MCFPM 24

chapter 24

How did he find out?

A cold sweat ran down her back. To think that her cohabitation with Eonian would be exposed in such a ridiculous way.

‘This is completely different from a young man and woman living together in the capital!’

Now that Eonian had fled the central social circle, his presence in the Grand Ducal Palace implied an alliance between Duke Chartreuse and the Grand Prince of Vascaria.

It would almost have been better if the matron had caught her hiding Eonian in the girls’ dormitory. Charlotte had just clasped her hands together, about to beg her senior to keep it a secret.

• …Why can’t I see his face?

The senior’s languid voice sounded annoyed, directed not at Charlotte but at Eonian.

For a moment, Charlotte froze on her knees, unable to utter a word. Seeing her hesitation, Eonian grabbed her shoulder and gently pushed her aside.

“Greetings, Viscount Sedes—no, Senior. This is our first time meeting like this, isn’t it? I am Eonian, Grand Prince of Vascaria.”

• Huh… contact…?

Eonian’s hands, which had been holding Charlotte’s arms, returned to their original position. He smiled gently and quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, you seem quite flustered. Are you alright?”

• Ah… why would the student council president ask about me?

“I’m no longer the president. And Senior Sedes, there’s something I’d like to tell you.”

• Alright, what is it…?

The senior’s eyes narrowed and looked tiredly at Eonian. His expression clearly showed displeasure.

Yet Eonian’s eyes shimmered strangely as he looked at the senior, just as they had when they reunited.

‘Is he planning to threaten me?’

Charlotte panicked, ready to stop him.

“Thank you so much for helping Charlotte.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

All her energy drained. Everything Eonian had done so far had been decisive and meticulous, sometimes even harsh, so she could hardly believe it…

Charlotte shifted slightly on the bed and glanced at Eonian.

“You gave the crops you personally developed, right? If it weren’t for your breeding work, the north would have slowly perished. Truly, thank you.”

He smiled and bowed his head. Watching Eonian kneel like that stirred a faint, flickering warmth in Charlotte’s heart.

Then, the senior who had remained silent pointed directly at Eonian.

• I… know you.

“Excuse me?”

• You abandoned Charlotte.

Charlotte flinched.

Ah, right. She had complained to her senior the day she discovered her paperwork was missing.

The senior, having flown from the south out of concern for her, had surely seen quite a sight.

• You… waited for Charlotte behind the annex of the magical engineering department.

“….”

• With an umbrella, whether it rained heavily, drizzled, or even snowed…

Indeed. After Charlotte had shouted that they were done and left, Eonian had waited for her behind the annex every day.

Why he waited, she still didn’t know.

Honestly, she didn’t really want to know. He was still insufferable. Even if he became her husband, she didn’t want to hear any excuses about the past.

• Watching that, I thought he was ridiculous… but how could someone like you…

“……I have nothing to say about that matter.”

• No, don’t apologize to me…

The senior pressed his forehead in exasperation.

• You should apologize to the junior you care about…

“…….”

• You said you were childhood friends…

Eonian’s chest rose and fell with a deep breath. His fists, resting on his knees, trembled. He managed to speak.

“Yes. That’s true.”

• If Charlotte forgives you, then it’s my turn…

“……Yes.”

Eonian stepped back from the screen with a bitter expression.

He trudged to the sofa in front of the fireplace in the bedroom and plopped down. His triangular black ears drooped.

• Charlotte.

“Yes… yes?”

Charlotte, studying his back carefully, lowered her gaze at the senior’s words.

At that moment, the senior’s expression, normally terrifyingly indifferent when facing Eonian, softened warmly as he looked at her. He then asked:

• Going back home, are you happy?

“Uh…”

• Are you enjoying yourself?

Charlotte opened and closed her mouth in response. He waved his hand leisurely as if he already knew.

• I just hope you’re happy…

“……”

• Sweet dreams.

Click. The video feed ended.

Charlotte stared blankly into space, then quietly averted her gaze. Rising from the bed, she moved behind Eonian.

“……Eonian.”

“…….”

