Chapter 114
“Show me your ankle!” Charlotte hurriedly pushed Theodore’s outstretched shoulder away. Theodore blinked, his face slightly flushed, as if silently asking why. Even with a close friend, showing your ankle after taking off your shoes felt a little… much. Charlotte pressed down on his shoulder and stammered as she spoke.
“I-I’m… embarrassed.”
“What’s so embarrassing?”
Theodore looked down at Charlotte with a smile.
“Don’t you remember when we were kids?”
“When we were kids?”
“Even a little walk used to make your legs hurt. That’s why I used to touch your ankles, and sometimes carry you on my back.”
Hearing him speak, memories of her childhood with Theodore flashed through Charlotte’s mind. From whining to her father to be carried because she disliked long walks, to grabbing Theodore’s hand and begging for a break, it all came rushing back—ending with the memory of being carried on his back, even falling asleep on him.
Instead of burying her face in her hands, Charlotte pressed more firmly against his shoulder. She was embarrassed—so embarrassed that her face burned. It was a heat no amount of hiding could conceal. Theodore, meanwhile, was laughing endlessly, seemingly enjoying himself. Charlotte took a small, deep breath.
“It’s different now. Both of us are older than back then.”
“Right, it’s different. Then I’ll just hold your ankle lightly and check its condition with my eyes.”
Hesitating, Charlotte let out a quiet sigh and slowly took off her shoe. Theodore, with a deep, playful smile, carefully held her delicate ankle. Tilting his head slightly to inspect her heel, he pulled out a pure white silk handkerchief. It seemed there was some bleeding, as he wrapped her foot carefully and tied it tightly. Then Theodore pushed Charlotte’s shoes together and moved them aside.
“When we go back to the carriage, I’ll have to carry you there myself, won’t I?”
“That’s not necessary.”
Charlotte replied in a mildly scolding tone. Theodore sat beside her. When speaking with nobles in the grand hall, he used a serious tone befitting a marquis, but alone with her, his voice dripped with playful mischief. His clear blue eyes were as deep as the sea, occasionally showing a youthful boyish charm. Although it had been five years since their reunion, Charlotte felt as if she had returned to five years ago.
As Charlotte’s lips curved into a small smile, Theodore grinned mischievously again.
“Why are you smiling so much?”
“You smiled too.”
“I smiled because it’s a situation worth smiling at.”
“Is my embarrassment really that funny?”
“Exactly.”
“You’re so annoying.”
“Oh dear. I’ve been disliked, haven’t I?”
Charlotte let out a light laugh, adopting an exaggerated, playful gesture.
“See? You smiled again.”
Theodore reached out and gently brushed Charlotte’s lips. His fingertips grazed her lips briefly before falling away. He whispered softly, almost as if to himself:
“You’re beautiful.”
Charlotte wondered if he was teasing, but his gaze didn’t waver. Theodore’s eyes held nothing but her flushed cheeks, her smiling, crescent-shaped eyes, and slightly parted pink lips. Her heart thudded and she felt it beating faster.
Unable to meet his gaze directly, Charlotte turned her head as naturally as she could.
“I guess… it’s just that I’m happy you became a noble. I feel good, so I keep smiling…”
Because Theodore had longed for the day he could become a noble, this moment was precious. Charlotte smoothed her skirt and quietly asked:
“Theodore.”
“Hm?”
“Can I ask why you wanted so badly to become a noble?”
Theodore’s eyes widened slightly. As if about to say he didn’t have to answer if he didn’t want to, he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
“Some might think it’s a trivial reason…”
“I don’t think so.”
“I know. I know you wouldn’t think that.”
Theodore began to speak slowly.
“The reason I wanted to become a noble… it’s probably because of that day.”
Looking into Charlotte’s eyes, which flickered like waves, he murmured:
“That day I’ll never forget…”
When Theodore first entered Blanche Manor following Ronan, the first to greet him was none other than Charlotte. She was so small back then. Despite growing up on fine foods rather than weeds at the orphanage, she seemed fragile and tiny, like a porcelain doll. Approaching her felt delicate, as if she might break.
“What’s your name?”
“!”
“Tell me your name. I’m curious.”
Charlotte didn’t seem to know fear. Usually, one would hide or peek cautiously, but Charlotte’s dark blue eyes shone like stars in the night sky. Perhaps it was because Ronan had spoken of him beforehand, but she ran up and hugged him like a little rabbit, showing no caution.
Theodore froze. Unsure what to do, he awkwardly held his hands in midair and looked down at her. Charlotte lifted her head slightly to meet his gaze.
Even from a short distance, her eyes seemed like gems. Up close, they were dazzling and beautiful, almost bewitching. She stomped her little feet, impatient to know his name.
Theodore stammered out his name.
“Theodore.”
“Theodore?”
Charlotte murmured his name with her pink lips, then burst into a clear, bell-like laugh.
“Theodore is such a wonderful name!”
