(EP-339.1) Of Hearts #8
339 – Queen of Hearts #8
Elga was a curious person.
She had to get her hands on something, roll it around, and sometimes even lick it to taste before she was satisfied.
So, when we became more open to each other, Elga and I spent a lot of time together in bed, trying out all sorts of things.
Her desire and craving for stimulation were like those of a hórny teen. And as for me, I also explored my own desires and learned many new things.
We did it a lot.
So much so that whenever we lock eyes while alone, we could smell each other's arousal. We would do it even while eating or sleeping.
Thinking about it now, I realize that those were truly passionate days.
Strictly speaking, it hadn’t even been a full year, but so much had happened in between that it already felt like a distant past.
Of course, for Elga right now, it was all still in the future.
“So? Did we do it or not? I’m talking about séx.”
“Hmm…”
The Elga in front of me was still a virgin.
Or at least, she believed she was.
She had forgotten all the intensity we had shared, the affection and whispers, the fights and reconciliations—she was now a blank slate.
Did she really not remember?
A part of me felt a sad, but at the same time, I found it amusing to think about filling her blank mind with all those memories.
“We did it a lot. Six times out of ten, Elga-nim requested it.”
“T-That can’t be true.”
“Out of all my wives, no one has done it as much as Elga-nim.”
“… Wives?”
Elga’s expression twisted fiercely. Maybe it was too soon to bring up the topic of wives. But she pounced like a predator who had just found an injured prey.
“What do you mean, wives?”
At this point, there was no choice but to push forward.
“Just as I said. I have multiple wives, and Elga-nim is one of them.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
“It’s true. Not only Elga-nim, but also the young ladies of the Draco Family and Lady Stella of Bellhawk. And Queen Aira will soon be mine.”
“… I see. Now I finally get it.”
“You remember now?”
“I get that you’re a lunatic. You’re completely out of your mind, aren’t you? What was that nonsense? If you want me to play along, at least make it somewhat believable.”
Elga's lips curled into a sneer.
It was painful to be mocked by someone who had always been on my side, even if she was always teasing me.
But it didn't really matter.
“Elga-nim, it doesn't matter even if you’ve forgotten that you love me.”
“What?”
“I’ll just make you fall for me again. The second time will be easier.”
The first time for anything was always the hardest.
Unfamiliar.
Awkward.
Clumsy.
But with experience, the second and third times would go smoother.
Whether it was being the Demon Monk or making Elga fall in love again, I was much more confident this time around.
“Why the hell would I fall for you? Just because you run your mouth? I hate people like you who are all talk. It's pretty obvious you're lying about being my husband.”
As thunder roared across the sky, Elga’s sharp blue eyes narrowed.
But she didn't attack me.
She was in doubt.
Were there still missing pieces for her to regain her memories?
I looked around wondering what story I should tell.
Should I say that name?
I hesitated. If Elga acted like she knew nothing, I'll get affected mentally. Still, I knew full well that I didn’t have the luxury of time.
At that moment, Elga grabbed me by the collar.
“You—what is your motive? Answer me! Who sent you? The Dracos? Aira? My father? What are you plotting?”
She was angry again.
But my attention was drawn to a particular word she just said.
“Kkungkkungi (Plotting)…?”
“Plotting...?”
“Yeah, what the hell are you plo—”
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence and muttered to herself.
“Kkungkkungi….”
Was she experiencing some kind of gestalt collapse, where words suddenly lose all meaning? No, this was different.
So I said.
“Leonor.”
The name left my lips and drifted through the air, mingling with the sound of the pouring rain and our breathing.
The moment it reached her ears, Elga flinched violently.
She let go of my collar and took a step back.
“H-How do you know that name…?”
Was she confused?
She thought to herself that if she ever had a child, she'll name them that.
So hearing me say it must have been quite a shock.
“How do you know that name!?”
“Because we’re family.”
“… Family!?”
“Remember, Elga-nim. This is all a dream. We’re inside Queen Aira’s mind.”
“Kh… dream—.”
Elga clutched her head and collapsed onto the floor. She looked in pain like she's suffering from a terrible illness, and was muttering to herself.
“This… what is this? These memories… I-I never did any of this. What is this? What is all of this…!?”
Was she starting to remember who she was? She was probably overwhelmed by the sudden torrent of memories.
She didn’t react like this when she heard my name, but she did from Leonor. I felt a bit jealous but also proud of her.
“It’s time to wake up. Just how long do you plan on sleeping, Elga-nim? You’ve long overslept.”
“Keugh…”
Shiver-shiver-.