“I-I wonder what you are…”

“Then, when are you going to give that earring to him?”

“Gikuu…!!”

Jabbed in a sore spot, Charlotte dropped her head.

“Don’t ‘gikuu’ me. Seriously, what was all that about? I’ve heard about your circumstances, but I can’t comprehend it at all!”

“T-there are some things that I haven’t been able to tell you, Mrs. Heydemarie…!!”

“I was already able to figure out everything just by listening to your story. Didn’t the two of you get into an argument because you thought you were unworthy of Langheim and were ready to back down at any moment?”

“Wow, you’re right—!!”

Unable to deny Heydemarie’s words, Charlotte tightly shut her eyes.

“Lord Oswald is a very compassionate man! The longer I stay by his side, the kinder he becomes, even if he doesn’t mean it! At this rate, I’ll be swept away by his kindness!”

“…What a shame.”

With a teacup in one hand, Heydemarie spoke to Charlotte.

“Didn’t I say it before? If there’s something you want, then go for it. Whether it’s affection or anything else, use everything at your disposal.”

“Ugh, wise words, Mrs. Heydemarie…”

However, it was easier said than done.

“For me, having been able to become Lord Oswald’s wife is already the greatest happiness in and of itself! I can’t possibly ask for more!? Now, all that’s left for me is to wish for his happily ever after…”

“Then, if Langheim wishes to pursue happiness with another woman, could you really bless him?”

“…”

Charlotte suddenly dropped her head.

“I aspire to be someone who can.”

“But is that what Langheim want?”

“…Lord Oswald—”

Heydemarie spoke to Charlotte as her head dropped even further.

“Charlotte, are you sure about this?”

After placing the teacup and saucer on the table, Heydemarie once again turned to face her.

“I’ve lived my entire life up until now without being married.”

“…?”

Charlotte was perplexed, but looked straight into Heydemarie’s eyes nonetheless.

“When I was a teenager, I became a saint and took pride in fulfilling my role. However, after contracting a serious illness, my divine power began to decline. Nevertheless, I still continued to assist in the education of noble ladies and breeding monsters such as Fenrir. I have a busy yet productive life.”

“But even if Mrs. Heydemarie is busy all the time, you seem to be enjoying yourself!”

“Right? In spite of that, there are many who call me unhappy.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened at those words.

“They say I’m ‘unhappy’ for being unmarried. ‘Unhappy’ for contracting a serious illness. ‘Unhappy’ because I lost my power as a saint… But in reality, what do those people know about me?”

“Mrs. Heydemarie…”

“Did Langheim ever tell you what makes him happy?”

Charlotte looked down in though before softly shaking her head.

“…My actions, didn’t take Lord Oswald’s opinion into consideration.”

“That’s right.”

Heydemarie casually affirmed her words, and Charlotte’s heart ached.

“Charlotte, what you did is the equivalent of deciding and imposing your own definition of happiness on Langheim. Rather than as a lady, isn’t that wholly uncouth as a person?”

“…You’re right.”

“It shouldn’t be up to you to decide what makes Langheim happy.”

Charlotte nodded in understanding.

…Even if that were the case, her emotions were still wavering.

If only this is just a one-sided love…

In that case, Oswald would have the right to refuse.

However, Charlotte and Oswald were a married couple.

It was the king’s command—a contract that Oswald couldn’t refuse.

…As for me, being able to marry Lord Oswald was a fortunate thing. But was it the same for Lord Oswald? Even more so considering how my former self was… We have nothing tying us together other than this marriage contract…

Heydemarie sighed deeply and stood up—she must’ve seen through what Charlotte was thinking.

“Well, it’s alright. If you want to stay away from Langheim and take a break, you may stay in this mansion for as long as you want. However, men are forbidden from entering this mansion. No one will be coming to pick you up. Therefore, you have to go home by yourself, alright?”

“I-it’s alright! From the beginning, I already knew that Lord Oswald wouldn’t be coming to pick me up!”

After saying that in a hurry, Charlotte rushed to leave her seat and bowed her head to Heydemarie.

“…Thank you for the tea, Teacher. After cleaning up, I’ll think deeply about your words.”

Charlotte trembled as she spoke.

“Do your best.”

After sighing once again, Heydemarie left her with those words.

---

***T/N: slay mommy heydemarie.

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