Chapter 31

After that, Charlotte heard about what happened to Fenrir, who had been causing trouble in the town.

It turned out that Osvold had arranged for Fenrir to be taken in by none other than Hiedemarie.

According to Osvold, “She is involved in the protection of monsters and is especially experienced with Fenrir.” The wolf that had been with Hiedemarie was not an ordinary wolf but a young Fenrir.

As a result, Hiedemarie planned to go out into the town the next day, and Charlotte's classes were only in the morning. After the classes ended, starting a tea party had become a daily routine over the past few days.

“―So, Lady Frieda! You decided to study in the same town as your reliable foster brother!?”

Charlotte's bright voice echoed through the greenhouse of the Hiedemarie residence.

Sitting around the round table, enjoying tea, were the young ladies who had been sharing their love stories with her for the past few days. Today, the first to share her story was Frieda, a young lady in love with her foster brother.

With her brown hair braided and always neatly tied, she cleared her throat and said,

“After being forced to reveal my feelings to Charlotte, I talked to my father. I am the third daughter, and I was prepared to leave home eventually, but I believe I am capable of studying. If I can achieve good grades abroad, my father might decide that it would be better for me to stay at home, and then… perhaps…”

“Perhaps you could become the bride of the foster brother who was adopted as the heir!?”

“It’s still too early to tell!! But it seems I have been granted permission to study abroad for now, and if that happens, I will be staying in the same boarding house as my foster brother…”

As Frieda spoke nervously, Charlotte clapped with all her might.

“Actually, it’s more about Lady Monika! After chatting with Charlotte, you mustered the courage to write a letter to your childhood friend, and you received a reply yesterday saying, ‘I’ll come back during the spring break and want to have a serious talk’!?”

“Really!? Could it be…!?”

Monika, who had confided in Charlotte that she had always liked her childhood friend despite their constant arguments, blushed.

“Actually… I wrote a reply last night and sent it by magic. Then I received a letter saying, ‘I can’t wait for the spring break, I’ll come back tomorrow.’ So tonight, I’m meeting his father… for some reason…”

“Eeeh!?”

“P-Please, everyone, pray that I don’t argue with him tonight…!!”

Covering her face, Monika received reassurances from everyone, “It will surely be fine.”

Despite being preoccupied with the evening’s events, Monika still addressed her friends.

“But, Lady Elvira. After hearing that Charlotte went shopping in town with her beloved, didn’t you also invite your guard?”

“Eh! Is that so?”

“N-no, that wasn’t…!!”

Elvira, the central figure among the young ladies, turned her head away with a red face while holding her teacup.

“It’s not because I was envious of Charlotte! It’s just… the other day, when he protected me, he dropped his cufflink…! It’s only natural for a master to reward the loyalty of a guard, right?”

“Hmm. You’re right, Lady Elvira.”

“Don’t smirk like that, Charlotte! What about you…!”

While drinking tea nervously, Elvira asked,

“How was it? The shopping trip with your husband, who is in a political marriage and is the object of your one-sided love!”

“!!”

At the pointed question, Charlotte straightened her back.

The four young ladies looked at her with a tense expression. After a few seconds, Charlotte couldn’t help but relax her expression.

Seeing this, Elvira and the other young ladies exclaimed,

“What, did it go well for you, Charlotte!?”

“No, no, it’s too much to say that…! It’s just that Oz… my husband looked incredibly handsome during the shopping trip…!!”

She pressed her cheeks to keep them from melting and smiled widely.

Meanwhile, she glanced at someone discreetly.

Sitting next to Charlotte was Irena, a red-haired young lady in love with a classmate from the magic academy.

(Is it okay, Lady Irena? You haven’t spoken once during today’s tea party…)

The other young ladies must have noticed this as well, but they seemed to be deliberately avoiding the topic.

(This is also a form of etiquette in social gatherings. I should follow it…)

After giving Irena a subtle glance, Elvira turned back to Charlotte.

“Since it was the southern town, you must have gone to the capital of Corrent, right? Your husband has excellent taste.”

“Yes! My husband is perfect in every way, from head to toe! …What kind of town is the capital of Corrent?”

When Charlotte asked, everyone looked surprised.

“You don’t know!?”

“I heard you’re from the countryside, but you really are from a remote area. Corrent is where the second prince handles trade, and it’s said to be the first place where trends from various countries reach.”

“Mm… Then what about the north? What is the northern territory like?”

The northern territory is the Langheim territory, which is Osvold’s domain.

Charlotte didn’t know where Hiedemarie’s residence was. She usually teleported there, but she felt it wasn’t in Osvold’s territory.

The young ladies looked at each other and whispered, “The north… it’s a bit scary.”

“The northern border is adjacent to two major countries, right?”

(That’s true…)

“This country is large, but the two northern countries are just as big. If a war breaks out with those two countries, the northern territory is said to be the first to be in danger.”

Charlotte nodded in agreement with the young ladies.

“The northern border is protected solely because of Duke Langheim.”

(Osvold!)

Hearing the name of the person she loved, Charlotte’s eyes sparkled.

“The northern countries fear Duke Langheim, who is known as the ‘continent’s foremost genius magician,’ and do not easily invade this country, right?”

“My father also said that Duke Langheim was very strong on the battlefield. He saw him from a distance, but it was impressive. I’m envious.”

“His achievements are highly praised, and he is now respected among the nobility… Charlotte?”

The young ladies looked at Charlotte, who was listening intently, with suspicious eyes.

(I mustn’t… I mustn’t let them notice that I’m so interested in Osvold’s story…)

Charlotte quickly sat up straight and smiled.

“Sorry! I was so moved by your extensive knowledge! Please, continue the story!”

“O-Okay? But, Duke Langheim is currently being targeted by various families.”

“Targeted, how?”

“Of course.”

As Charlotte frowned, the young ladies said excitedly,

“The position of Duke Osvold Ralph Langheim’s wife!”

“……”

She blinked.

“The position of his wife…”

“Families with daughters are trying their best to attract Duke Langheim’s attention. I even received an invitation from my uncle to attend a ball where the Duke would be present. …I declined, but it wasn’t because of any ulterior motives…!”

Charlotte eventually understood.

(—My marriage to Osvold is not yet public knowledge in society.)