Chapter 40

As the carriage turned off the mountain path and entered the city, it began to move smoothly along the flat road. Charlotte, who had been resting her eyes against the window, opened them at the sudden smoothness of the ride and glanced outside.

The evening glow cast over the streets painted the capital of the Rohadin Empire in red hues. Hamern, after such a long time, looked no different from how she remembered it.

Three years ago, after marrying Erhen, she had stayed at the Marquis’s estate and officially began participating in the events of the original story. Yes, that fountain. That fountain where Erhen had dealt with the assassin tailing Michael….

Charlotte’s gaze, which had been fixed on the fountain, shifted suddenly to Lucas.

“Why are we here?”

Lucas didn’t answer. His eyes remained glued to the documents in his hands.

“Why is the carriage headed this way? I already arranged a place to stay in Hamern.”

It was only after Charlotte added another comment that Lucas finally lifted his head. His tired eyes were filled with both concern and exasperation for his little sister.

“You’re staying in Hamern, not Heringen, and you’re expecting to stay alone? You were attacked less than a day ago.”

“Wasn’t the situation resolved?”

“It was.”

“Then why?”

“Don’t be reckless. Just stay here for now, just in case.”

Ignoring his sister’s protests, Lucas returned his attention to the documents. Charlotte, unable to suppress her frustration, stomped her feet in annoyance, but Lucas paid her no mind.

Soon, the carriage passed through the gates of the mansion. Through the small window of the carriage, the now-darkened garden came into view.

With the clatter of hooves slowing, the carriage eventually came to a stop.

“Let me ask you one thing.”

Just before stepping out of the carriage, Charlotte spoke up.

“What’s your reason?”

“I think you already know, little sister.”

Lucas finished his indifferent reply and opened the carriage door.

***

When news arrived that the carriage had entered the avenue, the members of the Rothschild family all came outside to wait.

Upon hearing that Charlotte had been attacked, Caspar and Johanna had practically abandoned their work at the company to wait at the mansion.

“She’s safe, isn’t she, dear?”

“I won’t be reassured until I see her with my own eyes.”

Unlike Charlotte’s mother, Johanna, who managed to maintain some composure, her father, Caspar, was visibly anxious.

From a young age, Charlotte had often been the target of kidnappers. During the tyrant’s reign, the fact that a wealthy commoner’s daughter was both beautiful and unprotected was more of a curse than a blessing. More often than not, girls like her were kidnapped, sold into slavery, or, at best, became the mistresses of nobles.

Thus, Caspar and Johanna had worked tirelessly to protect their daughter. Their goal was to elevate Sonne into a company that even nobles couldn’t ignore, ensuring that no matter her social class, Charlotte would be treated with respect.

This effort had earned Charlotte the nickname “Princess of Rothschild” during her childhood, a title that made her seem haughty. It had also led to her making independent decisions about her marriage and divorce immediately after her coming-of-age ceremony.

Shortly after the news that the carriage had passed through the gates, it arrived in front of them. The door opened, and with Lucas’s assistance, Charlotte stepped out.

“Charlotte!”

“Mom! Dad!”

“Charlotte!”

“Auntie!”

“What on earth happened?!”

Caspar, his voice trembling, called out as he grabbed Charlotte’s hand. Charlotte, holding her father’s hand, looked at her parents with a face full of emotion. This marked the beginning of the Rothschild family members surrounding her in a protective circle.

Her eldest brother, Richard, the Earl of Essen, his wife, the Countess of Essen, and their children, Leonhardt and Johannes, were all present. Even Lucas’s fiancée, Adele Meyer, who was soon to marry him, was there.

Seeing the worried eyes of her gathered family, Charlotte’s heart momentarily softened, replacing her complaints about Lucas with a sense of warmth.

“Let me see you, my dear. Thank goodness you’re unharmed! Are you hurt anywhere? Was the journey uncomfortable? How many times have I told you to start your business in Hamern instead of wandering around! Those scoundrels, I’ll make sure they—”

“Enough, dear! You’ll upset her!”

Johanna cut off Caspar’s torrent of worried scolding without hesitation. She placed her hand gently over the two clasped hands of Charlotte and Caspar.

Feeling the added warmth, Charlotte let out a soft whimper.

“You’ve had a long journey. You must’ve had a rough night.”

“Mom…”

“Come inside and rest. You must have been so frightened.”

