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Chapter 51 - Massage (3)

‘Charlotte, are you in a lot of pain?’

Num, num.

Julia rested her chin on her hand as she slowly picked at her food.

It had been a long time since she’d seen Charlotte this feverish and unwell.

When was the last time Charlotte had been sick?

Was it the winter before last?

The one where the window had a hole in it, letting in all that cold air.

Charlotte had given up her blanket for Julia and ended up catching a terrible cold because of it.

But this time, it\'s the middle of summer.

Was it just bad luck?

Julia was about to dismiss the thought.

She suddenly remembered the look in Charlotte’s eyes when Aslan carried her on his back. She stiffened.

‘...No way.’

No way... was that all an act?

No. The fever itself couldn’t have been faked, so that part must have been real.

But could a slight fever really make someone so delirious?

Was Charlotte... faking it?

Why? For what reason?

To get Aslan’s attention?

Grit.

Julia ground her teeth as she hugged her shark plushie tight, frustrated by the absence of Aslan\'s comforting presence.

No way. That can\'t be it.

‘Why can’t I sleep on my own?’

She was sure she could control the spirits\' whispers now.

She could keep them from getting within a certain range.

She could even use powerful words of command that worked on the Great Earth Spirit.

So why, why does she still struggle to sleep every night?

Why does she need that man’s hand to fall asleep?

She couldn’t understand it at all.

‘There’s definitely something going on...!’

It would be one thing if this happened once or twice, but it kept happening.

Could Aslan have done something?

Did he put a curse on her that made her suffer from insomnia without his hand?

‘How shameless...!’

So this was his way of trying to make me more dependent on him!

Gotcha!

If it’s not a curse, then that means I’m just some mentally unstable kid who feels extreme anxiety without Aslan’s hand.

That can’t be true. No. Definitely not.

Julia quickly came to a clear conclusion.

‘Did you think this would make me like you?’

What a ridiculous and childish way of thinking.

He must think that I’ll slowly start liking him because I can’t live without him.

But I’m not that easy.

Does he really think I’ll become the Countess that easily?

"Charlotte is taking a long time."

Even though she was eating slowly, the bowl was already empty.

Julia looked around the wide, empty dining room.

She suddenly stood up.

“Maybe she really is sick.”

It might not be an act.

It could be a serious illness with a low-grade fever.

Julia suddenly felt a swell of worry and started heading toward the room where Charlotte was isolated.

‘Voices?’

She could hear Charlotte’s cheerful voice talking down the hallway.

As Julia approached, the maids who had been crouching by the door quickly stood up, their faces flushed.

“Um, did you enjoy your meal?”

“Yes... But is Charlotte okay?”

“Do you want to check for yourself? Hehehe.”

Giggling, the maids walked away, laughing amongst themselves.

Why do they always seem so happy?

And why do they always seem to be talking about me and Charlotte?

Julia tilted her head in confusion.

Then, slowly.

She knelt down on one knee in front of the slightly ajar door.

As if drawn by some unseen force.

She peeked inside.

"...Ah."

And then.

Something inside Julia snapped.

She had no idea how much time had passed since she shut herself in her room.

Still clutching the shark plushie tightly, Julia was tossing and turning in frustration.

What is this feeling?

Why is my chest so tight, and why does it sting?

I don’t know.

I don’t know, and it’s making me furious.

“Earthy.”

[What is it?]

“What on earth is Charlotte thinking?”

[...I can’t even guess what you’re trying to ask.]

“Since you’re close with Charlotte, you must know her well. Haven’t you noticed how she’s changed recently?”

[...No.]

Close? With her? The Great Earth Spirit frowned.

She’s just treating me like a toy, nothing more.

The Great Spirit was about to brush it off, but then, noticing Julia’s troubled expression, he decided to take her more seriously.

[I’m not sure about any changes. I haven’t known you all for that long, after all.]

“You can tell even in that short time. Can’t you see the difference between the Charlotte we first met and the Charlotte now?”

[I don’t know. From what I can tell, Charlotte seems the same as ever.]

“Fine.”

Ugh. You’re no help, really.

Julia buried her face in the shark plushie and kicked her feet in frustration.

Charlotte hasn’t changed?

Then does that mean I’m the one who’s changed?

That’s ridiculous.

Julia shook her head, quickly dismissing the Great Spirit’s opinion.

“...She’s back.”

Then, from outside, she heard chattering voices and footsteps.

Now that she thought about it, the mansion had been quiet for a while.

