Charlie slept for an entire day after that.

The capital was in an uproar over the mass murder of famous doctors, but this news did not reach the Grand Duke’s residence. More precisely, it did not reach Charlie.

The presence of the large, kind hand was also forgotten deep in her unconscious.

“What? His Grace?!”

Charlie was shocked by the unbelievable story, even more so than by the sudden appearance of Audrey.

“Charlie, you still need to rest.”

Audrey calmed the startled Charlie.

Hector’s actions were shocking even to Audrey.

The Grand Duke of the Hunt family had sacrificed himself for a mere Zero servant. The clean absorption of magic, leaving not a speck of dust, was unbelievable even when witnessed.

Medically speaking, Charlie had little chance of survival.

Audrey had only tried her best without giving up even a 1% chance. She also felt guilty for arranging this place.

But to wake up like this, it was nothing short of a miracle.

Moreover, Charlie seemed almost fully recovered from the internal injuries caused by the toxic magic, as if she had undergone purification.

“Why? Why would His Grace do this for me?”

“Well. Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

Audrey packed her medical bag with a smile.

“Anyway, if it weren’t for His Grace, you might have really died.”

“……”

Charlie swallowed dryly.

She was immensely grateful for being saved, but Hector being her lifesaver?

Isn’t this a true devil’s contract? It’s practically a lifelong contract of conscience.

No, leaving that aside, Hector was difficult to purify.

Thinking of Hector suffering because of her made Charlie’s heart sink heavily.

“If anyone ever casts magic on you again, even if you don’t feel anything, you must tell me. Got it? If I’m not around, tell Lord Tanner or His Grace.”

Well, it probably won’t happen again.

Audrey swallowed her last words and got up.

“By the way…….”

Charlie called out to Audrey, who was about to leave the room.

“What happens if you don’t receive purification?”

“What do you mean?”

Audrey tilted her head at the sudden question.

Charlie quickly added, not wanting her to suspect Hector.

“Since coming here, I’ve been curious about the powers and purification. So I wondered what happens if you don’t get purified…….”

“Hmm……. According to records, if the cost of the power exceeds the magic possessed, you get consumed by the power and vanish.”

“Vanish? Not die?”

“You turn to ashes and disappear, so it’s closer to vanishing than dying.”

Vanish? This wasn’t in the original story. And in this tragic novel, the only character who doesn’t die is Hector.

Charlie recalled the ending scene.

‘Hector, after killing Kaisis, was engulfed in emptiness, staring at the red sunset. Then he felt a refreshing breath and looked up at the sky, closing his eyes gently……!’

At that moment, Charlie’s heart turned cold.

The ending she knew was her own misinterpretation. There was no mention in the novel that Hector didn’t die.

Even Liliana died, and suddenly feeling refreshed?

The ending must be Hector’s vanishing.

“Are there any symptoms or signs before vanishing?”

“Premonitory symptoms?”

“Yes. Like a curse mark appearing or coughing up blood. Anything that others can notice.”

Audrey looked confused by Charlie’s urgent words.

“There aren’t specific records, but usually, they lose their sanity and go mad before vanishing.”

“……”

Seeing Charlie’s pale face, Audrey spoke in a reassuring tone.

“But that won’t happen, so don’t worry, Charlie. There are systems in place to ensure everyone receives purification, and Masters have high status. And because it’s painful, no one leaves it to that extent. There are no records of non-criminals vanishing.”

Charlie could no longer speak.

A mad, murderous maniac.

The original Hector was definitely mad.

* * *

“Charlie……”

How long had she been sitting dazed after Audrey left?

Emma, with her eyes swollen red, entered the room.

“I’m sorry……. Charlie.”

Seeing Charlie, Emma’s eyes welled up with tears again.

Charlie hurriedly spoke to prevent the tears from falling.

“No, why are you sorry? If you hadn’t found me, it would have been really bad. Thank you. Emma.”

“But……”

“You’re my lifesaver, so I’ll treat you to macarons soon. Chocolate macarons.”

Charlie winked at Emma.

“Then I’ll buy the tea.”

