Chapter 124

I wasn’t related by blood to the Schweiden family, nor could I ever act as their agent.

No matter how much favor I enjoyed, it was absolutely impossible for me to command the Duke’s private soldiers as I pleased.

But at the very least, I could deliver the news about Martin to the Schweiden siblings.

So I decided to meet Martin first.

Originally, I had planned to wait for him to come to me, just like in the original story. But that would only happen after Angela returned to the mansion, which would be a little too late.

It seemed better if I went to find Martin myself, talked to him, and later explained the plan to Angela.

So the next day, I carefully left the Duke’s mansion.

If Angela realized I had snuck out, she would be angry—but I decided to deal with that later.

“The shelter should be somewhere south of the capital.”

I had learned from the original story that Martin was currently at the southern shelter. Now, all I could do was hope he stayed quietly there, as in the original story.

“The area outside the Duke’s mansion is completely ruined…”

The capital was now divided into war zones and safe zones. Within the safe zones, there were private estates for high-ranking nobles like the Schweiden mansion, and shelters for civilians.

Of course, “safe” didn’t mean the streets looked neat or lively. It was simply fenced off from the war zone with guards stationed at the perimeter.

I hadn’t noticed before because I was in a rush, but even in the safe zones, many buildings were destroyed.

If the Emperor saw this, he’d probably call to dethrone the Crown Prince immediately.

I hurried along with the guards.

But people suddenly blocked my path.

“Stop. Where do you think you’re going?”

“….”

They were guards in royal knight uniforms.

I felt uneasy, remembering the knights I had encountered near the temple last time. Still, I answered casually.

“I’m on my way to volunteer at the shelter.”

I had prepared this excuse, anticipating the possibility. Some nobles actually volunteered at the shelters, so it wouldn’t seem unusual for me to say the same.

Apparently, the guards found nothing suspicious in my answer and stepped aside.

I quickened my pace, worried they might change their minds and try to stop me.

“Here it is…”

I entered the hotel that had been turned into a temporary shelter and quickly scanned the area. I had to find Martin among all these people.

I searched every floor of the hotel but couldn’t see even a strand of Martin’s hair.

What’s going on? Why isn’t he here?

Flustered by the unexpected situation, I went outside just in case—and there he was.

Martin wasn’t inside the building. He was walking along the hotel’s surrounding pathway, holding a half-eaten apple.

“Martin…!”

Hearing my voice, Martin turned his head.

“Sera?”

He looked slightly surprised to see me suddenly, but his expression didn’t change much. Though, worry was clearly written on his face.

“What brings you all the way here, Sera?”

“I came to find you, Martin.”

“Me?”

Martin looked puzzled.

I first told him about Charlotte, knowing he would be concerned.

“Don’t be shocked. Charlotte is currently being held at the palace.”

Martin’s green eyes widened slowly. The apple he was holding dropped from his hand.

“…What? Held? What do you mean?”

“I mean exactly that. The Crown Prince has imprisoned Charlotte at the palace. I was trapped there with her until recently, but I barely managed to escape.”

“….”

I continued explaining to Martin, who looked bewildered.

“Actually, Charlotte isn’t in a good state. I was kidnapped so I could be her caretaker and companion.”

“What… How could…”

“If things continue like this, something terrible could happen. Martin, come with me to rescue Charlotte!”

I assumed he would naturally follow me.

After all, he was Charlotte’s male lead. He should want to save her, right?

But contrary to my expectations, Martin hesitated.

“Martin?”

“Am I… really necessary to save Charlotte?”

“…What?”

I was taken aback by his uncertain answer.

Martin avoided my gaze and looked away as he spoke.

“I’m weak and incapable. I think the nobles alone are enough to rescue Charlotte.”

What is he talking about?

I instinctively grabbed his arm.

“Aren’t you worried about Charlotte?”

“Worrying and actually going to save her are different things. If I go, I’ll just get in the way.”

“Why are you so quick to decide that?!”

I’d been wondering about this since earlier. Why did Martin keep insisting he wasn’t needed?

He’s not exactly oblivious…

He should have realized that he was an important person to Charlotte.

So why would he want to step back in such a critical situation? I didn’t understand.

“I don’t know why you want my opinion, but please go back. Charlotte is in danger, isn’t she?”

Martin didn’t answer, simply turning away.

I was about to grab him again when I noticed his fists trembling.

Ah… Maybe he’s afraid of getting involved in something dangerous.

If that was the reason, I couldn’t force him any longer.

“…Okay. If your concern is for safety, I won’t force you.”

“For safety?”

Martin looked at me as if he’d never heard such a thing before. What? That’s not what I meant.

“This hesitation isn’t for some pathetic reason like that…”

He turned fully toward me and spoke.

“Charlotte wouldn’t want to see me.”

“Huh? What…?”

“I’m already worthless, and I’ve hurt her before. I even triggered her trauma.”

I didn’t immediately understand what he meant.

But if he was talking about Charlotte’s trauma, then he was probably referring to that incident.

“Helene… you’re talking about her?”

Hearing the name, Martin flinched in surprise.

“How do you know Helene, Sera?”

“Charlotte told me herself. More importantly, what do you mean by triggering her trauma? Am I right?”

Martin hesitated at the barrage of questions but finally nodded slightly.

“It might sound like an excuse, but I never intended it from the start.”

We slowly walked along the pathway.

As we walked, Martin recounted his brief private encounter with Charlotte before the rebellion.

He told me about the time he brought up Helene to create distance from Charlotte.

“I thought… someone like me… being by the Crown Princess’s side would be no good.”

“….”

“She used to rely on me a lot, but now you’re there, Sera… I realized I’m no longer needed.”

I wanted to shout that this wasn’t true, but I held back and listened.

“Whatever my intentions, Charlotte was probably hurt because of me. I don’t deserve to be by her side…”

Martin’s murmuring looked calm, almost detached, as if he had accepted that he couldn’t approach Charlotte.

But his eyes said something different.

The way he looked at Charlotte was similar to, yet different from, the way Deverick or Leopold might.

I had seen that look before. Julian’s expression when he looked at me naturally came to mind.

It was the feeling of wanting something, knowing you can’t have it. I could tell it was born from longing.

“….”

Realizing that made me a little annoyed.

You’re not unworthy… Are you possessed like me? Or is there some reason you can’t say it? You’re both holding back for no reason and hurting each other needlessly!

“Martin.”

I pushed down my frustration and looked at him seriously.

From the last night with Charlotte, I had learned a lot about her.

One thing was clear: Charlotte liked Martin… really, really liked him.

“It doesn’t matter—Charlotte said she can’t live without you, Martin.”

“…What?”

“So if hesitation is all that’s holding you back, just come with me, okay?”