Chapter 57

“Don’t be so on guard. I’m just here to meet someone.”

The Overseer, in Lida’s body, smiled faintly and responded.

In fact, the Overseer had been watching Charlotte through various means—sometimes as Lida, sometimes as Ras, or even as her family or close acquaintances. There wasn’t any particular reason for it; the Overseer simply found Charlotte’s actions, which she considered her own mistakes, amusing and refreshing.

Taking another sip of coffee, the Overseer let the soft breeze pass between them. Fortunately, there was no one at the surrounding tables. It was likely the Overseer’s doing, ensuring no eavesdroppers. Having experienced this before, Charlotte wasn’t surprised.

She hesitated before speaking.

“…Accidents keep happening around me. But the damage is always minimal compared to the scale of the incidents. Was it you, Overseer, who protected me?”

“Of course.”

The Overseer’s voice was soft.

“It wasn’t difficult.”

As expected. The incident at the train station, and the series of minor occurrences afterward—all of it.

A faint sigh escaped Charlotte’s lips. If she had made a quick decision the moment she first met the Overseer, she wouldn’t have faced such dangers.

Yet, she couldn’t give up her love for Erhen. And the happiness she felt now, enjoying that love, was too precious. Charlotte knew all too well how contradictory her feelings were.

With a bitter smile, she spoke.

“Thank you.”

“…?”

“For ensuring there were no innocent victims because of me.”

The sudden gratitude seemed to catch the Overseer off guard, prompting a small laugh. The sound of laughter echoed softly in the quiet space, but it soon faded as the Overseer spoke calmly.

“The fate of the Dietrich family was always meant to end there.”

“What?”

“The process may have changed slightly, but in this world, their lives were destined to end at that point. And now, they are already reborn in another world, living happy lives.”

The Overseer smiled gently and added, 

“You tried your best to save Katarina back then, didn’t you? So, you can let go of some of that guilt.”

Charlotte didn’t fully understand what the Overseer meant by “process,” but even so, her guilt wouldn’t disappear entirely. She simply nodded in silence.

Lowering her gaze, Charlotte nervously fidgeted with her clenched hands. It was time to say what needed to be said. Though their meeting had come earlier than expected, what she had to tell the Overseer wouldn’t change, whether it was now or a week later.

She spoke with difficulty.

“I… I won’t involve myself with the Duke—no, with Erhen—anymore.”

The Overseer looked at Charlotte with interest and, smiling, asked, 

“Child, do you think only those who know the world, like you, defy fate?”

Charlotte raised her head, startled by the Overseer’s unexpected question. The golden eyes gazing at her held a strange warmth. The Overseer continued.

“That boy was originally fated to die in the forest where he was attacked.”

“……”

“But he defied that fate and came to find you.”

The memory of that night, when Erhen collapsed toward her, covered in blood, flashed through Charlotte’s mind. She bit her lip, suppressing the emotions welling up inside her.

The Overseer, watching her with a serene smile, asked softly, 

“Do you want to stay with him?”

“What?”

“There’s a way.”

“What is it?”

Charlotte’s voice rose in surprise at the Overseer’s sudden proposal. She clung to the faintest hope, desperate to hear the answer.

The Overseer, observing her with amusement, said, 

“You must erase all traces of my influence in this world.”

“Your influence…?”

“Break all the fates predetermined in this world. And eliminate magic.”

“Eliminate… magic?”

Charlotte froze at the condition the Overseer presented.

Magic. The word echoed in her mind, extinguishing the flicker of hope she had just felt. She let out a hollow laugh.

The idea of erasing magic from Erhen, the greatest mage in Rohadin, felt absurd. Magic wasn’t just his talent; it was the very thing that had shaped him into who he was today.

“No. Magic is everything to Erhen. I can’t take that away.”

Charlotte shook her head resolutely. The Overseer tilted her head curiously.

“Don’t you want to be with him?”

“I do.”

“Yet you’re refusing?”

