Chapter 35

Charlotte looked at Erhen and thought to herself.

The royal decree directed at her would only be clear after meeting Michael, as Erhen had said. However, unlike during Rufus’s reign or major events like the attack on the Duke of Rosenheim, in Michael’s era, even a royal decree could be reconsidered if there was a legitimate reason.

So, if everything was resolved a month later, she could simply go up to the capital alone and return to Heringen afterward.

But still.

“Since it’s a royal decree, I’ll go with you, Duke.” 

Charlotte said, pouting her lips with a playful smile.

She didn’t want to part ways with Erhen just yet, regardless of the royal decree. She still wanted to stay by his side. She wanted to hold on to this happiness for just a little longer. Whatever else came, she decided to think about it when the time arrived.

It was temporary, but she didn’t want to let go of the happiness she felt being with Erhen.

At her coy response, Erhen chuckled softly and slightly lowered his head. Charlotte, in turn, leaned back slightly and, with a mischievous expression, teased him.

“What is it? Are you so touched, Duke, that you’re about to kiss me?”

“Yes.”

“Even though it’s a holiday, there are still many people out for a walk like us.”

“So?”

“What do you mean, ‘so’? People are watching!”

As Charlotte grew slightly flustered, Erhen, without even glancing around, continued to gaze into her eyes and calmly replied.

“They’re not watching.”

“What do you mean, they’re not watching? There are people over there, and there, and even behind you!”

“Hmm.”

Erhen briefly looked up, then lowered his gaze again and spoke.

“I said, they’re not watching.”

As if his words carried some sort of command, the people around them, naturally, didn’t glance in their direction. They were looking at the sea, the ships, or chatting among themselves, acting as though they didn’t see the two of them at all. It was the same magic he had used before when they diverted attention during the fire at the night market.

Realizing this, Charlotte exclaimed in disbelief.

“Wow. This is such an abuse of magic.”

Instead of responding, Erhen wrapped his arm around Charlotte’s waist. At the same time, his lips, curved into a faint smile, lightly brushed against her plump lips before pulling away. It was a kiss as light as a feather.

As Erhen moved his face back, one corner of his mouth lifted, and Charlotte, her cheeks flushed, sparkled her eyes.

“Are people still not looking?”

“No.”

“Then just one kiss feels like a waste.”

Charlotte grinned and stood on her tiptoes. As their lips met again, she playfully nibbled on his, and Erhen responded willingly, gently holding the back of her neck.

It was a moment of happiness.

Thus marked the end of their leisurely days in Heringen.

***

The classroom, large enough to accommodate about thirty people, was quiet in the early morning, so much so that the sunlight seemed to whisper. A woman entered and walked toward the front row.

Creak. She pushed the chair back and sat down neatly. The brim of her floppy hat covered half of her face. Her shoulder-length wavy hair shimmered as it caught the sunlight. Every time she moved, the air was filled with the faint scent of jasmine.

Dietrich, sitting by the window, silently watched the woman’s actions as she entered the classroom.

Soon, the woman’s lips, visible beneath the brim of her hat, parted.

“The classroom is tidy and well-organized. It seems like a good place for children to study.”

Her comment was simple. She waited briefly for a response, but Dietrich said nothing.

“Just because someone is born a commoner and isn’t selected doesn’t mean they don’t have the right to higher education.”

“…”

“Michael Düsseldorf may be a benevolent king, but in this regard, his policies leave much to be desired.”

Still, the woman smiled faintly and continued to speak. Dietrich remained silent, simply observing her.

“It seems he’s involved.”

Martin, the secretary, spoke.

Despite being warned, Malena had recklessly planned another scheme. As a result, Dostern had been captured. Dostern, Malena’s confidant, was no stranger to Kopenbach’s inner workings. With his capture, tension within Kopenbach was inevitable. The organization’s survival hung on Dostern’s silence.

Then came the news that Dostern had committed suicide in Augs Prison. Though loyal to the organization, he wasn’t the type to sacrifice his life for it. His decision to take such an action was unexpected.

Dietrich’s cold gaze didn’t waver from the woman seated beside him.

