Chapter 5

Charlotte blinked slowly. She stared blankly, wondering if what she had just heard truly came from Erhen’s lips.  

…Was I still not fully awake?  

She suddenly realized that this must have been how Erhen felt three years ago when she had proposed a contract marriage. At least now they were acquaintances—back then, they had been complete strangers.  

“An engagement?”  

Charlotte repeated, her expression blank with shock. Watching her reaction, Erhen also recalled that day three years ago.  

“Please marry me, Your Grace.”  

On the very first day they met, Charlotte had boldly proposed a contract marriage without the slightest hint of intimidation.  

She wasn’t afraid of his infamous title, “The Mage Who Walks with Death.” Instead, her eyes sparkled as she handed him a marriage contract.  

Perhaps it was because of her audacity. Her confident, radiant demeanor had been the excuse he needed to accept the contract under the pretense of paying off the Marquisate’s debts.  

But now, things were different. His feelings had changed.  

Still, the words that came out of Erhen’s mouth were merely a means to an end.  

A way to keep Charlotte by his side, no matter what.  

“I need a reason to protect you.”  

Charlotte, as if finally understanding, gave a small nod.  

A reason.  

Although she hadn’t expected anything, the emptiness she felt made her bite her lip. The intention behind Erhen’s words was so clear, it was almost transparent.  

Having been forced to shoulder the Marquisate’s debts from a young age, Charlotte knew what Erhen must feel about the current situation.  

But what puzzled her was why Erhen spoke of an engagement instead of marriage.  

“What reason could there be for an engagement?”  

Charlotte grumbled, narrowing her eyes to try and decipher his meaning. Erhen lowered his gaze to her, as if searching for the right words, and let out a sigh.  

“…I put you in danger.”  

“…”  

“Because I came here.”  

His face betrayed no emotion, leaving Charlotte unable to glean anything from his expression.  

Meeting her gaze, which was tinged with slight tension, Erhen spoke without hesitation.  

“Give me a reason to protect you.”  

Charlotte forced an awkward smile.  

First, it had been a contract marriage. Now, he wanted an engagement?  

The contract marriage had been a relationship she initiated and ended. Seeing Erhen propose something similar left her feeling bitter.  

Perhaps a year wasn’t enough time after all.  

“…If that’s the reason, you don’t need to worry. His Majesty already issued an order.”  

“An order? What order?”  

“His Majesty commanded that you stay here until you’ve fully recovered and tracked down the culprits. Earl Werner is on his way to ensure it.”  

Erhen’s expression showed his surprise at this unexpected news. Charlotte smiled reassuringly.  

“So, let’s pretend I didn’t hear that unromantic proposal just now.”  

*   *   *  

“Where have you been, Your Grace?”  

Philip, who had been organizing documents alone in the empty room, began scolding Erhen as soon as he entered.  

“You ignored the doctor’s orders to rest! And what’s with that blanket?”  

A thick blanket, draped over Erhen’s broad shoulders like a cape, looked completely out of place.  

Without any intention of removing it, Erhen walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. With a slight frown, he addressed Philip.  

“His Majesty issued an order.”  

“Oh, yes! Did you hear it from the Viscountess?”  

Although Charlotte had no reason to lie, Philip’s confirmation left Erhen momentarily speechless.  

The King, who knew better than anyone about Erhen’s ability to recover, wouldn’t have issued such an order lightly.  

It must have been because of that drinking session.  

Afterward, he had been sent on a secret mission. The pitying expression Michael had worn as he saw him off was just a bonus.  

Suppressing the rising embarrassment, Erhen continued.  

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”  

“Tell you sooner? When would I have had the chance? You left the room right after your check-up!”  

Philip pouted indignantly.  

Erhen turned his gaze to the window.  

From the moment he realized this wasn’t a dream, his thoughts had been clear.  

Though his impulsive proposal had been flatly rejected, at least the King’s order provided an excuse to stay.  

Still, he couldn’t remain idle.  

After a brief silence, Erhen spoke.  

“I need research materials.”  

“Research materials?”  

Philip, who had returned to organizing documents at the table, looked back at him, puzzled.  

“What kind of research materials do you mean…?”  

“Wide-area security magic. It should be in the library. Bring all of it.”  

Erhen was well aware of his condition. His body was slow to recover, and his magic had not fully returned.  

He didn’t know when he would be able to use magic as he had before, but he couldn’t just sit still.  

Understanding Erhen’s intent, Philip nodded silently.  

“Yes. But I doubt the Viscountess will be pleased to hear about this.”  

Erhen turned his gaze to Philip.  