“……”

Tears welled up in Charlotte’s eyes as she bit her lip.

The Overseer, watching her with an unreadable expression, finally sighed and said, 

“…Well, if that’s your choice. The world will return to its original state, except for exceptions like you. And as promised, I will protect both your lives.”

Charlotte nodded silently, unable to find the words to respond. By now, the sun had dipped low, casting long shadows.

As the familiar brown eyes of Lida returned, she softly called out, “Viscountess.” Charlotte responded with a small smile.

***

Raindrops began to fall one by one, soon drumming steadily against the windowpanes.

Due to the poor weather, there weren’t many people in the Royal Library. Thanks to this, the library’s quiet interior was filled with the soothing melody of rain, which Charlotte enjoyed as she settled into a brown fabric sofa beneath a wooden bookshelf. She had brought a book with her and found the atmosphere perfect for reading.

There could hardly be a better mood for diving into a novel. Reclining halfway on the sofa, Charlotte turned the pages of her book, quickly becoming engrossed in the story. Time passed unnoticed.

At some point, someone gently tapped her shoulder. Startled, Charlotte turned her head to see Erhen smiling warmly at her. …Completely unaware of her conflicted emotions.

Straightening herself, Charlotte whispered softly.

“You’re here?”

“Yeah. Maybe because of the rain, the library is so quiet.”

He whispered back as he sat beside her. Charlotte marked her place in the book with a ribbon bookmark and closed it. Then she turned to face him.

Although he must have used an umbrella, a few raindrops clung to his broad shoulders. Charlotte reached out and brushed them off lightly.

“I thought you’d arrive later.”

“Things wrapped up early. A new recruit joined the department—a pretty capable one.”

He added playfully, “Thanks to that, I managed to make time to see you,” as he gently pinched her cheek before letting go. Leaning back on the sofa, Erhen picked up the book Charlotte had been reading.

〈The Secret of the Isolated Cabin〉

As the title suggested, it was a mystery novel about a murder that took place in a remote cabin. Known for its gruesome descriptions, the book was a niche favorite among mystery enthusiasts.

Erhen, intrigued, raised an eyebrow and commented, 

“You read this kind of thing?”

His question was purely curious, but Charlotte’s gaze turned sharp in an instant.

“Are you mocking me?”

“No, it’s just… it doesn’t seem like the kind of book you’d read. Because of all the graphic details.” 

He said hastily, clearly flustered. Seeing his genuine reaction, Charlotte relaxed and nodded as if to say it wasn’t a big deal.

“Well, it is a bit intense, but I got really into it. I lost track of time while reading—it’s so unique.”

“The pacing is definitely different from typical mystery novels.”

“Oh? You’ve read it too?”

“Once, to clear my head.”

Charlotte was tempted to ask why anyone would read a book like this more than once but chose not to. Instead, she picked up the book Erhen had brought with him. To no one’s surprise, his choice of reading material was exactly what she had expected. The thick hardcover bore a title that matched his interests perfectly.

“‘Magic and Probability Theory’? Really, Erhen? Coming all the way here just to work seems a bit much, don’t you think?”

She grumbled lightly, noting how heavy the book was. Erhen took it back from her with a smirk.

“I’ve been really into this topic lately.”

“Not into me?”

Charlotte teased with a sly smile. Erhen chuckled and gently bumped his forehead against hers.

“Provocative, aren’t we?”

Charlotte pouted, smoothing her tousled bangs. Erhen, still smiling, opened his book and crossed his legs. Despite her playful “Hmph!”, Charlotte turned sideways to lean her back against his arm. Erhen adjusted his posture naturally, lowering his shoulder to make her more comfortable. He even rested his head lightly against hers.

The two soon became engrossed in their respective books, their steady breathing filling the quiet space.

It was calm. Peaceful.

…But this tranquility, Charlotte thought bitterly, would likely be their last.

Suppressing the melancholy creeping into her heart, she nestled deeper into Erhen’s embrace.