# 60
---
The corners of Charlotte's eyes curled up seductively.
“Does it look like that?”
“Um...yes.”
"Okay. But no, we're not."
For a moment, a shadow passed over the man's face. But he quickly returned to his impassive expression before he noticed Tidian or Charlotte.
“Why do people assume marriage is a given?”
Charlotte muttered to herf.
"They get married and have children. They think happiness will come afterward."
“Isn't it?”
“Of course not. You're also very traditional, aren't you?”
"But my parents loved each other. My mother always said she was happier because of me, my brother and my sister."
“This is all a lie told to make you feel good.”
“No, it's not!”
Tidian, who was at an age when he longed for love, shouted angrily.
Charlotte laughed softly.
“Marriage never brings happiness. Especially if a child is born.”
“Not true!”
"What do you know? You're just a kid who never married."
“Ugh...so, are you married? No, right? You just said you’re not married!”
Tidian responded based on Charlotte's words.
Charlotte smiled beautifully, the corners of her eyes curling up.
“I hate children.”
Tidian paused.
"They're like insects. They're disgusting. They're eating my life."
This was strange.
Until a moment ago, he had wanted to approach this elder sister, who looked like a brilliantly blooming flower in a garden, and wanted to talk to her.
But now he wanted to get away from her as much as possible.
“If you try it yourf, you'll see it the way I see it.”
Even as she smiled with dazzling charm, he felt the same way.
Tidian's body trembled as if it were a scrawny tree.
Little Tidian did not realize that this was fear.
But his actions were quick.
“Come on!”
Tidian jumped on the horse and quickly fled.
He forgot his original purpose in handing the handkerchief to Elinor.
Charlotte muttered regretfully.
“He's gone.”
“Let's go too.”
The man said indifferently.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to see the Garden of Five Colors?”
“By the way, it's over. That kid told me. Looks like we need permission from Hilliard to visit.”
“If Charle wants, we can come in easily.”
The man frowned slightly, as if his dignity had been injured.
“I can handle it.”
"I know."
“Are you really going to leave without seeing her?”
“Yes. When I thought about it, it seemed boring. No matter how beautiful it is, it is just a cave in the end.”
“You came here.”
The man sighed lightly.
Charlotte laughed.
“As I expected, I don't like the countryside. Let's go somewhere where there's a dance party.”
The man nodded and extended his hand as if to accompany her.
The two, who were emitting a strange aura, disappeared behind the herbs.
* * *
Hilliard limits.
There is a huge valley separating two continents.
According to the founding legend, the valley was actually a place where a dragon slept.
At that time, the continent was in chaos.
Humans commonly killed and plundered each other.
In the end, the angry dragon awakened, overturned the chaotic world, and established a nation to restore order.
This is the current empire, and the Emperor is a descendant of Dragon Will, according to the essence of the Founding Myth.
'A common story of the legitimization of imperial power.'
Elinor thought as she looked at the landscape passing quickly outside the window.
'But it's worth thinking about. Usually, the answers are hidden in those ancient stories.'
She cannot solve the problem with a holy power like Charlotte, the heroine of the story.
So, Elinor was going to do what she could.
Interpreting hidden rules, reformulating them, and making new ones.
This talent is what made Elinor survive in the world she was incarnated into.
'Make things last as long as possible.'
What Eleanor needs now is time.
Time to find the hidden Charlotte and until the baby is fully grown.
If you are controlled by fear, even things that could work will not work.
It was clear that it would not be easy, but Elinor decided not to be afraid in advance.
“We'll camp here tonight.”
As night fell and the road darkened, Matthias stopped the procession.
Since there were no villages nearby, they had to camp.
The knights set up tents and skillfully made fires.
Elinor looked around hesitantly.
'Should I do something?'
She quietly reached for the food box.
One of the knights saw her and ran to her screaming.
"Oh my God, ma'am! What are you doing?"
Elinor blinked in surprise.
“I was trying to help.”
"The knights will take care of everything. Relax, ma'am."
“But everyone is working, I can't be the only one hanging around...”
“Everyone working? Your Highness the Duke is resting. Your Highness, take the lady from here!”
The knight handed Elinor over to Matthias.
His will was strong not to let her work.
Matthias coughed.
“If you're bored of waiting, how about taking a walk?”
“Walk?”
“Yes. Aren’t you tired from the long stroller ride? A light walk will be helpful.”
“But it looks too dark to walk around...”
“I'll go with you. If you want, of course.”
Matthias suggested cautiously, watching Elinor's reaction.
Anyway, there seemed to be nothing she could do if she stayed here.
After a short thought, Elinor nodded.
Cherer, Cherer.
They walked side by side into the forest as the sounds of insects filled the air, without speaking.
At first, Elinor walked without thinking, but gradually she began to feel nervous.
Until now, the child had always been between them.
Perhaps because of the common topic of the child, their conversation usually did not stop.
But now, when they were alone, she didn't know what to say.
Has the Duke always been an awkward person to deal with?
It didn't look like it.
“Miss Elinor.”
"Yes…!"
Elinor replied in amazement.
Matthias hesitated for a moment, then suddenly apologized.
"I'm sorry."
Elinor turned her head.
Matthias' face stiffened.
What is he apologizing for?
She couldn't guess the reason, so she looked at him stupidly, and Matthias coughed.
“You've been reckless before.”
“Previous, when…?”
“When I saw you with the Tower Master.”
Elinor finally understood why he was apologizing.
He was talking about the time he charged her in the greenhouse.
“You've never been a rash person, but my words were harsh. I should have apologized a long time ago, but I'm too late.”
Maybe because of all the events that happened between them.
It felt like an old incident, as if years had passed.
Elinor said indifferently:
“It's okay.”
“You must have felt insulted.”
“Well, I was a little offended. But since you apologized, it's over.”
She didn't want to bring up something past.
There was a lot more on her mind than that now.
Matthias looked at Elinor and said:
“So, I have a question, can I ask?”
"What is it?"
“Do you… have a crush on the Tower Master?”
What is this surprising question?
Elinor's eyes widened into triangles.
“Was your apology a prelude to opening a second round?”
"No no."
Matthias waved his hands.
“If the question upset you, I'm sorry. It's just that you seemed close to the Tower Master. The Tower Master doesn't show friendliness to many.”