Charlotte sat in the study, a thick tome on elemental magic resting in her lap.
She had read it countless times, yet repetition was the only way she could carve the formulas into her mind and cast the spells with greater precision.
For that reason, she never left without the book,
it followed her everywhere like a silent companion.
"Sigh…"
With a soft sigh, she closed it, fingers lingering on the worn cover as she leaned her back against the chair.
'What is that illness about?' she wondered, her brows furrowing.
No physician, no healer from the Church, not even the empire's best scholars, had been able to uncover what plagued Vivian.
At times, his lungs would tighten without warning, forcing violent coughs from him until blood stained his lips.
It always came after his body endured the slightest strain, as if punishing him for daring to live too fully.
To Charlotte, it felt less like a sickness and more like a curse.
And it worried her far too much, knowing Vivian had to endure such pain time and time again.
Every episode left her feeling powerless, as though the weight of his suffering was pressing down on her own chest.
Whenever her thoughts grew heavy with worry, she tried to distract herself with a book, but the words never held her for long.
Inevitably, her mind would drift back to him, and the unease would return like a shadow that refused to fade.
"Haa…" she exhaled, her shoulders sinking as fatigue settled in. "I should get some sleep," she muttered to herself.
It was already late into the night. Dinner had long passed, and the weight of the long journey from the capital to the south,endured in the rattling carriage, still clung to her bones.
Her eyelids grew heavy as she shifted toward the bed, the thought of rest finally tempting her.
Just as she was about to surrender to sleep—
Knock. Knock.
Two soft raps echoed from the door.
'Hm? Who could it be?' Charlotte wondered, dragging herself to the door while fighting off the drowsiness clouding her head.
Creak.
The hinges groaned as the door swung open, and standing there in the dim corridor was Elena,Vivian's mother.
"Mother? Why are you here at this hour?" Charlotte asked, blinking in surprise. The confusion on her face quickly pushed away the last traces of sleepiness.
"I had something important to discuss with you. Are you free?" Elena asked with a gentle smile, her tone calm but carrying a weight that hinted at seriousness.
"Yes, of course," Charlotte replied, returning the smile before stepping aside. "Please, come in."
She closed the door behind Elena, a quiet unease stirring in her chest.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Charlotte asked as she settled into the chair opposite Elena.
Elena didn't waste time circling around the matter. "Charlotte, you've known Vivian since childhood, haven't you? You must be well aware of how gifted he is."
Charlotte nodded without hesitation. "Indeed. I can hardly even remember the first time we met,it feels as though I've known him since birth."
"And yes, I agree. No one could match him in talent. If not for this illness…" Her voice faltered, softening into a note of sorrow.
"If not for this illness, he would have already surpassed even the wall of the swordmaster by now."
Her words carried not only admiration but also a quiet disappointment, the kind that came from watching boundless potential be shackled by something neither of them could fight.
Elena gave Charlotte a bitter smile and then glanced at her fondly.
Elena began softly, "When he was born," her gaze distant as if peering into the past, "he was surrounded by spirits of mana. Rare ones,beings that only appear to those truly loved by mana itself."
"Everyone believed it was a sign of greatness. Vivian's grandfathers even held a grand celebration, proclaiming that a new legend had been born." Her voice wavered as she paused.
"But… a few years later, he caught that illness. Or rather…" She swallowed, her hands tightening in her lap. "…a curse."
"A curse?" Charlotte echoed, her brows knitting together, though she had suspected his illness to be some kind of curse but her suspicions were slim however, now that Elana had mentioned it, her suspicions grew even more intense.
"Yes," Elena said firmly, though her tone carried both grief and anger.
"We've long suspected it. His body shows no sign of illness, not even when examined through mana. Everything appears perfectly normal… until one of those episodes strikes. It isn't like any sickness we know. "
Her expression hardened, "it feels as though someone… something… has used a curse on him deliberately." After hesitating she finally spat out
".....", Silence engulfed the room for a brief moment.
"Do you suspect anyone of using a curse on him?" Charlotte asked quietly, breaking the silence. She understood well enough what Elena was implying.
And if it truly was a curse, then only one power in the empire could benefit from it.
Elena's lips pressed into a thin line before she gave a bitter smile. "We cannot say for certain. There's no evidence, nor do we even know the exact nature of the curse itself. To accuse without proof would only invite disaster."
Her eyes softened as she leaned forward. "But… you already have an idea of who it might be, don't you?"
Charlotte's fingers clenched in her lap, her expression tightening with certainty. "Yes," she whispered, nodding firmly.
"That is why I'm afraid to let him step beyond our estate," Elena confessed, her voice trembling with bitterness.
"But… how many more years can I protect him like this?"
Charlotte's heart ached at the words. She understood all too well, because she, too, loved him. She, too, wanted to shield him from a world that seemed intent on tearing him down.
"So please," Elena continued, her composure breaking just slightly, "take care of him. There is no guarantee the ones behind this curse won't make another attempt once he leaves the family estate."
After a brief pause Charlotte opened her mouth and spoke, "You don't have to worry," her voice was firm, her tone carrying a quiet strength. "I've already taken measures. Nothing will be able to touch him. You can rest assured, Mother."
Charlotte met Elena's gaze with unshakable resolve. That look alone was enough to assure her.
"Haa…" Elena heaved a weary sigh as she rose from her seat. "I know I cannot protect him for his entire life, but I believe you will stand by his side as his partner and face every obstacle with him." Her eyes shone with deep trust as they rested on Charlotte.
As Elena's trusting gaze settled on her, Charlotte assured, "I will stand with him, no matter who or what he may face in the future, as his partner." She paused for a brief moment, then added softly, "And as his wife."
Elena smiled, her heart easing at Charlotte's words. 'At least my son is fortunate to have a fiancée like her, she thought.'
"Now that I've voiced my worries, I'll take my leave. It's late, and you should get some sleep too."
"Yes," Charlotte nodded, rising to her feet. She walked Elena to the door. "Good night, Mother."
"Good night, dear. Have sweet dreams," Elena said with a gentle smile before turning down the corridor, her footsteps fading into the silence of the night.
As Elena's footsteps receded, Charlotte stood alone in the quiet room.
Fear and doubt pressed against her, but above all, one thought burned brighter than the rest.
'No matter who stands against him, I will never let Vivian fall'. With that resolve, she finally allowed herself to rest.