Chapter 51

Charlotte’s original plan for the date wasn’t extravagant. After a boat ride on the lake, they would enjoy a late dinner at a hotel restaurant while gazing at the lake’s night view. Then, they would take a carriage ride back, share a goodnight kiss, and part ways, promising to meet again.

But things didn’t go as planned.

“What should we do, Viscountess? All the rental carriages heading to Hamern are under maintenance, and the replacement wheel for the carriage you arrived in won’t be here until tomorrow morning.”

Lida said, looking utterly distraught in front of them, drenched from head to toe.

Ah. This was a disaster.

The lake Charlotte and Erhen had fallen into wasn’t deep, and thanks to Lida’s quick discovery, they were rescued immediately. However, Charlotte hadn’t anticipated this kind of development at all. Erhen, who had wrapped Charlotte in a blanket meant for himself, tried to console her with concern in his voice.

“I think we should follow her suggestion, Charlotte. You’re shivering from the cold.”

Even as he spoke, Erhen’s lips were turning blue. Apologizing that he couldn’t use magic to dry their clothes immediately, he seemed to blame himself.

“It’s not your fault, Your Grace.”

Charlotte said, shaking her head vigorously while trembling.

Although spring was in full bloom, the lakeside at night still felt like winter. Even if her carefully planned date had gone awry, freezing to death wasn’t an option. So, they followed Lida’s suggestion and headed to the Shuvluv Hotel.

The top floor of the Shuvluv Hotel, overlooking the lake, resembled a luxurious mansion in the capital. Instead of guest rooms, it featured several bedrooms, a study, and a dressing room. This space often served as a retreat for nobles seeking a brief getaway near the capital or as accommodations for foreign dignitaries.

Although they had reserved the entire hotel in advance, Charlotte hadn’t expected to use the rooms. Despite the sudden notice to use the top floor, the hotel staff provided impeccable service. The large, white bathtub was filled with warm water, and the subtle scent of roses began to thaw their frozen spirits.

As Charlotte sank into the fluffy white bubbles floating on the water, the warmth creeping up from her toes made her sigh involuntarily. The most life-threatening incident she had experienced recently was the commotion at the train station, but smaller incidents continued to occur without pause. Things that she would have brushed off in the past now seemed significant after meeting the orchestrator.

“…Am I just being overly sensitive?”

No. The fact that the carriage wheel broke today, the boat they were riding on sank, and all the rental carriages were unavailable—everything seemed to predict that something significant was bound to happen today.

She recalled Heinrich’s Law. Using the month-long reprieve granted by the Overseer as an excuse to pursue love only made her more fearful. Leaning her head against the edge of the bathtub, her long hair floated on the water. Staring blankly at the soap bubbles sparkling like jewels under the moonlight streaming through the large window, Charlotte eventually shut her eyes tightly in distress.

A relationship that would soon come to an end. She knew she should stop, but she didn’t know how.

“Charlotte.”

He placed his teacup on the table beside him and softly called her name.

“I don’t mind this at all.”

Contrary to Charlotte’s plan of cutting steak while enjoying the lake’s night view, a simple spread of warm drinks and snacks had been prepared in the living room between their bedrooms. Although she had given up on the steak, she insisted on not forgoing the night view. Thus, they sat by a bay window overlooking the lake, chatting.

Sitting on the bay window, Erhen stared at the view, while Charlotte sat with her knees drawn up, wrapped tightly in a blanket, grumbling. Although the room wasn’t cold, her heart felt chilly.

“I’ve ended up holding back someone as busy as you.”

“How is that your fault? No one could’ve predicted the boat’s screws would break.”

“…”

Well, it does feel like it broke because of me.

Instead of responding, Charlotte took a sip of her hot chocolate. The rich sweetness enveloped her tongue. Beyond the window, the lake shimmered under the soft, diffused moonlight. The serene surface exuded elegance, and Charlotte wished she could preserve this moment as another happy memory of the day.

Watching her silently sip her drink, Erhen added, as if reminiscing,

“This reminds me of my time in Heringen.”

