As the seven-year war finally came to an end, the empire slowly began to breathe again.
The armies that once marched without rest were now scattered across the lands,
for cleanup.
Burned fields were being cleared.
Broken cities were being rebuilt.
The wounded were carried home, and the dead… were finally given peace.
It was no longer the sound of clashing swords that filled the air, but the quieter noise of recovery.
A strange calm had settled over the empire.
It was peaceful.
And far away from all that…
Inside the Zenithara Estate.
Morning had arrived gently.
Soft sunlight slipped through the tall windows of the main house, spreading across the polished floor.
The air felt light, and the faint sound of birds chirping could be heard from outside.
Everything felt calm.
Almost too calm.
At one of the upper floor windows, a pair of small birds landed on the edge.
They chirped happily, hopping closer to each other, their tiny heads brushing together as they shared soft little pecks.
Chirp chirp… chirp chirp…
A quiet, sweet moment.
Peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Chirp chirp chirp chirp…!
The sound suddenly got louder.
And louder.
And louder…
BAM!
A pillow came flying straight out of the room and smashed right through them.
Feathers burst in the air as the birds panicked and flew off in a hurry, their peaceful morning completely ruined.
"Man… these guys…"
A woman's voice came from inside, sharp and clearly annoyed.
"I'm here starving for my man and they're out here acting all lovey-dovey…"
She stepped toward the window, her expression full of irritation.
"Sigh… that son of a gun… did he forget I'm pregnant or what?"
She grabbed the window frame…
Bam!
…and pushed it open harder than needed.
Sunlight poured onto her face, making her squint slightly as her long lashes fluttered.
She was beautiful.
Her red hair fell over her shoulders, a bit messy, and her gem-like eyes carried a mix of annoyance and something deeper.
Her white night dress was slightly wrinkled, and as she absentmindedly patted her belly, it was clear….
She was about three months pregnant.
She was Charlotte.
"Damn that guy…" she muttered again, looking outside.
"How long has it been? And he didn't even send me a letter… sent everything to the royal family instead. Tsk."
Her gaze slowly dropped to her belly.
"See?" she said softly, her tone changing just a little, "I told you… your mom is the one who loves you the most."
A small pause.
Then a quiet sigh.
"Haa… but at least he's safe…"
Her voice softened even more.
"If something had happened to him… I would've had to spend my life as a widow…"
She clicked her tongue and looked away quickly, like she didn't like where her thoughts were going.
Turning around, she spun lightly, her hair swaying behind her.
"Still!" she huffed, crossing her arms. "How can he make such a beautiful wife wait like this?"
She took a few steps, clearly not done complaining.
"Tsk… men these days…"
Then she paused, thinking.
"…if I was him," she said seriously, "I wouldn't leave myself alone for even a second."
Another pause.
She nodded to herself.
"Not even one second."
She glanced back toward the window again.
"…idiot."
But there was no real anger in it.
Just someone waiting.
And missing him more than she wanted to admit.
"…though I was also the one who encouraged him…" she sighed again, her shoulders dropping a little.
Back then, when he said he would go to war, she already knew there was no stopping him.
So she chose to stand by him, to be the kind of wife who understands her husband more than anyone.
And she did.
Better than anyone.
But as time passed… one week, then two… that calm understanding slowly started to crack.
A small feeling of impatience crept in, quiet at first, but growing little by little.
After all, he had already disappeared for four years once.
And when he finally came back… he stayed with her for just one month.
One month.
"That's just unfair…" she muttered under her breath, her fingers lightly tapping against her arm.
At first, she held on well.
She reminded herself again and again, this is what it means to stand beside him, this is what she chose.
But slowly… she started forgetting those firm promises she had made to herself.
Missing him became louder than reason.
"But he should be back within this week… right?" she said, her mood lifting a little.
A small smile appeared on her lips as she leaned against the wall.
Her mother had visited about a month ago, bringing news from the battlefield.
A letter had arrived.
The war was over.
The royal family had already sent people to handle everything, cleaning up the aftermath, settling things in the north.
Once that was done, the army would return.
Which meant…
"…it won't be long now," she murmured softly.
Her fingers curled slightly against her dress as the thought settled in.
Then her expression shifted again.
"And father-in-law should be arriving too…" she added, crossing her arms.
A small chuckle slipped out.
"Mother has been so happy since she heard that…"
She shook her head, amused.
"She's acting like a newlywed… getting all excited just because her husband is coming back."
Charlotte let out a light laugh, the sound soft and warm in the quiet room.
For a moment, everything felt a bit lighter.
A bit closer.
A bit real.
And just as she was lost in those thoughts…
Knock knock knock.
"Sis, mother is calling you!"
It was Salena's voice from outside the door.
Charlotte turned her gaze and looked at the clock.
"…10?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
"This soon?" she muttered, a bit surprised. "Time really flies…"
She ran a hand through her hair and let out a small breath.
"Alright, tell her I'll be there in a minute," she said, raising her voice just enough.
Then she paused, remembering something.
"And by the way…has there been any news of the army entering the Zenithara estate?"
There was a short pause outside before Salena replied.
"No," she said. "Edward has been there the whole time, and there hasn't been any news."
Charlotte clicked her tongue lightly.
"Okay…"
She nodded to herself, even though Salena couldn't see it, and reached for a towel lying on the bed.
The towel looked… a bit strange.
Bright colors, messy little drawings, and comic characters printed all over it.
Clearly not hers.
It belonged to Vivian.
This room did too.
She hadn't brought anything here except her clothes.
For a moment, her fingers lingered on the fabric.
Then she shook her head lightly and turned away.
She walked toward the bathroom and pushed the door open.
A moment later, the sound of water filled the room.
Soft at first… then steady.
Time passed.
Not too long after, the door opened again.
Charlotte stepped out, gently wiping her damp hair with the same towel.
She walked up to the mirror and stopped in front of it.
For a second, she just looked at herself.
Then she tilted her head slightly.
One hand moved to her chin as she struck a small pose.
Then another.
She turned a bit to the side, eyeing her reflection carefully.
"…hmm."
A short pause.
"Am I getting fat?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at herself.
