Chapter 66

From the moment he accepted the one-month “contract” relationship, which implied rejection, giving up had never been an option.

“I’m more hurt by how you’re behaving now, Your Grace.”

But what decision should he make if his desire for Charlotte only caused her pain? The answer was clear. He simply hadn’t been able to accept it. Thus, Erhen began to fall—slowly but surely.

***

In the test evaluation hall of the Royal Research Institute, researchers from the Department of Engineering and the Department of Magic sat in the modestly arranged audience seats, waiting for the demonstration to begin. 

A little distance away from them, Gwen, the daughter of Earl Retman and a researcher from the Department of Engineering, stood with Damian Richter. Between them were two square devices, positioned at opposite ends.

“Let’s begin!” 

Gwen raised her arm and firmly pressed the red button in her hand with a clear voice. As she moved between the two devices, the bulb Damian held lit up in a blue glow. The device had detected Gwen’s presence and signaled Damian. 

The demonstration was a success. A low murmur of awe spread among the seated researchers.

“Oh, oh! It detected movement!”

“Does this mean it really interpreted motion waves without magic?”

“If it becomes commercialized, it could be an excellent replacement for border surveillance magical tools!”

Applause erupted. Some researchers rose from their seats and approached Gwen and Damian to take a closer look. Gwen spoke up.

“Yes, it’s still in the verification stage, so it may take some time before it can be applied. The idea is to convert the magical operation into a wave equation.”

The Royal Research Institute’s current top priority was to bridge the gap between magic and scientific technology. Since the days when magic flourished in Rohadin, science had been neglected, creating a significant disparity. With the number of mages declining rapidly, operating magical tools had become increasingly difficult. 

While magic formulas were intrinsically comparable to mathematical equations, allowing for the maintenance of current magical tools, researchers predicted that all magic on the continent would vanish in the near future due to the lack of new mages born after the Duke of Rosenheim. 

Thus, the Departments of Engineering and Magic at the Royal Research Institute were accelerating their research to prepare for this eventuality. Naturally, at the center of this effort was Erhen, the advisor to the Department of Magic and head of the Department of Engineering.

Today marked the first unveiling of research results conducted by new recruits. The results were successful. The impressed gazes of the researchers naturally turned to Erhen, who sat in one corner of the evaluation hall, holding a file of documents.

“As expected, he’s a worthy candidate for the next director of the Institute. To think of substituting magic with waves!”

“When I read the thesis, I wondered if it was even possible, but his understanding of magic is extraordinary.”

“Could I transfer departments? I’m more interested in engineering than magic.”

“Whether you’re moving from the Department of Magic to the Department of Engineering or vice versa, don’t you need His Grace’s permission for a transfer?”

“Haha, well, everything His Grace touches turns to success.”

Among the senior researchers, there was praise for Erhen, while among the budding researchers still finding their fields, there were sycophantic remarks. 

However, Erhen, seated with his legs crossed and his gaze fixed on the file, remained motionless. 

His silence drew curious glances. Damian hesitantly approached him.

“Your Grace?”

“…….”

“Duke of Rosenheim?”

“Ah.”

Erhen slowly lifted his gaze. 

He should have been startled by someone calling him, but instead, it was the researchers who were more surprised. After all, this was the Duke of Rosenheim, who, before returning to the Royal Research Institute following the coup’s success, had served as the King’s shield in the military, never missing even the slightest movement. Yet here he was, seeming utterly lost in thought. 

But Erhen, as if nothing had happened, coldly opened his mouth.

“Not good enough yet.”

For a brief moment, a red flash streaked across the mountain opposite the evaluation hall.

Boom! 

Suddenly, with a loud explosion, a chain of blasts erupted. A fierce aftershock swept through them. Amid the swirling sand and dust, the researchers coughed and struggled, while Erhen stood tall and unaffected. 

Recently, the Duke of Rosenheim’s magic had grown more refined, destructive, and precise.

“If you aim to reach this level, you’re still far from it.”

