CL Chapter 5

‘We have arrived at Rosa Castle.’

 

‘We have arrived at Rosa Castle.’

 

‘We have arrived at Rosa Castle.’

 

The words echoed in her ears, layered upon one another like the reverberations at a mountain peak.

 

Charlotte took a deep breath, then exhaled, Once, twice, three times, and several more after that. 

 

Only then did she permit the coachman to open the carriage door.

 

As her feet touched the soil of ground of Rosa, the spring-green grass bent gently beneath her weight.

 

While marveling at the sensation, a gentle breeze swept past, brushing against her pale neck.

 

Her hair shimmered like silver thread as it fluttered naturally.

 

She recalled what Leo Carthonen had said about how “Rosa’s spring is as gentle as a soft quilt.”

 

He wasn’t wrong. She couldn’t believe this place was really part of Ignator, just like the royal capital.

 

For a while, Charlotte stood motionless, allowing herself to be caressed by the tender breeze.

 

—“The people here are even warmer. Many cherish someone as lacking as me. I am certain you will come to love Rosa, Princess. And Rosa will surely love you in return. You will find happiness here.” 

 

Yet, all the words that followed had been nothing but lies.

 

Charlotte gazed at the sky, where puffy white clouds lazily drifted. Only after some time did she shift her attention to the people of Rosa Castle who had come to greet her.

 

It wasn’t long before she realized the truth.

 

The only warmth she would ever find in Rosa was in its weather.

 

She wasn’t welcome here.

 

It was obvious.

 

A woman who had once broken her engagement with their lord had returned dragging behind her a tail of vulgar rumors, to claim the title of duchess.

 

Charlotte herself would have reacted the same way if their roles were reversed.

 

Just as Charlotte was replacing all her negative thoughts with love for Leo Cartenen, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

 

“Greetings to Princess Charlotte d’Ignator.”

 

A well-dressed old man approached and bowed politely.

 

“You must be weary from your long journey. Welcome to Rosa Castle. I am Ferndel Drang, the head steward of this household.”

 

Ferndel Drang.

 

Charlotte mentally etched his name into her memory. Alongside it, she noted his polished mannerisms, a man well-versed in courteous pretense.    

 

Like everyone else, he probably saw her as an unwelcome guest but still put on a respectful act with his words and manner.

 

“Allow me to escort you to your quarters so you may rest and recover from your journey.”

 

It was so tempting to follow him and collapse onto the bed.

 

Charlotte nearly forgot the obsessive care she had taken to smooth out the wrinkles in her dress.

 

“Where is your master?”

 

Ferndel hesitated at this sudden question.

 

Though there was nothing improper about what she had asked, he awkwardly lowered his head again.

 

His face had grown noticeably pale.

 

“The lord is currently unwell and unable to personally greet you,your highness. I ask for your understanding and hope you will be generous in overlooking his absence.”

 

It was only after Ferndel’s elaborate explanation that Charlotte realized what he had misunderstood.

 

Charlotte d’Ignator, Regardless of her past or reputation, she was still the daughter of the king and a princess of the kingdom.

 

As long as the marriage vows had not been signed, her rank remained higher than Leo Cartenen’s, the lord of this domain.

 

According to etiquette, the one with lower status should have come to meet his guest. From Charlotte’s perspective, it was a clear insult.

 

But Charlotte wasn’t angry because the lord of Rosa hadn’t bothered to greet her personally. She didn’t care about such trivial matters.

 

It had been a long time, a very long time since Leo Cartonen had been this close. He’d always been so far away that she couldn’t even imagine seeing him. But now? Now he was within reach. So… she simply wanted to see him.

 

Charlotte didn’t know where to start or how to explain herself, so she closed her mouth tightly and repeated the same words over and over.

 

“I asked where your master is.”

 

The intent behind her words didn’t matter. Interpretation was in the hands of the listener. And Ferndal, a man loyal to Carthenon, had no reason to interpret her words favourably, no matter how carefully Charlotte chose her words.

 

Charlotte was used to being disliked.

 

Hostility had always been Charlotte’s constant shadow. Winning the hearts of others was an impossible task for her, the one she had given up on long ago.

 

After all, everyone judged her as a woman who was extravagant and reckless with her money.

 

Charlotte pressed Ferndal in a dry voice.

 

“How long are you planning to make me wait for an answer?”

 

 

 

 

⋆｡°✩ ★ ✩°｡⋆

 

 

 

 

“Please, go inside.”

 

Ferndel escorted Charlotte to the lord’s private office. Only once he returned did he provide the answer she had been waiting for.

 

Now, he was truly within reach. Just one door separated her from Leo Carthenon.

 

Charlotte’s heart raced as if it would burst or perhaps it had already stopped entirely.

 

Her pale face betrayed her nerves as she closed her eyes tightly and then opened them. before slowly stepping through the open door.  

 

The sound of it shutting behind her reached her ears.

 

Charlotte spotted Leo Carthonen standing by the window, bathed in sunlight.

 

It was as if she had found a landmark on an unfamiliar road. Charlotte savored her memories as she approached him black hair, a back now broader than she remembered.

 

She forced herself to slow down, not wanting to seem too eager. But when she stopped at what seemed like a good distance, she immediately regretted it.

 

‘Isn’t it a bit too far?’

 

As she pondered, Leo turned toward her. His movements were unhurried, almost slow.

 

Charlotte’s eyes traced every detail of his figure until her gaze froze.

 

Black lace covered his eyes like a blindfold. Beneath it, his lifeless green eyes wandered in unseen darkness. His head was tilted, but he couldn’t quite face Charlotte directly.

 

—”I heard he has gone blind.” 

 

Somewhere, a voice echoed.

 

A cursed voice that seemed to drag Charlotte down toward the depths.

 

“Are you finally here?”

 

Leo Carthonen, whom she’d longed to meet so much, asked this question, but Charlotte couldn’t answer.

 

She felt that if she opened her mouth, unwanted emotions would spill out uncontrollably.

 

Her breathing grew ragged. To prevent Leo from noticing, Charlotte covered her mouth with her hands and clenched her lips tight.

 

Why had she bothered looking in the mirror? Why had she spent so much time smoothing out her dress’s wrinkles? She didn’t know what she was hoping for.

 

Leo couldn’t even see her.

 

As the reality hit her, Charlotte felt disgusted with her meaningless action she had taken before entering this room.

 

She wanted to smash the hand mirror she had been staring into without shame. She wanted to tear up the stupid dress until it was impossible to wear again.

 

Then, she hoped she could erase the moment when she had been foolish enough to try to look good to him.

 

“Does this bring back memories?”

 

Leo’s voice broke the silence again.

 

“Are you surprised to see how much more wretched I’ve become?”

 

His words belittling not only her but also himself.

 

Charlotte couldn’t bear it any longer. She had to speak anything to silence him.

 

“…It’s been a while.”

 

The words were a pitiful attempt at conversation, falling far short of what she truly wanted to say.

 

She couldn’t even bring herself to call his name.

 

Her head drooped as if under some invisible weight.

 

Her lips trembled as she buried her face in her hands, muffling a sorrowful breath.  

 

The painful breaths gathered on the palms my hands. Even the name i couldn’t say out loud.

 

Leo.

 

My Leo.