“Yes. Honestly, if it weren’t for Duke Rosenheim, I might have—”

“Although the key figures have been dealt with, we’re still tracking the remnants, so there’s no need to worry, Mother.”

The moment Duke Rosenheim’s name was mentioned, Johanna’s previously warm gaze momentarily turned sharp. Lucas interrupted Charlotte’s murmuring and added his comment before she could continue, seemingly oblivious to Johanna’s reaction.

Johanna’s softened gaze turned to Lucas.

“Yes. You’ve had a hard time as well.”

“It’s nothing compared to the worry you and Father must have endured all night. You can rest easy now.”

“Those scoundrels!”

“Dear, enough already! Let’s go inside. It’s cold, and we’ve been making too much commotion out here. Charlotte, you’ve received a message from the royal palace to enter in three days, so take this time to recover.”

Johanna, once again calming Caspar’s renewed anger, urged everyone to move inside the mansion.

It had been three years since Charlotte’s marriage and subsequent independence. After realizing her reincarnation and feeling out of place, she had distanced herself for a while. But now she knew. This warm family home, where she had been born and raised, was her true place.

Perhaps that’s why, despite the heavy thoughts weighing on her, Charlotte’s steps toward the mansion felt a little lighter.

***

Meanwhile, at the Duke’s estate, where the news of the previous night’s events had not yet reached the servants, there was a small commotion. The kitchen staff had completed preparations to welcome Duke Rosenheim and were simply awaiting his arrival.

The dishes prepared included baguettes and butter to be served as soon as he was seated, steaks to be cooked in accordance with the pace of the meal, and lemon tarts to cleanse the palate with their crisp texture.

These were all foods that Charlotte had enjoyed during her time as the lady of the Marquis’s estate.

Bang! The kitchen door burst open as Cassie, dressed in her maid’s uniform, entered with a shout.

“Everyone!”

The servants, who had been huddled in a corner of the kitchen, using a barrel as a makeshift table for their chatter, turned their attention to Cassie.

Their expressions were resolute, as if they had been expecting this moment.

“The Duke’s carriage just passed through the gates!”

“Wow!”

“Finally!”

“Does this mean we’ll get to see Madam again?!”

The servants, filled with anticipation, sprang to their feet.

During her time as the Marchioness, Charlotte had been like an idol to the servants of the estate.

The average wages of the staff, which had been standard before, were significantly increased after Charlotte’s arrival, accompanied by her remark, “This isn’t enough to make work worthwhile.” She also adjusted working hours and hired additional staff to distribute the workload.

Moreover, under her belief that “money and health are essential for a happy life,” Charlotte had brought in a doctor to set up a medical office within the estate, ensuring that the servants could receive treatment whenever needed.

Contrary to expectations that a common-born Marchioness might feel insecure and mistreat the servants, Charlotte was kind and gentle to everyone. She had fulfilled her role as the lady of the estate perfectly. Her presence had restored the prestige of Rosenheim as an old noble household.

Charlotte had been a beloved Marchioness.

When she divorced Erhen Rosenheim and left the estate, everyone had been disheartened. But as mere servants, there was nothing they could do.

Although Duke Rosenheim had maintained the welfare benefits Charlotte had implemented, the atmosphere of the estate had changed. The lively presence of the Rosenheim Lady had been missed, leaving the workplace feeling heavy over the past year.

And now, their master, who had been consumed by work, had suddenly taken a vacation. Not only that, he had gone to visit Madam’s house!

“Let’s go!”

Cassie’s spirited shout echoed through the kitchen. Without hesitation, everyone rushed outside, forming neat rows in front of the estate’s gate, with the elderly butler, Liam, at the center. Their faces were bright with the hope of seeing Charlotte again.

Soon, with the creak of the gate, Duke Rosenheim appeared.

“…Welcome back, Your Grace.”

It was a somewhat hesitant greeting. Contrary to their expectations, Erhen appeared alone, prompting Liam to glance behind him, hoping Charlotte might arrive later.

Erhen nodded lightly in acknowledgment. However, Liam’s eyes, still fixed on the Duke’s back, didn’t waver. With a slight frown, as if puzzled by the butler’s reaction, Erhen heard Liam’s regretful voice once more.

“Did you truly come alone, Your Grace…?”

It was as if to say, “Where is our Madam, and why have you come alone?”