Chapter 77. The Memory Makes You

“Yes... I have no idea how it activated, or why it activated when I died in that timeline...” Francesca replied, turning her head to look up into Miller’s red eyes. “But it is an undeniable fact that I was brought back to the past by its magic.”

Miller held her in silence, processing everything she had just shared with him.

Francesca swallowed nervously, anxiety lacing her voice. “So... everything you have seen in me was a lie.”

Miller was taken aback by her comment, but she pressed on, her voice trembling. “I am not this brilliant, all-knowing woman you believed me to be. I only knew how to act because my perfect recall allows me to... I... I was terrified that once you learned who I really was, you would—”

“Shh...”

Miller gently placed a finger against her lips, silencing her words. He looked into her eyes with absolute seriousness.

“Even if that is true, your memory simply allows you to remember things clearly. The reason you were able to act on those memories and change outcomes is entirely because of your own hard work and bravery. Those memories are a part of who you are; your experiences from both lives belong to you.”

“B-but-” Francesca started to protest, but Miller leaned in and kissed her passionately, cutting her off.

Breaking the kiss softly, he whispered, “It is what makes you you, Francesca. There is nothing fake about that.”

They rested together in silence for a few quiet moments before Miller spoke up again. “So... is the perfect recall of your past life the only side effect of the artifact?”

Francesca rested a finger against her chin thoughtfully. “That is what I initially assumed... but there must be some sort of trade-off or cost. Every magical artifact operates on a fundamental logic, after all. I wasn't entirely sure what to look for before, but Ivan gave me a hint when he mentioned seeing my soul.”

“Hmm...” Miller nodded slowly, nuzzling his face gently against hers. “Well, you will have to handle all the territory's administrative work for the next few days while I recover... You can delegate most of it to Kenny if you'd like, since I know how much you enjoy lazing around.”

“Oh, come on!” Francesca chuckled softly. “You just officially appointed me Vice Head of the Council. Of course I am going to fulfill my duties!”

Emerald Academy, Capital City of Inidal Empire

“Heh... I see,” Alan muttered, chuckling quietly to himself as he lay sprawled across his dorm room bed, staring at an open letter.

BAM!

“What on earth are you up to now, Alan?!” Serena’s sharp voice echoed through the room alongside the painful thack of her striking the back of his head.

“Ow...! Groan... Will you ever learn to stop entering my room without knocking?!” Alan complained, rubbing his head in irritation. “Besides, it is already way past curfew!”

“The Butler’s Guild...? What is that letter?” Serena asked, her eyes catching the hand-drawn symbol stamped on the corner of the letter.

“It’s... a message from a new intelligence network,” Alan sighed profoundly, continuing to rub his sore neck.

“It must be regarding the recent developments in the Ironwood Viscounty,” Raymond’s calm voice chimed in from the doorway, prompting another deep sigh from Alan.

“Of course you are in my room as well...” Alan grumbled. “Without my permission, and well past curfew, I might add.”

“It’s not like the housemasters ever bother to check up on us in the commoners' dormitory anyway,” Serena chuckled, casually snatching the letter right out of Alan’s hand. Alan flopped back onto his mattress as Raymond pulled up a chair beside Serena to read over her shoulder.

“Yeah, that might be true,” Alan muttered, staring at the ceiling, “but the rumors spread drastically when someone sees a girl walking out of the men’s dormitory in the morning, don’t you think?”

“Ah... you don’t need to worry about that,” Raymond brushed him off smoothly, pulling a spare set of male student clothes from the bag he had brought along. “I brought this disguise from my own room for Serena.”

Alan sat up, completely dumbfounded, as Serena let out a bright laugh and high-fived Raymond.

“So... a trade embargo was lobbied by Her Ladyship’s LeonCraft family? Which means prices across the Viscounty will soar? Is that the main takeaway of this report?” Serena yawned, finishing the last paragraph.

Alan offered a solemn nod. “Yes... for now, there isn't much I can do personally except wait and keep close tabs on them for my eventual revenge.”

“You keep talking about revenge, but what is your actual plan?” Raymond asked, a look of genuine concern crossing his face. “I know you said you would be patient until we graduate, but you need to lay down solid groundwork right now if you ever hope to challenge a high noble family and an Imperial Prince's faction.”

“That is precisely why I am gathering intelligence,” Alan argued, sitting up on the edge of his bed. “The Butler’s Guild is brand new and currently the fastest network for obtaining news regarding the Ironwood Viscounty. It just so happens that I know the person running it... See? I am taking action.”

Raymond let out a heavy sigh. “But that also means you are the big sponsor keeping this newly established underground network afloat, isn't it? Right now, you can afford their fees using your scholarship allowance and the personal loan you took from me... but that is completely unsustainable in the long run. You are already running into serious financial strain.”

Alan fell dead silent, unable to refute the harsh truth.

Raymond pulled a textbook from his bag and began flipping through the pages, when Serena suddenly broke the heavy silence.

“Wait! If it really is the fastest information network, why don't we just sell the intelligence directly to the Second Prince?!”

Both Alan and Raymond paused, bursting into amused chuckles.

“And how, exactly, do you expect a group of commoner academy students to secure an audience with His Highness...?” Raymond laughed softly. “I always knew you were a bit of an airhead, Serena, but man...” Alan added with a grin.

Serena smirked back at them, crossing her arms. “Well... I actually do have a direct way to contact the Second Prince's circle.”

Both boys froze, asking in shocked unison: “You do?! How?!”

Serena’s smirk widened. “Remember how I’ve been securing financial support from my highly dedicated, wealthy romantic sponsors? One of them happens to work directly under the Second Prince.”

Next Morning, The Viscount’s Office, Ironwood Castle

Tak... Tak...

Francesca walked into the spacious study where Miller spent most of his long working hours, with Stella walking attentively by her side. It was her very first official day stepping in as Vice Head. Kenny guided them into the room, holding open the heavy oak doors.

The study was imposing yet cozy. Light sunlight filtered through the grand arched windows, illuminating polished dark-wood bookshelves that lined the tall walls from floor to ceiling, packed tightly with ancient law volumes, agricultural records, and territorial maps. The scent of aged parchment, rich leather, and fresh black ink hung heavily in the air. At the center of the room stood Miller’s massive executive desk, bathed in light and stacked with neatly organized piles of pending documents.

Francesca carefully made her way around the desk, using her cane for support, and sat down in the large, plush leather chair that Miller usually occupied. She smoothed her dress, taking a moment to feel the weight of the authority that came with the seat.

Looking down at the towering stack of official territorial decrees waiting for her signature, she let out a soft, determined breath.

“Well then... let’s begin, shall we?”