The carriage slowly passed through the great gates of the Handler family's estate.
The towering iron gates stood open wide, welcoming our arrival with a grandeur that never failed to inspire admiration.
The carriage wheels rolled gently across the neatly laid stone road, producing a soft rhythmic clatter amidst the tranquil atmosphere of the estate grounds.
Our journey gradually drew to its conclusion as the carriage carried us toward the front of the mansion.
When I first set foot within Grandmother's residence ten years ago, I had been genuinely astonished by the magnificence of the Handler family estate.
The mansion was enormous.
It stood proudly beneath the sky, elegant and imposing in equal measure.
Far larger than our own residence atop the hills of Green Pine Village.
Even now, despite our home having been renovated until it resembled a small castle, neither its size nor its splendor could truly rival the Handler family's mansion.
The wealth of this family revealed itself through every corridor, every wall, and every carefully crafted detail.
At last, the carriage came to a stop within the inner courtyard of the estate.
I released a long breath.
Finally.
We had arrived.
For the past several days, we had done little besides remain inside the carriage.
Hour after hour.
Day after day.
Confined within a narrow compartment that never ceased swaying.
The same routine repeated endlessly.
Even my spirit had begun to grow weary.
It felt less like travel and more like a subtle form of torture, one designed to slowly erode a person's patience.
I turned my head toward Ian.
And immediately felt annoyed all over again.
My younger brother's hair remained perfectly immaculate.
Smooth.
Silky.
Not a single strand appeared out of place.
It was as though he cared for his hair with even greater devotion than I cared for my own.
Utterly unfair.
Mother always said a woman's hair was naturally softer and more delicate.
Yet look at mine now.
Slightly dull.
A little dry.
Perhaps the stale air inside the carriage was to blame.
"Help me, Ian."
"My body is completely exhausted."
That simple request immediately melted away the remnants of Ian's irritation after enduring Charlotte's relentless teasing throughout the journey.
"Of course."
A satisfied smile appeared on my face.
"What a dutiful little brother."
Those words echoed once again.
Ian had lost count of how many times he had heard them.
Perhaps dozens.
Perhaps hundreds.
Even he no longer knew.
Yet strangely enough, whenever those words left Charlotte's lips, a faint warmth always stirred within his heart.
"Wait here."
"I'll step out first."
I nodded.
Through the carriage window, I could already see Grandmother and the rest of the family waiting outside the mansion.
They truly had been awaiting our arrival.
A gentle warmth spread through my chest.
Thank goodness.
We had arrived on time and spared them from needless worry.
Ian opened the carriage door first.
He stepped down with effortless grace.
A moment later, he extended his hand toward me.
"After you, Sister."
I accepted his offered hand.
"Thank you, Handsome Prince."
"???"
A small laugh escaped my lips.
Once, long ago, I had jokingly told him that he could become my sweetheart for a day.
Not seriously.
Only so he would perform small acts of courtesy that men often offered their companions, such as helping me descend from a carriage or offering his hand while mounting a horse.
The only thing I received in return was the most horrified expression I had ever seen on his face.
Even now, I remembered that look vividly.
Ian had never been particularly skilled at responding to such jokes.
Every jest was met with logic far too serious for its own good.
For an older sister who occasionally wished to be entertained, having a younger brother like him could be quite troublesome.
Ah.
Never mind.
That happened long ago.
I had already moved on from it.
After stepping down from the carriage, we approached Carl, who had just finished unloading our luggage.
"Thank you, Carl."
"For bringing us here safely."
The middle-aged man immediately shook his head.
"Ah, Miss Charlotte, Master Ian."
"I should be the one offering thanks. Without the protection of the two of you, there is no chance I could have completed this journey safely."
"No, Carl. Everyone has their own role to play."
"Your role was equally important. Never diminish the contribution you made toward our safety."
"Ian is right. Take care of yourself."
"Perhaps we shall travel together again someday."
Carl's expression softened with emotion.
A sincere smile blossomed across his weathered face.
"Yes, Miss Charlotte."
"Yes, Master Ian."
"Then I shall take my leave. May the God of Light forever guide your paths."
"The same to you."
The carriage slowly departed from the grounds of the Handler estate.
Before it had traveled very far, two familiar voices suddenly rang out.
"Big Sister Charlotte!"
"Ian!"
Ian and I turned almost simultaneously.
Grandmother's family had been waiting there all along.
Only Grandfather and Aunt Adela were nowhere to be seen.
Most likely, they remained occupied with other matters.
Lucas and Dorothea, my two cousins, stood at the very front with excitement written plainly across their faces.
I answered them with a warm smile.
Then, together with Ian, I walked toward the family that had been eagerly awaiting our arrival.
Grandmother's face shone with happiness.
Her gentle smile always carried the comforting feeling of coming home.
Several servants stood neatly behind her, maintaining a respectful distance.
I passed Lucas and Dorothea first.
Then stopped directly before Grandmother.
"Grandmother."
"Ah, Charlotte. For a moment, I thought your father himself would be accompanying you."
"But thank goodness. You both arrived safely."
"There was never any need to worry, Grandmother. Ian is exceptionally dependable."
Grandmother smiled warmly.
"That is good to hear."
"You must always look after one another."
She opened her arms.
Without hesitation, I stepped forward and returned the embrace.
The embrace I always missed whenever we were apart.
Its warmth had not changed in the slightest.
Just as it had been in my childhood memories.
