Charlotte laid her body back down as she was about to get up. Her mind was blank and her head felt fuzzy.

“Young lady, you thought well. Moving any more here will only strain your body.”

“My grandfather and uncle are being excessive.”

“Now, I’ve brought medicine. Take the medicine first.”

Charlotte first drank the medicine prepared by the maid. The bitter water mixed with powder medicine swirled down her throat. It felt like it was pointing out where each part of her esophagus was located.

Charlotte whispered with a sullen face.

“It’s bitter, uncle.”

Aster looked down at her fondly from beside her and took out a hard candy from his pocket.

“Now that you’re a bit older, will you not eat candy?”

“It’s sweet.”

“Of course candy is sweet, did you think it would be bitter?”

The round hard candy was strawberry flavored, and it was also coated generously with sugar. As Charlotte rolled the candy in her mouth to melt it, Aster crouched down to her eye level and spoke.

“We’re not being excessive. You’re being unusually harsh on yourself. You’re the only one who doesn’t realize it, which is why the people around you are so worried.”

Aster lightly hit Charlotte on the head. Charlotte clutched her head and groaned.

“That hurts.”

“Does it hurt? It hurts? This hurts. You were sweating profusely and groaning in pain without saying a word that it hurt, then suddenly collapsed, and now a little tap hurts…”

Aster was about to hit Charlotte one more time, but instead opened his hand and stroked her head.

“Don’t be in pain.”

Aster awkwardly cleared his throat. As if embarrassed, he coughed and quickly averted his gaze before going outside.

[This is the timeline separator]

“What should we do about our child?”

Aster kept looking back at Charlotte’s room.

“What should we do about that child?”

“What do you mean?”

“I have no idea what has made that child like this. That child… What should we do?”

Leandro stopped walking and looked out the window. The weather was clear. Everything looked carelessly clear as if all was well.

“When the time comes for her to tell us, the child will tell us.”

For now, it’s best to watch over her. Just staying by her side is enough.

“If something goes wrong, we can correct it then. For now, let’s just leave her be. We just need to let her be. I strongly feel that way.”

What if she takes a step back when we take one step closer? What if the heart that child has barely opened closes again?

We were still distant figures to that child.

It hasn’t been long since we met.

An abnormal encounter formed after experiencing her mother’s death.

What could we say about this encounter? There was one reason we couldn’t probe that child. Nothing about it was normal.

The first time I saw those eyes.

Leandro glimpsed his daughter’s face in them. He almost flinched at how similar they looked.

He couldn’t do anything when his daughter distanced herself from the family, saying she needed to protect her child.

“I hate that family. Even if it was a promise made by our ancestors, to watch my younger sister die like that… What the hell did that damned old man leave us with? Tied down by just custody rights…”

“Do you think Cosette resented the child?”

Aster hesitated.

“Cosette wasn’t that kind of person either.”

“Unable to even ask us for help in her final moments, she left like that. Charlotte is the one left alone there. It’s hard for that child to be like others. Though she may seem fine on the outside, she may be withering on the inside.”

“Father.”

“I’m afraid.”

Leandro revealed his inner thoughts for the first time.

“Just as Cosette distanced herself from us.”

“Father!”

“What if that child does the same?”

That child was not exactly young anymore. Still, in their eyes, she was still young. Young and fragile.

“Can’t you see?”

“See what?”

“That child we should be protecting is trying to protect us instead.”

It’s still a time when she should be allowed to grieve.

“Little one.”

She wasn’t young enough to be called by such an endearment.

Leandro’s fingertips trembled slightly.

“You’re trying to go too far on your own.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Time passed gradually.

Charlotte opened her eyes and looked up at the ceiling. The dark room relied only on the light from outside the window.

It was late dawn. The familiar ceiling greeted her.

As her blurry vision cleared, Charlotte clutched the bedcover and groaned.

That familiarity brought her comfort.

Charlotte felt reassured once again, thinking “It’s Windsor furniture.”

“…”

Charlotte fumbled at her neck as she got out of bed.

‘You compulsively touch your neck.’

Charlotte paused and lowered her arm.

“I’m thirsty.”

She was wearing a white nightgown.

The light clothing made her body feel more comfortable.

“It’s because I’m thirsty.”

The air seemed to cry at Charlotte’s whispered words.

She poured water into the glass on the table and drank it.

Her cheeks were hot. The fever had risen to her head, making her dizzy.

Charlotte staggered out of the bedroom. The hallway was empty.

She stopped abruptly in the hallway. As she clutched her chest and swallowed her breath, one side felt blocked and stuffy.

“It hurts.”

Charlotte flinched and closed her lips.

My chest feels so stuffy and tight.

Charlotte pounded her solar plexus as if trying to relieve the tightness in her chest.

Her slippers dragged on the floor.

“Where is a patient going alone?”

Charlotte raised her empty eyes.

