One Day, My Dad Showed Up

“…… it’s all still here.”

Charlotte remarked, somewhat surprised.

Louis, who had been following at a respectful distance, smiled.

“If you’d like, we can bring in new tools and materials right now and set things up so you can start working again.”

“Should I…?”

“Shall I place an order with the Magic Tower?”

Charlotte hesitated to answer.

When she married Ashel, she had received a great deal.

People whispered that Ashel was mad, and they insulted her, calling her the daughter of a traitor with no sense of shame.

The strongest backlash erupted over the very place in front of her now.

It was a research lab, equipped with nearly everything related to magical research, including the latest technology and research results from the Magic Tower at the time.

No, it should be called a research wing rather than a lab. After all, the entire annex had been remodeled into a lab, storage, and a warehouse.

And it seemed Ashel had preserved the research wing, which had become a burden after she fled, in a near perfect condition.

‘… but I can’t do anything with it right now.’

Approximately ten years had passed.

Even though it had been maintained, there was no guarantee everything would still be intact, and in the meantime, the Magic Tower must have developed more efficiently and new technologies and research.

“I don’t know the current trends in magic research at all… if I were to renovate and bring in new equipment, I’d have to start learning from the beginning again.”

Charlotte smiled a little bitterly.

She said the words, but even she didn’t believe she could actually do it.

After all, it was her research wing, but she had been too afraid to inspect it, and it was only after a few months had passed since her return that she barely managed to sneak a visit when Ashel was absent.

Even being a year behind would leave her lost, let alone ten years. Besides, she could no longer use magic.

Even if she studied again and understood new research and technology, what would be the point?

Charlotte faced the harsh reality.

“To be honest, it might be better to take this opportunity to clear it all out.”

Louis’ face stiffened slightly.

“Did we fail to maintain it properly?”

“No. It’s not that. Back then, I thought I’d regain my magic soon.”

“…”

“I’ll talk to Ashel when he returns. Given my current situation, it’s more than I can handle, so it would be better to organize it.”

She unconsciously rolled the magic stone in her hand.

It had once been stolen, but Ashel had retrieved it for her as a birthday gift this year.

Claire had given her a recipe for magical potions, and Eciel had gifted her a music box that resembled the magical tools she cherished.

Perhaps those who loved her didn’t want her to be frustrated, disappointed, or afraid because of magic, and thus they gave her such gifts.

So, she gathered her courage, but…

Facing the foolishness and stubbornness left behind by her past self was more painful than she had prepared for.

“It’s funny for me to say this, but back then, Ashel should not have listened to a word I said.”

He had proposed to her dozens, hundreds of times.

And Charlotte had refused him just as many times.

But during the last proposal, Charlotte couldn’t hold out any longer.

She wanted to escape the palace.

It didn’t matter where or with whom. As she barely survived each day, it felt like every moment of life was strangling her.

– If you’re going to die, come to me.

That voice.

The man whispered in a low, cold tone, like the dying moon.

– I want you.

The God who was said to have descended into this world to save humanity didn’t seem to have come to save her specifically.

He merely lowered himself, knelt, bowed his head, and begged, just to jump into hell alongside her…

But Charlotte was not a believer.

She didn’t believe in divine intervention on earth.

Nor did she believe that Ashel loved her so deeply that he wanted to give his entire life to ease the burden of hers.

– No.

Anyone would have been fine. Had an eighty-year-old man come to take her out of the palace, she would have gladly taken his hand.

But not this man.

Because Charlotte wanted him to die from loving her.

She suffocated from pure, untainted love.

Though she was convinced it was due to a curse, she sometimes wondered, with disgust, what if it wasn’t?

– If you really love me… if it’s truly love, you shouldn’t be doing this.

– Why?

– I want to die because of you. You’re killing me.

The man laughed.

– Do you think I wouldn’t feel the same?

– …….

– I want to die because of you, and you want to die because of me, so if even one of us wants to live, you should come to me.

– …….

– Then, I think I can live.

Of all the things she had ever heard in her life, this was one of the most selfish statements.

She was left speechless, simply staring at him. He slowly reached out and gently caressed the area around her eyes and her cheeks.

His purple eyes narrowed deeply.

– You’ll save me, won’t you?

He was a madman.

Until now, she had tried to excuse his behavior as him being under a curse and thus not in his right mind, but she couldn’t justify this as such.