“Wonderful?”
“Yes! It means ‘gift from God.’ Truly magnificent and special.”
Theodore never thought of himself as magnificent. Growing up in a land of death where plague devoured all life, he survived by eating even the weeds from the ground. Hearing such praise was a first—and hearing it meant ‘gift from God’ was even stranger. Yet it didn’t feel unpleasant.
He didn’t feel like getting angry. Charlotte’s smile was pure, sincere, and utterly lovable. He lowered his hands and gently stroked her hair. That was the beginning of their bond.
Theodore spent most of his time with Charlotte, aside from training with Ronan or sleeping. Usually cold and distrustful, he became a lively, innocent boy only when with her.
Charlotte too was different with Theodore. Out in public, she would shrink under scrutiny, shoulders slumped, but with him, her cheeks remained flushed, and her smile never faded. They quickly became close, becoming each other’s first true friend.
Theodore thought his feelings for Charlotte were friendship. But day by day, he realized the affection he felt for her was far more than that. Eventually, he understood the true nature of his feelings through an incident.
Returning from training one day, a carriage awaited in front of the manor. Initially assuming visitors had arrived, Theodore discovered it was Charlotte’s preparation. She ran to him and leapt into his arms.
“Theodore, Theodore.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I want to go somewhere, and I want you to come with me.”
“Really? Then Ronan…”
“!”
Charlotte shook her head in surprise.
“My father had urgent business and went out briefly. He told me to leave first!”
“Ronan?”
“Yes!”
Ronan loved and protected Charlotte dearly, so he wouldn’t have told her to go first without supervision. But seeing her desperate gaze, Theodore nodded.
“Alright, I’ll just change my clothes. Wait a moment.”
Yet Theodore still wondered if they truly had to leave without Ronan. In the rattling carriage, he asked with a serious face:
“Charlotte.”
“Hm?”
“Where are we going? We’ve been riding for two hours.”
“Hehe.”
He was fooled. Theodore touched his forehead, realizing they were deceived. Wherever they were going, Ronan wasn’t following—they hadn’t left early at his instruction.
After half an hour, Theodore hoped they were almost there. After an hour, doubt crept in, and after two hours, he was completely unsure. He was completely captivated by Charlotte’s round, beautiful eyes.
Just as he was about to call the carriage back, it stopped. Charlotte peeked outside and immediately jumped out like a rabbit. Theodore followed, glancing around.
“Where are we?”
“Paelo Estate.”
“Paelo?”
It felt far—truly far.
‘Ronan will really worry about this.’
Ignoring Theodore’s concern, Charlotte grabbed his hand and ran.
“This way, Theodore!”
Her cheeks were a soft pink, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She was completely thrilled.
Theodore couldn’t stop her or tell her to turn back. Then, Charlotte stopped in front of a massive structure.
‘Eglesia Convent?’
Spotting the golden sign, Theodore looked at the convent again. Vines climbed the walls, and the structure was both grand and antique. Inside, choir music drifted through the corridors. Charlotte spotted a young nun heading inside and ran up to her.
“Hello, Sister.”
“Oh my.”
“I’m Charlotte. I sent a letter a week ago…”
Charlotte pulled out a slightly crumpled letter from her jacket pocket and handed it to the nun.
“Here!”
The nun’s expression changed subtly as she read. A gentle smile spread, but she seemed slightly flustered. She looked between Charlotte and Theodore and returned the letter.
“Did you come without a guardian?”
Charlotte hesitated.
“Then we can’t come in?”
“Not exactly… Well, would you like to come inside first?”
Relieved, Charlotte exhaled softly and took Theodore’s arm. Until this moment, Theodore didn’t understand why they traveled two hours to Paelo Estate, or why they were at Eglesia Convent. And what was that letter?
They were guided to a guest room prepared for visitors. Soon, the convent’s head nun arrived. Charlotte greeted her politely and handed over the letter, just as she had with the younger nun.
“Hello, Head Nun. I’m Charlotte.”
“Ah, some very sweet children have come to visit.”
Though warmly received, the head nun inspected the room, then spoke.
“As for guardians… or rather, it’s nothing. Come this way.”
Theodore’s eyes narrowed. Though he had intended to ask the same question as the young nun, he seemed to hold back. Charlotte, seemingly oblivious, smiled and encouraged him to follow.
Sensing something odd, Theodore followed the head nun while touching his sword, prepared to carry Charlotte away if needed.
“This is the place.”
Tension high, they arrived at the backyard. Enclosed by tall brick walls, it was a cemetery with a sign reading “For the rest of all.” The head nun led them to a particular grave.
Charlotte paled. Staring at the grave, she asked the head nun urgently:
“Head Nun… they’re not alive, are they…?”
The head nun didn’t immediately respond, then sighed softly as if understanding. Theodore’s eyes widened as he noticed two names on the gravestone.
‘Erwin… Yvonne…’
Those were his parents’ names.
