‘Charlotte. Are you in a lot of pain?’
Nibble.
Julia, who had been slowly eating her food, propped her chin on her hand.
It had been a long time since she saw Charlotte with such a high fever, lying sick.
When was the last time Charlotte was ill?
Was it the winter before last?
The window had a hole in it, letting the cold wind in.
Charlotte had given up her blanket to Julia, which resulted in her catching a severe cold.
But this time, it was midsummer.
Was it just bad luck?
Julia was about to dismiss it as such.
Then she suddenly remembered the look in Charlotte’s eyes when Aslan carried her on his back and froze.
‘…No way?’
Could it all have been an act?
No, the fever itself couldn’t be faked, so that must be true.
But would someone really be so out of sorts from just a slight fever?
Charlotte was… pretending to be sick?
Why? For what?
To get Aslan’s attention?
Grrrt.
Julia, who had spent the whole night hugging a shark plushie because Aslan wasn’t there, clenched her teeth.
No way. It couldn’t be.
‘Why can’t I sleep alone?’
Surely, she could now control the whispers of the spirits.
She could keep them from entering a certain radius.
She could use powerful spirit commands strong enough to affect even the Great Spirit of Earth.
Why, why still…
Why can’t she sleep through the night without his hand?
Why does she need his hand to fall asleep?
It was incomprehensible.
‘He must have done something…!’
If it had been a day or two, fine, but this continuing was strange.
Could Aslan have done something? Like casting a curse that causes insomnia without his hand!
‘How shameless…!’
He planned to increase my dependency on him like this!
She caught on!
If it’s not a curse, then it means she’s a mentally unstable child who feels extreme anxiety without Aslan’s hand.
That couldn’t be. No, absolutely not.
Julia quickly reached a clear conclusion.
‘Did you think this would make me like you?’
Really, what an absurd and childish way of thinking.
He must have expected that she would slowly start to like him because she couldn’t live without him.
But she’s not so easy.
Did he think she would just become the countess that easily?
“Charlotte, you’re late.”
Even though she had been eating slowly, her bowl was soon empty.
Julia looked around the wide, empty dining room.
She stood up abruptly.
“Maybe she really is seriously ill.”
It might not be an act.
It could be a serious illness with a slight fever.
Feeling a sudden surge of worry, Julia headed to the room where Charlotte was isolated.
‘Voices?’
She could hear Charlotte’s joyful voice from the hallway.
As Julia approached, the maids who had been squatting by the door stood up, blushing.
“Ahem, ahem. Did you enjoy your meal?”
“Yes… but is Charlotte alright?”
“Do you want to check for yourself? Hahaha.”
Giggling, the maids left, laughing among themselves.
Why do they always look so happy?
And why do they always seem to be talking about me and Charlotte…?
Julia tilted her head in confusion.
Then slowly.
She kneeled down by the slightly open door. As if possessed.
She peered inside.
“…Ah.”
And then.
Something inside Julia snapped.
How much time had passed since she locked herself in the room?
Still hugging the shark plushie tightly,
Julia writhed in anguish.
What was this feeling?
Why did her chest feel so tight, and why did it sting?
She didn’t know.
Not knowing made her even more frustrated.
“Dirt-Dirt.”
[What is it?]
“What on earth is Charlotte thinking?”
[I have no idea what you’re asking.]
“Dirt-Dirt, you’re close with Charlotte, so you must know. Has Charlotte changed recently?”
[…]
Close? With her? The Great Spirit of Earth frowned.
She just treats it like a toy to play with.
The Great Spirit, initially dismissive, took on a more serious attitude after seeing Julia’s complicated expression.
[I’m not sure. I haven’t known you all for long.]
“You can still tell even in a short time. From the Charlotte when we first met to the Charlotte now. Haven’t you noticed any changes?”
[I don’t know. As far as I can tell, Charlotte seems the same.]
“Alright then.”
Ugh, not helpful at all.
Julia buried her face in the shark plushie and stomped her feet in frustration.
Charlotte hasn’t changed?
How could that be?
If Charlotte hasn’t changed, does that mean she changed?
That’s nonsense.
Julia shook her head vigorously and quickly dismissed the Great Spirit’s opinion from her mind.
“…She’s back.”
The sound of chattering and footsteps echoed from outside.
Come to think of it, the mansion had been quiet for a while.
