"Please... save us."

Even though the words came out unexpectedly, I felt more joy than surprise.

I struggled to suppress the twisted smile threatening to spread across my face.

I had been wondering when she would finally take the bait.

Seeing everything fall into place so perfectly made it difficult to contain my excitement.

I had to work to erase the ominous atmosphere brewing within me.

*"Ahem."*

I let out a light cough to compose myself. Wearing my composed mask again, I noticed Charlotte hesitating before adding a few words. It seemed she was gauging my reaction.

*"I know... You must think it's a strange request. But I truly mean it when I say we need your help."*

It was a refreshingly new reaction.

Charlotte was a character who almost never showed her emotions.

She always wore a calm expression, never swayed by emotion, never showing sadness or anger, always carrying an air of quiet composure.

Like the still surface of a serene lake.

*-Haha... It's been an enjoyable act.*

*-No more silly charades. I've already achieved what I aimed for.*

*-Now, I will fulfill the will of Him.*

During the moment Judah betrayed the group in the later part of the original story, while others were shocked, Charlotte stood expressionless, watching it unfold with stoic detachment.

Because of her lifeless reactions, there were even jokes among players who referred to her as a robot.

It became quite a famous meme within the community.

**[Forum: General Discussion]**
**[Title: I can't understand people who like Charlotte]**

"How can anyone feel attached to a machine?
I'm not picky, but even a robot has more expression than her..."

**[Is she not even considered human now? LOL]**
-> "Turning her into a robot?"
-> "Honestly, it's understandable. A real robot would probably have more facial expressions than her."
-> "True, she's always expressionless."
-> "That's what makes her appealing, though."
-> "Tag: emotionless"
-> "Oh."

**[The fact is, despite the jokes, she consistently ranks in the top three in popularity polls]**
-> "Do people really think the princess's abilities are top-notch?"
-> "Doesn't she fall behind towards the end? She's essentially a relic of a bygone era."
-> "Take that back...!! Those words just now...!!!"

**[So if Charlotte picks up a broom, is she a robotic vacuum?]**
-> "Absolutely hilarious."

**[Calling her a robot... You don't understand the beauty of Gundam, do you?]**
-> "?"
-> "?"
-> "Please leave."

I recall using this meme myself a fair bit.

Whenever I uploaded videos featuring Charlotte, I’d always add some form of that joke in bold letters.

Since she was popular, it was an easy way to grab attention.

*"Help... It's a sensitive matter, but I can explain if you wish."*

Anyway.

For a girl who was usually so reserved to be speaking with a wavering voice now—it was remarkable.

By general standards, she was still calm, but by Charlotte's, this was significant.

Her rarely trembling blue eyes proved it.

*‘As I thought.’*

Was it because this involved the *Rose*?

Even her gaze looked desperate.

I composed my expression, adjusting my lips into a softer smile, interrupting her hesitance.

*"You don’t need to explain, Your Highness."*

The bait had been taken.

My performance against the manifestation had clearly paid off.

While I had intentionally played it up for this reaction, I hadn't expected it to work this well.

This only underscored how dire her situation was.

*"I already know without needing an explanation. You're asking for help regarding the Rose, aren't you?"*

*"How did you...?"*

*"I happen to have good ears."*

*"..."*

Charlotte stared at me in a daze as if lost for words.

I smiled and moved closer.

Stopping beside her pale ear, I whispered softly.

*"I’ll gladly help you. If it’s what you wish."*

My cool voice wrapped around her neck like a serpent, a hint of seduction in the end, poised to ensnare its prey.

*"All you have to do is trust me, Your Highness."*

My innocent little prince.

I had already begun to coil around her for gaslighting.

A sly smile played on my lips.

*"Thank you..."*

Even then, Charlotte only nodded quietly.

---

After the events at the cathedral, we returned to our respective places.

The mission had been a success.

We had rescued the missing operative without harm.

Medro was transported straight to headquarters.

Once she regained consciousness and recovered, we would question her about what transpired during the incident.