As though every trace of exhaustion from the long journey simply melted away within the embrace of a grandmother who never ceased waiting for the return of her beloved grandchildren.
Grandmother's pink hair had scarcely changed since the first time I met her ten years ago.
Not a single strand of silver could be found among those beautiful locks.
And yet she had already passed her fiftieth year.
Time itself seemed to move more slowly for her.
The traces of her beauty had not faded.
Her face still carried the same gentle warmth I remembered, only now accompanied by the quiet dignity born from decades of life and experience.
Her resemblance to Mother was unmistakable.
Especially their hair.
I had always been fond of that.
After all, I had inherited the same color myself.
Strangely enough, none of her other children or grandchildren had received that particular shade.
"How have you been, Grandmother? It has already been a month since we last met."
"Charlotte missed you dearly."
Grandmother slowly released me from her embrace.
Then she reached forward and gently pinched my cheek.
It did not hurt.
On the contrary, the gesture brought a warmth that was difficult to describe.
Comforting.
Affectionate.
Just as it had been when I was a child.
"You mischievous girl. Tell Grandmother the truth. You want something again, do you not?"
"Hehe. Grandmother, do not accuse me so quickly."
"..."
"I truly mean it. The last time we embraced like this was already a month ago."
Before Grandmother could respond, both of my cousins immediately joined the conversation.
Having spent so much time with me in Brandenburg, they had come to understand my personality remarkably well.
At times, perhaps a little too well.
"Anyone can tell."
"Whenever Charlotte acts that sweet, she is definitely after something."
I turned my face away with a quiet huff.
"Lucas. You have started saying things like that too?"
Dorothea covered her mouth as she struggled to suppress a laugh.
"He is not wrong."
"But I think we should go inside first. Remaining out here and chatting for too long is rather improper."
Grandmother nodded approvingly.
"Dorothea, Grandmother is proud of you. You are beginning to understand proper etiquette very well."
"Keep it up."
"Yes, Grandmother."
Dorothea's smile brightened immediately upon receiving the praise.
Grandmother then turned her attention back to me.
Her light brown eyes were gentle.
Filled with a warmth that always managed to calm my heart.
Though we shared the same hair color, our eyes were different.
Yet whenever she looked at me that way, I always felt as though I were gazing at a glimpse of my family's future.
"Very well. Once we are inside, you may tell Grandmother what it is that you want."
"Yes, Grandmother."
My shoulders immediately slumped.
In the end, I had been discovered again.
More accurately, everyone in this household knew me far too well.
It was nearly impossible to hide anything from them, even for the sake of a little amusement.
Grandmother chuckled softly at my reaction.
Then she turned toward Ian.
Without hesitation, she pulled her grandson into a loving embrace.
Ian returned it with a warm smile.
Not long afterward, Grandmother led us into the mansion.
The rest of us followed behind.
I carried a portion of my belongings myself.
The remaining luggage had already been gathered by the servants.
Seeing Ian carrying only a small amount of baggage reminded me of something Mother often said.
Men simply did not require many things when traveling.
A few changes of clothes.
Only the essentials.
Everything seemed so simple.
Ian was no different.
Watching him only strengthened my belief.
Either most men were naturally like that...
Or perhaps they simply possessed no appreciation for life's comforts.
How dreadfully boring.
•
•
•
Soon afterward, we were all seated within the main hall of the mansion.
The chamber was spacious beyond measure, with a high ceiling adorned by elegant carvings.
Sunlight poured through the towering windows, causing the marble floor to gleam with a gentle radiance.
Servants moved back and forth throughout the room.
They arranged warm teapots, refreshing beverages, and various delicacies upon a long marble table stretching across the center of the hall.
I leaned back against a luxurious sofa.
My body practically sank into its softness.
Relief slowly spread through every part of me.
This was true comfort.
Next time...
I would simply ask Father to transport me with his ability.
Spending days inside a horse-drawn carriage, seated for endless hours, had nearly broken me.
Especially...
My backside still hurt.
Grandmother observed me for a moment.
Then a smile appeared upon her face.
"Charlotte."
"You look utterly exhausted. You should rest first."
"No, Grandmother. I am not exhausted."
"..."
"It is simply that my backside still aches from sitting inside the carriage for so long."
Lucas nearly burst into laughter after hearing my confession.
I could see him desperately covering his mouth with one hand as he fought to restrain himself.
Dorothea said nothing, yet the concern in her eyes was unmistakable.
Grandmother spoke in a soothing tone.
"Very well."
"Later, Grandmother will prepare a remedy to ease the pain."
"Thank you, Grandmother. I love you."
"This girl. You truly know how to win an old woman's heart."
Grandmother's gaze then shifted toward Ian, who sat beside me.
"And what about you, Ian?"
"If this long journey has left you uncomfortable, you need only tell Grandmother."
"I am quite alright, Grandmother."
A faint smile graced Ian's face.
Deep within his heart, he felt grateful for the concern she always showed him.
Her affection never favored one grandchild over another.
All of us received the same warmth.
Yet unlike Charlotte, Ian genuinely felt no discomfort from the journey.
His body had long grown accustomed to conditions far harsher than a simple carriage ride.
His gaze drifted toward Charlotte for a brief moment.
A suspicion quietly emerged within his thoughts.
Could it be...
That his elder sister was merely looking for an excuse to be pampered by Grandmother?
She had always been like this.
After all, acting was one of Charlotte's greatest talents.