Chapter 101: Forgotten Memories [II]

Darius’s affectionate smile faded slightly as he studied Basil’s face. "You really don’t remember anything at all?" he asked, his voice gentle. "Not even a little?"

Basil shook his head. "No, I don’t. But there is a reason for that, at least, I think there is." He hesitated before continuing, visibly uncomfortable with having to explain something so personal. "When I was ten years old, I became seriously ill. I suffered from encephalitis, and the doctors were worried about the complications because the inflammation affected my brain. I was very sick for a while, and even after I recovered, there were gaps in my memory. Some things from that period were difficult for me to remember, and there were parts of my childhood that I could never recall properly. Father and Mother knew that my memory might not return completely, but I suppose I never realized just how much I had forgotten until now."

He lowered his gaze, his fingers tightening around Darius’s hand. "I’m really sorry, Darius. You remembered everything, and I couldn’t even remember meeting you. I didn’t know that someone I had helped as a child would grow up to become the person sitting beside me now. I’m sorry I forgot those years we shared."

As the words left his mouth, Basil found himself remembering how he had treated Darius when they had met again two months ago. He had been cold toward him on several occasions, sometimes dismissing him without a second thought and even making assumptions about his intentions without bothering to understand him. Meanwhile, Darius had recognized him from the beginning, carrying twelve years of memories and feelings that Basil hadn’t even known existed. The realization made Basil’s chest tighten painfully. How must Darius have felt, standing before someone he had never forgotten, only to be treated like a stranger? How lonely must it have been to recognize someone who had once meant so much to him and realize that the person couldn’t remember a single moment they had shared? Basil lowered his eyes, shame creeping into his heart as he imagined the disappointment Darius must have endured each time he failed to recognize him. He wished he could go back and treat Darius differently, even though he knew he couldn’t blame himself for memories he had lost through no fault of his own.

For a moment, Darius said nothing. He simply watched Basil, taking in the guilt that had settled over his features. The thought that his prince had endured such a terrible ordeal as a child made something inside him ache. The truth was that he had been deeply hurt when he realized he was the only one who remembered their childhood encounter. For twelve years, he had held on to those memories, and when he finally returned to the palace and saw Basil again, he had hoped that perhaps Basil would remember him, too. Discovering that he didn’t had hurt more than Darius had ever wanted to admit. But now, understanding that Basil’s memory loss was the result of a serious illness rather than a deliberate forgetting of their time together, he felt the lingering hurt begin to ease. Basil hadn’t forgotten him because their encounter meant nothing. He had forgotten because his illness had taken those memories from him, and there was no way he could have known what he had lost. Darius reached up and gently brushed his fingers through Basil’s hair, offering him a small, reassuring smile.

"You don’t have to apologize for something you couldn’t control," he said. "You were a child, and you were seriously ill. If your illness affected your memory, then there was nothing you could have done about it. Besides, you didn’t owe me anything for remembering you. You helped me because you wanted to, not because you expected me to repay you someday." His smile grew warmer as he tilted Basil’s chin toward him. "And look at us now. You might not remember the little boy you helped twelve years ago, but you gave him something he desperately needed back then. You gave him a reason to believe that his life could become better. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that. And now that you know the truth, you won’t have to wonder about it anymore. Even if you can’t remember those moments yourself, I’ll always be here to tell you about them."

Basil stared at him for a moment before letting out a small, disbelieving laugh. He had spent the past several minutes struggling to understand how Darius could have known him for twelve years when he himself had no recollection of their childhood encounter. Now, the realization that he had once helped the real Crown Prince of the kingdom, long before either of them could have imagined what the future held, left him almost speechless. "So, let me get this straight, just so I can store it properly in my long-term memory," he said slowly, his eyes widening as the pieces finally began to fall into place.

"Twelve years ago, I met the real Crown Prince without even knowing who you were, helped you get your money back when some bullies took it, and then paid for your fighting lessons. And I actually told you that you could come back to the palace and become one of my personal guards after you learned how to fight?" He shook his head in disbelief before a proud smile crept onto his face. "I can’t believe I did all that and then forgot everything. I’m really such a great person."

Darius laughed softly at his reaction, his eyes crinkling with affection. "Is that arrogance I hear?" he teased, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Of course it is!" Basil replied without hesitation, lifting his chin with exaggerated pride. "Haven’t you heard about me? Prince Basil, the most arrogant and proud prince in the entire kingdom. I’m practically famous for it." He gestured grandly toward himself, looking so pleased with his own declaration that Darius couldn’t help throwing his head back in laughter. The sound filled the room as he took in this unexpectedly playful side of Basil. He had spent so many years remembering a kindhearted little boy who had offered him help without hesitation, and now he was discovering that the same boy had grown into a prince with an astonishingly inflated sense of his own importance. Somehow, the combination only made him more endearing.

"You’re really something else," Darius said between laughs, shaking his head as he looked at Basil with unmistakable affection.

"And for what it’s worth, you have every right to be proud of yourself. You gave me the encouragement I needed to change my life. I might have learned how to fight on my own, but I don’t think I would have had the same determination if I hadn’t met you."

Basil’s cheeks warmed at the unexpected praise, and he looked away with a sheepish smile. "Well, I suppose that explains a few things," he murmured. After a moment, he turned back to Darius, a thoughtful expression settling over his face. "I guess it’s no wonder I’ve never felt the need to choose anyone from the palace guard to become my personal guard. Maybe some part of me was always reserving that position for you, even though I couldn’t remember why." His eyes widened slightly as the possibility occurred to him, and he looked at Darius with renewed curiosity. "Do you think that’s why I’ve never been interested in having anyone else fill that position?"

Darius raised his eyebrows, a playful smile spreading across his face. "Really? Are you telling me that you’ve been saving that position for me all this time without even knowing it?" He leaned a little closer, his gaze lingering affectionately on Basil’s face. "Then I suppose I should be grateful that you have such excellent taste in personal guards. After all, you couldn’t have chosen anyone better than me."

Basil rolled his eyes, though the faint flush on his cheeks betrayed the genuine warmth spreading through his chest. "Let’s not get carried away," he muttered, trying to maintain a straight face before a small, helpless smile finally broke through. He studied Darius for a moment, still finding it difficult to believe that the man sitting beside him had carried their childhood memories for twelve years. "To think you really came back because of what I told you, even after all those years." His expression softened as he reached for Darius’s hand, his thumb brushing lightly over his knuckles. "You actually remembered a promise made by a ten-year-old boy and held on to it all this time."

"What can I say?" Darius replied with an exaggerated sigh, leaning back slightly as though he had been burdened with an extraordinary responsibility. "I’m a very loyal man. I cherish the people who matter to me, and when someone gives me a reason to remember them, I don’t simply forget them because a few years have passed." His teasing expression softened for a moment as he looked at Basil. "I’ve spent twelve years remembering our time together, holding on to those memories, and hoping I’d see you again someday. And now that I’ve finally found you, I’ve even let you in on my little secret."

He paused, the corners of his mouth lifting into a mischievous smile as he leaned closer. "So, don’t you think I deserve a reward for all that? For cherishing our memories, remembering you all these years, and helping you fill in some of the gaps in your lost memories?"