Of course, Charlotte’s death cannot be attributed to Phaibel’s fault. Initially, we never had the intention of involving Charlotte in this matter.

In fact, no matter what kind of attack it was, I wouldn’t have been harmed. Even if Sukrel had poured poison in front of me, Merem, the contracted Elemental King, would have protected me. Even if the Elemental King’s power had been penetrated, with the magical core, there would be no problem with detoxification.

Charlotte… simply didn’t know such facts.

She didn’t know, and she remained loyal.

Therefore, it was even more heart-wrenching and regrettable.

“His sincerity was deeper than I thought, Phaibel.”

Someone might say that life becomes less precious when you live for a long time.

Phaibel will suffer for a long time due to this incident.

I will too.

“May the eldest sister guide Charlotte’s soul to a clear and pure world.”

There was a separate world for the souls that strived to protect someone and faced a noble death.

Although I didn’t know the details, it was a space where no demon, except the eldest sister, could enter, and it was said to grant all wishes, such as what one wanted to do and eat in life.

After fully enjoying happiness there, the souls then enter the cycle of reincarnation.

Having spent my time as a maid, sticking to the palace all the time, I never had a chance to properly attend a festival, but in that world, I hope she can enjoy and live to her heart’s content.

Charlotte… deserves that more than anyone else.

“In the meantime, I will mourn for you.”

I clenched my fist.

The burning desire to immediately cut the enemy’s throat and reverse the blood surged through me.

I didn’t even know that I, too, could be so angry and desperate at the extent of the loss.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

As dawn approached, the air became colder.

During that time, the chief mourner from the Imperial Palace came to inquire about my well-being, and Duke Ahilro also sent word that he would visit once tomorrow.

Staring blankly into the night, I noticed the clock indicating four in the morning and wearily closed my stiff eyes.

“…….”

The ticking sound of the clock rang loudly.

While sitting on the bed, I absentmindedly looked at the clock and covered my ears with both hands.

It wasn’t a meaningful action. Even if I did that, time wouldn’t stop.

Just… “Leo. It seems you’re still awake, so I brought some tea.”

At that moment, I heard a knock, and Merem’s muffled voice brushed against my ears.

I welcomed Merem, and the warm tea was also comforting, so I reluctantly opened my dry lips.

“Come in.”

“Lady Shin is worried. It’s lavender tea. Good for sleep.”

Even Lady Bertolt hadn’t been able to sleep.

Well, anyone who cared about Charlotte would be the same.

I accepted the teacup Merem handed me and sipped the tea. After waiting for me to finish the cup, Merem sat beside me.
Feeling one side of the mattress sinking heavily, I tilted my head slightly. When I was alone, I couldn’t move, sitting straight with my back straight, and it felt a bit strange to anticipate Merem’s arrival.

A demon is fundamentally a complete being on its own. They neither lean on someone nor allow others to rely on them.

However, from what I’ve seen so far, humans were beings meant to be together. They would reveal their own weaknesses and then receive comfort.

There were times when I didn’t understand this, but now… I needed it too. The fact that I needed comfort was shocking in itself.

In other words, it meant that I had taken one step further away from being a demon, getting closer to being human.

“Whatever it is, you can tell me, Leo.”

“I… when did this boy grow up so much that he could offer his shoulder to me?”

With my palm pressed against the back of Merem’s hand, I swallowed the warmth emanating from him.

Extending the conversation, I wondered how much time had passed. I quietly continued speaking.

“I have never been shocked or hurt by someone’s death. There was no reason to be. Death is just part of the great wheel called reincarnation; there was no reason to be sentimental about it. I was an existence that saw the entire world, including the forest, not just the trees or the forest itself… If I saw death with eyes that see the world, it was just a natural phenomenon.”

There was no one who mourned the sunset beyond the western mountains.

While someone might indulge in poetic contemplation at the sight of a shooting star splitting the night sky, there was no one trying to grasp the phenomenon itself.

Death was also the same.

No one could forcibly seize life.

No matter how much one tried to hold on, there was no way to stop death.

Therefore, beings superior to humans never rejoiced in the birth of a single life or sighed about death.

I had to be the same.

“But why is it so pathetic, Merem? Why am I now so deeply sad with my whole heart…”

Is it because Charlotte is no longer here? Really?

When I wake up tomorrow, she will probably inform me about the weather with a smile. She might suggest which dress to wear.