Chapter 23
Adrian’s face hardened rapidly.
Charlotte clenched her fists tightly to keep from shivering as the surrounding temperature steadily dropped.
“Jumping to conclusions is a bad habit, Charlotte.”
“…I don’t know about that.”
Adrian Verche. There was a reason he was the main villain of the novel.
The fact that he supposedly controlled the entire underground world was one thing, but even more terrifying was his ability.
There was even a ridiculous rumor that said, “Adrian Verche knows God’s home address.” That’s how incredible his intelligence network was.
And yet, someone like him was struggling to track down a mere merchant group for such a long time?
Impossible.
Just look at him now. If it were some insignificant merchant group, he wouldn’t be acting like this or creating such a tense atmosphere.
What kind of merchant group could it possibly be…?
She had to find out. Charlotte tightened her fists further and opened her mouth to speak.
His killing intent made her voice tremble slightly, but she forced herself to stay calm.
“I only want to know one thing. What exactly does that merchant group do?”
“I’m curious myself. Where did you even hear that name? And why are you so determined to find out?”
Would he believe me if I told him it was written in the last letter my husband from a parallel world left me?
She’d be lucky if he didn’t call her insane. Charlotte sighed in frustration.
Adrian, observing her reaction, realized she had no intention of revealing the truth.
From the moment Charlotte first mentioned that name, he had been wondering—where on earth had she heard of that merchant group?
Was it the Duke? No, that can’t be. That man doesn’t even know the group exists yet.
Then who? Could it be Noctem Aphros, the Grand Duke?
Adrian briefly considered the possibility but shook his head.
No, not him. He wouldn’t know either.
Besides, there was no way that man would be crazy enough to share such information with the daughter of the leader of the noble faction.
Fine. If she won’t tell the truth…
Then he would keep things hidden as well.
Adrian suddenly withdrew his killing intent and let out a long sigh.
The color slowly returned to Charlotte’s pale face.
“So, it’s confidential, huh? No wonder they seemed to have too much money.”
“……”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Adrian’s sudden retreat.
She knew he wouldn’t back down that easily.
And she was right. Adrian had no intention of revealing everything.
“I’ve been paid, so I’ll tell you this much. But Charlotte, keep this in mind—you must never mention that merchant group’s name again.”
His voice dropped lower, heavy with a seriousness that made Charlotte’s skin crawl more than his killing intent ever had.
“I don’t know everything myself—very little has been uncovered. But I do know one thing.”
Adrian paused for a moment before continuing.
“That merchant group poses a lethal threat to us.”
“Us?”
He was being vague. She had suspected as much, but hearing him speak so cautiously was unsettling.
“Even if you listed every merchant group on the continent, you wouldn’t find one as unusual as this. Because there are no merchants in that group.”
“What…?”
A merchant group without merchants—it was absurd.
It felt like she was sinking deeper into a quagmire.
Charlotte barely managed to smooth her expression, suppressing the frown threatening to form.
“Charlotte, just leave it at that. Dig any deeper, and you’ll be putting yourself in danger.”
“Still, I—”
“If you’re willing to risk danger to find out, shouldn’t you at least answer my question in return?”
“……”
Should I just tell him the truth—that it was written in the last letter my husband from a parallel world left me?
Charlotte swallowed her words.
But then, she changed her mind.
Maybe—just maybe—Adrian would believe her.
“…Actually—”
Charlotte began to speak, but Adrian laughed it off as a joke.
“Haha, you shouldn’t tease people like that.”
…Of course, it was no use.
Is this really all I can find out?
Charlotte sighed inwardly.
There was no point in saying anything more if he wouldn’t believe her anyway.
She quickly gave up and decided to add just one more request before leaving.
Delay any rumors about my departure for as long as possible.
She worried that someone might try to stop her from leaving.
Just as Charlotte was about to pick up her spatial pocket and stand, Adrian spoke again—this time, with an unexpected remark.
“You know… I think it might be better if you didn’t leave after all.”
“What?”
Charlotte blinked in surprise at his sudden words.
“I have a feeling that the Grand Duke is really falling for you.”
“……!”
Her heart plummeted.
Of all the things he could’ve said, that was the one she feared most—that Noctem might fall in love with her.
But Charlotte knew, with absolute certainty, that the Noctem of this world did not love her.
“You’re wrong. He hates me.”
Especially after she had been humiliated and mocked in front of others.
“Hmm.”
Adrian hummed thoughtfully, as if unconvinced by her firm denial.
But Charlotte held her ground and pressed on.
