“Just a while ago you were like a wet cotton ball, now you’re like a cotton ball soaked in tears?”

Aster sneered, clicking her tongue.

“Ah.”

Charlotte just shook her head blankly. Her eyes were already wet. Though her eyes were darkening and gradually getting moist, the tears never flowed.

“Are you okay?”

Aster reached out with a hesitating touch and then repeated it. Covering Charlotte’s head with a blanket and wrapping her arm around her, the girl hugged her tightly.

“Your mother is resting in peace. She will be happier than anyone to see you grow up. Of course! She might curse me for attaching such a wretch to my golden daughter.”

But still.

“As long as you’re doing well, that’s all that matters. Char. Char. It’s okay. It’s all going to be okay.”

Windsorga, who must have been the angriest, hugged Charlotte. That fact was maddeningly regrettable.

“Are you okay? Char?”

“Charlotte. Why are you like this?”

Aster and Caesar spoke in turn.

“What happened?”

“Tell us why you’re like this, so we’ll know.”

Aster lifted Charlotte’s chin. Their eyes met. Hollow eyes met, and Aster froze.

‘What child is…’

Does a child make such a look?

“Char, does it hurt? Brother, please do something.”

Caesar looked down at Charlotte, leaning back.

A niece who resembled his sister, even in temperament. Stubborn and harsh.

“My niece seems to be rotting solidly among these inlaws.”

Caesar spoke like scolding a young child. He spoke from his mouth that she was not a threeyearold, but Caesar too treated Charlotte like a child.

“Char, I understand you. We will embrace your sorrow too. So, don’t harbor regrets for your father. Your family is here, right?”

Charlotte bit her lip.

It’s not deception.

She just wanted to lessen the pain they would suffer.

‘Mom. Just a little.’

Let’s endure a little longer.

“Does it hurt anywhere? Hmm? Char, tell me.”

Her eyes were reddening, about to cry at any moment, but her smile spread beautifully.

“Why are you like this?”

“I’m okay.”

“Char, you’re okay…”

Her eyes glazed over. Charlotte just fell asleep.

(This is a time marker.)

“It’s been three days. Three days! No, two days now. The child has been unconscious for two days…!”

Aster shouted, pressuring the attending physician.

“Aster, calm down… Has the young lady woken up?”

Charlotte blinked slowly. Her vision was blurry. Slowly, focus returned.

“Char? Are you awake? Awake? Are you awake?”

“Uncle.”

“Are you conscious? Are you conscious?”

“I can hear you. You only have to say it once.”
Charlotte groped for the bed and reached out. The hem of Aster’s clothing was felt at her fingertips.

She fiddled her fingers stiffly. She clenched the hem of the clothes, focusing the fine sensation at her fingertips.

“Ask me slowly. One by one.”

“You sleep for days without consciousness, do you think I’m calm?”

Charlotte slowly closed her eyes.

“Has it been days?”

“Three days. Three days!”

“So much time……”

“Why did you stand in the rain to that extent.”

Aster wrapped Charlotte’s hand with trembling hands.

“You careless girl.”

“You’re telling the same story as Benjamin.”

“His Majesty saw you clearly. You are harsh on yourself.”

A child of this age would tremble at a single thorn stuck in her finger, but this child showed no such sign.

“Linton! Look more carefully!”

The chief physician examined Charlotte carefully.

“It’s a cold and fever. Miss was born with a frail body, and you caught too much rain, didn’t you? It seems like you’ve recovered now.”

“You think it’s a real recovery?”

“F, for now.”

“Look at that child, Charlotte. Is that a human face? Not even a child left on the street, looking like she couldn’t even get blood.”

Her complexion was pale from days of illness. The only remaining trace after her younger sister’s death.

If this child goes wrong…. As Aster tried to say again, someone knocked on the door.

“The lord has arrived.”

The maid announced Leandro’s visit.

“Did you sleep well after sleeping for days?”

“Yes. I slept comfortably.”

“Don’t think about the remaining family members and try this reckless act again.”

What to do with you? What to do with me? Just like your mother, you don’t value your body.

“Has the fever gone down?”

“Yes. It has clearly dropped since last night.”

“You’ve suffered. Char. You’ve suffered more than anyone. It’s okay now, rest. Everything is okay. Even if it’s not, I’ll make it okay, so you can rest.”

It felt like something was clogging one side of her chest.

“Tsk……. Why did you let this child sit? Put her back to bed. The butler should make sure that this child cannot go outside for a while.”

Charlotte was forbidden to go outside for a few days for absolute rest.

“Grandfather?”

Charlotte was half dazed.

“I sent you as guardians, and you brought this child to this state?”

“I’m sorry. Father.”

“Linton, examine the child more closely, and if the child needs any medicine, tell me. This child’s energy recovery is the top priority. Make all the medicine top quality, and if the child feels suffocated and wants to go out, don’t let her. You are responsible for watching over her this time.”

The maids’ eyes widened.

“We will take good care.”

Leandro spoke sternly.

“Listen, Charlotte. If you sneak out of the bedroom avoiding adult eyes, I’ll scold the maids, not you, so remember.”