He crouched with his head lowered. Charlotte slowly clenched her fists.

‘What do I want to do with him?’

She hadn’t approached him to comfort him, nor did she want to scold him.

“We really were like siblings, weren’t we….”

At that moment, recalling the past—the reaction he had shown, the veins visible on his neck—was likely an expression of anger. But it wasn’t directed at her or the circumstances.

It was anger born from not being able to forgive himself.

She knew that anger very well, having felt it herself at times. Charlotte bent down, burying her head in her arms.

“Eonian.”

“…….”

“If you’re sorry, then do better from now on.”

That was all she could say. Eonian’s ears twitched slightly.

When summer came to the north and everything was bathed in green,

“Hey, did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“That the priest is handing out bread and wine in the chapel!”

A maid fetching candles shouted, and the other maids doing laundry gasped in excitement.

“What? Really? Until when?”

“Why? Is it charity work?”

“I don’t know! But they said they’ll stop when the bread runs out!”

“Isn’t lunch soon? I’m going!”

One maid, obsessed with handsome and pretty things, jumped up. Then the other maids, who had been hesitating, abandoned their laundry and ran toward the chapel.

At that moment, Cecil, who had come to check if the Duke’s pajamas were dry, clicked her tongue at the fleeing maids distracted by the handsome priest. She shouted:

“You girls, turn off the water before you leave!”

Cecil closed the tap. Her eyes wavered as she looked at the expensive silver-plated water pipe.

The water supply now ran clear, free of rust.

“Clemens, for now, use this gold to repair the Grand Ducal Palace before worrying about taxes, until we have a regular income.”

“Then I’ll start with the roads, bridges, and water pipes leading to the palace.”

“Ah, and when making new pipes, include some silver. The steelworks will know the formula.”

“…Why add silver all of a sudden?”

Earlier, while replacing the Duke’s teacup, Cecil had been curious and couldn’t resist asking. When the Duke and the administrative-financial officer’s eyes turned to her, she realized her mistake and tried to kneel, but…

“Clean water is important for people to live.”

“E-Excuse me?”

“Using purification magic for each pipe would be too labor-intensive. Silver acts as a disinfectant, so everyone can drink clean water.”

Only then did Cecil realize the Duke’s previously stern expression now carried a smile.

‘He even warned that no one could poison the well… a bit scary…’

Still, he was a good lord.

Honestly, Cecil deeply regretted being rude when she first arrived.

‘No, it’s fine. I’ll do better from now on.’

Ah, she had come for the Duke’s pajamas. Seeing the Duke’s clothes still tumbling in the cedar laundry bin sharpened her gaze. She muttered to herself, conflicted.

“Anyway, all this is because of Grand Prince Vascaria…!”

From Cecil’s perspective, helping the Duke was commendable, but constantly causing chaos among the servants was frustrating.

She had heard the gold came from his own pocket. Why had he come here? The maids guessed it was because he liked the Duke… could it really be true?

As her thoughts wandered,

“Cecil, surely you’re not doing all the laundry alone, right?”

A kind voice from above reached her ears.

A small, brown-haired, sparrow-like colleague, Ren, smiled down at her.

“I’ll help you.”

“Uh… no, it’s fine. I’ll do it.”

“No, I didn’t have work anyway. It’s okay.”

Although embarrassed to accept help from a younger boy, the laundry was plentiful, so accepting even a little help was wise.

They quietly found the Duke’s clothes among the laundry. Hanging clothes on the rope, Ren asked:

“Cecil, what do you like about Duke Chartreuse?”

The question caught her off guard, but she answered confidently, having worked at the palace since childhood as a chamber maid.

“Hmm, he’s very good. Why?”

“Just curious.”

“You’re silly.”

Cecil patted Ren’s head and dusted her hands.

“Alright, thanks. This went quickly thanks to you. Want some caramel?”

“No, it’s fine. You should eat soon.”

“Yeah, you too. Goodbye!”

Cecil waved as she left.

Ren’s black eyes flickered. As the commotion faded, he muttered, staring at the silver faucet:

“…Looks like I can’t poison the well now.”