No matter what, I had to speak with Charlotte.

Due to her research on soul manipulation magic, Charlotte often had to stay at the palace. It seemed that she had returned to the palace after observing who Alsebringer had chosen and congratulating me.

Saturday night.

Now, I could enter the palace whenever I pleased.

However, I didn't stand at the main entrance of the palace but held the artifact Charlotte had given me in front of the warp gate.

Bertus already knew most of the truth and didn't actually want to kill Charlotte.

Nevertheless, the fact that I needed to be cautious remained unchanged. Even if it wasn't Bertus, Charlotte could get into unnecessary trouble due to the record of me visiting the Spring Palace in the middle of a weekend night.

I intended to use the warp gate to the Spring Palace's underground that Charlotte had given me.

As Charlotte had instructed, I activated the brooch-shaped artifact and entered the warp gate using priority access.

And soon, I was able to exit the warp gate.

A dark, yet not completely lightless, underground space.

An artifact that could interfere with the set path and lead to a completely different gate.

It was my first time using it, but it felt dangerous even as I did.

Ascending the long staircase leading up from the Spring Palace's underground, I soon saw a button that could activate a secret door in the wall.

But wait.

Why did I feel like I had committed a crime using this item she had given me to use?

Charlotte had said to come anytime, and I really did come at any time.

What if she was changing her clothes or sleeping?

If I entered while she was asleep, that would also be a bit awkward.

But didn't I get permission? There shouldn't be a problem using the item she gave me for that purpose, right?

It's like coming home late from work and finding your wife asleep at home, right?

No, we're not a married couple yet!

Yet doesn't necessarily mean we will be!

I don't know.

Click

Upon pressing the button, the wall opened smoothly and silently, revealing the interior of Charlotte's bedroom.

Fortunately, I didn't encounter an embarrassing situation where Charlotte was in the middle of changing her clothes and screamed upon seeing me.

However.

I could see that her bed had definitely become smaller since my last visit.

She had complained that it was too big and uncomfortable and that she would change it eventually. It seemed she really had changed it. Of course, it was still quite large, but not to the extent that one had to crawl around on it.

On that bed.

Charlotte lay asleep, in a straight posture, looking up at the ceiling.

But she looked slightly different than usual.

Her hair was dyed black.

As I approached, I could see her more clearly.

It wasn't like the previous time, with darkness flowing and fluttering around her.

Instead, Charlotte, who seemed to have dyed her hair black, breathed evenly and slept peacefully.

The Demon King's ego had been blown away by my command, leaving only her power behind.

The fusion of the mysterious force and Charlotte's soul slowly progressed, now nearly complete.

Because of this, Charlotte didn't go berserk, nor did she break out in cold sweat.

It was as if the power had not caused a seizure, but had instead naturally become one with her.

Though the force had corroded her, Charlotte merely slept peacefully.

Regardless of the soul-absorption magic, Charlotte would be fine. United with the Demon Lord.

But was this truly a good thing?

I didn't know.

"Charlotte."

I softly called out to her.

If she could be fine like this, there would be no need for another method.

"Charlotte, it's me."

"Uhm...?"

Hearing someone calling her name, Charlotte, with her black hair, furrowed her brows and stirred.

"Hey."

In the end, when I called her teasingly, Charlotte narrowed her eyes and opened them.

"Uh... huh?"

Charlotte and my eyes met.

No, wait.

In this dark room, wouldn't I look like a stranger who had intruded into the room?

As I watched Charlotte's eyes widen in fear,

"Ah... Huh! Uh!"

I quickly covered her mouth, afraid she might scream.

But the moment I did that,

A question arose in my mind: How was this any different from an unforgivable crime?

Unable to recognize me, fear filled Charlotte's eyes.

That's right.

Charlotte had been kidnapped by Sarkegaar once.

As fear drove her rationality away, a deep darkness began to flow from Charlotte's hair.

And then, dozens of dark spears materialized in mid-air, aimed right at me.

-Hiss!

This.

I was going to die.

"It's me! Me! Reinhardt!"

"!"

The dozens of dark spears targeting me stopped just before they could skewer me, and I saw it all clearly.

I hadn't even had a chance to explain myself after covering Charlotte's mouth, everything happened within a second.

I really.

I really almost met a ridiculous end.

---

"I'm sorry, Reinhardt..."

"No... It's understandable. I was the one who showed up suddenly."

"I should have considered that it could be you, but I was too surprised..."

I received an apology from the homeowner even though I had intruded without permission. Charlotte apologized profusely, not even checking her own condition, too shocked that she had almost killed me.

"I told you to come, and then this happened... I'll be more careful from now on. I haven't had a visitor like this before..."

"I should have let you know I was coming. It's understandable that you were startled. You're not hurt, either."

"I gave you my permission to come anytime... Um. Hmm. What...?"

Only then did Charlotte seem to realize her current state, her eyes widening in surprise.

"What... is this?"

"That's right, you should be more concerned about your own condition."