He casually demonstrated magic powerful enough to destroy a mountain, yet showed no signs of strain. This was the Duke of Rosenheim as they knew him. 

So, it must have been a rare occurrence. Yet, as if to prove the researchers wrong, Erhen began showing signs of zoning out more frequently.

***

“Please enjoy your time.”

With the table set with various drinks and dishes, the attendant finished speaking and closed the door to the private room. 

Only then did Erhen remove the robe covering his head. Tossing it aside carelessly, his black hair became slightly disheveled. As he stared at the array of colorful liquor bottles on the table, he leaned back in his chair.

For someone who didn’t even enjoy drinking, the reason he had come here was overhearing the junior researchers gossiping behind his back. They had said they would drink to forget the stress caused by the Duke of Rosenheim today. 

Forget. 

He ignored all the insults directed at him, fixating solely on that word, which had somehow led him here.

What a pathetic fool.

After staring blankly ahead for a long time, he picked up a glass.

Then, something strange happened.

After one drink, he saw Philip leaving the room with a troubled expression, though he hadn’t even called him. 

After another drink, he saw Charlotte entering the room. 

Even though the alcohol was weak, it exceeded his tolerance. Yet, intrigued, he took another sip. This time, he saw Charlotte sitting beside him, crying. 

An illusion? Yes, it must be an illusion. 

Had I unknowingly summoned her as a figment of my imagination while drunk? 

Though his previously erratic magic had recently stabilized, it wasn’t important.

Erhen murmured quietly.

“Why are you crying again?”

If you’re an illusion, at least smile for me.

He raised his hand to wipe her tears but let it fall weakly. 

If he acknowledged her as an illusion, she might vanish. He wanted to hold on to her, even just a little longer. 

So, since you’re an illusion, let me ask.

“Is it true?”

“…….”

“That being near me makes it hard for you.”

He had tried not to give up on her, but when those words escaped her delicate lips, it struck him like lightning, leaving him paralyzed. 

Charlotte, instead of answering, nodded slowly with a tearful face.

“I see.”

Even the illusion of her couldn’t lie. How could I not accept it now? 

Erhen closed his eyes in anguish.

“I’m not the one for you.”

As he muttered in self-deprecation, he felt a warm touch on his hand. Startled, he looked up to find Charlotte gently holding his hand. 

Not the Charlotte who had pushed him away, but the one who held his hand without hesitation.

Charlotte spoke.

“If I want to stay by your side—”

“…….”

“I’d have to pay the price of your magic. But that’s everything you are, Your Grace.”

“…….”

“How could I use that as a price?”

Her tear-filled eyes glistened. Erhen gazed at her face for a moment before pulling her into his arms. 

The illusionary Charlotte did not resist. Whether it was because of that fact or because she felt warm, the Charlotte in his arms was comforting. 

“Fool.”

“…….”

“You’re just a fool.”

If it’s for you, I could give up anything. 

Instead of saying these words that lingered on the tip of his tongue, Erhen chuckled softly.

For a while, they held each other in silence. 

After some time, Charlotte carefully stepped out of his embrace. 

Was it time for her to leave? 

She glanced briefly outside before turning her gaze back to Erhen. Then, she spoke softly.

“I love you.”

The illusionary Charlotte smiled faintly through her tears.

“I love you.”

He smiled back.

***

When he opened his eyes, he was in his bedroom. 

Erhen clutched his pounding head and sat up. On the bedside table, a hangover remedy had been prepared—likely by Liam in advance. 

He gulped it down to quell the nausea rising in his throat. As the effects of the alcohol subsided, his mind gradually cleared.

Who had brought me here?

From the first drink to this moment, only one memory surfaced from his fragmented thoughts.

Charlotte, confessing her love for him.

But she had never been real. 

There was only one conclusion.

From that day onward, bottles of alcohol and hangover remedies began appearing together in Duke Erhen’s study. 

Yet, Charlotte never appeared in his dreams again.