Chapter 36

The price of a first-class train cabin, which exceeds the cost of a commoner’s house, was something Charlotte could easily allocate to her personal servant without a second thought.

She had wealth, a noble status that no one could easily disregard, and—though she hesitated to admit it—a fair and beautiful face.  

Charlotte was satisfied with this life, which was entirely different from her previous one. However, there were moments when she missed the modern conveniences of her past life.  

Especially now, during long-distance travel.  

As soon as she stepped into the first-class cabin, Charlotte had flopped onto the bed. But two hours into the train ride, she was already restless.  

“I need a tablet. I need YouXube.”  

She muttered to herself.  

“I need a smartphone.”  

In her previous life, even during 18-hour flights to attend academic conferences abroad or when she camped overnight at airports waiting for connecting flights, she had endured thanks to her smartphone and tablet with their excellent internet connectivity. Watching two or three movies was all it took to fall asleep as if she had passed out.  

But here, such conveniences didn’t exist. On this train, where she would spend 12 hours, all she could do was eat, sleep, or read printed materials like newspapers or books.  

The truly fascinating one in this situation was Erhen. From the carriage to this train ride, he had maintained perfect posture during the long journey. Now, seated beside her on the sofa, he was reading a thesis. Perhaps it was because he came from one of the most distinguished noble families that had been part of Rohadin since its foundation.  

Hearing Charlotte’s incomprehensible muttering, Erhen asked, 

“Are you struggling a lot?”  

“Yes. A lot.” 

She replied with genuine boredom in her voice.  

Erhen chuckled at her honest response. Then Charlotte, as if a thought had struck her, brightened and asked, 

“Duke, can’t magic solve this? Like teleportation or something?”  

“Teleportation is only possible for inanimate objects, and even then, only for short distances.”  

“Ah, that’s disappointing. I thought magic could do everything.”  

Movies always showed people appearing here and there with magic. 

Was it different here? 

Disappointed by the unexpected answer, Charlotte pouted.  

In truth, Erhen had succeeded in spatial movement once. The ancient spell he had repeatedly failed to cast after reading about it in an old tome at the royal library had unconsciously transported him to Charlotte’s house.  

Keeping that secret to himself, Erhen looked at her as if finding her adorable and said, 

“You have a tendency to oversimplify magic. Magic requires mana as a medium, but its essence is akin to mathematics. That’s why the royal research institute fills its ranks with mathematicians for junior mage positions.”  

“Yes, yes, Best Mage in all of Rohadin.” 

Charlotte replied indifferently.  

As she reached for a book on the table to pass the time, a sudden thought made her glance at Erhen.  

“Come to think of it, this is strange.”  

“What is?”  

“You shouldn’t say things like that to me, Duke.”  

At her slightly sulky tone, Erhen turned his attention from the thesis back to her. Folding her arms, Charlotte continued, her pride slightly bruised.  

“Saying I oversimplify magic. Even if I did, it’s all your fault, you know?”  

“My fault?”  

“Yes. Even though there aren’t many mages around, the ones I’ve met always draw magic circles or chant incantations when casting spells, but you don’t. And!”  

As Charlotte’s words grew animated, Erhen looked at her with a mix of amusement and curiosity. Setting aside the thesis, he turned toward her and crossed his legs.  

“And?”  

“You just snap your fingers, and water pillars rise, or snow stops falling. Isn’t it natural for me to have certain expectations? And sometimes, it doesn’t even seem like you’re casting magic at all!”  

“Is that so?”  

“Of course! Now that I’m saying it, I’m curious. What’s the difference between snapping your fingers and not? It’s really fascinating.”  

“Hmm.”  

Erhen crossed his arms, mirroring her, and gazed at her with an expression that seemed to say he hadn’t expected such a question from her. His reaction left Charlotte flustered.  

Why? Why did he seem so amused? And why did this unfamiliar expression on Erhen’s face feel oddly familiar?  

As Charlotte was lost in a vague sense of déjà vu, Erhen asked, 

“Should I explain it to you?”  

Charlotte froze. 

Ah, this feeling.  

She recognized that expression. It was the look of a professor luring an innocent undergraduate into graduate school with a mix of anticipation and enthusiasm. In her previous life, she had completely misinterpreted that expression as a scholar’s pure passion for teaching and ended up dragged into a research lab.  

