Chapter 68

Marchioness An glanced at Charlotte for a moment before speaking with a troubled expression.

“How long has it been since I asked for a meeting, and of all times, now?”

It was understandable. Two weeks had passed since she had sent word to Erhen to discuss the handover of the research director’s position. However, Erhen had postponed the meeting repeatedly, citing excuses such as being busy with Ducal family affairs, focusing on ongoing experiments, or drafting a new thesis.

The position of research director, originally a lifelong appointment, was something Marchioness An planned to pass on to Duke Rosenheim under the pretext of retirement. Knowing this, Erhen would undoubtedly refuse. Marquis An had resolved to hold him in place once they met, no matter what.

Her conflicted gaze turned to Charlotte.

“Oh, I’ll take my leave now.” 

Charlotte said, rising from her seat with a reassuring smile.

“I still have other palaces to visit anyway. Thank you for the pleasant time, Marchioness.”

“Rosenheim’s Duke, who was stiff enough before, has only become more self-centered since ascending to his title. I feel bad for rushing you out like this.”

Marchioness An added with a regretful expression. Having watched over Erhen since he first entered the institute at the age of eight, her tone reflected more affection, like that of a parent, than respect for his title.

Charlotte found herself feeling grateful for this anew. Marchioness An, her expression unreadable, looked up at Charlotte and spoke.

“You don’t want to run into him, do you?”

“……”

“There’s something special between you two, isn’t there?”

As someone who cared deeply for Erhen, Marchioness An likely knew Charlotte better than anyone else. Moreover, as a prominent figure in the capital’s social circles, her insight was even sharper.

Charlotte, caught off guard, looked at her with startled eyes before cautiously nodding. Marchioness An, who had already begun to move, opened the office door. A soft breeze rustled their skirts as it passed by.

“Go ahead and leave first. I’ll let the Duke in a little later.”

“Thank you.”

Charlotte gave a slight bow. As she stepped into the corridor, Lida, who had been waiting in the adjacent room, emerged. Together, Charlotte and Lida walked slowly along the marble hallway of the building. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the otherwise silent space. Even though she knew he wasn’t there, Charlotte kept glancing back several times. But all she saw was the empty corridor.

It wasn’t until they had exited the building, crossed the garden, and completely left the Royal Research Institute that Charlotte unconsciously unclenched her tightly gripped hands.

What were you expecting?

Why are you expecting anything, Charlotte?

***

Michael snatched the bottle of alcohol from Erhen’s hand.

“Enough.”

Erhen’s dry gaze lingered briefly on his now-empty hand before shifting to Michael, who stood before him.

“You, who can’t even handle a sip.”

“I can handle one drink now.”

“What an achievement.”

The annex attached to Erhen’s lab in the Royal Research Institute was a small room designed for brief rests during research. It contained a simple bed and a table.

Michael, having taken the wine bottle from Erhen, sat on the chair opposite him. The golden light of the setting sun streamed through the window, casting a reddish glow on Michael’s golden eyes as they slowly turned toward Erhen.

Whenever Michael carried out official duties, his attire always reflected his disciplined nature. Yet the man sitting before him now had disheveled hair, a jacket carelessly draped over the chair, and was making a mess of himself with alcohol he couldn’t even drink properly.

He had undoubtedly changed.

While his sharp efficiency in handling work remained the same, there were moments when he seemed more sensitive and others when he appeared lost in thought.

“What brings you here?”

Yet the curt tone he used when they were alone remained unchanged. Michael let out a scoff.

“Is there anywhere in the royal capital I can’t go?”

In other words, Michael was telling him to accept the intrusion into his lab without complaint. As if to drive the point home, Michael poured himself a drink instead of Erhen.

It was dry vermouth. The crisp scent of pine filled his mouth.

“There’s something I need to discuss.”

Michael placed the glass down and pulled a small glass vial from his coat pocket, setting it on the table. He tapped the cork stopper a couple of times with his index finger before lightly tossing it toward Erhen.

Erhen, who had been robbed of his drink, caught the vial instead. Inside the perfume-sized glass container was a piece of cloth stained with what appeared to be blood.

“What is this?”

“It was found in the home of the late Oliver Hughes. They say he vomited blood shortly before his death. It’s unsettling that a man without any prior health issues would suddenly fall ill like that.”

Erhen examined the vial, turning it over in his hand.

“There’s no discernible magical energy.”

“And no toxic substances were detected either.”

“Unofficially, I presume.”

Michael nodded.

This was something that could have been handled by a coroner. However, doing so would mean reopening the case of Oliver Hughes, whose funeral had already been held. It would also officially signal that Michael was scrutinizing Dietrich, the newly appointed Speaker of the House.

While Michael personally harbored suspicions about Dietrich, he had no intention of using them for political leverage.

At Michael’s affirmation, the vial in Erhen’s hand disappeared in an instant. Having teleported the item to another space, Erhen spoke.

“Is that all you wanted to say?”

Though it differed from the labyrinthine organization, Erhen was also involved in the investigation. This wasn’t something that required the King of a nation to visit him in person.

Michael, as if trying to pierce through Erhen’s guarded demeanor, remained silent for a moment before gripping his glass tightly. The cool, solid sensation pressed against his palm.

“Viscountess Lintz will soon be heading to Heringen.”

The sudden mention of Charlotte caused Erhen to fall silent. His dimmed eyes turned toward Michael.

His body moved before his mind could catch up.

The cafe layout Charlotte had shared with him before their parting had included a branch at the Research Institute. Though Michael’s order had seemed forced, the memory of her genuine joy lingered vividly in his mind.

So when Erhen learned that Charlotte had appeared at the Research Institute and was in the director’s office, he instinctively rose to his feet.

After notifying Marchioness An, he hurried upstairs to the floor where the director’s office was located. There, he saw Charlotte’s retreating figure, walking briskly as if being chased by something.

As a mage, he could have easily caught up with her if he extended his reach just a little further. If he could, he wanted to seize her and lock her away in an isolated castle, forcing her to look only at him for the rest of her life.

…If only he could.

But at that moment, his body froze as if broken.

“What you’re doing right now… it’s making it harder for me.”  

He feared facing Charlotte’s sorrowful gaze, laden with resentment.

“I love you.”

He didn’t want to confirm that the smiling vision of her in his mind was nothing but an illusion.

And so, he couldn’t take another step closer. All he could do was remain rooted in place, watching her until she disappeared from sight.

Meanwhile, Michael, who had downed several more drinks, lifted his heavy eyelids. Breaking the brief silence, he let out a sigh and spoke.

“…Erhen. Before you are my vassal, you are my brother.”

Michael, who had started speaking with uncharacteristic difficulty, mentioned Maximilian’s absence. His golden eyes, usually so dazzling, were now clouded.

“So, for a moment, I thought it was good to see you happy with Viscountess Lintz.”

Erhen didn’t avert his gaze from Michael.

Why now? He couldn’t understand why that thought suddenly came to mind. The tiny doubts he had felt whenever he saw Charlotte and Michael together began to snowball.

Michael let out a troubled sigh.

“But not anymore.”

“……”

“So now, find someone who loves you and live your life.”

Michael’s grip on his glass tightened. Though he hadn’t yet drained the drink, his throat felt parched as if it were burning.

What was this ridiculous nausea? Why was I so desperate to hide the truth?

“Duke Rosenheim.”

Though he had spoken of their brotherhood, Michael’s cold tone made it clear that their relationship was one of King and vassal.

“Marry Princess Giselle.”

In saying so, Michael couldn’t deny that his words carried personal motives.