Chapter 6

After changing into a dress, Charlotte walked down the long corridor of the mansion.

After finishing the breakfast on the serving table, she found a dressing room at the back of her bedroom and chose a light blue dress from the closet.

The maid who came to her room hasn't returned since then, so she ended up changing by herself, which turned out to be quite a valuable experience.

(Tying the ribbons behind my back multiple times, I couldn't get it right and had to untie them. Thanks to the repetition, it took quite a while...)

Feeling almost like singing a little tune, she twirled the hem of her dress.

(Being able to dress myself, I feel a strong attachment to this dress.)

Perhaps it was the previous Charlotte's preference. The soft fabric layered in the same color as her eyes, the drapery resembled ripples on the sea surface.

(Still, this mansion is quite large. Even though I'm walking around alone, there's no sign of Lord Ozvalt getting angry and returning...)

She looked around as she walked down the corridor. Perhaps Lord Ozvalt hasn't been informed that Charlotte left her room, or maybe he doesn't mind if she does.

(—Lord Ozvalt must have set up something to prevent me from escaping.)

She was told that she was being monitored. Indeed, when she saw the past scenes earlier, Ozvalt appeared immediately.

(I am being watched, confined, and monitored. All by Lord Ozvalt, my husband. ...It's just too...)

Charlotte pressed her hand tightly to her chest.

(It's just too... thrilling...!?)

She savored the excitement.

(It feels like we're connected even when we're apart! Could it be that he's using some kind of visual magic to watch me? Lord Ozvalt, here I am, over here!)

She pointed to a random spot on the ceiling and waved her hands wildly.

There was no real evidence that she was being watched, but it was just her imagination and feeling. However, the hope that "Lord Ozvalt might be here" made it very fun to wave her hands.

(H...!?! But, wait a moment. If he is watching me, he must have seen me changing just now!? N-no, that's not good, that's not right!! It's okay, calm down. Lord Ozvalt dislikes me and wouldn't want to see me undressed...)

Her heart raced, and she ended up panting. When Charlotte took a deep breath, she heard a small scream from the other side of the corridor.

Three maids were standing there.

"Ah! Good morning, everyone!"

"......!!"

"That's the maid from earlier. Thank you for bringing me breakfast..."

Before Charlotte could finish, the maids turned pale and ran away.

(Oh dear...)

They stumbled over their feet and fled in a hurry. She wanted to tell them not to be afraid, but approaching them would only make them more scared.

(After all, I'm more of an evil deity than a saint...)

Feeling apologetic, she wilted.

(Wandering around the mansion might scare them again. Come to think of it, I passed a terrace that leads to the garden when I was exploring the first floor earlier...)

Remembering this, she turned back towards the terrace. The door with a wooden frame and glass seemed safe to touch. Charlotte gently pushed the door open, and a cold gust of wind blew in.

Her hair and dress were tousled. For a moment, she couldn't even breathe, but the sharp cold was refreshing.

(Is the feeling of cold new because I lost my memory?)

She almost curled up but forced herself to stand straight.

The sky was clear, but it was still cold even with the sun shining. The warmth inside the mansion must be due to some magic.

(I should have brought a shawl. ...But, the cold is also enjoyable.)

The coat Lord Ozvalt lent her was left in her bedroom. She wanted to keep it close, but it was a precious borrowed item. She resisted the urge to wear it, even shedding a few tears as she left it behind to keep it clean.

Most of the trees in the inner garden had lost their leaves and were swaying in the cold wind. However, the flower beds at her feet were blooming with colorful flowers. They seemed to be well-tended, as they were very lively even in this cold season.

She walked through the grassy courtyard, admiring the beautiful flowers. Peering beyond the hedge, she saw a small lake spread out.

The lake was calm, reflecting the clear blue sky above.

"Beautiful... It's like a large mirror."

Suddenly, a response came to her words.

"If you come on a clear night, the view will be even more spectacular."

"Wow."

Startled, Charlotte turned to look.

An old man was sitting by the lake. The white-haired old man, with dirty gloves on his hands, was hunched over and looking at the lake.

After blinking, Charlotte spoke to the old man.

"Hello, sir. ...Um, are you afraid of me?"

"Afraid? Ha ha ha, why would I be? Beautiful young lady."

(Good. This person doesn't seem to know about the 'saint' me.)

Finally, she could talk to someone without making them afraid. Feeling relieved, Charlotte approached the old man.

"The lake full of stars. Just imagining it is wonderful."

"It's not just that. In spring, the trees around here will bloom. The blue sky will be dotted with red flowers, which is especially beautiful."

"Wow...! Can I see that next spring?"

"Of course. I promise to make them bloom beautifully."

The old man smiled, and Charlotte guessed his identity.

"Sir, are you the one who makes those flowers bloom?"

"Oh, you noticed? I come here once a week to tend to the trees in this mansion."

"Ah! I walked through the garden, and it was very beautiful. Just looking at it made me feel energetic and warm... Oh?"

Charlotte tilted her head, looking at the lake.

"There's a large blue flower... no, a scarf floating on the lake?"

A few meters from the shore, a blue cloth was floating.

Then, Charlotte realized why the old man, who seemed to be tending the garden, was sitting there.

"Is that your scarf, sir?"

"Embarrassing. I was trying to re-tie it when a strong wind blew."

Next to the old man was a slender cane.

"The lake is shallow, only knee-deep, but with these legs, I can't do it."

"...That's a very nice blue scarf."

"My late wife chose it for me."

Hearing this, Charlotte looked down at the old man.

"Ha ha ha, please don't look at me like that. My grandchildren also come to this mansion, so I plan to ask them later. However, I can't move from here, thinking it might sink and be lost while I'm not looking..."

"---I see."

Charlotte looked straight at the lake.

(It must be very cold.)

She had no memories of winter, but she hadn't forgotten the sensations of cold and pain.

First of all, it was quite cold right now. But that wasn't just for her; the old man sitting there must have felt the same.

"Please wait a moment."

"...Young lady?"

She took off her shoes and hiked up her dress. To prevent it from falling, she tied the ends together. The old man, guessing her intention, reached out in a panic.

"Please wait! Please come back, you don't need to do this!"

"Okay, here I go...!"

"Young lady!!"

With determination, she stepped into the lake with a splash.