Episode 04
From the moment she drank the potion, Charlotte had known death was inevitable. Now that it drew near, she did not fear it.
What terrified her was the thought that even at the cost of her life, she might still fail to save Alfonso.
One year. Within one year, Alfonso must find happiness.
The spell would not be complete until Alfonso truly felt happiness—because his happiness was Charlotte’s only wish.
And in truth, it was no wonder Alfonso had yet to find any.
He bore far too much upon his shoulders.
The title of “the emperor’s cousin.” And the name of House Eduard.
If one were to name the most renowned figure in the capital, none would hesitate to speak the name of the Duke of Eduard.
He was the man everyone longed to be connected with, the figure so many coveted.
And not merely for the illustrious name he bore.
His fame had been forged by more than a decade of resounding victories.
They call him a hero of war.
Young, capable, and undefeated, the Duke of Eduard returned from every battlefield in triumph. Thanks to the wars he won, the imperial throne had grown unshakably secure.
That Alfonso—who bowed his head in loyalty to Emperor Benoît—only strengthened the monarch’s power all the more.
He even stripped the Noha family of their southern trade routes, after all.
When part of the maritime trade had been seized by the Crown, Dominic had not slept properly for three nights.
If not for that damned Eduard, the emperor could never have moved so brazenly!
He had gnashed his teeth and cursed Alfonso, the image still fresh in Charlotte’s memory.
And yet now he dares to seek alliance through marriage? Shameless.
The recollection of last night’s banquet drew a bitter laugh from her lips.
Once, she had joined in her father’s curses of Eduard. Now, she saw only the ugliness and absurdity of Noah’s greed.
Her fingertips tapped absently against the window frame as her eyes followed the fallen magnolia leaves rotting on the ground.
Father must have already sent Alfonso the proposal.
Since Dominic had spoken of marriage at the family table, the letter would surely have gone out by now.
Even that very morning, as he left the manor, he had turned back to her with a stern reminder.
“Your role is crucial, Charlotte. You understand that? Do not disappoint me.”
Do not disappoint me.
From her father, those words meant only one thing: use whatever means necessary.
She knew it well. Any half-sibling who failed to meet Dominic’s expectations had been stripped of the Noah name and cast out.
If it were up to her, she would never let Alfonso be bound to Noah in any way. But there was no helping it now.
Outwardly, I will obey my family’s command…
But in truth, I can only work to ensure Alfonso’s happiness.
Once, she would have followed Dominic’s orders without hesitation. But not anymore.
Noah’s greed had destroyed Alfonso’s life, dragged him into misery, and ultimately led to his death. That, Charlotte could never forgive.
Still… I suppose I owe my family one small debt of gratitude.
Because of them, she had married Alfonso. And through him, she had learned what happiness meant.
And also what it meant to create happiness for another.
It was, after all, quite simple.
Only one thing was needed.
Love.
Her gaze grew heavy as she recalled the moments when she had fallen in love with Alfonso.
Charlotte, I trust your words. Much as I dislike you, I know you never speak falsehood.
So long as you are my wife, I will not stand idle if you are insulted. My feelings have no bearing on it—it is my duty, and my right.
How her heart had trembled then.
How full, how radiant she had felt in that instant.
That soaring, overwhelming sensation—if it could be named, surely it was happiness.
And if she herself had found such happiness, how simple it must be to grant it to Alfonso.
Because I know the woman he loves.
Adeline Laverouz.
All Charlotte had to do was see that Alfonso’s love for her came true.
She drew her hand from the window frame and turned toward the hall.
“Sylvia, have the carriage prepared.”
“Yes, my lady. Where shall I take you?”
“To the Olivier estate.”
Just as she had once sabotaged Alfonso’s first betrothal, she would do so again.
But this time, it would be for the sake of his happiness.
***
Meanwhile, within the swaying carriage—
“Marriage, marriage… Alfonso is finally marrying into House Olivier~!”
Her singsong refrain drifted through the air. Without looking, Alfonso slowly lowered his lashes. He could picture his silver-haired cousin grinning with unrestrained glee.
“I told you to stop, Sophia. The betrothal hasn’t even been settled yet.”
“Oh, come on, cousin. Who in their right mind would turn down Eduard? I bet Count Olivier’s been wriggling in delight for days.”
“Do not speak of him that way. Count Olivier is a nobleman of the Empire.”
“I never said otherwise.”
“You implied—”
“No, no. The Empire’s most honorable knight is you, Alfonso Linus Eduard! A war hero with a nine-in-ten victory record!”
“Truly magnificent!”
With mock solemnity, Sophia clapped her hands.
Who would believe that the emperor’s own sister—the princess famed for her pride—was in truth such a mischievous young woman?
Sophia, for her part, could not care less.
After all, it was Alfonso’s marriage at stake!
“You may not realize it, but you’re the most sought-after bachelor in the capital. Even before His Majesty ascended the throne, you held that title. Imagine how honored you should feel.”
“There is no honor in it. And have you forgotten you said the same thing ten years ago?”
“Well, of course. You’ve always been the most sought-after bachelor.”
The implication was obvious: Emperor Benoît had never once claimed the title, for he had always been overshadowed by Alfonso.
But what could be done? Even the promising young emperor could not draw eyes away from the Duke of Eduard.
Truth be told, Sophia felt it was a pity that Alfonso had waited so long.
“You ignored every suggestion of marriage before, yet now you rush headlong into it? I thought you meant to stay single for years.”
“…Hearts change, Sophia. And in any case, this does not concern you.”
“It does, because I’m disappointed.”
How many women had adored him before he marched off to war? Had he chosen then, he could have married into a far greater house, with a bride of beauty and pedigree.
“Not that the Oliviers lack standing, but compared to Eduard, they fall far short. All the true dynastic houses—Genevière, Orpen—have long since married off their daughters.”
To think that Alfonso—cousin to the emperor, Duke of Eduard himself—was settling for a lesser match was almost painful.
And worse still—
“Now Noah dares to send a proposal, utterly without shame—”
“Enough, Sophia.”
At the name, Alfonso’s brows knit, his distaste plain. Just remembering last night’s uproar was enough to sour his mood.
—Noha has gone mad, my lord! How dare they presume! To send you a proposal, when they’ve spent years spitting curses behind your back!
—This is nothing less than an insult to House Eduard. Reject them and they will retaliate! Such insolence must be crushed at once!
Every knight present had come bristling with steel, ready to cut Noha down on the spot. It had taken considerable effort to calm them.
“I have already declined them, politely. I told them another match was under discussion and must take precedence. There will be no trouble.”
At his explanation, Sophia’s furrowed brow eased—albeit reluctantly.
“…If you say so. Then, have you met Lady Olivier yet?”
“Not yet. I will today. They have arranged for me to see her at a luncheon at the count’s estate.”
Laila Olivier.
The count’s eldest daughter, and the woman set to become his bride.
“I hope it works out. The ducal residence is always so dreary. It would be nice to have someone my own age to talk to.”
“It will work out. Do not worry.”
Watching his cousin pout like a child begging for a sister-in-law, Alfonso’s lips curved faintly in a smile.
“As if anything could go amiss.”