“Why? Did Charlotte say something?”  

“What? No, not at all!”  

Philip denied it, perhaps a bit too emphatically.  

“The Viscountess has always been sensitive about people’s health, even back when she was still the Marchioness.”  

“…That’s true.”  

Erhen’s expression didn’t change much, but a faint sense of unease was evident.  

Philip wasn’t sure whether to feel amused or sympathetic at this new side of his master.  

Realizing his feelings a year after their divorce seemed absurdly late.  

If only he had realized a little earlier, their marriage might not have ended, and the past would have been different.  

Unaware of Philip’s thoughts, Erhen continued his questioning.  

“And Philip. You said you have someone you’re planning to marry.”  

“Yes. Though we might break up soon since we barely see each other.”  

“How did your relationship start?”  

Philip’s jaw dropped at the unexpected question.  

Had my master gone mad after narrowly escaping death?  

***

Earl Werner, Sieg Werner, who had rushed to Heringen on the King’s orders, produced a letter from his pocket.  

“This is His Majesty’s letter.”  

The contents were brief.  

 Duke Rosenheim is to recover with the help of Viscountess Lintz and investigate the incident.  

– King Michael Düsseldorf  

The letter bore the King’s seal.  

Charlotte sighed inwardly.  

Though she had relayed the message to Erhen without hesitation, receiving the King’s letter made the weight of it feel different.  

She had intended for Erhen to stay in the house until he recovered.  

To uncover the truth about Kopenbach, cooperation with Erhen’s side was unavoidable.  

She had even hired more staff for this purpose.  

But living under the same roof was another matter entirely.  

This wasn’t a grand mansion like the Duke’s estate, with countless rooms.  

The house, consisting of a main building and an annex, was more like a small villa suited for newlyweds.  

Moreover, the next sentence was the crux of the matter.  

The order for Erhen to remain here until they had a lead on Kopenbach’s trail implied that he was not to return to the capital anytime soon.  

“His Majesty has instructed me to prioritize the safety of the Duke and you, Viscountess.” 

Earl Werner added to his statement, as if to drive the point home.  

Charlotte instinctively covered her face with her hands, unable to see what kind of expression Erhen was making.  

***

“Are you planning to make Viscountess Lintz the Duchess again?”  

Earl Werner, who had come down to the garden with Erhen under the pretense of taking a walk after their meal, broke the silence.  

Erhen, who had been adjusting his collar against the biting winter wind, froze in place.  

“Does it seem that way to you?”  

“You can’t hide how pleased you are with His Majesty’s order.”  

Erhen awkwardly ran a hand through his hair, looking like an adolescent boy caught off guard. Earl Werner, a middle-aged man, chuckled heartily at the sight.  

But soon, he wiped the smile off his face and spoke quietly.  

“His Majesty regards this situation as extremely serious. That’s why he dispatched the Kaiserliche.”  

Erhen nodded.  

He had moved under Michael’s orders three times. The first was at the Duke’s estate, and the next two were at the royal palace.  

Although Philip had turned the Duke’s estate upside down to catch any potential spies, it wasn’t hard to deduce where the information had leaked.  

“When you return, please request that His Majesty strengthen the palace’s security. I may not be the only target.”  

“Are you suggesting that those who targeted you might also pose a threat to His Majesty?”  

“It’s too early to conclude, but it’s a plausible assumption.”  

Earl Werner’s face darkened with seriousness.  

Challenging the King and threatening his life were entirely different matters.  

It had only been two years since the nation’s ruler had changed. After escaping the tyranny of Rufus, the people were beginning to find stability in their lives.  

This could cast a shadow over them once again.  

Earl Werner spoke calmly.  

“In that case, I will return to the capital at dawn tomorrow.”  

“While I remain here under the pretext of His Majesty’s order, I entrust His Majesty’s safety to you, Earl.”  

“Yes, Your Grace.”  

Although his return was earlier than planned, Erhen did not waste words on unnecessary pleasantries with the Earl.  

In any case, this gave him another chance to be with Charlotte. Erhen had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away.  

However, to dispel all his anxieties, he needed to resolve his current situation first.  

The fact that he now had a legitimate reason to stay here, despite the dire circumstances, was paradoxically comforting.  

Even he found his own feelings ridiculous.  

Erhen quietly took another step forward. The sound of snow crunching underfoot echoed faintly.  

***

The next morning.  

Earl Werner, who had planned to depart at dawn, found himself delayed due to a small commotion that erupted early in the day.  

“It’s more serious than we thought.”  

The mansion was turned upside down by the arrival of an unexpected guest.