pervert? Sneaking into my room in the middle of the night?!"
He blinked at me, caught off guard—but then, of course, he smiled.
"Pervert, huh? That's a strange way to address your husband."
"Husband?" I scoffed. "You're just my jailer."
His smile faded a little at my words, but he quickly composed himself.
"I'll call Lila to help you get ready for our outing," he said calmly, walking toward the door.
Just before stepping out, he turned back.
"Oh… and good morning," he added, leaning down to press a soft kiss on my forehead.
Then he left, leaving me stunned, flustered—and confused all over again.
Lila came in early and dressed me in silence. The gown she chose was soft, flowing, and elegant—pale like moonlight, with silvery threads that shimmered when I moved. She styled my hair with gentle hands, adding small accessories that sparkled like stars.
When she was done, she stepped back and smiled, clearly satisfied.
"The king is waiting," she said softly.
I followed her out and down the long, polished halls. As we walked, my thoughts raced. What does he want now?
Finally, we reached him.
Ciel.
He stood by the tall double doors, the sunlight pouring in behind him. When his eyes landed on me, he paused—just for a moment—and stared.
A look of awe passed over his face.
Then he walked up to me and gently took my hand.
"Let's go," he said calmly.
I hesitated for a second, but then slowly gave him my hand.
We walked outside, past marble paths and lush gardens, until we reached a beautiful lake that shimmered under the sunlight like liquid gold.
There, waiting at the edge, was a magnificent boat—sleek, carved from dark wood, with silver runes etched along the sides.
Jason was sitting at the rower's seat.
"Hey," he said, waving at me with a smile.
I didn't return it.
Instead, I glared at him.
All I could think about was what he did to Lucien. Liar, I thought bitterly.
Jason's smile faltered, his brows knitting together in confusion.
"Let's go," Ciel said gently, drawing my attention back.
He led me to the boat and helped me step in with graceful ease. I sat down stiffly, unsure where to place myself. Then he gestured to the seat beside him.
I was going to refuse. I really was.
But Lucien's voice echoed in my mind.
"Get closer to him. Gain his trust. Stay alive."
I swallowed hard and sat beside Ciel, the fabric of my gown brushing against his dark robes.
He looked at me in surprise.
And then, slowly, a smile spread across his lips—not smug, not mocking… just happy.
Like he'd been waiting for this moment.
Like my presence meant something.
And somehow… that made my heart ache a little.
We rode in silence for a while, the only sounds being the gentle splash of water against the oars and the occasional call of distant birds. The air was calm, warm with a light breeze brushing against my face. I stared at the water, letting the silence settle.
Then Ciel broke it.
"Do you like it?" he asked quietly, with a hint of eagerness in his voice.
I didn't want to answer, but… I had to admit it. The lake was beautiful—peaceful in a way I hadn't felt in days. The water shimmered like a sheet of glass, reflecting the light above, and the surrounding scenery was like something from a dream.
"I do," I said softly, still avoiding his eyes.
A gentle smile tugged at his lips.
"We used to come here for boat rides almost every day," he said, glancing around. "Does this place look familiar to you?"
I turned to look at him. His eyes were filled with a flicker of hope.
I hesitated.
Then quietly answered, "No. I don't remember."
I watched that hope fade from his face, replaced by disappointment. But he quickly masked it with a forced smile.
"That's alright," he said, his voice light.
But I saw the sadness in his eyes.
And for some reason, it hurt.
My chest tightened. Why does seeing him like this make me feel guilty?
He's a demon, I reminded myself. None of this is real. None of it is mine.
As we drifted further down the lake, he kept pointing out places.
"That house over there," he said, gesturing to a small villa nestled among the trees. "You loved to paint it in the mornings."
I said nothing.
"There, by the hill—you once raced Jason up that slope and sprained your ankle halfway."
I glanced up. "No memory."
His smile dimmed again.
We passed under a graceful stone bridge, then into a shaded tunnel wrapped in vines and flowers.
"Do you remember this spot?" he asked. "You used to say it felt like stepping into a fairytale."
Each time, I gave him the same answer.
"No."
And each time, his expression fell a little more… but he never stopped smiling.
He never stopped trying.
And with every answer I gave, a twinge of guilt twisted in my chest.
We returned to the castle just as the sky began to turn golden. The evening sun painted everything in warm, fading light.
Ciel extended his hand to help me out of the boat.
I hesitated for a moment… then took it.
His grip was warm and steady as he helped me onto the stone path. "Did you have a nice time?" he asked, glancing at me with a hopeful smile.
"I did," I said quietly, and for once, I meant it.
He led me toward the castle entrance, his pace slow, almost reluctant to let the moment end. When we reached the doors, he turned to me and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.
"Lila," he called, and she appeared almost instantly.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" she replied with a small bow.
"Take her back inside and help her prepare for dinner," he said, then turned back to me. "Rest for a bit. I'll see you soon."
He gave me one last look—soft, unreadable—and then walked away.
I watched him go, the echo of his footsteps fading behind him.
Get closer to him.
Lucien's words echoed in my mind.
I still didn't understand why… but something inside me whispered that it mattered.
Just before Lila could lead me away, I turned slightly and called out, my voice softer than I expected.
"Wait..."
He paused and looked over his shoulder.
"…Can we do this again sometime?" I asked.
For a moment, he didn't say anything.
Then that smile—the genuine one, the one that reached his eyes—lit up his face.
"Of course," he said.
And then he walked away.