As she ran her fingers through her hair and saw that it had turned black, Charlotte hurriedly stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom.

The owner's hair had turned jet black, and her eyes were no longer the usual golden hue but now bore black irises.

Charlotte's fingertips trembled. She was being crushed by the terror of being consumed by this power once again.

"Again... again..."

"Calm down, Charlotte. It will be alright soon."

By now, they knew that when Charlotte was in this state, it was only a psychological issue that triggered her episodes.

As I hugged her shoulders, Charlotte turned her gaze away from the mirror and buried her face in my chest.

"Like last time, no one is controlling your consciousness. It just happens sometimes, and in reality, nothing will happen. Trust me."

"Y-yeah... yeah."

Although the outward change could arouse suspicion in others, it could also eventually become controllable.

Of course, even though she knew it wasn't a big deal, the fact that she had changed scared Charlotte. She trembled for a very long time and continued to break out in a cold sweat.

After comforting her for quite a while, Charlotte finally stopped shaking.

However, her black hair did not return to its original color.

Holding a handful of her now blackened hair in her hand, Charlotte muttered blankly.

"It feels... so strange."

Feeling something controlling her consciousness must have been eerie, but after calming down and realizing there was no actual threat, that sensation would have faded.

Perhaps it was a reaction to a sense of crisis, but Charlotte even used her powers to attack me. It seemed as though she was instinctively learning how to control the Demon King's power.

"Um, is there something urgent?"

Rather than her own problems, Charlotte seemed more curious about the purpose of my late-night visit. She looked at me, putting down the hand that had been playing with her hair.

I wondered how to start and what to say.

I had heard various things from Bertus: if I don't marry you, you will inevitably die.

What kind of expression would Charlotte make if she heard that?

Would she be disgusted by the idea of receiving sympathy from Bertus?

"Let's say your condition improves."

I didn't start with that subject directly. Charlotte nodded at my words.

"Yeah. I hope so."

"Then, will all problems be solved?"

"..."

Charlotte's expression darkened in an instant.

"Then, from now on, can we live without any problems? Live safely?"

At my question,

Charlotte could not give any answer.

---

Charlotte was not in a condition where she could devote herself to the issue of imperial succession.

Firstly, she had been focusing her efforts on finding Valier. Secondly, she was in a state where she could be consumed by the Demon King's soul at any time, so she was busy just taking care of herself.

As a result, the gap had widened too much, and Bertus had achieved an overwhelmingly significant accomplishment. The things she did to survive ultimately became the title of an imperial successor who had done nothing.

It was an inevitability.

It was simply a matter of inevitability, and Charlotte received no bonus points for her circumstances.

"Have you heard anything from Bertus?"

"..."

I couldn't bring myself to say no.

"It might have been decided like this since the moment she returned alive from the Demon King's castle."

Even if Charlotte hadn't wasted time searching for Valier, she would still have been unable to overcome the aftereffects of the spell cast on her by the Demon King.

It was just a predetermined sequence of events.

"It's true that my position has become quite unstable. The people who supported me are now paying attention to Bertus rather than me."

Though they can't join Bertus's side, now that Charlotte's defeat is certain, they're more concerned with Bertus's opinion than Charlotte's.

Even the inner circle might have some idea that there is a serious issue with Charlotte, considering that the Spring Palace has been closed for unknown reasons.

It must be difficult to trust a lord whose ordinary life is unstable.

Above all, the moderates in Charlotte's camp must have all sided with Bertus, the strong candidate for the next emperor, after seeing her situation.

"If Bertus becomes the emperor, it might be my own people, not his servants, who will try to kill me. They might try to obtain a pardon with my life."

There's no need for Bertus's confidants to order Charlotte's execution.

Conflict within Charlotte's forces could lead them to kill her. In that case, it wouldn't be Bertus who kills Charlotte, so he would claim he had not harmed her.

Although the relationship between Bertus and Charlotte hasn't improved, it was clear that his hostility towards her has diminished since he has essentially already won.

"I'm not sure. If I can resolve my situation, I might be fine at least during my time at the temple."

Charlotte looks at me and smiles.

"Do you remember what the emperor said? If anything happens to either of us, the other's right to succession will be revoked."

"Yes."

When we were freshmen, the emperor had sent a decree with such content to the Temple Royal Class.

"So, at least for a few years, there won't be any major issues."

At least five years, until we graduate from the temple. Of course, that's if nothing significant happens to the emperor during that time. The statement itself could become meaningless as time passes.

"And during those years, the situation could change as well..."

Charlotte trailed off as she said that. In the next few years, if Charlotte accomplishes something, the situation could change.

Her words are true.

However, even Charlotte's supporters are beginning to detect the outcome and turn their backs. They need to turn away quickly to remain safe from the next emperor's displeasure.

Once the foundation is lost, it's already over. There won't be another chance.

So, Charlotte's words are just an excuse.

An excuse to reassure me.

The people from Bertus would not harm Charlotte, but if Charlotte's followers were to act recklessly, there would be no way to handle it.

