Chapter 32

Thinking back, Hydemarie had also spoken to Charlotte at this tea party, telling her to keep it a secret who she was married to.

(But, that's only natural.)

Charlotte lowered her head, quietly convincing herself.

(It's all inevitable. After all, I have committed cruel and unjust acts!)

Since it is a fact, she has no right to think about it. Just as she was thinking this, Monica spoke up.

"In fact, I heard from my father that in the royal castle, there's a rumor that if Lord Langheim and 'Saint Charlotte' were to marry, their child would be someone to look forward to."

"!!"

Charlotte, along with everyone else, opened her eyes wide.

"Surely not that cruel saint?"

"It's impossible, it's a mismatch! No matter how much she is rumored to be the greatest saint in history, it's unthinkable for Lord Langheim, who is also called a hero of our country, to marry such a terrifying woman!"

"......"

Charlotte tightly closed her mouth.

However, the one Elvira directed a puzzled gaze at was not Charlotte.

"What's wrong, Irene? You look pale."

"Eh? ...Ah... I..."

Irene, who had been silent all along, hurriedly tried to lift her head.

But she still looked odd. As proof, Irene dropped the teacup she was holding.

"Ah!"

The cup hit the stone floor and shattered miserably.

"Oh, what have I done...!!"

"No, no, Lady Irene! You mustn't touch the shards like that...!!"

Before Charlotte could stop her, Irene reached out to pick up the shards and, as expected, winced in pain.

"Ow...!!"

"Oh, are you alright!?"

A small wound appeared on her hand, and red droplets spilled out.

"Oh, this is bad! Someone, get Miss Hydemarie!"

"No, no, Lady Elvira! Miss Hydemarie can't be reached until evening..."

"That's right, what should we do. The only person I know who can use healing magic is Miss Hydemarie... Irene, it must hurt, right? Let's do some first aid immediately..."

"L-Ladies!"

In front of the pale and flustered young ladies, Charlotte raised her hand.

"Can I take a look, just for a moment?"

"Charlotte? You don't mean..."

Charlotte, while checking on Irene, took her hand.

Irene's shoulder twitched as if in fear. The cut, running from her fingertips to the side of her hand, seemed deeper than what a shard would typically cause.

"It's okay, Lady Irene. Just relax a little, please!"

"Ah..."

Charlotte enveloped Irene's hands and gently poured her thoughts into them.

(Just like with Fenrir. Gently, softly, like a prayer...)

She wished for this painful wound to heal.

She wished for it to close. With these feelings, she continued to focus.

Then, a warm sensation was born in Charlotte's left chest.

"Look! Light is healing Lady Irene's wound..."

Charlotte had her eyes closed and couldn't see the scene, but she could feel the power emanating from herself reaching her dear friend.

"...Phew!"

As the light disappeared, she unconsciously let out a breath she had been holding.

When she opened her eyes, the wound on Irene's hand, which Charlotte had enveloped, was gone.

"It... It's healed!!"

"Charlotte! You can use healing magic! That's amazing!"

Elvira and the others exclaimed excitedly and surrounded Charlotte.

Irene, who had received the healing, was staring at her hand in a daze.

"Ah... Thank you, Charlotte..."

"No! How are you? Is there any other place that hurts?"

Relieved that she had healed her, Charlotte looked at her palm.

(Indeed, my divine power...)

What flashed through her mind was the concern she had been carrying since the incident with Fenrir yesterday.

But now, she pushed it aside and smiled at Irene.

"Today, you seemed distracted and I was worried. If something is bothering you, please feel free to talk to me!"

"......!!"

Irene looked at Charlotte with wide eyes.

(According to the rules of social gatherings, it's generally not appropriate to delve into someone else's troubles...)

But she was still worried.

And like Osvalt, whom she loved, she didn't want to pass by someone in need.

"That's right, Irene. I thought maybe it would be better to pretend not to notice... but..."

"Yes. If I can help, I want to hear about it."

"Ladies..."

After her eyes welled up, Irene gently shook her head.

"Thank you. But it's nothing serious. It's just that the person I have a crush on has been in low spirits for a long time..."

"―Is that a big deal!?"

"!!"

When all four of them said this in unison, Irene's eyes widened again, and this time she chuckled.

"Hehe... Thank you, everyone."

(I'm glad. Lady Irene seems a bit more cheerful...)

As she sighed in relief, Elvira peered at Charlotte from beside her.

"Still, I finally understand. You can use healing magic, which is why you were able to come to Miss Hydemarie, who was once a saint."

(Miss Hydemarie was a saint before!?)

Though surprised, she didn't show it on her face and instead put on an ambiguous smile.

"Being able to use healing magic and having the name 'Charlotte' could lead to confusion with Saint Charlotte, which would be troublesome."

"Hehe... Yes, yes..."

"It's true. Even I, when I heard the name 'Charlotte,' always thought of that terrifying saint. I couldn't help but picture a cold and cruel woman."

"I felt the same way. But now... the overwhelming presence has rewritten that image."

"Yes. When I hear 'Charlotte,' I can't help but think of someone who is always bright and a bit airheaded..."

As everyone looked at her, Charlotte blinked.

"Could it be that in everyone's mind, 'Charlotte' now refers to me?"

"......"

Everyone nodded in silence.

The greenhouse fell silent, but Charlotte felt different.

"Hey, Charlotte! What are you smiling about!"

"Hehe... Hehe, hehe, thank you! I feel like I've become closer to everyone, and it makes me happy!"

"It's not something you need to thank us for, I don't think!"

But Charlotte was happy.

At the same time, she felt a little afraid of being known as 'Saint' Charlotte.

"......"

At this moment, someone was giving Charlotte a meaningful look, but she didn't notice.

***