Chapter 416

**Chapter 416**

**Chapter 75 EPILOGUE (3)**

‘I wondered if this is what a formal meeting felt like.’

Perhaps due to a touch of nervousness, I found myself repeatedly straightening the collar of my shirt unconsciously.

I paused momentarily to adjust my attire to appear decently dressed without being overly formal.

With a deep breath, I followed the restaurant staff as I moved forward.

I was there to meet Charlotte.

‘I was indeed waiting for her to reach out.’

But I hadn’t expected her to contact me so soon.

I had just declined a meal the day before, saying I didn’t have time, and here we were meeting at the break of dawn the following day.

‘And she insisted that Rashar not be present.’

What could she possibly want to discuss?

‘Could it be about politics?’

It wasn’t a situation I could dismiss outright.

Charlotte had already been elected as a council member of the southern district.

She reached out to me, someone with a clear influence, yet supposedly without political involvement?

It was hard to think she harbored only pure intentions.

‘If Rashar were present, it would be a family meeting…’

Charlotte deliberately wanted to exclude her.

‘I didn’t think she disliked Rashar.’

Was it just a ploy to establish a connection with me?

‘No, it might be too early to conclude that.’

Charlotte didn’t anticipate seeing me at Rashar’s apartment.

Her demeanor wasn’t that of someone eagerly waiting to meet me.

She seemed more displeased at finding a man intruding in her sister’s home.

Furthermore, if her purpose was to foster camaraderie, she wouldn’t have left so abruptly that day.

She would’ve made time to attend the meal I offered, even if begrudgingly.

‘But why exclude Rashar today?’

The more I contemplated, the murkier it became instead of clearer.

Perhaps, I was overanalyzing and overly wary of Charlotte’s actions.

‘Let’s decide after meeting her.’

In the end, I decided to put aside my suspicions and doubts.

Nothing was certain yet, and I wanted to avoid misinterpreting Charlotte’s intentions with excessive caution.

Rashar’s only remaining family—I wished to maintain a cordial relationship if possible.

Right then, guided by the staff, I arrived at a small room.

As the door opened, charlotte, who had arrived earlier, stood up slowly.

I approached her with steady steps and extended a hand.

“Formally introducing myself, Kang Hyunwoo.”

“Stiff as ever, charlotte Bennett.”

Though Charlotte had a word, she took my hand and completed the brief introduction.

“If you’re not planning to talk standing, take a seat.”

“Yes.”

As soon as I sat across from Charlotte, a refreshing drink was served.

“I called you for a meal, but it doesn’t seem the conversation will be long.”

The implication was to share a drink lightly, without extending to a full meal.

Indeed, a steaming cup of tea was placed in front of Charlotte.

“Don’t feel too slighted. It’s a decision partly made because the doctor advised me to be cautious about what I eat for a while.”

“It’s fine.”

My body was maintained by divinity, anyway.

Though metabolism occurred if I consumed food, it wasn’t essential.

What stuck out was the notion of Charlotte seeing a doctor?

I asked back, intrigued by her unexpected remark.

“I hope nothing serious?”

“Stress-induced gastritis, they said.”

Charlotte answered candidly, choosing not to hide her condition.

“… Rashar didn’t mention anything.”

“If she didn’t say anything, she wouldn’t know. I’m managing with meals and medication, so there’s no need to worry.”

Sip.

“I heard it’s a common ailment among the people here, the modern folks. I have no plans to make a fuss. Let’s leave the topic at that since our conversation isn’t about my health.”

Charlotte, having sipped her tea, gazed intently at me.

“So, you’re considering marrying Rashar?”

The blunt, direct approach struck me unexpectedly, causing my hand holding the glass to twitch.

‘I felt as if I had been hit with a heavy punch right from the start.’

Forcing myself to regain composure, I nodded.

“We’re discussing it seriously.”

“Our culture would deem you as having several children by now… But isn’t it a bit early in this world? Especially in your country, where getting married in one’s mid-30s is the norm.”

Time sure had flown by noticeably.

Hearing anything about the average marriage age from a Biharin was a surprise.

