Chapter 14

It seems this place is an incredibly large mansion.

The long corridor is lined with a calm, young grass-colored carpet. Hydemarie walked with a straight back, not looking back at Charlotte as she spoke.

"…You. It seems you have already learned a certain level of etiquette."

"Is that so?"

"Even without looking, I can tell from your footsteps."

Hearing this, Charlotte was surprised in various ways.

(In other words, before I lost my memory, I must have been well-mannered. …Indeed, even after losing my memory, I didn't forget how to walk or move my hands.)

It must be something my body remembers. However, it's also impressive that Hydemarie could judge this without looking back.

"However, I cannot overlook such sudden actions as collapsing on the floor as you did earlier."

"Teacher! But I still have a lot to learn. So, please, teach me strictly! The more I learn, the more I can be of help to Mr. Osvold."

"…"

"Besides, Mr. Osvold is the most beautiful person in the world! If I am to be by his side, even for just one night, I need to be perfect. After all, Mr. Osvold in his evening attire must be absolutely stunning…!!"

Just imagining it makes her feel dizzy. Anticipating the upcoming evening party, Charlotte's eyes shine.

"By the way, what I'm particularly looking forward to learning is this! Straight up, 'How to handle it when you feel like screaming because your husband is too charming at the evening party'!!"

"There is no such lesson."

"Eeeh!?"

Then how do other people endure the charm of their partners? As she tilts her head, Hydemarie sighs.

"Do you think you will have the leisure to be captivated by your husband at the royal evening party? You are not ready for the battle. I can already see you being defeated disgracefully and fleeing back home."

"Yes, I…."

Charlotte tilts her head slightly.

"Teacher Hydemarie. I came here to learn the etiquette of the evening party."

"That's why I am teaching you. The etiquette of the evening party—namely, how to survive in the society of nobles and royalty."

Hearing this unexpected statement, she widens her eyes.

"Survive, you say?"

"An evening party is not a place to deepen friendships but a battlefield of information. Even the act of looking for and greeting acquaintances in the venue reveals one's intentions. You may look beautiful, but that makes you nothing more than an ornament of Langheim."

"That… That's a problem. I need to be of some help to Mr. Osvold."

"Hmph. What are you saying?"

Hydemarie stops and turns to her with the same difficult expression.

"Want to be of some help to your husband? Such a notion is absurd."

"Teacher! As a lady, it might be correct to remain quietly smiling at the evening party. But I…!"

"You must fight there as well."

"!"

Hydemarie smiles challengingly at the wide-eyed Charlotte.

"Not to assist Langheim, but to fight for yourself. You must go to the battlefield with your own purpose in mind."

"…I…"

"You must not go just because you are called. You must approach this evening party with a purpose of your own."

"!!"

Then she starts walking slowly again.

"Do you have something you want to achieve?"

"…Yes! I have many things I want to achieve!!"

Following Hydemarie, Charlotte nods repeatedly.

She wants to make up for the trouble she has caused Osvold and atone for her past actions. For that, she needs to recover her memory or learn about her past actions.

"I have been so focused on getting through the evening party that I haven't seen the bigger picture."

Not causing trouble for Osvold is a given.

However, there is more that Charlotte can do.

(If I handle things well, I might be able to learn about my past or find a way to recover my memory at the evening party. If I can do that, I can be of even more help than just getting through the evening party!)

Thinking this, her motivation swells even more.

"I will do my best!"

"Too easy to approach, full of weaknesses, and easy to handle. …You are truly different from the rumors."

Her tone is one of exasperation, but Charlotte feels a bit happy.

Hydemarie stops in front of a door and looks at Charlotte.

"First, we will choose your weapon."

"Wow, that sounds cool! I don't have any divine power, but will that be okay?"

Answering honestly, Hydemarie smirks.

"Not just divine power. In the room ahead, you cannot use your past experiences or your current status at all."

"…?"

As she tilts her head, the door slowly opens. Imagining a large armory, Charlotte's heart races with excitement.

"…Oh?"

There, an unexpected scene unfolds.