Heidi stood quietly in front of the Duke.
The Duke looked at her with a shocked expression.
Your Grace…?
Those words echoed in his mind.
He suddenly remembered the past. When Heidi was little, she would always run toward him happily and hug him tightly while calling, "Daddy! Daddy!" Even after she grew older, she never stopped calling him that.
But today… for the first time, she called him "Your Grace."
The Duke sighed softly.
Maybe it's because of her memory loss, he thought. The physician said her memories might return in a few days.
Standing beside him was Heidi's stepbrother, Alex.
But Alex had a very different thought in his mind.
If her memories return, she will start clinging to Father again, he thought with irritation. No matter how much I ignore her, she keeps coming back. She really has no self-respect.
The Duke finally spoke.
"I heard that you lost your memories."
Heidi lowered her head politely.
"Yes, Your Grace."
The Duke frowned slightly.
"I see… But something is strange. Today you didn't call me 'Daddy.'"
Heidi looked confused.
"Daddy…? I'm sorry, Your Grace. I don't recognize you. Since my memory is gone, no one has told me who my parents are yet."
The Duke's expression suddenly changed.
"What?!" he said sharply.
He immediately called the maid.
"Come here at once!"
The maid hurried into the room and bowed.
"Yes, Your Grace?"
The Duke's voice became angry.
"What is this I'm hearing? Why hasn't my daughter been told who her father and brother are?"
The maid looked nervous.
"Forgive me, Your Grace. We were just about to explain everything to the young lady."
At that moment Alex stepped forward and looked at Heidi.
"Heidi… do you remember me?" he asked.
Before Heidi could answer, the Duke suddenly raised his voice.
"Alex!"
Alex froze.
"Can't you see I'm speaking right now?" the Duke said sternly. "Stay quiet for a moment. You can talk to your sister later."
Alex frowned but stepped back silently.
Meanwhile, Heidi looked confused and innocent.
"So… you work with Your Grace?" she asked Alex.
Those words shocked the Duke again.
He stared at Heidi for a moment, clearly disappointed.
"Enough for today," the Duke said finally. "We will talk tomorrow. Heidi, go and rest in your room."
Alex immediately protested.
"But Father, we need to talk about this now! How can she not recognize us?"
The Duke shook his head.
"Calm down. She needs rest."
Then he looked at Heidi again.
"You may go now."
Heidi bowed politely.
"Yes… Your Grace."