It filled me with pride and awkwardness simultaneously.

Clearing my thoughts briefly, I answered Charlotte’s question.

“There’s no need to act in accordance with averages.”

I had the means to support a family, and there was someone I wished to marry.

“Furthermore, having lost my family early on… the desire to make a new family has been ongoing.”

“And Rashar is the person you want for that family?”

“Because she’s a good person.”

“Hmmm… I see.”

Staring at her tea cup, charlotte lowered her gaze momentarily.

Her fingers moved slowly, caressing the cup’s handle.

For how long did that silence linger?

Raising her head again, charlotte gave me a knowing look as she offered her words.

“Congratulations in advance.”

Did this imply she acknowledged me as her brother-in-law?

Before I could confirm by asking, charlotte provided an explanation unprompted.

“I don’t have the right to meddle in her life, and I’ve told her to follow her desires, so set a date after discussing it with Rashar.”

Lifting her cup again, charlotte continued.

“As for a wedding gift… consider it a present. I don’t plan to attend the ceremony, be aware of that.”

Again, it was something I hadn’t anticipated.

“You say you’ll not attend the ceremony?”

“Is there a need for me to? Already within the circle, there’s chatter about your bond with the military.”

Comments circulating behind the scenes were somewhat anticipated.

However, hearing it directly through Rashar’s family made it more vexing.

The worst part was Charlotte’s intent behind those words.

Was it that, not wanting to get tangled in rumors, she had chosen to distance herself from Rashar?

‘Instead of showing support, she opts to cut ties?’

I was fairly certain that her relationship with Rashar wasn’t negative, but was my judgment off?

While I furrowed my brow in contemplation, charlotte continued speaking.

“Discussing national security being at stake, or saying you might sell out the country… proclaiming the folly of borrowing foreign power inevitably leads to failure, it’s amusing.”

Emptying her tea, charlotte’s lips twisted slightly.

“She’s a far more righteous child than those who gossip behind closed doors.”

Only then could I breathe a sigh of relief.

Charlotte’s underlying intent seemed slightly different from my interpretation.

“I wonder whose face looks more menacing now. Is it directed at me? Or perhaps at those chattering fools?”

“…….”

“I hope it’s the latter. Rest assured, action is already being taken behind the scenes, so don’t wear such a serious expression.”

Putting her teacup down, charlotte softly smiled as she elaborated further.

“Among those gossiping chatterboxes, hardly any have clean backgrounds.”

Elected less than two years ago, they were individuals ingrained in various corruptions and scandals, bound to be cleaned up neatly.

‘If her intent is to address the ones speaking ill of Rashar…’

Charlotte was indeed a person favorable towards Rashar if one considered such actions.

However, why engage in what resembled a distancing maneuver remained beyond understanding.

If conclusions couldn’t be reached through my thoughts alone, asking was inevitable.

“… If it’s not about maintaining distance to avoid unnecessary gossip concerning Rashar, why choose not to attend the wedding?”

Thankfully, an answer was promptly given.

“Already being a noisy setting, what good comes from associating closely with you? Remaining as unrelated, as almost strangers, seems better. It’s a known fact to many that I’m not particularly close with Rashar.”

In other words, aiming to avoid unnecessary chatter rather than outrightly severing ties.

For me, even this explanation didn’t completely satisfy understanding, causing contemplation.

‘Given that no matter what actions are taken here, folks will gossip…’

Afraid of wagging tongues, deciding to avoid familial interactions and exercise caution?

After much consideration, I asked cautiously.

“By any chance, do you dislike Rashar?”

If Charlotte intended to outwardly pretend to care while maintaining distance to stay as strangers.

‘Accommodating her would be more favorable.’

At least Rashar wouldn’t harbor expectations of mending relations and end up hurt.

Waiting for a response, charlotte refilled her teacup and spoke.

“I did when I was younger.”

Which implied she doesn’t dislike her now.

“I’m older now.”

Charlotte had already passed her 40s.

An age referred to by the world as being unfazed.

“Having entered a strategic marriage myself, I realized the utmost consideration one can offer a spouse they met without affection is respect.”