Relieved by Charlie’s usual demeanor, Emma nodded.

“I was so scared you might go to heaven. But I’m really glad you woke up.”

Despite saying that, Emma awkwardly tidied up the medicine and cup Charlie had used.

“Maybe the god of prosperity and fertility heard my prayer.”

“Prayer?”

“I prayed that since Charlie is kind and beautiful, she shouldn’t be taken yet. That more children like Charlie would bring more prosperity, so absolutely not.”

“……”

I see.

As expected of an empire that worships the god of prosperity and fertility, they prayed like that.

I guess I’ll have to bear a lot of children.

Charlie smiled at Emma with as much gratitude as she could muster.

Emma then organized Charlie’s clothes she had brought and neatly placed towels and a robe on the table next to the bed.

But as she watched quietly, the way Emma was taking care of her seemed like that of a maid rather than someone looking after a sick person.

“But Emma.”

“Yes?”

“What are you doing right now?”

“What do you think? I’m working.”

“Working?!”

“Yes. Working.”

Emma looked back at Charlie with a nonchalant face.

“Why……. You, here……. Me?”

Despite the disjointed sentence due to her confusion, Emma understood perfectly and responded.

“From now on, I’m your personal maid. The butler told me to do so.”

“What?!”

“Do you want to take a bath first? Or have a meal first?”

Emma blinked her eyes innocently as if she had finished all the preparations.

* * *

Could it be that the heavens granted her wish to possess a young lady?

Emma, who was delighted to become her maid, followed Charlie around, taking care of her.

She smiled as if she owned the world. It seemed like her job satisfaction was at 2000%, leaving Charlie speechless.

Especially when she helped brush her hair and dress her.

Moreover, even the knights of the Hunt family were guarding Charlie’s door.

“It’s by His Grace’s orders.”

Tanner also reacted calmly.

“But I’m just a maid.”

“You are now His Grace’s purification guide.”

Purification. At the mention of that word, Hector flashed through Charlie’s mind.

“Is His Grace okay?”

“What do you mean by that?”

For a moment, Tanner’s eyes sharpened as he stared at Charlie.

Feeling the chill, Charlie’s voice naturally grew smaller.

“His Grace absorbed my magic…….”

Only then did Tanner’s gaze soften, and he sighed.

In truth, Hector’s poor condition was more due to the cost of his powers than the magic absorption.

How much had he used? Hector had been resting ever since he returned to the mansion last night.

“His Grace is resting.”

“…….”

After ensuring Charlie was stable, Tanner quietly went to find the doctors who had refused to treat her.

But the doctors were already brutally murdered beyond recognition. Even their bones were ground into fine powder.

Additionally, the woman who had attacked Charlie was reduced to dust, leaving no trace.

However, Charlie, unaware of this, blamed herself for the magic absorption and fell into despair.

“……Is there anything I can do to help?”

“First, it’s important for Miss Charlie to recover her health.”

“Releasing pheromones doesn’t really take any effort. And Dr. Audrey said I’m almost healed.”

Since all she had to do was release pheromones nearby, it wasn’t difficult at all.

Compared to Liliana, this purification was nothing, but Charlie still wanted to help even a little.

“As a guide, it feels wrong to just sit around……. It’s also partly because of me…….”

Charlie’s fingers fidgeted with the innocent blanket.

A faint smile spread across Tanner’s face as he quietly watched her.

“Actually, a purification for His Grace is scheduled soon. Would you be his guide? Of course, only if Miss Charlie has fully recovered.”

“Of course! I don’t know how much help I’ll be, but I’ll do my best.”

Tanner’s eyes wrinkled softly at her small clenched fist.

“……Thank you.”

Then, suddenly recalling the main topic, Tanner looked at Charlie.

“Oh, by the way, we’re planning to move your room later.”

“Move my room? To where……?”

Tanner showed a devilish smile of satisfaction.

“Next to His Grace’s room, of course.”

This is…… No. Calm down. No.

Charlie swallowed her rising curse and forced a smile.

“Haha. Next door…….”

* * *