Chapter 60
Charlotte’s eyes curved seductively.
“Do I look like that?”
“Uh… yes.”
“I see. But no, that’s not it.”
For a moment, a shadow crossed the man’s face. Before Teddyann and Charlotte could notice, it quickly returned to an expressionless face.
“Why do people assume marriage is a given?”
Charlotte muttered to herself.
“They think that if you get married and have a baby, happiness will follow.”
“Oh… isn’t that true?”
“No, it’s not. You’re quite naïve, aren’t you?”
“But my parents loved each other. My mother always said she was happier because she had me and my older siblings.”
“That’s all lies they told you to make you feel good.”
“No, it’s not!”
Teddyann, who was at the age of wanting love most, shouted in frustration.
Charlotte smiled leisurely.
“Marriage will never bring happiness. Especially when a baby comes along.”
“That’s not true.”
“What do you know? You’ve never been married, you’re just a tiny brat.”
“Ugh… Then you, sister, have you ever been married? You haven’t, right? You said you weren’t a wife a moment ago!”
Teddyann retorted based on Charlotte’s earlier statement.
Charlotte’s eyes curved prettily as she smiled.
“I hate babies.”
Teddyann froze.
“They’re like bugs, disgusting. Little creatures that eat away at your life.”
It was strange.
Until just a moment ago, Teddyann had felt like approaching this sister, speaking to her as if he were facing a garden in full bloom.
Now, he just wanted to stay as far away from her as possible.
“You’ll understand my feelings once you experience it yourself.”
Even though the other person was smiling so beautifully it could be mesmerizing, Teddyann’s body began to tremble like a leaf in the wind.
He didn’t realize that it was fear making him shake.
But his actions were quick.
“Ah, this is—!”
He hurriedly climbed onto the horse and bolted, forgetting his original goal of delivering the handkerchief to Elinor.
Charlotte murmured with regret.
“He’s gone.”
“Shall we go too?”
The man said casually.
“You said you wanted to see the multicolored garden.”
“About that… it’s already over. That kid told me. You need Hilliard’s permission to visit.”
“If Charlotte wants, you can enter anytime.”
The man frowned slightly, as if his pride was hurt.
“I can handle it all for you.”
“I know.”
“You really won’t see it?”
“Yeah. On second thought, it’ll probably be boring. Even if it’s beautiful, it’s just a cave in the end.”
“Even though we came all this way…”
The man sighed lightly.
Charlotte giggled.
“As expected, I don’t like the countryside. Let’s go where the ball is held.”
The man nodded and reached out his hand as if escorting her.
The two, giving off an oddly contrasting atmosphere, disappeared beyond the bushes.
The Border of Hilliard
There was a massive canyon separating the two continents.
According to the founding myth, the canyon was actually where a dragon had once slept.
At that time, the continents were in chaos.
Humans were killing each other and seizing everything in sight.
Eventually, the enraged dragon awoke, overturned the chaotic world, and established order by founding a nation.
The current empire exists because of that, and the emperor is said to be the descendant of the dragon’s will.
“Typical story to legitimize royal authority,” Elinor thought as she watched the rapidly passing scenery outside the window.
“But it’s worth analyzing. Usually, old stories like this hide some answers.”
Unlike Charlotte, the heroine, Elinor couldn’t solve problems with charm or seduction.
So, she intended to rely on what she could do: interpret hidden rules, reorganize them, and create new ones.
That talent had allowed Elinor to survive even in the world she had been reincarnated into.
“I need to buy time.”
What Elinor needed now was time—time to find the hiding Charlotte and to ensure the baby could grow safely.
Fear would prevent any progress.
It would be difficult, no doubt, but Elinor decided not to give in to fear prematurely.
“That’s enough for today. Let’s camp here.”
As night fell and the path grew dark, Mathias stopped the caravan.
Since there were no villages nearby, they had no choice but to camp.
The knights skillfully set up tents and started a fire.
Elinor looked around awkwardly.
“Should I do something?”
She tentatively reached for the box containing ingredients.
Seeing this, a knight hurried over and exclaimed:
“Oh, my lady! What are you doing?”
Startled, Elinor blinked.
“I just wanted to help.”
“The knights will take care of it. You should rest comfortably, my lady.”
“But everyone is working together, and I can’t just do nothing…”
“We’re not all working together. His Highness is resting. Your Highness, please take the lady with you!”
The knight handed Elinor to Mathias.
He was determined to prevent her from doing any labor.
Mathias cleared his throat.
“If you’re bored waiting, how about a walk?”
“A walk?”
“Yes. Sitting in the carriage for so long must be stiff. A short walk might help.”
“But… it’s already too dark to go wandering.”
“I’ll go with you. Of course, if you’re willing, Lady Elinor.”
Elinor, seeing there was nothing more she could do by staying behind, nodded after a brief thought.
Cricket sounds chirped as they walked silently through the forest.
At first, Elinor walked without thought, but gradually, she began to feel tense.
Until now, the baby had always been with them, acting as a shared topic, keeping conversation flowing.
Now, alone with Mathias, she didn’t know what to say.
“Lady Elinor.”
“Y-yes…!”
Startled, Elinor replied.
Mathias hesitated briefly, then apologized directly.
“I’m sorry.”
Elinor turned her head.
His face was set firmly.
Why was he apologizing?
Seeing her confused gaze, Mathias cleared his throat.
“I acted too rashly before.”
“Before… when?”
“When I saw you with the Magi Tower Lord.”
Elinor finally understood why he was apologizing.
He was referring to how he had criticized her in the greenhouse.
“You’re not someone who acts recklessly, so my words were harsh. I should have apologized sooner, but it’s too late now.”
Perhaps so many things had happened in the meantime that it felt like years had passed.
Elinor replied nonchalantly.
“It’s alright.”
“You must have been upset.”
“I was, but now that you’ve apologized, it’s fine.”
She didn’t want to bring up past events unnecessarily.
What complicated Elinor’s thoughts more than that was already a lot.
Mathias, watching her reaction, said:
“Then I have one question. May I ask?”
“What is it?”
“Do you… perhaps like the Magi Tower Lord?”
Suddenly, what kind of question was that?
Elinor’s eyes turned triangular.
“Was your apology the prelude to a second round?”
“No, no.”
Mathias waved his hands.
“If my question was unpleasant, I apologize. I only asked because you seemed close to the Magi Tower Lord. Few people receive his favor.”