The idea of being safe for a few years might very well turn out to be false.

She might not even graduate from the Temple unscathed.

But at least for a few years, she could live free from the Demon King's soul.

Charlotte is lying to me.

"Reinhardt."

"...Yes?"

"I was originally living on borrowed time."

Charlotte looks at me as she says that.

"Though I was nothing more than a pawn, if I could live by my own will...if I could live like that for a few years..."

Charlotte looks at me with a sad smile.

"That's enough for me."

A reprieve after another reprieve.

Having struggled to escape a life of borrowed time, she thought that the next reprieve, though it would be brief, was better. That it would be enough to satisfy her.

Charlotte had resigned herself.

She was fed up.

What was the empire, the royal family, and the emperor?

Even if Bertus no longer wanted to kill Charlotte, she would still have to die. In fact, the likelihood of Charlotte dying without Bertus lifting a finger was extremely high.

She was born with the potential to wield great power and with it, the penalty of death if she could not attain that power.

Mercy could not be allowed, as it soon became weakness.

Charlotte quietly grasped my hand.

"Reinhardt."

She looked at me with sad eyes.

"You've already sacrificed so much for me. I haven't done anything for you, yet you've done so much for me. With everything I've received so far, I could never repay you in a lifetime."

Charlotte gently stroked the back of my hand.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but please don't sacrifice anything else for me."

Charlotte could not help but know that I had something in mind, which was why I had entered her bedroom in the dead of night so urgently.

"As your friend, I ask you."

I felt her regard me as more than a friend, but Charlotte ultimately used the term "friend."

---

Charlotte prevented me from saying anything further.

It seemed she didn't want me to sacrifice for her any longer.

Charlotte was losing her influence. Politically, she would become more and more isolated, and the things she could do would decrease.

But Charlotte did not want me to sacrifice any more for her.

No one knew that I had become the master of Alsebringer, and in that situation, marrying Charlotte would not change anything. If that were to happen, the fact that I was the master of Tiamata and Alsebringer would have to be revealed as well.

To save Charlotte, I would have to bear the burden of making my name known to the public.

I could not leave Charlotte's bedroom and sat quietly in the chair beside her bed.

In the darkness, Charlotte lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her body, dyed with black hair, returned to its original state after closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths.

She seemed to have grown almost entirely accustomed to the control of her power.

"If it's already over, I wonder if I really need to give up this power. It is a strong power, after all."

Even if it was an evil and unstable power that was losing its foundation, perhaps it still needed to be retained. Charlotte seemed to be coming to that conclusion.

"...That might be true."

At my words, Charlotte smiled sadly.

Though it was a power that had nearly destroyed her, Charlotte's current situation was one where she was increasingly forced to rely on this power.

Just a moment ago, if I had truly been an intruder, Charlotte would have been able to kill the intruder with the Demon King's power and survive on her own.

On the contrary, if she were to be freed from the Demon King's soul, she would become incapable of even her last line of defense: self-preservation.

Both Charlotte and I know this.

That's why, even though Charlotte realized that I was the one who had actually infiltrated her room, she seemed to have realized that if she were to face a real intruder or assassin, the only power she could rely on was the cursed power the Demon King had imbued her with.

"Nothing ever goes as planned."

Charlotte laughed weakly as she turned her head to look at me.

Since being kidnapped and taken to the Demon King's castle, life must have been hell for Charlotte. She searched for Valier but couldn't meet him again, and ultimately discovered that Valier was the heir to the Demon King.

In the end, she lost the competition for the throne.

Although she wanted to rid herself of the Demon King's soul that was lingering within her, she now finds herself in a situation where she might have to rely on it.

"Charlotte..."

"Still, there's one thing."

Charlotte quietly took my hand.

"There's one good thing that's come from things not going according to plan."

Charlotte pulled my hand toward her and embraced me as if holding me to her chest.

"Us growing closer."

An A-class delinquent with a bad attitude, and the heir to a criminal organization.

Charlotte and I, who had once thought of each other as human trash, had somehow grown close enough to be together like this, in the royal bedroom during a spring night.

Neither of us had anticipated this.

This, too, was something that didn't go according to plan.

"I'm incredibly grateful for that."

Even if not everything went according to plan.

It didn't seem like Charlotte thought she had failed in everything.

There was still a way to save Charlotte.

We didn't know how many years of reprieve we might have, but there was always the possibility that one of Charlotte's traitorous followers might try to take her life tomorrow.

It could be a real threat or even poison.

We might lose this smile.

Though it was a sad smile, losing that smile would be unbearable.

Losing Charlotte forever.

I couldn't bear that.

"Let's do this, then."

"Huh? Do what?"

I placed my hand on Charlotte's cheek.

"Let's only do half a marriage."

"Huh? Half a marriage? What does that mean?"

Knowing full well that this decision would change so much.

"An engagement would be enough."

"Huh?"

I couldn't lose what I had managed to protect so far.