Until now, Allen had lived a life completely untouched by romantic affairs.
He had scoffed at his fellow workers who were distracted by women and neglected their studies, and wondered why they wasted their energy and precious time.
But now that he was in that position... he understood.
He suddenly became aware of it.
His hands would stop working. His thoughts would come to a halt.
He’d lose the ability to think of anything else, unable to sleep or sit still.
When she smiled, he felt a rush of joy. When she looked sad, it tore his chest apart. Every little thing Charlotte did would stir Allen’s heart to no end.
And so, even Allen had begun to realize what this feeling was called.
(I really… have feelings for Charlotte…)
Until now, he had been putting off his decision and pretending not to notice.
But that was no longer possible. A part of him whispered that it would be easier if he just accepted it.
The forbidden box was right before him.
Just as Allen reached out with trembling hands to open it――
"...Hm, Allen-san!"
"Whoa!?"
He jolted and looked up.
He suddenly noticed that Charlotte and Luu-chan were still in the pool area, gazing at him with concern.
“Allen-san, is something wrong? You looked really troubled for a moment…”
"N-no... it's fine. I was just thinking about something."
Allen forced a smile to brush it off.
And just like that, he pushed the forbidden box back into the depths of his heart.
(Just like this... it's best to leave it like this)
Charlotte had finally found what she wanted to do, and was beginning to change.
All Allen could do at such a critical time was to watch over her and support her.
If he fully acknowledged his own feelings, he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back. He’d take her hand right then and there and confess everything.
And Charlotte being kind as she was.
She would likely try to return those feelings, even if she didn’t truly share them. Whispering false love, just to make him happy.
That would mean that...she would return to being a mindless doll once again, just when she had finally started walking on her own.
That was why Allen chose to seal away his feelings.
Tightly, so they’d never resurface again.
With his resolve firmed up, he turned his eyes back to Charlotte.
And then...he quickly looked away. Her clothes, soaked from the water, had turned nearly transparent. He could clearly see the color of her underwear, and she didn’t seem to have noticed.
"...Why don't you get out now? It's getting cold."
“Eh—wabu!”
With a snap of his fingers, a towel fell from the air.
Charlotte caught it and draped it over her head, smiling brightly.
"Okay then. What will you do, Luu-chan?"
"Uruu."
“Fufu, well then, take your time.”
Charlotte sat at the edge of the pool, towel wrapped around her shoulders as she began drying her hair.
Allen stood next to her. Dipping his feet in the cold water, he felt like all the worldly desires were melting away.
Charlotte tilted her head slightly as she watched Luu play in the water.
"Even so, it's a pretty big garden, isn't it? Why not use it for more things?"
"Hmm. Well, maybe we could expand the field."
The garden was so large that it could be used to build another mansion.
But for now, the only part that was being properly used was the one where Allen was cultivating various medicinal herbs that were used as ingredients for magical potions.
With a new family, it wouldn't be a bad idea to try growing vegetables and flowers.
"But... that would require some major maintenance."
Allen muttered, looking around the garden.
This place was bought three years ago, but the weeds have spread even more than they did then. Weeding, leveling the ground, removing pebbles, and so on... there seems to be a lot to do.
Maybe he’d summon Magus or Groh and his crew for help. Magus had taken a liking to working part-time at a flower shop, and Graw's team would probably be happy to help if Charlotte asked.
“Well, I’ll think about it later. Seems like the previous owner didn’t do much with the garden either.”
"Did anyone live here before you, Allen-san?"
“Yeah. I’ve never met them, though.”
Allen said it casually.
“Apparently, the previous owner just… vanished one day about thirty years ago.”
"......Eh?"