Chapter 56

Charlotte’s rejection left Michael speechless. He remained silent, as though the response was completely unexpected.

“May I borrow your knowledge once more?”

“Tell me about the life you lived.”

Michael’s suggestion—to visit his office once a week and share stories of her previous life—was not a particularly difficult task for Charlotte. In fact, it provided her with an opportunity to externalize her past life and organize it into a coherent narrative.

However, after several days of contemplation, Charlotte decided that she should no longer bring the knowledge of her previous life into her current one.

With the privilege of knowing the original story, she had altered the fates of several lives, including her own and Erhen’s. In return, she had been warned by the Overseer, and during the one month granted to her, minor incidents and accidents had continuously occurred. She could not predict what further interference might bring.

A line needed to be drawn. It was best for her to no longer involve herself in the story that Michael was about to weave.

After a moment, Michael asked softly.

“May I ask why, Viscountess?”

“I don’t remember.”

It was a rather foolish answer. But for rejecting Michael’s request, it was the most effective response she could offer.

Charlotte’s brazen reply, devoid of any guilt, made Michael stifle a laugh as he repeated her words.

“You don’t remember?”

Charlotte nodded and continued.

“Yes, that’s correct. It has been over three years since I realized I was reborn here, Your Majesty. Memories naturally fade over time.”

“And how do you explain the extraordinary level of detail you recalled about your past life?”

Michael countered.

When she first realized she had been reincarnated into the book, Charlotte had remembered events with remarkable precision, almost prophetic in nature. Michael hit the nail on the head.

Charlotte was well aware of this. The accuracy of the events she had recounted when she first met Michael three years ago had been exceptionally high.

He’s a formidable opponent, she thought, as she smiled faintly and slid a notebook across the table toward Michael.

“That’s why I decided to organize my memories a bit before they faded completely.”

“What is this?”

“What you desire isn’t my story but the lives of commoners from that world, isn’t it, Your Majesty?”

Michael’s gaze, now discomforted by her pointed response, swept over Charlotte.

The freedom and equality that the commoners of Rohadin would achieve in the near future were things that the people of this world needed to attain for themselves. Only through trial and error would they understand their true value.

So, she had intended to feign ignorance. But before being a reincarnated soul who remembered her past life, Charlotte was a citizen of Rohadin. She was one of Michael’s subjects and secretly respected him as a king. Surely, the noble Overseer would overlook this small act of assistance.

Having reached this conclusion, Charlotte had written down her experiences from her past life in the notebook—not her personal story, but the rights she had enjoyed as a graduate student and an ordinary citizen of South Korea.

“Since it’s based on my experience, there may be some flaws.”

Her eyes remained on the black leather-bound notebook adorned with golden patterns as she continued.

“I didn’t adhere to any formal structure, so I’m not sure if it will be easy for you to read, Your Majesty. I wrote it as I would have in a blank notebook during my student days.”

Michael picked up the notebook Charlotte had handed him. It was not a slim volume, and its pages were likely filled with detailed accounts of her past life. A fleeting sense of embarrassment washed over her.

The king who had dethroned the tyrant Rufus and ushered in a new era for Rohadin—that was Michael’s public image. However, the truth was that much of his success had been due to the assistance of Viscountess Lintz. It was undeniable that he had relied on her help to rise to his position, and now, not long after ascending the throne, he was asking for her help once again.

Can he even call himself a king like this? The realization made him blush slightly as he spoke hesitantly.

“…Thank you.”

Charlotte smiled brightly, like a student who had successfully submitted her assignment.

“I’m glad I could be of some help to you, Your Majesty.”

“In return for this gift,”

Michael said, tapping the notebook with his finger, 

“I will grant you one wish.”

Caught off guard by his unexpected offer, Charlotte’s eyes widened. Amused by her reaction, Michael added:

“I intend to maintain the plan to open a café within the palace for the court officials.”

“Oh, that’s only natural!” 

She exclaimed, startled.

Her flustered response deepened Michael’s smile.

“Since it’s a project we’re working on together, I hope you will personally oversee it, Viscountness.”