Though he hadn’t been gone from there for long.

At his calm words, Charlotte, who had been absentmindedly gazing out the window, turned her attention to him.

“I never thought I’d enjoy sitting by the sea, drinking coffee at your café.”

“Hmm… What part of it did you like?”

“The emptiness in my mind.”

It wasn’t a typical response from Erhen, so Charlotte tilted her head in confusion before nodding as she reached a conclusion.

“Well, zoning out can help organize your thoughts. Maybe that’s why so many customers bring notebooks to our café.”

“I was one of them.”

“Come on, Erhen, you didn’t bring a notebook—you brought a dissertation.”

“It was good for organizing my thoughts.”

“No wonder research institutes everywhere are calling for you, Your Grace.”

As the conversation shifted to her café in Heringen, Charlotte’s eyes sparkled with excitement, as if she had never been upset. Seeing her regain her energy so quickly, Erhen smiled as well.

“I heard you’re learning to shoot.”

“Who told you that?”

Charlotte widened her eyes. It wasn’t exactly a secret, but she hadn’t expected to hear it from Erhen.

The culprit behind the leak was quickly revealed.

“Ras.”

Technically, I overheard Philip talking about it casually.

Erhen tilted his cup as he clarified.

Although the real reason she started learning to shoot lay elsewhere, Charlotte didn’t want to share it with Erhen, nor did she feel the need to. So, she made up an excuse.

“Yes. I lost to you with such an embarrassing score, Your Grace. Ten to zero? Ten to zero! I couldn’t let that slide.”

After thinking for a moment, Erhen nodded as if he understood. He recalled the image of Charlotte clutching her cheeks in disbelief after his bullet pierced the bullseye. Given her competitive nature, it made sense that she’d want to learn something to avoid losing again. This was the same Charlotte who had hired etiquette instructors when they first got married.

“You could’ve just learned from me.”

“No way. I can’t learn from the person I’m trying to beat.”

“The person you’re trying to beat, huh.”

For some reason, Erhen found her words amusing and chuckled quietly for a while. Charlotte pouted and said,

“Don’t laugh at me.”

“It’s because you’re cute.”

Having experienced his genuine ridicule before, Charlotte knew Erhen wasn’t mocking her. When he truly mocked someone, his lips might curl slightly, but his eyes remained piercingly cold.

“One day, you’ll be surprised by my shooting skills.”

Charlotte placed her cup on the table and clasped her hands together, forming the shape of a gun. Her finger gun pointed directly at Erhen’s face. Pretending to be startled, Erhen grabbed her index finger with one hand. Then, gently twisting her hand, he turned her to face him again.

“Too bad. I’ll look forward to it.”

“Don’t embarrass me by expecting too much.”

Her bold response made Erhen smile faintly. It was undeniable that his smile was captivating.

Erhen didn’t release her hand. Instead, he asked the question he hadn’t received an answer to earlier.

“So, what’s your favorite color?”

Just as she was about to answer, Charlotte froze, her gaze fixed on Erhen’s face.

Perhaps it was the bright moonlight, but his features seemed particularly vivid as he looked at her. Charlotte stared at him blankly.

If brilliance could take human form, it would surely be Erhen Rosenheim.

Charlotte thought so as she gazed at the man before her. His jet-black hair resembled the night sky, his pale skin contrasted with the strands falling over his forehead, and his sharp nose extended smoothly beneath his thick lashes.

And his eyes, glowing blue under the moonlight’s radiance, seemed to shimmer like gemstones.

This was criminal.

“…”

Erhen tilted his head slightly, as if urging her to answer.

Instead of pulling her hand away, Charlotte leaned closer. Although there was no wind indoors, her heart began to race uncontrollably.

Their gazes intertwined at close range. The fresh scent of his not-yet-dried hair enveloped them, making the moment even more intoxicating.

“…”

My favorite color?

“…”

Blue. I love the blue in your eyes, deeper and purer than the sky.

Did he understand?

Erhen didn’t look away.