Chapter 35

Charlotte's current demeanor could be described as exceptionally demure.

Though she stood with her chest out, her movements were quiet and composed. Her expression was slightly haughty, and she lowered her gaze, enveloped in silence. The people heading towards the hall glanced at her from time to time.

However, Charlotte's inner turmoil was far from calm.

(The hand that is holding onto Mr. Ozwald's arm...!! I feel like I should focus all my attention on this hand, yet I don't want to be aware of it. It's such a complicated feeling...!! Oh, and my eardrums!! The sound of Mr. Ozwald's leather shoes and his broad strides create a beautiful melody as they echo off the marble floor and walls...!!)

Ozwald alone seemed to notice Charlotte's inner struggle. After all, the fingertips of Charlotte, who was holding onto Ozwald, were trembling uncontrollably.

"Hey. Are you okay?"

"Not really... When you speak so close to my ear, I might just faint right here."

"You have to really hold it in...! 'Stay.' Stay."

"Understood, Stay...! Stay, my stomach contents...!!"

She nodded with a composed expression, despite her trembling. Ozwald continued in a low voice.

"Still, I didn't expect you to transform this much."

"Really!? I learned well from Mr. Hydemarie. 'Everyone must fight with the weapons they have.'"

"According to Mr. Hydemarie, your weapon is 'overwhelming lack of awareness of the situation.' But how did you ignore the gazes just now? ...Could it be?"

"Yes."

Charlotte opened her eyes and, with a face that looked only like a clever and beautiful girl, said:

"---I was seriously thinking about the scene of 'the entrance hall of the castle and Mr. Ozwald,' which I had never seen before, so I didn't notice anything around me...!"

"---I didn't think you could enter your own world even amidst such intense gazes..."

"Indeed, it might be your weapon," Ozwald said.

She felt praised, but he quickly added, "I'm not praising you, though." But she felt happy, even with that.

"And Mr. Hydemarie said, 'Show your maximum effort with a cool face.' So, I tried to show my best manners as if it were nothing!"

"---The gesture of taking off your jacket just now?"

"Yes. I calculated every movement of my fingertips, made no sound with the rustling of the fabric, and ensured the hem of the dress spread beautifully! I was told to do this not with great effort but with a 'minimum effort' expression. That way, people would think, 'This is normal for her. If she tries her best, it will be even more impressive!'"

So, Charlotte worked hard.

Ozwald, listening to her explanation, murmured to himself:

"---To make your maximum effort look like the minimum..."

"Mr. Ozwald?"

Perhaps he had his own thoughts.

"Mr. Hydemarie's teachings are correct."

"Yes! After all, he is the teacher you introduced me to!"

While responding, she stared at his profile.

(Mr. Ozwald. If my guess is correct, indeed...)

At that moment, Ozwald stopped.

The red carpet led to the hall where the evening party was being held. Many people had already gathered, and the sound of their conversations, accompanied by the orchestra, could be heard from there.

"From here on, people will start addressing us directly. Stay focused."

"Yes, Mr. Ozwald!"

"The royal family won't approach you immediately. They will likely use surveillance magic to observe you from a distance until they confirm your safety. Maintain your utmost grace and composure."

"Yes! I'll focus on my composure!! I'll be a good girl!"

Charlotte replied in a low voice.

(Mr. Hydemarie said to fight to gain what I can from the evening party, but that's that! First, I must absolutely not become a blemish on Mr. Ozwald...! I must be a perfect lady to avoid embarrassing Mr. Ozwald...)

As she resolved this, Ozwald smiled.

"---That's not it, is it?"

(Hya...)

Her heart skipped a beat at his somewhat arrogant smile. Then Ozwald said:

"Charlotte, the 'Holy Maiden.' ...Your behavior can be that of a villainous woman."

"!"

Charlotte gasped at his words. It was true, as Ozwald said. Thinking about it, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

(I'm surprised. Perhaps I was just nervous...)

However, what Ozwald told her gave her a great deal of strength.

"...Yes, Mr. Ozwald!"

"But, by all means, don't go overboard. Understand?"

"I'll be careful! Even if I can't bear Mr. Ozwald's greatness, I think I can endure it 299 times out of 300!"

"Endure it all!! Hey, understand? If it comes to it, I won't hesitate to take any measures!"

Then the two entered the hall of the evening party.