Charlotte’s gaze shifted out the window after sipping her tea.

“Father likely saw it reflected in my mother’s eyes. In my naivety, I despised him greatly. Rashar embraced with a smile he bore, I resented even more.”

However, as one ages, perspectives alter inevitably.

Past grievances merely become remnants left in the past.

“Those things aren’t filling my present.”

So her decisions lacked resentment towards Rashar.

Having firmly conveyed her stance, charlotte met my gaze again and spoke.

“In pursuit of filling familial roles, all that follows would be infamy.”

Thus, like it had always been, continuing to maintain loose contact to confirm each other’s well-being seemed best.

The explanation was surprisingly detailed and considerate.

Momentarily suspecting Charlotte of using Rashar now felt a bit shameful.

“Ahem.”

Clearing my throat out of embarrassment, I voiced my thoughts.

“… If you ever express thoughts like these, Rashar would appreciate it.”

“Oh, what good would that do now?”

Charlotte gestured dismissively, with an air of laziness, as she continued.

“Rashar and I hold fondness for one another. Circumstances saturated with personal affairs lead to lingering regrets. ‘If only I hadn’t done that back then…’, such thoughts. Ultimately regrets and lingering attachments.”

I thought I understood what Charlotte was implying.

“But it’s not as if the absence of one would bring us profound sadness.”

The presence held by each other within their lives wasn’t considerable.

They were merely unresolved remnants from the past.

“Just that much of a relationship we have.”

Though they might find greater happiness by deepening their connection, they found themselves short on leeway to pursue that conclusion.

More pressing and significant matters consumed both their lives.

Both Rashar and Charlotte, having affection but lacking significant priority for one another.

‘I can’t deny it.’

I returned two years ago, and even now, Rashar fared well without Charlotte’s presence.

He didn’t long for Charlotte nor find her absence distressing.

Neither felt compelled to set aside their burdens and reach out to revive stronger ties with her.

“So I unabashedly entrust her to you.”

Unlike herself, she acknowledged my position would significantly impact Rashar’s life.

“Take good care of my sister.”

Seeking another chance to reconsider a conclusion reached through extensive thought seemed futile.

Without objections, I gave a calm nodding reply.

“There will be nothing that causes concern.”

“Reassuring.”

With a laugh, unlike before, charlotte unexpectedly brought something to mind.

“Now that we’ve met, could I ask one more favor?”

“Feel free to ask.”

“You know the lightning visible in the sky? Could you do it more often?”

Initially bewildered, I soon realized what she referred to.

“Whenever it appears, parliament is exceptionally quiet—as if in a remote mountain.”

Charlotte’s unexpected remark carried repeated emphasis.

It wasn’t a personal request but advice for the country, according to her.

Upon recognizing her comment as a jest, a smirk involuntarily slipped.

While Rashar pleaded for restraint, this side reacted with amusement.

“I’ll remember your words and do it once in a while.”

“That’s appreciated.”

Ha ha ha.

Somehow, the laugh resonating cheerfully seemed likely to linger in my memory for a long time.

‘If there had been a chance, we might have become friends. Such a pity.’

In my remaining time, charlotte’s influence seemed small.

However, the yearning wasn’t so dire as to desperately hold on.

For Charlotte, Rashar held just such a role, I suppose.

As our conversation concluded, there was a knock on the door.

“Senator, it’s time to leave.”

Someone outside informed with a knock at the door.

It seemed to be one of Charlotte’s staff.

“It appears I must be on my way. There’s a meeting scheduled with other regional councilors.”

Buttoning her suit jacket, charlotte extended a hand to me as she stood.

“It was nice meeting you.”

Returning the handshake, I gave a short, sincere reply.

“It was nice meeting you too.”

No words of farewell were exchanged.

Yet, though likely to feel a lingering sense of fondness, neither of us hesitated to part ways.

This kind of meeting wasn’t unpleasant.

Not all connections can conclude with a happy ending.

**New Elements and Characters:**

– 샬롯 배넷 = Charlotte Bennett (she)

– 라샤르 = Rashar (na)