“Even if you’re right—even if those rumors are true—that’s all the more reason for me to leave.”
“The almighty Grand Duke is in love with you, Charlotte. You could become the Grand Duchess just like that.”
Adrian’s tone was half-teasing.
Charlotte’s reply, however, was cold and unwavering.
“That’s the last thing I want.”
There was no happy ending between her and Noctem.
One of them would eventually meet a tragic fate.
And Charlotte had no desire to be either the one who died or the one left behind.
“I really… hate it.”
Her quiet words were filled with genuine emotion.
For once, Adrian did not try to persuade her again. Instead, he smiled faintly and let her go.
“Well, if that’s how my dear Charlotte feels, I suppose I have no choice. Take care, my friend.”
He gave a small wave—perhaps, for once, it was genuine.
“…Goodbye, Adrian.”
For the first time, Charlotte waved back, remembering the Adrian from before her regression.
Charlotte returned to the mansion undetected and spent the next week in seclusion.
The scandal surrounding the “Lady’s Poisoning Incident” was still being debated, but she could feel public interest cooling through the empire’s newspapers.
Of course, as the public’s attention faded, the Duke’s verbal abuse of Charlotte only increased.
But she continued to offer hollow apologies without arguing.
There was nothing to gain from fighting back—just more wasted time.
Each morning, she endured the Duke’s complaints. Each afternoon, she secretly slipped away to the meadow.
But despite her repeated visits, she still hadn’t seen Kai.
Did something happen to him?
Her anxiety grew, especially since the Duke had ordered her to leave the mansion the next day.
Charlotte had decided to take Kai with her.
She couldn’t abandon him to die alone on the cold ground.
—
On the morning of her departure, Charlotte returned to the meadow one last time.
And this time, she heard a familiar sound.
“Kang!”
“Kai!”
Charlotte called out joyfully, running toward the little fox.
Finally, they were reunited.
Kai circled the meadow excitedly, as if double-checking that he was truly back home. When he heard Charlotte’s voice, his ears perked up, and he let out a loud cry.
“Kang, kang!”
The little fox tilted his head curiously, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes, then leapt toward her. In an instant, he was snuggling against the hem of her dress.
Charlotte gently stroked his fur as he rubbed his head against her arm.
“Where have you been? I was so worried about you.”
A sigh of relief escaped her lips.
Kai let out a soft whimper, almost as if he understood her concern. His fur felt softer than usual—like someone had carefully brushed it.
Strange.
But Charlotte brushed aside the uneasy feeling. What mattered was that Kai was safe and back by her side.
She cupped his small face in her hands, gently running her thumbs across his cheeks.
“I’m so glad. Really.”
A bittersweet smile tugged at her lips. At least she’d found him before she left.
“Kai, do you want to come with me?”
Her voice was soft as she posed the question.
She wasn’t expecting a real answer, of course—but she hoped Kai would respond with his usual cheerful panting or by nuzzling her hand.
But this time, the fox tilted his head from side to side in hesitation.
When Charlotte tried to lift him into her arms, Kai wriggled free and leapt to the ground.
“Kai! Come on, let’s go. Please?”
“Kuung…”
His ears drooped slightly as he let out a low whimper. But instead of coming closer, Kai bounced a few steps away from her.
Then, all at once, his ears perked up at a sound in the distance. Without warning, he dashed across the meadow.
“Kang!”
His sharp cry echoed across the field—almost as if he were telling her not to worry.
“Kai!”
Charlotte reached out, but he was already too far away. Before she could react, he disappeared into the tall grass, leaving only the swaying blades behind.
She stood frozen for a long time, staring at the place where he had vanished.
He had always clung to her before—biting her dress or following her everywhere. But now, he had run off without a second thought.
“…Take care of yourself, Kai.”
Her voice trembled slightly as she whispered her farewell.
Maybe staying here is what will make you happiest.
If that was the case, then she had no right to take him away.
In this world—without her or Noctem—Kai might be able to live a longer, happier life.
You’ll survive without me. And you’ll see many more springs to come.
Charlotte closed her eyes, committing the peaceful image of the meadow to memory.
The winds rustled through the grass more loudly than before, but she didn’t turn back. Instead, she quietly disappeared beneath the ancient oak tree.
No one would die.
No one would grieve.
The villainess—the source of all misfortune—was leaving.
And in her heart, she wished for everyone to find happiness.
“…I hope you will too, Noctem.”
The wind stirred again, more fiercely this time.
But Charlotte did not see it. By then, she was already gone.
