Shadow in the Meadow

“...you don’t even know who I am.”

Before I knew it, I blurted out my doubts. Diane watched me for a moment, her head cocked slightly, and she conceded my point with a nod.

“True. I expected his highness Prince Leonard, actually. But the fact that you’re here means that my daughter’s engagement to his highness has been called off, and she has chosen you instead.”

“Uh…I think you’re misunderstanding something. Lady Lumiere didn’t choose me. I simply…ended up here while trying to break the curse on the Duke…um, your husband.”

Diane smiled. “Exactly. The fact that they allowed you to come this close to my husband and attempt to treat him is evidence that you’ve earned their trust, even if only a little. Also, I can detect Lumi’s presence around you. Though I’ve picked up flashes of annoyance, her emotions toward you don’t feel negative in the slightest.”

“I don’t blame her. I’ve been getting in the way of her plans, after all.”

Diane laughed, her voice melodic. She smoothed her dress and looked up at the heavens.

“Of course. Lumi has always been up to some mischief or another.”

“...really?” All I had seen of her so far was the cold, bitter individual resenting her father and seeking an escape from the capital. I couldn’t picture her as mischievous, despite having seen the portraits in the reception and Damien’s memories.

“Yes. You’ll find out more the longer you get to know her.” She paused. “Ah, forgive my rudeness. I should also try to get to know you. May I have your name?”

“Trevor. Trevor Livrebrook.”

“Well then, Sir Trevor. I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“This curse…” Diane raised a hand, and I caught sight of faint wisps of shadow congealing on her palm. Alarmed, I stepped forward, but she shook her head and smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, you’ve already dispelled it. This is nothing more than a fading remnant, and it’ll decay over the next few seconds.”

As if to prove her point, the miasma vanished. She shook her hand and dusted her palm with a giggle.

“It’s all thanks to you. I’ve been watching from inside, you know. How you dismantled the curse that so many other mages and priests were unable to even detect.”

“Oh, I was just lucky.” I couldn’t exactly tell her that I had a cheat due to being a reincarnator.

“This isn’t something that can be achieved by fortune alone.” Her expression turned serious. “Which brings me back to the request I mentioned. This curse…Damien isn’t the only one suffering from it.”

My eyes widened. “You mean…”

“Yes. Our beloved Lumiere…” She clasped both hands to her chest. “Perhaps you’ll only notice it when you get closer, but…we don’t have much time. Please…I’m counting on you to help Lumi.”

“Sure. If I’m able to detect whatever curse has been placed on her, I’ll definitely remove it.”

“You agreed without any hesitation. As I thought…” Diane snickered. “Lumi has a good eye.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.” She shook her head and straightened. “It’s time for you to return. Please, Trevor. I’ll be leaving Damien and Lumi in your care.”

Before I could reply, my vision was assailed by a storm of golden leaves, the gentle vegetation spiraling along a firm breeze that whirled around me. I shielded myself for a moment, but when I lowered my hands, I was no longer in the meadow.

“...eh?”

Somehow, I was back in the study. Staggering for a moment, I felt someone catch me.

“Hey! Are you all right? Don’t overdo it!”

Lumiere’s familiar voice. I turned, only to glimpse her concern. Exhaling, I straightened and stepped away.

“Y…yeah. Your father, he…”

“I…I…”

We all turned and watched Damien Ombre, who was currently hunched over his desk, his hands clutching his head. He breathed deeply, his eyes wild. The black lightning was gone, but his face was pale and glistening with perspiration. After what felt like an eternity, he glanced up, his amber eyes flaring.

“You…what did you do?”

“I lifted the curse. Um…do you still feel anything? Headaches? Pain…?”

“No, no. This…this…” He closed his eyes, tears spilling from them. Beside me, Lumiere stiffened. I had the sense that she was shocked, having not seen such a vulnerable side of her father since her mother’s funeral. Damien took another shuddering breath and clutched his chest. “I remember everything now.”

“...remember what?” Lumiere demanded icily. He looked up at her and swallowed, tears continuing to flow, and his reply came out in a whisper.

“I’m sorry, Lumi.”

“W…what?” His daughter was completely taken aback. I didn’t have to read her mind to guess why she was so astonished. I bet it was because she hadn’t heard her dad address her so affectionately in years.

“I’m sorry.”

“W…w…what are you doing?!”

Lumiere shrieked and thrashed when her father suddenly crossed the distance between them in a second (with a desk in the way, no less…from the way he vaulted over it, I saw now where she inherited her physical agility from) and wrapped her in an embrace. Despite her resistance, he held her close, sobbing into her long hair.

“F…father?” She asked shakily, ceasing her futile struggle. Her hands hovered for a moment before she finally patted his back in a slow, hesitant manner. She glanced at me, her expression filled with uncertainty, but I simply responded with a small smile and a nod.

Sebastian silently placed a hand on my shoulder and gestured. I understood the hint and followed him out of the room to allow the father-daughter pair their privacy. As we stepped into the corridor, the butler spun sharply and bowed deeply, his waist bending at a perfect 90 degrees.

“Whoa! What…?”

“Please…please allow this rude, disrespectful old man to express his utmost gratitude.” Sebastian’s voice cracked with emotion. He slowly straightened, and I caught the sheen of tears clinging to his lashes. The corners of his lips rose slightly, and he wiped his eyes. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen my lord the duke return to his former self.”

“It’s…it’s nothing.”

“You don’t understand. Ever since the passing of our lady, it was almost as if my lord erected a fortress around his heart. He felt like…ice, freezing his emotions and suppressing his memories. It was so painful watching his spirit gradually wither away, his mind crumbling behind those unfeeling walls. I have no idea how you achieved it, but you successfully thawed his heart and allowed him to regain himself.”

“I, uh, simply dismantled the curse. I told you earlier, didn’t I?”

Sebastian’s expression hardened at that moment, and I was reminded of the terrifying veteran personality he assumed during the interrogation earlier. “Sir, are you able to trace the culprit who placed the curse on my lord?”

“I’m afraid not. I’m a scholar, not a detective.” I scratched my head sheepishly, though I had an inkling. The royal mage I saw in Damien’s memories. I couldn’t shake it off…but he claimed it was a protective charm. I had no evidence, only assumptions.

“I see.”

Sebastian balled his hands into fists, and I was sure he was already plotting revenge against the perpetrator. I had seen it before. That was how it started. The fever, the rage, the feeling of powerlessness that turned good men…cruel (okay, perhaps I had been watching too many movies). However, being the consummate professional he was, he suppressed his fury and bowed.

“We’ll definitely reward you. The duchy of Ombre owes you a debt that we can never repay.”

“Don’t worry about that.” I glanced at the study, where father and daughter were most likely catching up behind closed doors. “Rather, I’m more concerned about Lady Lumiere. His lordship Duke Ombre regaining his memories after having the curse lifted is one thing, but I’m not sure if Lady Lumiere will be able to forgive him so easily after years of neglect.”