“You seem troubled.”

Benjamin Visennov whispered from behind.

It was a journey toward the royal palace, Henrietta accompanying, as leaving the confused child alone wasn’t an option.

“I’m fine now.”

“Are you?”

“The complexity has been sorted out.”

Charlotte whispered indifferently.

“Has the royal physician arrived yet?”

“He’s been notified and will arrive soon.”

Charlotte leaned on the bedside table.

Soon, there was a rustle outside the chamber.

“Your Highness, the royal physician has arrived.”

Aaron entered after knocking on the chamber door. He silently completed his examination of the child lying alone on the bed.

“The child has fainted from shock.”

“Any physical injuries?”

“I’ll look further, but it appears clean. If the arms and stomach are fine, it’s okay.”

Normally, if an external force was applied, one would protect oneself with their arms.

“At least, it’s not due to external trauma.”

“A mental issue, then?”

“Seems that way, given the circumstances.”

“How long should we wait for consciousness to return?”

“We’ll have to see once the child wakes up. Their energy is extremely low right now. I’ll prescribe a sedative.”

Deep sleep was the utmost priority due to the depleted energy.

“Then, I’ll bring the herbs when I return.”

Aaron left the room.

“Why is your hand trembling?”

“Ah, I wasn’t aware.”

“Stop trembling.”

Benjamin grabbed Charlotte’s hand and placed it in his own.

“You remain calm in the face of death, yet you’re shaken by the sight of this child.”

“…They are still young.”

“What do you read in this child?”

“Perhaps I see glimpses of my past.”

Charlotte extended her arm, touching the child’s forehead. The child drew even breaths.

“Why did you stay there alone?”

Even blinded by greed, one wouldn’t abandon their child and leave.

“Any news of the child’s biological mother?”

“Someone has been stationed at the mansion by the tutor. If anyone comes looking for the child, we’ll be notified.”

“And the lord?”

“His whereabouts are entirely unknown. Even if we trace him through our information network, more time will be needed.”

“…Caught or not, either would be problematic.”

Such is the nature of lives bound by blood.

Even if one cut off the past blood relations, from an external perspective, they were still tied by blood.

“We’ll discuss further when the child wakes up.”

Charlotte was just lifting her head.

Their eyes met, and his were inexplicably unreadable.

Their gazes were still locked on each other.

He pierced through her thoughts with his eyes and, afterwards, seemed to sigh as he called out her name.

“Charlotte.”

Benjamin half-closed his eyes and whispered.

“You missed mealtime.”

“I wasn’t aware.”

“Fill your stomach, at least a bit.”

Her stomach reminded her of its existence. It felt like emptiness.

“Relax, Charlotte.”

“…”

“Your nails are scratching.”

Only then did Charlotte release her grip.

“…I scratched myself.”

“Applying ointment might be good.”

Charlotte unfurled her palm.

Her nails had dug into her skin.

It stung. Only now did she feel the skin ache.

“Right now, you should take care of yourself first.”

Charlotte closed her eyes.

She finished her meal by spreading cream cheese on soft bread.

A cup of chamomile tea sat on the bedside table. Charlotte put down the teacup and leaned against the wall.

A maid cautiously asked beside her.

“Is something troubling you?”

“No, why?”

“You seem preoccupied.”

“It’s just, I can’t sleep.”

“Shall I reheat the tea?”

“It’s okay. It will pass soon.”

Charlotte tilted her head to look out the window.

“It’s a bad habit I’ve developed.”

When feeling disoriented, she always suppressed it.

A wretched habit. Even if her body cried out in pain, those cries were buried in silence.

Her body was numb, unable to feel the pain, and she was busy suppressing her misery.
“It was a wicked act.”

Because there was no one to stop such actions, his previous life had ended that way.

“Finish tidying the bed and leave.”

“Is there anything else you need?”

Charlotte swept her long hair back and extended her arm.

“I want to be alone.”

“Then I’ll be outside. If you need me, pull the bell cord.”

It was when the maids had all left and their presence had faded.

“Meow.”

A white tuft of fur appeared from under the narrow table.

The small animal scurried around with its short front paws and then shook its body. The snowy clump of fur perked its ears.

“Meow.”

Rya pressed down on Charlotte’s foot with its front paws.

“……”

Her body felt stiff, as if clenched, although it wasn’t muscular pain. Somehow, one side of her chest felt uncomfortable and oppressive.

Her fingertips became numb.

Her fingers holding the teacup trembled slightly, but it wasn’t due to the cold.

Charlotte concealed her shaking.

She suppressed the trembling by covering her hand.

“Ah.”

The warm tea water brushed her esophagus.

The heat coming from the raging fire made her feel hot.

“Was it anxiety?”

The tea subdued her anxiety as it went down.

The faint apple scent characteristic of chamomile was quite good.