EP. 133 Interlude / Charlotte
Charlotte frowned as she arrived at the royal palace, observing the overly enthusiastic welcome she received.
"Something feels off."
In a normal situation, only those who followed her would have approached with a bit of indifference. However, unexpectedly, people she hadn't anticipated were there to congratulate and welcome her.
Feeling puzzled, she bit her lip slightly before quietly asking a maid beside her, "Do you know why these people are acting this way?"
"...No, I don't. I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize... I just don't get it."
As she grappled with the headache-inducing situation, the maid cautiously made a suggestion.
"Perhaps you should rest immediately?"
The idea of resting was tempting. Her room in the main castle had always been her true home, her origin. She nodded, thinking that taking a break there might bring her some peace of mind.
"...Should I?"
"Yes. If that's what you wish, I think it's a good idea."
"Then I'll greet the main figures and go rest, so please prepare in advance."
"Understood."
With that, she turned her attention to the nobles ahead, their faces adorned with fake smiles. These were the same people who had ignored her when her value had dropped after she gave up her claim to the throne—yet now, they suddenly fawned over her.
"The only thing that comes to mind is the engagement."
It had to be because of her engagement to Jeong-hyeon. With that realization, she began to piece together the situation.
"Everything was being manipulated by Duke Filothes."
Upon realizing this, a bitter laugh escaped her lips.
"Disgusting."
Perhaps it was because she had experienced genuine interactions at the academy, where relationships were led by personal emotions rather than political motives, that she found it difficult to tolerate the selfish actions of those who only thought of their own gain. The feeling was so overwhelming that she closed her eyes tightly, trying to suppress the urge to retch.
The maid, noticing her condition, politely informed her that she would go ahead and prepare her room.
"...Please do."
Pressing the back of her hand against her twisting lips, Charlotte forced herself to smile at the lingering nobles, pretending as if everything was fine.
***
As soon as Charlotte returned to her room, she carelessly tossed aside her coat and immediately looked under the desk. The desk, filled with memories from her childhood, stirred something deep within her. Seeing it again after so long brought back emotions that had long been dormant, and her expression softened.
‘It's been so long…’
She wondered why the space under the desk had always felt so comfortable. After confirming that the maids were not around, she stealthily crawled underneath and lay down.
"......"
The sensation was both relaxing and oddly comforting. As she closed her eyes, trying to suppress the smile forming on her lips, memories from a few days ago suddenly surfaced.
"Ah."
She recalled dragging a stranger under a desk at the academy and demanding an engagement. The memory made her face flush red with embarrassment.
‘I must have been crazy.’
Even though she had been sad and flustered at the time, she couldn't believe she had done something so senseless. She fanned herself with her hand, trying to shake off the thought, but the memory remained painfully vivid.
"...Seriously!"
Why were the memories she wanted to forget always the clearest? She couldn't understand it, and as she writhed in shame, a knock came at the door. A maid's polite voice followed.
"Lady Charlotte, Duke Filothes is looking for you."
Even though he was a powerful duke, it was unheard of for someone without royal blood to summon a member of the royal family so rudely. Yet, Duke Filothes did so as if it were entirely natural.
‘Ridiculous as it is.’
Despite the absurdity, Charlotte knew she had no choice but to go. Letting out a bitter laugh, she steadied herself before responding.
"I'll be right there."
"Yes, my lady."
She sighed as she tidied her messy hair. There was no time to be lost in sentimental thoughts. The memories of the academy, embarrassing yet not entirely unpleasant, faded as she stepped out of the room.
***
In the grand library adorned with luxurious wooden furniture, Duke Filothes sat with an air of arrogance. Even as Charlotte entered, he didn't bother to look up from his book. His voice was calm but carried a weight of condescension.
"Have you been well?"
His tone was inappropriate for addressing a princess, yet he spoke as if it were entirely natural. Charlotte hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"...Yes, thanks to you."
"That's good to hear."
The words were hollow. The fact that he spoke them without even making eye contact left her unsettled. As she tried to steady herself, he finally closed the book and continued.
"I commend you on the engagement with the hero. For a loser who fled the throne battle, you did well."
His words were a blatant insult, but she couldn't afford to retaliate.
