A Background Character’s Path to Power

What is she even saying?

Not knowing the confusion I had, Lady Nisha continued in a firm tone.

"Even if my daughter stays a widow for the rest of her life. She will only marry him and no one else. Nor anyone else aside from him can marry her."

Why does she speak so confidently? I hadn't even met her before, let alone her daughter. And what exactly does she mean by those words? Why does she sound somehow obsessed?

"Besides, who says there's no hope?"

Huh?!

I felt a chill run down my spine at those words.

There was something in her tone that made me wonder just how much this woman actually knew about the situation.

Could it be that... She knows?

"What do you mean?" Mother asked, a faint spark of hope flickering in her eyes before she quickly tried to suppress it.

"...Nothing concrete yet," Nisha replied, though her gaze briefly flickered toward me again.

I was barely able to keep my composure.

...Surely, I'm overthinking it, right?

"Just that sometimes, what we think we know isn't the complete truth. The world is full of mysteries after all." She added and then winked at me. "Don't you agree, Mr. Lumin~"

'!'

Nope, she knows.

I wasn't overthinking at all.

She was deliberately looking at me all this time. Even that teasing remark at the end.

But I couldn't falter, not here, not in front of Mother.

So I just nodded, fearing my voice might betray me.

Thankfully, Mother's attention wasn't on me. She looked confused. I could also see that she was too emotionally drained to press further. The day's events had taken their toll on her.

"For now," Lady Nisha continued gently, "focus on your healing and health. Let time reveal what it will. And don't let the cruel words of that foolish brat weigh on your heart. Some people simply don't understand the value of what they speak. She isn't worth it."

Although I was wary of her, I could easily tell she was being sincere.

"Then let me escort you to your room, Lady Selva," I said. "You can continue your conversation later."

"No, there's-"

"Sister Selva, just listen to your healer's words. We can talk more comfortably tomorrow." Lady Nisha interrupted Mother.

"This..." Obviously, Mother was reluctant.

"Besides, I'm a bit tired after the long journey. Won't you let your guest rest as well?" Lady Nasha added with a mischievous smile.

Mother let out a small laugh at her words. "You always know how to get your way, don't you? Very well, I suppose I should listen to both my healer and my guest."

I was grateful to Lady Nisha for helping convince Mother to rest.

"Then, let me accompany you too," Lady Nisha suggested, moving to Mother's other side.

As we left the room, Mother's personal maid joined us, supporting Mother from her other side. I just walked in front of them, silently listening to their conversation.

It was light and comforting, with mostly Lady Nasha bragging about 'her daughter' and how good or beautiful she is. I even suspected that she was deliberately talking about her daughter. She wanted me to hear about it.

But no secrets were revealed, so I kept quiet.

After reaching Mother's room, they entered, and I waited outside.

After a few moments, the door opened and Lady Nisha exited, waving her hand at Mother. "Rest well, Sister Selva, we'll talk more when you're feeling better."

"Mmm... Thank you for your understanding." Mother nodded.

With another farewell, she closed the door and turned toward me.

"Shall we go then?"

"Mmm." I nodded and took the lead once again, waiting for the inevitable.

We walked through the corridors. Strangely, she didn't make a sound when walking. I also noticed that the darkness seemed to be gathering around us, though I tried not to show my awareness of it.

Just then, I heard her voice, casual yet loaded with meaning.

"Isn't it difficult?"

I knew it.

I pretended to be confused, glancing back at her with what I hoped was a puzzled expression. "What exactly do you mean?"

She just smiled, that same gentle expression that somehow felt more dangerous than her earlier cold stare.

"We both already know the answer to that question. Isn't that right?"

Then, clear as day, I heard her voice echo directly in my head.

{Mr. Amaniel~}

But since I had already prepared myself for such a scenario, I managed to keep my composure, though my heart rate definitely spiked.

I replied, maintaining my act.

"I really don't understand what you're talking about."

Her smile widened slightly as she spoke in that same mischievous tone. "Don't worry, nobody, I mean, no one will be able to hear us. I've already sealed our surroundings."

It was then that I 'noticed' our immediate vicinity was illuminated in a small bubble of light, while everything else beyond a few meters was surrounded by pitch black darkness.

We were walking in our own isolated pocket of reality.

...Calm down. You have seen even crazier things.

She already closed all exits, even if I keep pretending, I will gain nothing from it. So...

"I really don't understand what you mean. We're not acquaintances, are we? I haven't seen you or your 'daughter' before... Have I?"

"...That's true." She murmured.

Huh? What did she say?

"...But also wrong." She added.

"..." I stared at her blankly.

Come, don't play with me.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to probe further. "Surely, you were not going to marry your 'daughter' to a stranger she hasn't even met, right?"

Her smile deepened as she glanced at me with that teasing expression.

"You will understand everything once you have your memories back."

"!"

My eyes widened involuntarily.

I hadn't expected her to know even this secret. The mention of lost memories was far too specific to be a coincidence or a lucky guess.

I squinted at her, my mind racing as I tried to process this sudden revelation. Then I spoke, addressing myself in the third person.

"Did 'he' meet you and your daughter before 'he lost his memories?"

She hummed thoughtfully and nodded.

"...Yes, that's right."