Chapter 13

She is a beautiful old woman, tall and with her back straight.

At her feet, a large wolf clung tightly, as if guarding its master.

The old woman quietly looked at Charlotte, then said, covering her mouth with a fan.

"--- You look even more foolish than I imagined."

"…………"

The female magicians behind Charlotte, looking flustered, said to the old woman.

"Lady Haidemarie, please be careful. This person... "

"Even if she is a 'rare saint,' her divine power is sealed now, isn't it? It's pitiful for magicians to be so scared of a little girl."

Without even glancing at the flustered magicians, the old woman frowned at Charlotte.

"You. Understand this: I have no intention of showing any mercy."

"……"

"You've been living as you pleased, being praised as a saint, but that won't be the case from now on. It's improper for someone like you to be invited to the grand ball of a historic castle."

"…………"

The wolf at her feet also gazed steadily at Charlotte.

"You must be very frustrated. But if you can't listen to my words, feel free to leave. Please embarrass yourself at the ball and receive the ridicule you deserve."

The magicians were tense, worried that her words might provoke the 'saint' Charlotte. However, for Charlotte, who had just been scolded by the old woman, it was not the time to be concerned about that.

"…I, I will…"

"I can't hear you. Speak clearly."

Encouraged by the old woman, Charlotte forced out her voice.

"Please…!! Could you please repeat the first words you said to me!!"

"………………"

The room fell silent.

The magicians were perplexed, and the old woman looked extremely displeased. Nevertheless, she responded to Charlotte and spoke.

"…'You look even more foolish than I imagined.'"

"Before that! The words before that! The first words you said when you entered this room, please, just once more!"

"…………"

The wrinkles on the old woman's forehead deepened.

Then, as if she had realized something, she spoke the words Charlotte had hoped for.

"--- Charlotte Rea Langheim"

"Ah, ahn…!!"

She clutched her body and fell to her knees.

The magicians took a step back, but she no longer cared.

(Charlotte Rea 'Langheim'!! Oh, this is my full name…!!)

She savored this fact, crouching on the floor.

(The same last name as Lord Ozvalt!! What a stroke of luck. I never thought I would learn this at a place where I came to study etiquette…! When I learned Lord Ozvalt's last name, I wanted to combine it with my own name right away, but my full name was a mystery…!!)

Charlotte Rea Langheim.

Even though it was the first time she had heard her full name, it felt special just because it was the same as Ozvalt's. She held back her tears and thanked the old woman.

"Thank you…!! I'm so happy that you called my name, Ms. Haidemarie…!!"

The magicians called the old woman 'Haidemarie.' Following their example, she called her and looked up.

"……"

(?) (She's looking at me as if I'm some unknown entity.)

Haidemarie, with a stern face, looked down at the crouching Charlotte.

"You just got insulted by me. Why are you smiling so happily?"

"Because I'm happy!"

After saying it from the heart, she explained to Haidemarie.

"I love Lord Ozvalt. Ah, but he hates me! So, being able to confirm a connection with him makes me happy."

She didn't reveal that she didn't know her real name, but her words were not a lie. Haidemarie still looked disbelieving and said:

"…You are going to learn from me how to behave at the ball, right?"

"Thank you! I will cause you a lot of trouble, but I will work hard!"

"Not that. Aren't you bothered by it?"

When Charlotte tilted her head, Haidemarie's frown deepened.

"Did you not hear what I said just now? And I dislike girls like you."

"Yes, I had that impression!"

"Then why are you so calm? Shouldn't you be lashing out or throwing a tantrum?"

From the magicians' reactions, the pre-amnesia Charlotte might have acted that way.

But the current Charlotte doesn't get along with her pre-amnesia self. Her opinions are completely different depending on whether she likes Ozvalt or not.

"Participating in the ball will help Lord Ozvalt, whom I admire. Ms. Haidemarie is an important person who will teach me the necessary skills."

"I said I dislike you."

"Does that give me a reason to dislike you?"

For the first time, Haidemarie's eyes widened.

Charlotte continued, addressing her.

"Ms. Haidemarie, because I love Lord Ozvalt, every second is very enjoyable for me."

"…That is irrelevant."

"Isn't the world more enjoyable the more people you like?"

Unfortunately, the current Charlotte knows very few people.

So, she hopes that the new people she meets will be as many 'people she likes' as possible.

And she believes that this is something she can decide for herself, not something determined by the people she meets.

"I want to like everyone. You are a wonderful person because you are teaching me etiquette despite disliking me! …And you even taught me… called my name. So I… Oh, Mr. Wolf!"

The white wolf at Haidemarie's feet sniffed Charlotte's nose, making a soft sound.

Since Charlotte was still on her knees, the wolf easily confirmed her presence. After touching her nose with its black nose, it looked back at its owner.

"I don't know what you're thinking."

"?"

After a sigh, Haidemarie said:

"Follow me."

"Yes!"

Charlotte stood up, smoothed her dress, and followed Haidemarie out into the corridor.