The vice-captain was tasked with filing the official report.

Charlotte and I arranged a separate meeting.

Her eyes had shone at the offer of assistance, and she had accepted without suspicion.

I hid my true intentions as we shook hands.

*-I’m counting on you.*

The end felt more like a beginning.

Leaving behind the tense air of dawn, we returned to the academy.

Having stayed up all night, my body felt heavy.

Fortunately, it was the weekend.

Instead of heading to lectures, I could rest in the dormitory.

It was the perfect time to recover my depleted energy.

I spent my time holed up in my room.

While quietly reading in the study, the fox at my side finally spoke, as if mustering courage.

*"Um..."*

I had felt her gaze for a while.

I set my book down and responded.

*"What is it, Irene?"*

*"I just wanted to check... Are you okay?"*

*"Hm?"*

*"You said you used a lot of power again."*

*"Well... I didn’t hold back, that’s true. But I had to save Medro, who was corrupted by dark magic."*

*"Are you in pain or... anything like that?"*

Her deep black eyes reflected concern.

I had shown her moments that justified it.

She’d seen me cough up blood, and during our field trip, I’d been unconscious for three days.

To her, I must have seemed dangerously fragile.

To reassure her, I gave a light shrug.

*"On the contrary, I feel as light as a feather."*

*"Really...?"*

*"Of course."*

*"That’s a relief."*

The fox nodded quietly, relieved.

Finding her worry endearing, I stroked her tail.

She accepted the touch without protest but soon spoke again, her gaze fixed on my rolled-up sleeve.

*"That scar..."*

*"Ah."*

The disheveled sleeve revealed part of a scar.

I belatedly moved to adjust my clothing, but Irene’s hand firmly stopped me.

Her expression was unreadable as she looked at me.

*"Irene?"*

*"..."*

I called her softly, but she said nothing.

She only held onto my sleeve.

What could she be thinking?

After a moment of silence, Irene broke it.

*"Have you... ever thought about wearing more comfortable clothes?"*

The formal suit I always wore.

She pointed at my attire, which covered every inch of my body to conceal my scars.

*"You’re always dressed so formally. I understand it outside, but you don’t have to be like this in the dormitory."*

*"..."*

*"It’s just the two of us here, after all."*

I understood what she was suggesting.

I wore formal suits to hide my scars.

They were too unsightly to show.

Despite the discomfort, I maintained that attire.

*‘But...’*

Irene knew about my scars now.

So she suggested it.

That I should be comfortable in the dormitory, where only we were present and both of us knew about the scars.

It seemed she had thought a lot since tending to me back then.

*"I don’t know..."*

I spoke hesitantly.

I forced a small smile, unsure how to respond.

After a pause, I voiced my concern.

*"Comfort is nice, but I have to think about who I live with first."*

*"What do you mean...?"*

*"Irene, it might bother you. You’ve seen it before, but... my body isn’t exactly pleasant to look at."*

*"Never."*

My self-deprecating comment was interrupted by her firm voice.

Irene placed her hands on my cheeks.

She turned my face so I would look at her.

*"Irene...?"*

Her dark eyes gazed into mine, blinking transparently.

She wore an oddly stubborn expression.

Leaning in, she brought her face closer.

Warm breaths mingled, and I could feel her body heat.

Our lips were nearly touching when she spoke.

*"I would never think that."*

A resolute voice, without a hint of doubt.

*"I’ve decided to follow you, so I’ll accept you, scars and all."*

*"..."*

*"I’m not bothered at all. Even the scars on your body are part of who I’ve chosen to follow."*

The fox spoke calmly, pressing her forehead to mine.

*"So... you can be comfortable around me."*

*"..."*

The unexpected reaction left me motionless.

The warmth from her touch.

The soft scent of her skin enveloped me, and I stayed silent for a while.

Irene didn’t let go easily.

Only after I promised to consider wearing different clothes sometimes did she release me.

The fox nodded, tail wagging with apparent joy.