“I felt stuffy.”

“If you’re a patient, act like one and lie down in your room.”

It was Benjamin.

“Was it a habit to come out alone at night?”

“You’re here.”

“I thought you might be outside if you woke up.”

“Where have you been all this time?”

“I’ve been wrapping up the hunting competition affairs for the four days you were asleep, and today I finally have some free time.”

Benjamin placed a tiara on Charlotte’s head. When she pulled it off by hooking her fingers on the thin tiara, it caught on her fingertips.

“Are you crying?”

Charlotte’s eyes reddened.

“I’m not crying.”

“Why do you keep crying?”

Though her eyes were moist and looked ready to cry at any moment, Charlotte maintained her composure.

Benjamin kissed her eyelids.

“You’re upset.”

Charlotte fidgeted with her fingers before placing her hand on his chest. Her eyes gradually reddened.

‘I wasn’t trying to cry.’

Charlotte clenched her fist. She tightly gripped his clothes and leaned her forehead against him.

Her eyes became moist. Benjamin wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

As she lowered her face and steadied herself on his shoulder, Benjamin stroked her hair.

“Charlotte.”

Charlotte held her breath for a moment.

“My Charlotte.”

His voice flowed smoothly, almost like a whisper.

“Everything will be as you wish.”

Benjamin took the tiara caught on Charlotte’s fingertips and placed it back on her head. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and embraced her.

“Stop crying.”

Charlotte’s eyes trembled faintly. Benjamin whispered in a low voice as he lifted her chin.

“When you cry…”

Charlotte raised her head as if entranced. Their eyes met, and her dazed gaze was captivated by Benjamin.

“You become swayed by me.”

Benjamin smiled as he lowered his head. Their noses touched. So close. Too close.

His jet-black hair tickled her cheek, and his snake-like eyes looked as if they might devour her.

Charlotte blinked blankly.

Charlotte admitted it. She gets swayed when she loses herself.

But still.

Charlotte grasped Benjamin’s waist. As she burrowed into his waist, Benjamin lowered his head.

Just a little.

I’ll rest for just a little while.

Though the days I want to forget blur my mind.

“I want to rest today.”

Charlotte leaned her forehead against Benjamin.

Benjamin looked down at Charlotte as she burrowed into his arms. She wriggles and hides with that small body.

“Charlotte.”

“…”

“Charlotte.”

Benjamin called Charlotte’s name several times.

Charlotte slowly began to find stability.

“You’re getting sleepy.”

Even at Benjamin’s whispered words, Charlotte just leaned her body against him.

Benjamin shook his head and picked Charlotte up in his arms.

She’s light.

Benjamin hesitated for a moment but soon found Charlotte’s room.

Charlotte seemed about to fall asleep soon.

Benjamin straightened the blanket and laid Charlotte on the bed. Then he sat down by the bedside.

“You shouldn’t be sick.”

Benjamin spoke to the tired-looking Charlotte.

“Today, Aster became like a drenched puppy.”

“My uncle is not like that.”

“He’s groaning. He wants to come to you, but he can’t because he’s afraid of disturbing you.”

Charlotte raised her body that had been lying on the bed. As she smiled, a shadow fell across her face.

“Lie down.”

Benjamin’s clothes carried the cool night breeze, giving off a cool yet clear energy.

“My back hurts.”

“It’s still time to sleep.”

Charlotte squinted one eye.

The fingertips calloused from gripping swords felt rough.

Benjamin smiled and stroked her cheek. Her long eyelashes tickled his fingertips.

“Stay here until I fall asleep.”

“Hm?”

“The warmth…”

It seems I’ve been subtly missing this warmth.

“Give me your hand.”

Benjamin took Charlotte’s hand.

“It’s hot.”

“That’s because you have a fever.”

“I think the fever’s gone down.”

Her head felt fuzzy.

Charlotte fumbled around the bed before lying down.

“Could you open the terrace window a bit?”

“The night air isn’t good. You’re already showing signs of a cold.”

“But I’m hot.”

“That’s because you have a fever. No, Charlotte.”

Benjamin pressed his forehead against hers.

“You’ve caught quite a cold.”

Charlotte felt her consciousness slowly sinking.

“Sleep if you’re sleepy.”

“…”

“I’ll stay by your side.”

Benjamin patted her lower abdomen.

“Everything will get better.”

This moment is just a fleeting instant.

“I’ll bite everything to pieces.”

“…”

“Breathe slowly.”

As Charlotte blinked her eyes, Benjamin leaned in close. Their eyes met at close range. It was too late to avoid his gaze.

“You can sleep now.”

Her crimson hair scattered across the bed.

“Don’t be in pain.”

Benjamin kissed Charlotte’s cheek.

“Charlotte.”

His whispering voice gradually faded.

Get some sleep. You’ll feel better when you wake up. The voice comforting her grew more and more distant.