He whispered softly to Charlotte, in a gentle and affectionate voice, as if coaxing her.

– It’s something only you can do.

Even though he was speaking politely now, it didn’t make him seem respectful. The fact that he was being courteous didn’t make her feel any better.

So, she had intended to refuse.

Of course, he would propose again, but it wasn’t like he would kidnap or imprison her to get her to agree, right?

But Charlotte found it difficult to speak.

What were the chances that this man, who claimed he was proposing to her to save his own life… would threaten to die if she refused to marry him?

Could she really dismiss this as mere speculation?

In the meantime, his hand, which had been gently stroking her cheek, slowly withdrew.

– I will serve you with utmost care for the rest of my life.

– …….

– Since it’s the life you saved, I will dedicate my entire life to you.

– …….

– So please, marry me, Your Highness.

The man knelt down calmly.

It was more like an ultimatum than a proposal. Both of them knew that if she refused, his next threat would be to die, so how could she reject him?

Charlotte responded in a dry voice.

– This is what you asked for.

– Of course.

– I… I felt really sorry for you. I really wanted to somehow repay you while I was alive.

– …….

– But, fine. Alright. If that’s what you want, let’s get married.

Debts could only be repaid by staying alive.

But if the person who said he wanted to die because of her proposed marriage, was there really any need to stay alive and repay him?

Would it be necessary?

Charlotte accepted the proposal with that in mind.

Resignation, despair. Maybe a bit of resentment.

The man quietly observed her, then gently placed her right hand against his forehead.

– I know this is selfish. You will resent me.

– …….

– But even so, I will love you for the rest of my life… So please, don’t let even death take you away from me.

The man whispered as if he were making a confession, a vow, or crying out.

– All I want is for you to be alive and breathe comfortably by my side. I won’t dare to ask for your love.

– That’s a relief.

Despite her cold response, the man wasn’t particularly upset. He simply spoke earnestly once more.

– Please, don’t let even death take you away from me.

She said nothing in return.

But the man acted as if he had heard her say something.

A cruel rejection.

She had received so many flowers, jewels, and clothes from him that she couldn’t even count them. She must have been the bride who received the most wedding gifts in nearly ten years.

Even knowing that most of those gifts would end up in the storage rooms of her father and half-brother, he had spent an enormous amount of money, just so a tiny bit of it might reach her.

However, the truly insane thing he had done wasn’t before their marriage.

He practically demolished an entire annex, invited one of the most promising wizards from the tower, and consulted him.

The man built a wizard’s research lab in the sacred grounds of Astariol.

All because Charlotte had said she wanted a space to continue her research.

It was a cruel and violent kind of love.

A love so overwhelming and intense that it suffocated her, pierced her lungs, and crushed her heart.

Until she could bear it no longer.

So much so that the wizard, who could no longer stand it, made her an offer.

– Come to the Tower, Charlotte.

– …….

– So, what if you can’t use magic? As far as I know, you’re still the best in magical theory. Even our master has asked for you.

– Don’t be ridiculous. If it were you, could you go when the master calls after becoming like this?

Zoe Islay fell silent.

If it weren’t for Charlotte, he would have become the Tower Master.

He surely knew how humiliating it would be to show their master her current state, unable to use magic.

Then, out of nowhere, he asked.

– Then, Charlotte. How about we run away together?

At first, she couldn’t even understand what he meant.

She just stared at him blankly…

“… Madam? Madam?”

“Ah.”

Only after hearing Louis’ puzzled call did the urgent knocking at the door register in her ears.

“Come in.”

As soon as the answer was given, a maid rushed in with a flustered expression.

“Madam, the master and the young lady have returned, and… there’s a guest with them…”

“Who is it?”

Upon hearing the maid’s hesitant response, Charlotte also hurriedly ran out.

Why did they come all of a sudden? How did they arrive just in time to run into Ashel?

Thoughts raced through her mind, but there was only one answer.

She had to stop it. As quickly as possible!

As she rushed towards the front gate, her breath came in gasps, and she shouted urgently.

“Stop!”

The grip of Duke Chelsiers on the current Tower Master’s collar loosened.

And Zoe Islay, who had been awkwardly rolling his eyes, smiled as he looked at Charlotte.

“Hello, Charlotte.”