But his next words made Charlotte’s smile freeze in place.

She understood. It wasn’t something she needed to worry about personally. Yet, for some reason, the thought of this being their last meeting unsettled her. She wanted to see that refreshing smile of his again.

Under Michael’s persistent gaze, Charlotte reluctantly nodded. Satisfied, he dismissed her.

“You may leave now.”

***

After Charlotte departed, Michael was left alone in his office. Sitting with his back to the sunlight, he immersed himself in reading—or rather, skimming—the notebook.

〈Recognition of individual freedom—but freedom must come with responsibility.〉

〈All citizens of the Kingdom were equal before the law!〉

〈Equality in education ★MOST IMPORTANT!★〉

“…Ha.”

As Michael flipped through the notebook, he couldn’t help but laugh. Unlike the neatly organized business documents Charlotte usually presented, this notebook was filled with her spontaneous thoughts about the freedoms and equalities she had experienced in her past life. Her personal comments, written as footnotes, were abundant.

Having only ever read polished reports, Michael found himself unexpectedly intrigued by this unstructured format. The content was fascinating, but so was the casual style.

The notebook felt like Charlotte herself—an interesting person. The neat handwriting pressed firmly onto the stiff paper seemed to reflect her meticulous personality.

What expressions and thoughts had she worn while writing this? 

Through the notebook, he felt as though he were experiencing her past life as a commoner—a life filled with freedom, joy, and delight.

Is this why Erhen has feelings for her?

“Ahem, ahem.”

What was that? 

Startled by his own thoughts, Michael quickly cleared his throat. Yet, he couldn’t stop the smile that kept creeping onto his face as he read.

For a long while, Michael forgot the purpose of the notebook and found himself lost in thoughts of Charlotte.

***

A cool spring breeze gently brushed against Charlotte’s cheeks, while a soft melody flowed from the building, creating a sweet harmony.

She sat at an outdoor table of the Blumen Hamern Branch, enjoying the breeze as she waited for Lida. Lida had stepped away momentarily, saying she would check on the management of the chain store while also bringing back some coffee.

At one point, the branch manager of the Hamern location came to greet Charlotte, but she smiled and sent him away, not wanting to burden him during such a busy time. It made her feel a bit guilty—like a professor watching over a student conducting an experiment. She could only imagine how self-conscious the employees must feel with the café’s representative present.

Although there was a slight pang of guilt, it wasn’t as if she could go to another café; after all, she was the face of Blumen. She resolved to wear a disguise next time to avoid such situations.

“Haa…”

Charlotte stretched her legs and sighed, lowering her gaze. The red patent leather shoes she wore sparkled under the sunlight.

One week. That was the time left for her and Erhen.

The moment to truly prepare for their separation had arrived. The time she had begged to move slower had passed quicker than a bullet, and now, the moment of parting was rushing toward her at an alarming speed.

Her fingertips trembled slightly. Even though no one was watching, she clenched her fists, as if trying to hide her fear.

In her line of sight, a pair of neatly polished black Oxford shoes appeared. They belonged to Lida, who had returned with coffee while checking on the café’s management.

Lida placed the coffee in front of Charlotte with a bright smile before taking a seat across from her.

Charlotte looked up to meet Lida’s gaze. Something about her felt different, and sure enough, Lida’s eyes glimmered with a golden hue.

Charlotte silently observed Lida, took a sip of the warm coffee, and murmured softly.

“You’ve arrived earlier than expected.”

Lida smiled again. It seemed this sudden appearance no longer surprised Charlotte, who calmly lifted the coffee in front of her.

The two had come to terms not long after their first meeting, which had felt like a death sentence. Charlotte had already steeled her resolve. Thus, while the Overseer’s sudden appearance startled her briefly, she quickly regained her composure. After all, she had often imagined the day they would meet again.

Following the Overseer’s lead, Charlotte sipped her coffee. Watching the Overseer, who appeared in Lida’s form and basked in the spring breeze, Charlotte spoke in a composed tone.

“There’s still a little time left before the month is up, Overseer.”