“That’s right.”

When he continued to remain silent, the woman sighed softly, as if resigned.

“I killed him.”

The words, starkly contrasting with her delicate appearance and the luxurious frilled dress she wore, spilled effortlessly from her lips. Her admission finally made Dietrich’s tightly closed lips open slowly.

“That was reckless.”

“…”

His voice was dry, devoid of any emotion.

Without the woman’s intervention, Kopenbach could have collapsed. Yet, Dietrich’s words weren’t ones of gratitude.

“You should have at least consulted me. If things had gone wrong, it wouldn’t have been just the organization at stake.”

If anything, it was a reprimand born out of concern. It was the closest thing to affection Dietrich could show toward the woman.

The woman felt a pang of regret at the boundary Dietrich maintained between them—a boundary she still couldn’t cross. But she decided to be content with the level of concern he showed her. In this time of preparing for the world he envisioned, even the emotions he harbored toward her felt like a luxury.

“Don’t worry. I made sure to handle it without causing you any trouble.”

“…”

“And I’d appreciate it if you’d leave Malena’s punishment to me.”

Her gaze didn’t seek permission. Dietrich nodded without resistance.

Only then did the woman rise, as if she had finished saying all she needed to. Her light blue shoes clicked as she walked toward the door. Dietrich also stood and followed her. The rhythmic sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty classroom.

When they reached the door, the woman turned to face Dietrich.

For a moment, their gazes intertwined in the air. The woman, wearing white lace gloves, lightly tapped Dietrich’s chest with her hand. The silver rings on her fingers glinted precariously in the sunlight.

“Congratulations on the opening of your first school, Dietrich Schleicher, Rohadin’s esteemed philanthropist.”

“May peace accompany your path.”

The woman chuckled softly. Rising on her toes, she leaned close to his ear and whispered again.

“For ‘your’ freedom.”

The floppy hat bobbed up and down once as she returned to her original stance. Turning around, the woman exited the classroom. She stepped into the shadows cast by the morning sun and soon disappeared.

Dietrich watched her retreating figure helplessly. Once she was out of sight, he turned and walked in the opposite direction, heading toward the opening ceremony.

***

Michael had wanted Erhen to return to the capital before Tyche’s Moon rose, a time when Erhen couldn’t use magic. Thus, preparations for Charlotte and Erhen’s departure were swift.

Charlotte, knowing there was a Blumen branch in the capital, could manage her work there. The veteran staff at Blumen’s Heringen branch ensured the handover was completed in half a day. As for Erhen, he lived minimally, thanks to Philip’s frequent deliveries, so his preparations required little time.

On the day of their departure for Hamern, Lida, while packing Charlotte’s clothes, spoke excitedly.

“It’s been so long since we’ve been to Hamern. I wonder how everyone at the main house is doing?”

“Right? Has it been nine months? Saying it like this makes me feel like such a neglectful daughter.”

“You’re no such thing. Your visit alone will be a gift to your family.”

Lida adjusted Charlotte’s skirt while offering kind words.

“Oh, speaking of gifts, did we pack everything?”

“Of course! The Schleswig single malt whiskey for the heads of the family, the Western porcelain tea set for the eldest son and his wife, the Neubitze quill for the younger son, and a pile of toys for the little ones.”

The little ones were Charlotte’s nieces and nephews, children of her eldest brother, Earl Essen. More excited than Charlotte, Lida rattled off the list of gifts without hesitation.

Sometimes, Charlotte wondered if the Arbiter had descended upon Lida, but moments like this reminded her that Lida was unmistakably her loyal maid—and sister figure.

The journey from the eastern port city of Heringen to the capital, Hamern, took twelve hours by train. This wasn’t due to the train’s speed but the numerous stops along the way. Thinking back, it was remarkable how Philip had once ridden a horse non-stop for a day to deliver a message from the ducal estate to the capital.

The bustling Hamern station was filled with people heading to various cities across Rohadin. Erhen extended his hand to Charlotte as they arrived, ensuring he wouldn’t lose her in the crowd.

“Let’s go.”

Charlotte smiled and took his hand.

“Let’s go.”