Prologue

Prologue

“Is it a ghost?”

“It’s a person.”

As soon as Charlotte could ask a question, the servant next to her, Lars, answered as if she was in shock.

“There is no such thing as a ghost in this world.”

“Then how do you explain that unmoving shadow in this cold weather?”

When Charlotte, pouting with embarrassment, asked again, Lars glanced at the figure outside the window, took another look, thought about it for a moment, and then continued.

“Perhaps someone has come seeking an audience with the Viscountess, but considering the late hour, they might not be a guest to be taken lightly?”

“It’s past 2 in the morning, so it’s a really plausible assumption.”

The title of Viscountess came with no estate to manage but allowed Charlotte to comfortably enjoy the privileges of the class without having to worry about the responsibilities of nobility. A steady income came in constantly, thanks to her being the owner of the most famous franchise cafe in Lohadin. It was a life that was perfectly suited to do as she pleased.

Today was a satisfying day, like any other day,  just like it was a part of that life. Charlotte was having a drink in celebration of the next day, which was a holiday.

Herringen was particularly beautiful in the middle of winter when it snowed. Charlotte, who was enjoying the scenery outside the window while slightly intoxicated, noticed someone leaning in front of the mansion’s gate.

Not at night, but at dawn. It was well after midnight, and the sight was enough to make her feel wary.

What’s that…?

At Charlotte’s suspicious gaze, both Lars and another servant, Lida, also turned to look at that place. Soon, the person who had been standing there for a while collapsed to the ground.

There was no way he was an assassin or a spy. If that were the case, they wouldn’t be out in the open.

As Charlotte was about to have a debate with Lars, Lida came in carrying a thick cloak.

“Be careful, Viscountess.”

“Okay, Lida, stay here. I’ll go with Lars.”

“Okay.”

Charlotte put on the cloak given to her by Lida and went outside with Lars.

Squeak.

When she passed through the garden and opened the gate, there was a person crouching down. He looked like a strong adult male, and his clothes were torn here and there, as if he had been in an accident, and his exposed body was covered in wounds.

After she exchanged a meaningful glance with Lars, Charlotte mustered up the courage to raise her voice.

“Excuse me?”

“…”

Hearing her cautious voice, the man flinched, held on to the wall, and slowly stood up.

The brooch on his coat seemed familiar to her, one that she had seen before. At the same time, an unknown, ominous feeling swept over Charlotte’s entire body.

“If you stay here, you’ll freeze to death–”

Eventually, when their eyes met as he staggered to stand straight, , Charlotte had no choice but to stop what she was saying.

A face she thought she would never see again.

“…Erhen?”

Blue eyes that looked straight at her even in the dark.

“Charlotte.”

When Charlotte, frozen in shock, barely opened her mouth, the blood-covered man fell into her arms, calling Charlotte’s name as if he had been waiting.

Thud.

As she barely caught him as he fell, she felt something heavy fall down beneath with a thud. The breath that touched her ear was faint. Along with that, the damp smell of blood she smelt from Erhen in her arms.

“Uh, ah… ah.”

“Eh, yes?”

Charlotte shouted again with all her strength to Lars, who was also in shock.

“Get the doctor, Lars!”

It had been a year since she signed the divorce papers and went from being the Duchess of Rosenheim to Charlotte Linz.

Charlotte was reunited with her bloodied ex-husband.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***