From the very moment the duo arrived, Katelyn sensed a change in Elora. She was mostly hidden behind Austen, with only her eyes visible.

Yet, her look was no longer arrogant and hateful. Instead, it carried the innocence and confusion typical of a young child, maybe three or four years old.

Elora gripped Austen’s clothes tightly, clearly looking for reassurance. She only seemed to ease up a bit when she was close to him.

A daring, unsettling theory began to form in Katelyn’s mind.

Austen coaxed Elora from behind him and handed her some candy he had in his pocket.

Elora’s face lit up with a bright smile as she exclaimed, “Wow, such pretty candies!”

As Katelyn watched this unfold, her heart sank. She had figured out what was happening with Elora. Everything from her mental state to body language suggested she was now mentally akin to a toddler.

With a touch of sadness, Austen explained quietly, “After finding out that her family had discarded her, Elora became like this. The doctors believe her mental condition worsened rapidly, and the shock caused her brain to retreat, locking away her memories as a defense.”

Katelyn had suspected something like this might be the case.

The human brain was a complex and finely tuned organ. There were stories in the media about individuals who, having endured severe trauma, blocked out the most excruciating parts of their experiences.

These memories weren’t erased but buried deep within their minds.

Katelyn’s face showed her internal conflict as she asked, “Did the doctors mention any chance of her recovery?”

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Austen settled beside Katelyn and gently pulled Elora onto his lap.

With the care he always showed Elora, just like when he was still her bodyguard, Austen began to braid Elora’s hair, attentive despite her condition.

His voice softened as he said, “She might recover tomorrow, maybe the day after, or perhaps she might never come out of this state.”

Without realizing, Katelyn’s hands balled into fists. She had never envisioned the situation turning so grim.

Katelyn suggested, “Her memories might be retrievable with the help of a skilled hypnotist.”

However, Austen smiled gently and shook his head, dismissing the idea. “That’s not necessary. If she’s happy and carefree like this, why shouldn’t she remain in this childlike state forever?”

He patiently continued to braid Elora’s hair and added, “I’m always here for her, after all. I’ll ensure she’s well taken care of.”

Katelyn was deeply touched by the magnitude of Austen’s affection for Elora. This might just be the purest form of love—an unwavering commitment to someone, regardless of the circumstances. Even with a change in identity or even ascending to the stature of a noble earl’s son, Austen’s affection remained steadfast.

“I respect what you’ve decided. Honestly, bringing back her memories might not be for the best. If Elora is choosing not to remember, perhaps it’s because those memories bring too much pain. Sometimes, forgetting is a mercy,” Katelyn said.

For Elora, the things she held dearest, like Bartley and her role as the Williams family heiress, had been stripped from her. Even her father, who had cherished her, had turned his back on her at her lowest, taking away everything she once cherished.

Katelyn understood the deep pain of such betrayal, having endured the sharp sting of both familial and romantic treachery herself. It was akin to wandering alone in a desert, sinking deeper into quicksand with no escape—only endless torment.

She had nearly been swallowed by such emotional despair herself.

Austen simply nodded. To him, it was paramount that his princess lived a life of peace and happiness. With this wish realized, he felt a sense of fulfillment.

“Being new here in Yata can be tough. If you need any help, please don’t hesitate to ask,” Austen offered earnestly to Katelyn.

“Thank you,” Katelyn responded warmly.

Surprisingly, witnessing this serene moment between Austen and Elora eased Katelyn’s restless spirit. Austen’s face showed a moment of hesitation as he looked at her.

“There’s actually another reason I came today. I need to talk to you about something concerning the castle,” Austen said. Content originally comes from FιndNovel.net

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