And Erhen was a consultant and researcher in the royal research institute’s magic department, which was akin to her previous life’s graduate school. This was bad. Very bad.  

Charlotte quickly shook her head.  

“No.”  

“Why? You said you were curious.”  

“I’m not curious at all anymore.”  

“Suddenly?”  

“Yes. And suddenly, I’m hungry.”  

Charlotte stood up, hastily ending the conversation. She didn’t miss the faint disappointment on Erhen’s face. Cutting it off here was a relief.  

She continued, 

“Do you want anything to eat? I’ll go to the dining car.”  

“If it’s an errand, why not leave it to the servants?”  

“No, I’m bored sitting here. I thought I’d stretch my legs and walk a bit.”  

“Shall I come with you?”  

“No, I’ll wander around on my own and kill some time.”  

At her firm refusal, Erhen chuckled and nodded.  

***

The people who frequented the train’s dining car were mostly commoners or servants running errands for nobles. Thus, no one suspected Charlotte of being a noble. However, her luxurious attire wasn’t something a servant would wear, so most assumed she was a moderately wealthy bourgeois.  

The dining car attendant was one of them. Handing Charlotte a tray filled with food, the attendant spoke casually.  

“Enjoy your meal, pretty miss.”  

On the tray was a special dish recommended by Lida: stir-fried sausages and vegetables. Smiling briefly as she thanked the attendant, Charlotte, now salivating at the sight of the glistening sausages, made her way back to her first-class cabin.  

The dining car was lively. Groups gathered around tables, clinking beer mugs and chatting, while others ate alone, gazing at the scenery outside the train’s windows.  

As Charlotte admired the peaceful atmosphere of the train, she suddenly exclaimed, “Oh!”  

She had been too engrossed in her surroundings and failed to avoid someone approaching in the narrow aisle. They collided, causing her tray to wobble precariously. The man she bumped into quickly steadied it.  

“Oh, thank you.”  

“Let’s be more careful, shall we?”  

The man grumbled curtly before turning and continuing on his way. Pouting slightly at his reaction, Charlotte was about to move on when—  

“Charlotte Rothschild.”  

“…?”  

It was a firm, male voice. Startled by the sudden mention of her name, Charlotte turned around. But all she saw was the same scene as before.  

Did someone recognize me? And why use my maiden name?  

Perhaps it was her uncommon hair color that gave her away. Or maybe someone at a nearby table had raised their voice unknowingly.  

Deciding it wasn’t a big deal, Charlotte shrugged and headed back to where Erhen was waiting.  

***

“Reading the newspaper now?”  

Charlotte asked as she placed the tray down and sat beside Erhen. The newspaper in his hands wasn’t Heringen’s local paper but the central publication from Hamern.  

While Charlotte had been in the dining car, Erhen had been reading the paper. As he folded the last page, he asked, 

“Do you want to read it?”  

“Yes. I need to kill time too.”  

Munching on a sausage, Charlotte took the newspaper from him. Her eyes stopped at a particular section as she read.  

The Katarina Foundation Establishes Its First Higher Education School. 

The Katarina Foundation. It was a name she knew all too well. Unconsciously biting her lip, Charlotte felt a pang of emotion.  

Katarina Schleicher.  

The friend of Lucas, Dietrich’s sister, and the one who had taken her place as the Empress of Rufus. She had crossed paths with Katarina during her childhood, meeting her a few times when her parents brought her along for business dealings.  

The only difference between Charlotte and Katarina was one thing. And because of that one thing, Charlotte had escaped death, while Katarina had not.  

After Michael’s successful coup, Dietrich returned to Rohadin and established a foundation in his sister’s name, starting charitable work for commoners. Since founding Blumen, Charlotte had donated a significant sum to the foundation every month through Elias. It was her way of easing her guilt.  

Suppressing her growing bitterness, Charlotte folded the newspaper. Erhen, who had been watching her with a curious expression, asked, 

“Why aren’t you reading more?”  

“No reason. How much longer until we reach the capital?”  

Forcing a casual smile, Charlotte turned her gaze to the window.  

There was nothing she could say in front of Erhen, who had also been used for her survival. If he ever learned the truth, he would surely find her repulsive.  

Beyond the train window, the end of winter looked barren.  

***

Bang!

The sound of a gunshot echoed through the train station.