~27~ The Night Charlotte's Vision Became Bloody

"So you're saying that living with your family was a good memory for you, Kristine?"

Asked Louis. Just as he was about to arrange some things in the kitchen, he saw Kristine and she helped him until they rested and went to the garden. There, they talked a lot - the way Kristine spoke to Louis was like talking to a friend - an old friend of hers who she thought she would never see again - that's her first impression of him. That's because she's had one in the past — until they moved from this place to another

They were now talking in the garden. As Louis asked - Kristine nodded with a smile

"Yeah, well, for the most part - that's why I work here. I wanted to help them. Especially that people have aged a lot over the days."

'It's true. She really is a real person. If she can be anything in this household, then maybe I would like to consider her my friend. Also, she's a person who was confident even when life brought her something. However, I can't do what she's doing right now. Missing your family is out of the question for me, so the Duke understood what I was trying to say from the start.'

While the two were talking about something, what used to be early night had turned into late night. They had enjoyed the cold breeze in the garden. Echoes of laughter and giggles could be heard from them, as well as the sounds of the swaying leaves that were in their place

They didn't know that someone was already there - controlling herself, clenching her teeth in the hallways of the household

'How dare that maid?! Why does she keep talking to my butler like that?! I just went to the birthday party and here it is? She's talking to him?! What the hell?!'

Charlotte - wanted to pull the maid's hair and see blood, but she can't even do it. She barely wanted to move to know that if she does it in front of Louis, he'll be furious in an instant. The moment she was changed for the better - seemed to be one big fantasy in her head as she knew she couldn't control the growing anger in her heart

***

An hour earlier

When Charlotte was able to return to the venue—she felt like she couldn't even mingle because she thought if she did—she'd just puke in their faces. The moment she had with Leon in the garden was peaceful and she accepted being his girlfriend at the very end

That's because of Louis' persistence. However, what she cannot define was the way the young man was eager to be her boyfriend, even though all the ladies hated her instead

There she had no choice but to ignore what was happening. She couldn't take care of her father, who always mingled with the others - as his friend. However, for the time being she couldn't even say that she wanted to go home. So she left the house quietly and secretly, just as Lucien was about to be introduced. So she went to her carriage and without hesitation she asked the servant

"Let's go home. I come home early. You could fetch the duke later. I am already tired."

With that kind of commanding voice and bearing, the servant trembled and did as he was asked. Only until then did she think all the servants were asleep - except for the knights at the gate.

For this she was going to the household - she was planning to surprise Louis in his chamber - when suddenly her ears heard someone speaking. A young man's voice - familiar enough to capture her attention. There she suddenly raised her eyebrows and without hesitation she went to the place where he had heard the noise only to know that it was coming from the garden

Sweet conversations had echoed there, but all had been silent around the two of them. When Charlotte focused her gaze, all he could see was the two of them talking. Louis laughed as did the other. The maid Louis had spoken to was so familiar to her that she was already clutching one of the pillars in her household

Her eyes widened for a second until they went rigid. Her teeth ground, her eyebrows contracted so much that she wanted to scream in front of them - she wanted to stop them from talking - but it took a long time before she could control herself at all

Every second felt like torture for her emotions. Her breathing was slower than before and before she knew it her dress was ruined. It was destroyed by her hands, which before from the pillar now belonged to her dress

At that very moment - she didn't know why, but she became aware of her situation again and when she looked into the garden - there were already no people inside. Then she finally decided to go to her room. However, she was about to go to her room - she had already seen Louis standing by her door.

He was holding a book and that was when he smiled - the usual smile he had always modeled for the lady. However, after what he had done, the lady once again ignored her like a villain. This made Louis raise his eyebrows and Charlotte was about to close the door - despite the fact that Louis was outside, he suddenly stopped Charlotte from closing the door with his foot on the side edge

Even if it was painful for him - he endured it because he wanted to know why the lady had suddenly behaved like this. For the second time - he doesn't even know what he did - but the lady's eyes say it all. Charlotte just stared at Louis - for the first time and even the lady didn't even know what she was doing and why she suddenly felt this way

For that moment - she understood that Louis also had a life - that's why she managed to control her movements when hurting the lady there - yet it seems like she can't even accept the reality that was already bestowed on her and that's the hardest part she'll ever accept

Accepting that Louis also had a life that she wasn't a part of

"M-Milady? Did something happen at the party? You look like you can------"

However, before Louis could finish what he was saying, Charlotte immediately opened the door wide and then grabbed Louis in her room. She never thought twice about why she was doing it - but she wanted an explanation from him

Even if they are lies - she wanted to say that the maid was just a pawn for him. Charlotte already knew from Louis that she was just a piece of dirt - he couldn't be that type of guy. All she thought was that he was just admitting that she's nothing special to him, and that's what she wanted to hear

So, without a shadow of a doubt, Charlotte cornered Louis on her bed. The butler lay below while Charlotte lay on top of him. She looked at her seriously while Louis just widened his eyes, brow furrowed

He doesn't even know why the lady brought him to her bed, but the lady's gaze seemed to kill him whenever he spoke for a moment - with the eyes of a hawk. So he decided to shut up and let the lady talk for a second until all he could hear was Charlotte sighing

"Why did you do that?!"

There—Louis's eyebrows drew together again

'Huh? Is my lady alright? What have I done anyway? Wait, did she mean I'm stopping her from closing her door? Didn't she say she wanted me to read her stories?'

Louis couldn't keep his eyebrows from creases and the more he thought about the lady's words, the more his lips parted until Charlotte leaned closer to his face than ever

"Don't tell me I don't know Louis"

'There she goes again, what have I done anyway?'

It was only inches away after that, their faces meeting, but Louis felt like he'd been enlightened, so he wanted to gently push the lady away when she said something that stopped him from walking away

"Why did you talk to the maid? You're only supposed to talk to me! Why?! Did you like her?!"

Tears were already running down the lady's face and made Louis' face soften

"So I guess she hasn't completely changed for the better yet

He was already wiping the lady's tears. There – he smiled while holding both of the lady's cheeks

"My lady - if you want me all to yourself, you must learn more of what I have to teach you."

'I think it's alright - as she's still a kid at heart. Well she's 15 and I'm 16 so we're young right? There's no reason to rush things. Also - I guess she was just kidding earlier.'