Did Charlotte go somewhere?

Julia groggily got out of bed.

Then the door suddenly slammed open.

Light flooded into the dark room, casting Charlotte’s imposing shadow across it.

“I’m back!”

“Uh, Charlotte. Are you feeling better?”

“I’m totally fine! All thanks to the care Mister gave me all night!”

“...”

All night?

Grit.

Julia ground her teeth.

“What’s that you’re hiding behind your back?”

“Oh, this. Ta-da! Mister bought me a doll! It’s a teddy bear! Isn’t it cute?”

“...”

A teddy bear. That’s the one I wanted at first.

Julia clutched her shark plushie so tightly it crumpled, grinding her teeth once again.

Is she rubbing it in? Is that it?

This was the first time she had ever been so infuriated by Charlotte’s bright smile.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

“What do you mean?”

“You never really liked dolls.”

“Yeah. I wasn’t interested before, but Mister said he’d buy me one, so I picked one out. I think I might start liking them now.”

“...Of all things, it’s a teddy bear?”

“Of all things, it’s a teddy bear.”

Charlotte flashed a sweet, teasing smile.

So she really is rubbing it in.

Julia sighed and jumped off the bed.

The Great Earth Spirit, stuck between them, was too stunned to make a sound.

“What’s your deal? Why are you getting on my nerves like this?”

Glare.

Julia’s eyes were bloodshot as she glared at Charlotte.

“Getting on your nerves? Me?”

“Yeah. You are. You left the door open when you were giving that man a massage, didn’t you? It wasn’t an accident; you did it on purpose. I guess your usual clumsiness comes in handy at times like that.”

“Hmmm. What could you mean?”

“And why did you pretend not to see me earlier?”

“Umm. I didn’t want to be interrupted during my time with Mister?”

“...”

Ha!

So you’re finally showing your true colors.

“See? You’re saying I should back off because Aslan is yours and I should get lost, right?”

“Well. That’s true. But why should that get on your nerves? You don’t even like him.”

“What...”

“You said he’s creepy and you don’t like him. So I’ll be the Countess. One of us has to marry him eventually. You can’t stand the thought of that, can you?”

“I-I just... I just want to sleep...”

“If that’s all it is, then there’s no reason to get so upset.”

“...”

Julia’s lips clamped shut.

Charlotte was right.

I do hate the idea of becoming the Countess.

So why do I get so irritated whenever Charlotte flirts with Aslan?

“If you keep acting like this, you’ll regret it later, Julia. You’ll realize it too late.”

“...What do you mean?”

“Ah. Are you pretending not to know, or have you really not figured it out yet...”

Charlotte shook her head and sighed.

Julia tilted her head, confused.

Too late? Regret it? Haven’t figured out what?

What on earth is she talking about?

“Mister is free now! I’m satisfied, so I’ll leave him to you.”

“...”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Which side are you on, Charlotte? Do you dislike it but can’t help becoming the Countess? Or do you really...”

Do you really like Aslan? Julia couldn’t bring herself to say the words and swallowed hard instead.

Charlotte is different on the inside.

To be more precise, she can show a different side on the outside.

Even if she doesn’t like someone, she can still smile sweetly.

I can’t hide my feelings like that.

Charlotte can act like a good girl who’s loved by everyone.

So when she’s with Aslan, is it all just an act?

Which is it? Huh?

Julia was going crazy with curiosity.

“Hmmm...”

Charlotte just gazed quietly at Julia for a long time without answering.

Then, she smirked.

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed into a knowing smile.

It was as if she could see right through Julia’s question.

It was like she could read the words on Julia’s face: Please tell me it’s just an act.

Heh. How cute. Charlotte chuckled.

“Well, what do you think?”

“Charlotte...!”

“Oops. I guess I took the joke a little too far. I didn’t expect you to react this strongly. Sorry.”

Charlotte quickly ran over and hugged Julia.

Julia, though she accepted the hug, couldn’t hide the clear confusion on her face.

“Julia, which side are you on? Do you really just want to sleep peacefully? Is that the only reason you want Mister all to yourself?”

“O-Of course...”

“Julia. They say girls who aren’t honest with themselves aren’t popular. You should listen to your own heart more.”

“...”

I really have no idea what you’re talking about...

Julia bit her lip.

For some reason, Charlotte, who seemed so relaxed and confident, was getting on her nerves.

[Ah. I want to go home.]

And in the midst of this tense atmosphere.

The Great Earth Spirit felt a sudden wave of exhaustion.