The question was released suddenly and without an ounce of shame. Ethelbert was left stunned.

“…Well, I’m not against it, but still.”

“My skin’s condition is far from perfect, so I’m not entirely ready for it…”

Ethelbert wanted to retort, “Is that what you’re concerned about?” Although, after considering it from a woman’s perspective, he considered that it might have been an important matter.

“You’ve only just arrived in this country, we shouldn’t be doing anything intimate tonight.”

“Oh, really? I was under the impression…” Charlotte placed a hand on her cheek as she tilted her head.

A maid must’ve said something to her during her bath.

The maids entrusted with Charlotte were loyal servants of Ethelbert’s brother and sister-in-law, a pair who had longed and fervently wished for his marriage. They had probably whispered something unnecessary into Charlotte’s ears.

The revealing sleepwear that Charlotte wore, one with a neckline boldly open, made their intentions clear. He just couldn’t imagine her wearing such an outfit of her own volition.

Enduring that temptation all night would be painful.

“We’ll sleep together. You’ll be able to sleep more soundly that way.”

“What do you mean…?”

Charlotte’s question was natural as he hadn’t explained it yet.

“We’ve already touched several times before while I was escorting you, haven’t we?  From that, I’ve confirmed that our magical affinities are compatible. When magical affinity is good, physical contact brings a sense of reassurance and contentment. Your mind will be put at ease, and sleep quality will improve.”

“I see…”

“Today, you had to deal with the Second Princess and the Prime Minister’s son. Then, you were suddenly transferred to the imperial palace. Isn’t it possible you’re more exhausted than you realize? I want for you to rest well.”

“That may very well be the case.”

Charlotte didn’t seem entirely convinced about her fatigue.

Certainly, physically speaking, she didn’t feel tired. According to her, life in that cell had been rather comfortable, and considering the nature of her magic, her body should have been in good shape.

Still, being mentally exhausted wouldn’t have been strange. Rest was essential.

“I’ll go and wash up now. You can rest first.”

“Alright.”

Charlotte’s expression softened as he lightly stroked her head.

Ethelbert found her appearance adorable, and his awareness inevitably connected to her provocative outfit. He went to clean himself in order to shake off his rising desire.

As I thought, coming to live in the duchy was the right decision.

Had he remained in the imperial palace, his elder brother and sister-in-law would become annoyingly meddlesome in more than just his duties. They would surely be scheming various things. Putting physical distance between them was an effective strategy.

For now, he’d take a shower to cool his head.

Even so, the one who kept filling his thoughts was, after all, Charlotte.

That day, had I not confessed my feelings to her at the graduation party and returned home… I might’ve lost her forever.

Even now, that fear continued to creep up on him.

***

The day of the graduation party.

“No, Lord Ethelbert…” Charlotte responded with such upon hearing him say he’d have Frederick consent to their engagement.

At first, Ethelbert thought she was rejecting him, but then she took his hand.

“You simply proposing the engagement is enough for me. That man will likely refuse, but if he does, then he should receive the punishment he deserves for everything he has done up to now.”

“Charlotte…”

She smiled, looking truly happy.

“I love you too. So please, when this is all over, come and steal me away.”

A few days later…

As expected, the marriage proposal was rejected, and Ethelbert was forbidden from having any further contact with Charlotte. In response, Ethelbert used magic to visit her room. They discussed in detail how he could cooperate with her revenge. At that time, Ethelbert explained Juliet’s constitution to Charlotte.

“…So, that excessive pampering from those around her, it was caused by her magic?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Charlotte’s gaze lowered as she slowly digested the information.

Juliet’s frailty in her younger years could be explained by her unstable magic, and the same could be said for Charlotte.

“Do you remember that incident with the second son of the Elms family?”

“Yes.”

“His outrageous attempt to abduct the Second Princess was also influenced by her charm. Of course, his behavior was ultimately due to his own flawed nature, but he was apparently someone quite susceptible to magic, he was a man with almost no resistance to magical influence… In that sense, I hold some responsibility for his rampage.”

