If he had a chance to meet Anne's "cousin," Charlotte thought, he would surely be able to broaden his connections. Perhaps he could even win a powerful supporter for Anne's and his marriage.
As for whether it might provoke the man's dislike, that was not part of Charlotte's considerations. A proper person would never give up just because failure was possible. Cowering and doing nothing was no way to act; one should make full preparations, then bravely bear the consequences of failure.
Anne nodded vigorously and said, "In a few days, when my cousin returns to Strasbourg, I'll arrange afternoon tea with him for you."
Charlotte handed her a cup of freshly brewed coffee and said, "Miss Anne, you truly are my lucky star!"
Anne was slightly shy as she accepted the coffee and took delicate, ladylike sips.
Charlotte invited Anne up to the third-floor terrace to admire the scenery along the Lucavaro River. Anne gladly agreed, and the two spent the afternoon on the third-floor terrace.
Charlotte still failed to earn the privilege of having dinner with the beauty, and he saw Anne off before dinner. He walked her to the mouth of the alley and watched the girl's carriage depart. Just as he was preparing to find somewhere to eat, a sudden chill surged through him, and Insight activated on its own.
A strange man was radiating fierce killing intent as he disguised himself as a passerby and rapidly approached Charlotte.
The man was already very close. Charlotte instantly judged that there was no time to use the Anti-Space Sniper Rifle at such a distance; the rifle still required a loading procedure. With a flick of his wrist, Blood Rose sliced through the air and was directly "thrown" out.
The assassin had not expected Charlotte's reaction to be