DSMBL Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Count Solovis was dragged outside. After so long in the dark, he couldn’t even open his eyes in the sunlight. He swore he would never forgive the humiliation he suffered in the North.

Thin and filthy from poor treatment, the Count stumbled as the knights pulled him along. Cassius watched coldly. As Solovis bowed his head and was forced out of the castle, He spoke in a quiet voice.

“Rozewood.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Escort Count Solovis to the capital. Stay alert—he might try something.”
“Yes, sir!”

Cassius narrowed his eyes. Solovis had been imprisoned the whole time, so he shouldn’t have had the chance to plot anything. Janice and Lorencia hadn’t made any suspicious moves either.
Still, something about how easily the Count was letting himself be taken away felt unsettling.

“He’s hiding something… Are you sure no one contacted him while he was in prison?”
“Yes, sir. We watched him closely, not leaving his cell unguarded for even a moment.”
“…I see.”

Cassius nodded.
“Make sure he reaches the Emperor safely. Watch what he says about the North.”

Rozewood bowed deeply and left. Cassius looked back at the castle. Charlotte hadn’t even glanced at the Count. She didn’t care what he did or where he went.

But… was that really true?

Count Solovis was her only blood relative in the North. Thinking about that made his blood run cold. Charlotte was naturally warm-hearted, always ready to sacrifice herself to protect others. But she had completely turned her back on Solovis.

Cassius recalled how the Count had scolded Charlotte and ignored her even after she collapsed, caring only about her divine power.
Has she always been treated like that? Used and thrown away for the family’s sake?

It stung to realize there was a past to Charlotte he didn’t know—one filled with pain.
He had once thought she was greedy, like her father, but what if her desperate pleas had come from wounds in her past? What if all she ever wanted was to be loved by her husband?

Cassius slowly ran a hand through his hair.
He had known nothing about her. And yet he had judged her so harshly. Now, he hated that version of himself.

Still, Charlotte had forgiven everything and stayed by his side in Istheria. She…

“…What does Charlotte like?”
“…Pardon?”

Rozewood looked confused by the sudden question. Cassius sighed.
“How pathetic. I don’t even know her favorite food or what she enjoys.”
“Your Grace?”

Rozewood looked around awkwardly. Cassius gave a bitter smile.
“Never mind. Focus on Count Solovis. Did you find out what his men were snooping around for?”
“They contacted a few northern nobles, but it looks like they didn’t gain anything useful. Thankfully, your warning through Count Mers was effective.”

Cassius smiled coldly. There were weak spots in the North—like the nobles who had allied with Mers to secretly undermine it. Thankfully, they didn’t side with Solovis.

“They’re Northerners too. I’m sure they know the line they shouldn’t cross.”
“That’s a relief.”

Cassius gave more orders and left. He suddenly missed Charlotte terribly.

***

Later, Charlotte was listening to news from Selua.
“They say he couldn’t even open his eyes after being in prison so long. The Duke himself watched as he was taken away.”
“Did he do anything strange? Was Janice there? Or Lorencia?”
“I checked carefully, but no. And the guards were very strict.”

Charlotte nodded. Something still didn’t feel right. Janice being so quiet only made her more suspicious.
Cassius had said they’d exile Solovis immediately after removing him from prison. He wouldn’t be allowed to return to the North again. This would be the last chance to see him.

But Charlotte decided not to take it.

Solovis had never been good to her. He was no longer family in any meaningful sense. Seeing him wouldn’t bring sadness or pity.

It was better to let go completely.

Janice was the real concern now. Cassius believed in keeping enemies close, but Janice hadn’t made a single move. Surely he had something planned. He had to.

“This is suspicious.”
“Who is?”
“Janice. Isn’t it weird how quiet she’s being?”
“Maybe she knows her place now. Honestly, she’s not that impressive. Same with Lorencia. We should consider exiling them too.”

Still, Charlotte couldn’t stop thinking about the strange gate. She sighed, lost in thought—until Cassius arrived.

“Cassius?”
“If you haven’t eaten… would you like to have a lunch with me?”

He looked like something inside him had collapsed. His eyes were soft and filled with emotion. Without hesitation, Charlotte reached out and took his hand.

“Of course.”

Only then did a gentle smile bloom on his lips.

***

Over the next three days, Cassius, Stephanie, and Theo kept asking the same question.

“What does Charlotte like best?”
“What food do you enjoy?”
“What do humans like? How’s my song?”
“Sister-in-law, please tell us!”

At first, she thought maybe it was her birthday—but it wasn’t. That was still six months away.
Tired of being asked again and again, she tried to avoid them and ended up running into the head maid.

“Madam?”
“Shhh! You didn’t see Theo or Stephanie, right?”
The head maid giggled.

“I wonder what’s gotten into them lately. Even His Grace is joining in.”

Charlotte tilted her head.
“Do you think they’re planning something?”
“Maybe for your wedding anniversary? It’s in about two months, isn’t it? Oh, wait—not even that long!”

Wedding anniversary?

She hadn’t even thought of that day. Technically, she wasn’t the bride on that date.

“…Our anniversary?”
“His Grace probably wants to celebrate it in a grand way!”

The idea brought an unexpected smile to her face.
In the original story, their marriage didn’t even last a full year. But now, she was truly the one who shared that day with him.

So maybe she did have the right to celebrate it.
To feel happy—together with Cassius.

And just like that, a day she never expected to care about…
began to feel special.