"You can't—-"
"Tell me," he grated out, "and let me be the judge of that."
She wished she could make him understand that there was no point, but the expression on Sano's face was all too familiar, and she knew he would never let this go until he had everything out in the open.
"I know this will sound ridiculous, but before all of this happened, I asked...I asked God...I asked God if I could have you for just one day, and that's why, that's why when Cass told me—-" Her voice cracked, and if Sano hadn't caught her in time, Charlotte would have crumpled weakly to the floor.
"I couldn't bear it, Sano." Tears clogged her throat, and every word she had to utter felt like a stab to her heart. "I knew...I hoped and prayed that God couldn't be cruel, but I was still terrified that if I listened to what else Cass had to say, I'd end up knowing—-"
Oh God, oh God—-
She squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears still fell uncontrollably as she whispered, "I just didn't want to know how you'd die again. I barely survived the first time, and if I had to go through it again—-"
"You won't."
The strength in his voice made her want to weep.
"Trust me, Charles. I know I don't have any right to ask you this, but even if this is the last thing I have to ask of you—-" Sano placed his phone in her hands. "Trust me, Charles. Call her."
And so she did.
She trusted him, and she always would, and that was why, even when her tears fell faster and faster as he drew her to sit on the bed next to him—-
Even when every second that she had to wait made her want to die, and the sound of every ring of Cass' phone ripped her apart again and again—-
"I'm so glad you called, Charlotte."
She could barely hear the other woman's words with how loud and hard her heart was beating, and it was only having Sano hold her free hand tightly in his that kept her from completely breaking down.
"I'm s-sorry I hung up—-"
"It wasn't the first time that's happened to me," the princess said gently.
"I know...I know you said before that you could only speak to me alone about what you saw—-"
"Only because it was how it was supposed to be at that time," Cass told her softly. "So if you're asking me now if you can let Sano listen in..."
"I am."
"He can."
A part of Charlotte had wished Cass would say no, and that same part of her was tempted to lie when the other woman instead told her yes. If things turned out for the worst, and Sano ended up hearing about his own death—-
A sob escaped her, and she stared at Sano, begging him with her eyes. Please, please don't make me do this, please.
But his grip on her hand only tightened.
Trust me.
And because she did, and always would, Charlotte could only cry silently as Sano took the phone from her.
"Cass?" Sano's voice was firm. "You're on loudspeaker now."
"Hello, Landon." The princess paused. "Or should I call you Sano now?"
"Sano would be better."
"Then, Sano...and Charlotte..."
Charlotte's bewildered gaze sought Sano's. Was it just her...or did there seem to be a smile in the princess's voice?
"The two of you will just have one day of hardship...in order to test your love. But if you're able to overcome it, the rest of your lives will be yours...and your twins to enjoy."
Charlotte wondered if she had fallen asleep without knowing it, and all of this was just a dream.
"And that's it," Cass said cheerfully.
"You're sure of that?" Sano asked.
The other woman laughed. "That's really it, I promise."
"Then we owe you one, Cass."
Charlotte stopped pinching herself when she belatedly noticed the way Sano was glaring at her while speaking.
"No, you don't," Cass was saying. "I'm just happy—-"
Charlotte's jaw dropped as Sano ended the call with the press of a button.
"You h-hung up on Cass," she stammered.
"Like husband, like wife," he drawled.
It almost made her laugh except—-
Despite the pleasantness of his tone, Sano was still glaring at her, and Charlotte could only say quite lamely, "I'm sorry?"
Sano was still glaring at her.
"I might've overreacted?"
"Might have?"
It was Charlotte's first time to hear the man she loved so unbelievably pissed, and it was all she needed to know she had to make her escape. As soon as possible. But before she could even jump to her feet—-
"Oww!"
Sano had her pinned down on the couch, and he was pinching her cheeks just like the way he had always done.
"How many times did I tell you in the past never to assume anything?" Sano roared. "How many times did I tell you that assumptions can—-"
Charlotte could no longer control herself, and Sano's tirade came to an abrupt end the moment she threw her arms around his neck.