Ethelbert touched Charlotte’s left cheek. He recalled how it had been struck by Frederick and left red and swollen.

“It wasn’t a very strong charm, and I was overly cautious because she is a foreign princess. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not Lord Ethelbert’s fault.”

Charlotte placed her hand over the hand on her cheek. Her gentle expression clearly conveyed for him not to worry about it.

“Could it be that George Elms wasn’t drawn to Juliet because Lord Ethelbert did something?”

“Yes. As a precaution, I temporarily nullified the Second Princess’ charm.”

It was a temporary measure taken by Ethelbert at his own discretion.

“…Is the reason I feel no affection toward that girl because my disgust outweighs my other feelings?”

“You and King Frederick both have more magical power than the Second Princess. From the start, you were immune to her charm. After all, what she did wasn’t actual magic, the effect wasn’t all that strong.”

“In other words, His Majesty’s love for Juliet is true.”

Indeed. Frederick’s actions and thoughts were entirely his own, uninfluenced by any outside influence.

“…So that’s how it was… So many people were always so favorable toward Juliet. Now, everything makes senses.”

As she was from a country where magicians were rarely born, the idea of someone being influenced by magical power probably never even occurred to her. She probably didn’t even know that the royal family had magic in their blood.

“Then Lord Dexter’s lack of partiality toward that girl stemmed from his hatred toward the royal family being stronger than the charm, I suppose.”

“…Ah, the marquis. Seeing as how he was willing to go so far as to damage to the crops, then yes, that is likely.”

“Fufu. So, you know of Lord Dexter as well. That matter was hidden from the public, but Lord Ethelbert seems to have some impressive eyes and ears.”

“…”

Dexter Allport, who had been a special person to Charlotte, wasn’t as lenient to Juliet as the others were. Precisely because he held a grudge against the royal family, he remained unaffected.

“I’ll completely seal the Second Princess’ magic. If we leave it alone, it’ll only invite trouble, like another dangerous incident such as with Malcolm Elms.”

Her charm-like magic that affected many who weren’t magicians carried a very high risk of causing irreparable trouble in the future.

Once Ethelbert returned to his country, no one would remain in the Kingdom of Lymore capable of countering the magical influence. Sealing it away was the quickest and most reliable solution.

“Once the seal is complete, the people of this kingdom should start acting more rationally… Some might even begin to truly recognize you for who you are, hardworking and beautiful.”

“That man will never change, nor will Quentin.”

As Juliet’s magic only slightly amplified favorable feelings, Quentin’s affection, his growing love, wasn’t an artificially induced emotion born of magical influence. They were genuine romantic feelings.

Both her father and fiancé were people Charlotte likely regard as unnecessary since the beginning.

“As long as that man remains as he is, then there’s little difference from nothing changing at all.  And even if he does change, I won’t accept him. Nor do I want to be forced to accept him. I’ve already taken the hand you offered me. Surely you won’t be so cruel as to let go of it now, after giving me hope?”

Charlotte took Ethelbert’s hand, intertwining her fingers with his.

“You and I are going to be accomplices in this, I need you to hold my hand tightly. Aren’t you going to steal me away? See it through until the end, take responsibility.”

***

After his shower, Ethelbert returned to the bedroom to find Charlotte already asleep. He had woven a sleep-inducing spell into the bed, so she had likely succumbed to drowsiness and drifted off without resistance.

He gently swept her hair back and settled down beside her.

Finally…

At long last, Charlotte had come to him. She was prepared to throw everything away, and yet she chose him.

She was the first person he’d ever felt such attachment to, feelings that surpassed even his obsession with magic. Not even a full year had passed since they’d grown close, and yet now, he couldn’t imagine a life without her.

He kissed her head, and his eyes narrowed from bliss at the overwhelming sense of happiness and affection he felt for the woman who would soon be his fiancée.

“You’re not allowed to let go of my hand either.”

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