I learned how much the people of Velbur and Papal State cherish the Cathedral of Saint Latina, but that didn’t change my thoughts.
I already knew about that setting in the first place. So even if I confirm it with other people’s words now, that fact itself can’t affect my thoughts.
The problem lay elsewhere.
Wasn’t there something similar in the world I lived in? When Notre-Dame in Paris caught fire, global attention was drawn to it. France is a famous country, and Notre-Dame itself holds historical significance, plus it was filled with cultural artifacts.
In this world, without the internet or global news networks, the news of the collapse of Lutetia’s Cathedral of Saint Latina may spread later than in my world, but it will eventually reach the whole world. Especially centered around countries with strong influence from the Goddess Church.
And when they find out that the one who destroyed that cathedral is me, both Velbur and Papal State will turn against me.
Including Charlotte.
Up until I arrived in Lutetia, I hadn’t really paid much attention to it. I figured I could just turn back time, and even if worst comes to worst and I couldn’t turn back time, I could just take the blame myself.
Since I came to this world from another, there must be some intention of a divine being behind it, and ultimately the meaning of all my actions would be connected to that being. I thought maybe I would be understood in the end.
But seeing Charlotte, who was guiding us with a genuinely cheerful expression, made a flicker of hesitation rise deep within me.
“While I can’t say the security in Lutetia is terrible…”
A voice came from behind.
“No matter what, I wouldn’t think it’s safe for a woman to wander around alone at midnight.”
It was Charlotte’s voice.
“I think that applies to you as well, Charlotte.”
“I have my guards with me. It’s not something I’d expect to hear from someone who’s wandering around alone without any friends after ditching all their escorts, right?”
I rolled my eyes and glanced around Charlotte. There was no one near her, but it was clear that there were people looking down at us from building corners or several second-floor terraces.
Of course, disturbing the master’s stroll is a no-no.
I was sharing a room with Alice at the hotel, but no matter how much we were sisters, we never went into the same shower room together. Rondarium also had public baths, but honestly, I hadn’t been to such places. Considering I was recognized as ‘male’, going into the women’s bath was a bit… awkward.
So, the best time for me to sneak out was when Alice went in to wash up. I carefully exited without making much noise, so I thought Alice wouldn’t have caught on.
“Alice was looking for you. Wandering around with damp hair.”
“……”
Uh… I didn’t see that coming.
Was she that worried?
“Did she look very anxious?”
“Well…”
Charlotte, crossing her arms, tilted her head as she spoke.
“She seemed confident. There wasn’t a big difference from her usual self. Even while looking for you, she didn’t show her anxiety on her face.”
Charlotte slightly shrugged her shoulders.
“But a person’s anxious feelings aren’t just shown through voice or expression. Especially someone trained from childhood like royals or nobility to hide their emotions. In that sense, Alice lacks a bit in completely concealing those feelings. To appear nonchalant, at least she should keep her appearance tidy.”
“Is that the reason she looked for me?”
“That’s partly true.”
“Partly?”
“The truth is, I wanted to share thoughts with you just between us.”
“……”
I silently gazed at Charlotte.
“To be honest, you are one of the best at hiding your emotions among the people I’ve seen. The emotions you occasionally show are the types that don’t bother you in front of others, and when it comes to crucial moments, you remove those emotions from your face and act.”
Charlotte took a couple of steps closer to me. Thanks to the streetlight outside the alley, her shadow stretched long in front of her.
“But in high society, merely faking indifference isn’t enough. In truly necessary moments, you have to laugh even if you don’t feel like it, cry even if you don’t want to, and genuinely get angry even if it may not warrant so. Engraving all those actions deep within your body is what defines a true noble and royal. In that sense, your behavior is…”
Charlotte paused for a moment, smiled a little, and said,
“…a bit meaningful. Always keeping a blank expression opens many opportunities for suspicion. They call it ‘poker face’, right? If you always have a blank face, people will think you’re always betting on something.”
Charlotte took another step closer.
Still, we weren’t close enough to say I could just reach out and poke her shoulder.
At this point, Charlotte’s expression was much clearer than before.
Charlotte looked hesitant.
After a while, she seemed to be choosing her words and finally opened her mouth.
“But… honestly, I didn’t want to do that. Just like I have until now.”
I also chose my words. I couldn’t immediately think of what to say in response to what she said.
“I see.”
So the only words I could come up with were those trivial ones.
“When I first entered the academy, I was cautious of you. The reason I approached you right away was because of that, and the reason I requested to have a private meeting with Alice in Lutetia was due to that.”
But then, Charlotte added,
“…You treated me as just a friend. That was a feeling I’ve never experienced before. Just having a normal conversation without any expectations in return. I’m the only daughter of His Majesty the King, and I have no sisters. All the nobles who talked to me treated me as royalty. So, yes, it’s a bit strange to say this, but it’s the first time I’ve met someone who spoke to me confidently as if we were equals.”
Charlotte gazed at me quietly and said,
“Not just you and Alice, but everyone I met at the academy. Only now do I realize what a blessed thing it is to just relax and live a normal life.”
Uh…
No, wait a minute.
“I want to keep being friends with you from now on. Would it be possible for me to ask that?”
Ah.
That’s cheating.
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