The Saint Disappeared with Her Memories — Her Broken Engagement Decided the Kingdom’s Destiny - Chapter 32

I had a premonition that the time would come when I’d have to speak with Alexis when we reunited. I never thought our relationship; keeping silent about the past while working together to build up the association could last forever. I’d felt that deep in my heart.

Now that he’d confided in me about the discomfort in his memories, that time had arrived. I could have remained silent. I could have evaded the truth. But I knew that wouldn’t be honest—not to him, and not to myself.

I took a deep breath and steeled my resolve.

“Perhaps I am the cause of that discomfort.”

His expression changed. Surprise mixed with dawning understanding. I continued.

“I erased the memories of the kingdom’s citizens. Using memory-erasure magic. I erased all traces of my existence. That’s why I remember you unilaterally.”

“Memory-erasure magic?”

Alexis’s eyes widened. But I couldn’t stop now. Once I started speaking, I had to tell him everything.

“I was once the Saintess. By kingdom law, I was engaged to Prince Eric. But one day, he publicly called off our engagement without warning.”

What would he think of me after saying this? My chest tightened, but I pressed on. The light streaming through the window illuminated the documents on the table, yet that light felt distant.

“That’s when I used memory-alteration magic. I’d been studying ancient magic using old documents left in the temple and finally completed it. I erased all memories of me being the Saintess and fled the temple. I abandoned all my duties as the Saintess.”

I told him how I’d fled the temple with only a handful of companions, leaving him behind. Alexis listened silently. I couldn’t read his expression whether he was angry or shocked.

“I only tried to save myself. I fled the temple with just a handful of companions. I didn’t want to involve you. Because you had your position at the temple. So, I erased my existence from your memories.”

My voice trembled. If I revealed the truth, Alexis might come to hate me. But that couldn’t be helped. I had to take responsibility for what I’d done.

Enduring the guilt welling up from the depths of my heart, I spoke to the very end.

“This current situation you getting involved is my fault. Even so, from now on, I will devote myself entirely to ensuring the safety of the priestesses we’ve accepted. I won’t run from this duty. I believe this is what I must do.”

This was my atonement for involving them. I was the one who created the circumstances that led to Alexis and the priestesses leaving the temple. That might not have been what he wanted. I changed their fates according to my own convenience.

I kept my head bowed and fell silent. I waited for his reaction to what I’d just told him. But the anger and condemnation I’d expected never came.

“I see. So that’s what happened.”

Alexis’s voice was surprisingly light.

“Now I understand the nature of that discomfort. Thank you for telling me, Noella.”

Hearing these unexpected words of gratitude, I lifted my face. I stared at him in disbelief.

“…That’s all? I erased everyone’s memories without permission, ran away, and kept silent all this time.”

“You had no other choice, did you?”

He answered gently. His eyes held no condemnation rather, they shone with understanding.

“But… but…”

“The trigger was the prince breaking off the engagement. Because of his actions, you made your decision. Anyone would have done the same after hearing your story. You just happened to have the power to make it happen.”

He forgave me. He said the cause lay with the prince. My heart felt lighter. But was it really alright to think that way? The guilt had eased somewhat, but still remained.

“As you know, Noella, I also fled the temple. I was disgusted by their actions, so I did it. I thought I couldn’t endure it any longer. We’re the same.”

He said we were the same. He left the temple by his own decision, just like me.

“You tried to resolve things peacefully using your own power. I think that’s truly amazing. I relied on the help of many people. You helped me too. I have nothing but gratitude for all of you. And I still need your help. I want you to help me.”

His words spread warmth through my chest.

“Of course, I’ll help you.”

I answered without hesitation. This was an absolute promise—to him, and to myself.

“Thank you. I’m counting on you.”

We made a firm promise to each other. And just like that, the heavy conversation about the past came to a simple end. Yet I felt somehow saved. As if I’d recovered something important.

The guilt I hadn’t even realized I’d been carrying became much lighter through his understanding and forgiveness.

From now on, we could walk a new path, unbound by the past. My hesitation was gone. In that moment, I felt certain of it.