Did Charlotte go somewhere?
Julia sluggishly got out of bed.
Soon, the door burst open.
Light poured into the dark room, casting the shadow of Charlotte standing proudly.
“I’m back!”
“Uh-huh, Charlotte. Are you feeling better?”
“Totally fine! I’m healthy! Thanks to Aslan taking care of me all night!”
“…”
All night? Julia’s teeth clenched.
“What’s that you’re hiding behind your back?”
“Oh, this. Tada! A teddy bear that Aslan bought for me! Isn’t it cute?”
“…”
A teddy bear. The one she wanted first.
Julia squeezed the shark plushie so hard it crumpled. Her teeth clenched again.
Is she mocking her? Is that it?
It was the first time she felt anger facing Charlotte’s innocent smile.
“What are you playing at?”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t even like dolls.”
“Yeah. I wasn’t interested, but Aslan said he’d buy one, so I picked one. I think I’m going to start liking them now.”
“…Why a teddy bear?”
“Why a teddy bear.”
Charlotte smiled sweetly.
So she was mocking her after all.
Julia sighed and hopped off the bed.
The Great Spirit of Earth, caught in between, couldn’t make a sound and was frozen in place.
“What are you trying to do? Why are you provoking me like this?”
Crack.
Julia glared at her bloodshot eyes.
“Provoking? Me?”
“Yes. Provoking. You left the door open when Aslan was giving you a massage, didn’t you? It wasn’t an accident; you did it on purpose. Being careless all the time must be convenient in situations like this.”
“Hmm. What are you talking about?”
“And why did you pretend not to see me earlier?”
“Hmm. Because I didn’t want our time together to be interrupted?”
“…”
Ha!
So you finally show your true colors.
“See? You’re trying to take Aslan away from me, telling me to back off.”
“Well, that’s true. But why should that bother you? You don’t even like Aslan.”
“What…”
“You said he’s gloomy and you hate him. So I’m going to be the Countess. One of us has to marry him. And you hate that idea to death, don’t you?”
“I, I just… I just want to sleep…”
“If that’s all it is, why are you getting so provoked?”
“…”
Clunk.
Julia’s mouth shut tight.
Charlotte was right.
She didn’t want to be the countess.
So why do she get so angry whenever Charlotte and Aslan are together?
“If you keep this up, it will be too late, Julia. You’ll regret it later.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Hah. Are you pretending not to understand, or do you really not get it…”
Charlotte sighed and shook her head.
Julia tilted her head, puzzled.
Too late? Regret? Not understand?
What was she talking about?
“Mister is available now! I’m satisfied, so I’ll leave him to you.”
“…”
“Why are you staring like that?”
“Charlotte, which is it for you? Are you becoming the Countess because you have no choice? Or do you really…?”
“Do you really like Aslan?” Julia swallowed hard before she could mutter the question.
Charlotte is different inside and out.
To be more precise, she can present a different exterior than what’s inside.
Even when dealing with someone she dislikes, she can smile without revealing her true feelings.
She can’t help but show her feelings.
Charlotte can act like a sweet child loved by everyone.
So, when dealing with Aslan?
Is it just an act too?
Which one is it? Huh?
Julia was dying of curiosity.
“Hmm…”
Charlotte didn’t answer for a while, just gazing steadily into Julia’s eyes.
Then, she smirked.
Her eyes narrowed with a knowing smile.
‘The intent behind your question is so obvious.’
It was as if it was written all over Julia’s face.
‘Please tell me it’s just an act.’
Heh. Cute. Charlotte chuckled softly.
“Well, what do you think?”
“Charlotte…!”
“Hehehe. I guess I went a little too far with the joke. I didn’t expect such a strong reaction. Sorry.”
Charlotte quickly ran over and hugged Julia.
Julia accepted the hug but couldn’t hide the vivid embarrassment on her face.
“What about you, Julia? Is it really just about wanting to sleep peacefully? Is that the only reason you want to have Mister all to yourself?”
“Of course…”
“Julia. Untruthful girls aren’t popular. You should listen to your heart more.”
“…”
She really didn’t understand what Charlotte was saying…
Julia bit her lip.
For some reason, the seemingly overflowing confidence of Charlotte irritated her.
[Ah. I want to go home.]
And amidst this tense atmosphere.
The Great Spirit of Earth felt a sudden wave of exhaustion.
