**Chapter 6**
Darkness fell over the Augusta mansion. In Charlotte’s room, a joyful voice rang out.
“Goodness! Prince Leopold, aren’t you a genius?”
Although she used the formal title *Prince*, Charlotte was happily hopping as she pulled off her shoes. Sitting in the dark–green chair by the window with his long legs crossed, Leopold looked at her as if he couldn’t believe her behavior.
“To think I would go against the Count just because of a ghost’s words—I was honestly about to believe I’d gone insane. But then, when the library doors opened and I saw that large portrait behind Duke Oslo, I suddenly thought, *‘Maybe what you said could really work!’*”
Charlotte finally tossed her shoes into the corner and kept chattering. A while ago she was trembling, praying about ghosts, but now her voice overflowed with happiness and gratitude.
Leopold rested his chin on one hand, watching Charlotte chatter with quiet interest.
“Count Oslo isn’t such a complicated man.”
His green–gray eyes shone softly on her. Now she noticed that he wore a green cravat—the symbol of Holland—tied loosely at his neck.
“Ah, this is a feeling I’ve never had before. Just for that moment, I wasn’t the troublemaker of Augusta, but Charlotte—the wise girl who saved her family from debt! And not only that—”
She threw herself onto the bed with a bounce.
“Count Oslo not only decided not to demand compensation, but thanks to the royal minister beside him, he invited us to the royal ball next week! He even promised to introduce us to the guests himself.”
Her voice was filled with happiness. According to society rules, no matter how beautiful a young lady was, she could not speak or dance with gentlemen unless she was properly introduced. That’s why, for young women of marriage age, having a well–connected sponsor was as important as finding a good husband.
*‘But now, being introduced by a man like Count Oslo… that means I’ll meet all of London’s wealthy and high–ranking bachelors!’*
Charlotte grinned at the thought, imagining herself being presented by the Duke and dancing with a wonderful gentleman who would surprise her parents and sisters. She was so lost in her happy dream that she rolled across the bed.
“Is it really that good?”
For Leopold, who had lived his life in court, it was shocking to see a grown lady bouncing around like this. He raised one eyebrow and watched her with amusement.
“Of course! It’s won—”
Charlotte, lying on the bed, stopped in mid–sentence. Her eyes met Leopold’s.
In the dim evening light, his tilted face looked breathtakingly beautiful—his green–gray eyes softly glowing, his hair falling across his face, his dignified posture, and broad shoulders. Suddenly she realized he had seen all her silly behavior, and her cheeks turned red.
Leopold lifted one dark eyebrow at her, as if asking why she had stopped speaking. Charlotte quickly sat up and finished her thought.
“Ehem… w–wonderful, yes. At this ball, I might finally have a dance partner!”
She tried to match his calm tone, though her face still glowed with excitement.
Leopold looked at her flushed cheeks for a moment, then stood up.
“Very well. Since I helped you achieve your goal, it’s now time for you to do something for me.”
With his tall, strong build, he looked more suited to a grand palace than Charlotte’s small room. He stepped closer to the bed and said:
“That ball Count Oslo invited you to… that is actually the royal ball held to welcome me.”
“Oh! Now that you mention it…”
Charlotte’s eyes widened. Helena had mentioned it before—the grandest event of the year, hosted by Duke Oslo and the royal family, to welcome the Prince of Holland.
Charlotte hesitated.
“B–but, Your Highness, you’re not showing yourself to anyone right now. How could you attend the ball…?”
Would the guest of honor even appear? Could the ball be held at all? She tilted her head in doubt, and Leopold’s soft voice answered:
“The fact that the preparations continue means no one knows I’ve gone missing.”
He moved closer and sat beside her. Charlotte thought she caught a faint, intoxicating scent of sandalwood from him.
“But… you’re the godson of the King of England and a prince of another nation. Isn’t it strange that no one has noticed your disappearance for days?”
Charlotte whispered, surrounded by his alluring scent. Leopold gave her a secret smile.
“Officially, I haven’t yet arrived in England. I was scheduled to come on the day of Oslo’s party.”
His green–gray eyes glimmered under the candlelight—sometimes sharp and cold, sometimes soft like dawn shadows.
He continued in his smooth, low voice.
“But secretly, I came early under another identity. I had things to do for Holland’s independence. So, only very few people could know that I was here.”
Charlotte blinked.
“If only a few knew… then the person who turned you into this ghost–like state must have known you arrived early!”
At her words, Leopold’s lips curved faintly.
“That’s right, Lady.”
Encouraged, Charlotte added:
“Then only on the day of the ball will people realize the Prince of Holland is missing…”
Her voice trailed off. Leopold spoke in the silence:
“Or, they may learn that I am already dead.”
Charlotte flinched at his calm, sharp tone. *Dead?* How could this beautiful, vivid man with such a sensual presence already be gone from this world?
*‘I’ve called him a ghost from the beginning… but I never truly thought about what Prince Leopold’s body might have gone through.’*
She looked at him with shock. He gave her a gentle smile, as if reading her heart. But his serene beauty and brilliant eyes only deepened her sorrow.
Then he said slowly:
“Whether missing or dead, it doesn’t matter to me. For Holland’s sake, for the mission I came here for, I still must find the culprit. And Lady, I need your help.”
He tilted his head slightly, soft hair falling over his forehead, the strong line of his neck revealed between his shirt and coat.
“It’s hard for a prince to enter England in disguise. So, I relied on an old friend living in London. He is trustworthy, but perhaps without knowing, information about my whereabouts leaked. I need you to meet him.”
Charlotte nodded eagerly. Even aside from their deal, she truly wanted to help him.
“Of course, Prince Leopold. Who is this person I must meet?”
Her passionate reply made him smile.
“It isn’t easy for an unmarried lady to spend private time with a gentleman. Especially with one who has certain… rumors.”
Charlotte’s shoulders slumped. Indeed, a young lady without a guardian could do very little—almost as little as a ghost could. While she thought gloomily, Leopold continued:
“But… at a ball, it’s different. Especially if you’re introduced by someone as influential as Count Oslo.”
Charlotte’s head shot up.
“Oh! That means he will also be at your welcoming ball? Then I can speak with him there. What perfect luck! If Count Oslo hadn’t invited us today, my sisters and I would never have been able to attend…”
Overjoyed at being able to help, Charlotte suddenly grew suspicious. Her bright eyes narrowed.
“…Wait a moment, Prince Leopold. Did you help me make a good impression on Count Oslo *on purpose*? So that I would be invited to the royal ball?”
She had thought he only wanted to help her move the Count’s heart for their deal. But now it was clear—he had already planned ahead.
Leopold let out a low, quiet laugh at her sharp deduction. It was an unspoken *yes.*
*Do royals practice smiling so beautifully?* Charlotte wondered. His low laugh sounded like soft music to her ears. Still, she muttered with mock annoyance:
“Unbelievable. Then I wasn’t really making a deal with you… I was just moving according to your plan from the start!”
Leopold answered in a gentle voice:
“Don’t worry, Lady. You won’t lose anything. In helping me, you’ll end up meeting all the finest bachelors in England.”
His smiling face shone with noble beauty more than ever. Charlotte had to steady herself again, lest she lose her composure.
—