‘If I get angry here…’
Not only would she suffer, but those who still supported her would face political repercussions. She couldn't allow them to be harmed because of her pride. Biting her lip, she forced herself to endure as he rose from his chair, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.
"Well, your lineage has always been remarkable in appearance, even to the extent that a dragon like me finds it appealing."
His words were punctuated by an action that made Charlotte's blood boil—his fingers tilted her chin, as if inspecting her face like a piece of artwork.
The urge to slap his hand away surged through her.
‘Can you handle it?’
The unspoken threat lingered in the air. His question was not just about this moment—it was about the consequences that would follow if she chose to defy him.
"Even a fool like you, who only knows how to run away, should know what happened to those who opposed me."
"......"
Charlotte remained silent, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.
"So don't let your emotions ruin things and do as I say."
Duke Filothes' words left Charlotte with no choice but to bite her lip and lower her head. She knew better than anyone what happened to those who opposed him.
‘…The reason the 1st and 2nd princes were pushed out of the throne battle was all because of Duke Filothes.’
From the moment they opposed his authority, their political bases had crumbled due to an unspoken force. Their loyal followers were either executed or exiled, accused of the sins of their ancestors—ancestors whose names were now barely remembered.
‘Because of that, the nobles who were only watching decided it was better to side with me, the princess, than to continue following the princes.’
Originally, as a princess, she should never have been mentioned in the throne battle. Yet, she had been forcibly dragged into it alongside Karina.
Whatever the case, it was clear that opposing Duke Filothes would lead to the downfall of her faction, just like the princes before her. To protect those who still stood by her, she couldn't defy him.
She bit her lip so hard that it bled, but nothing changed except the pain. As she trembled, Jeong-hyeon’s image suddenly appeared in her mind.
"......"
For a brief moment, she thought about asking for help but quickly shook her head, dismissing the idea.
‘I don't want to involve him in this.’
Thinking that it was enough for her to suffer alone, Charlotte forced herself to endure.
Duke Filothes lifted a lock of her hair and spoke with casual cruelty.
"During the engagement ceremony, seduce the hero with your body. It would be even better if you could make it a fait accompli."
"......"
"Of course, doing this without any knowledge is nearly impossible. I'll assign you a teacher related to bedroom skills. It should be easier if you learn."
His tone, treating her like an object rather than a person, made Charlotte’s eyes tremble. Yet, burdened by responsibility, she could only nod.
"It's all for everyone."
Convincing herself that sacrificing her dignity would solve everything, she closed her eyes tightly.
***
In the forest near the academy, Jeong-hyeon held Hana in his arms and looked down at the letter in front of him.
“…Charlotte went to the royal palace to discuss the engagement.”
There weren’t any particularly problematic words written, but the fact that she had chosen to send a letter instead of telling him directly kept bothering him, making him ponder.
After much thought, he narrowed his eyes and came to a conclusion.
“Should I go see?”
It felt ominous to just let it be. After some deliberation, he decided to visit.
“Of course, it wouldn’t be fun to just go.”
While there, he might as well cause some chaos in the kingdom and see the face of that duke. And he should check where their precious royal rag golem and Pope Chimera would sit during the engagement.
Thinking it would be good to do some reconnaissance, he resolved to visit the kingdom.
“But there’s one problem.”
He looked at Hana, who was staring up at him, and fell into thought. It was a dilemma whether to take her with him. As he was contemplating, Miria propped her chin on her hand and spoke to him.
“From what I see, your daughter is just like you and will do the same things. Why not give her some early education?”
Jeong-hyeon looked at her with a bewildered expression. What exactly was Miria that she could read his mind without him saying anything? Seeing his reaction, she sighed and explained.
“You’re looking at a letter with the royal seal while pondering? That alone tells me it’s a kingdom-related issue.”
Then, she glanced at Hana.
“The reason you’re looking at Hana so worriedly is only when you have to go somewhere. So, the only conclusion is that you’re going to the kingdom to cause chaos.”
“Then where did the chaos come from?” Jeong-hyeon asked.
Miria responded as if it were obvious.
“Let me ask you the opposite. Have you ever gone anywhere without causing chaos?”
He was about to say, “Of course,” but then realized something.
Come to think of it, no.
Every time he went somewhere in this world, he ended up causing chaos. Unable to refute her words, he remained silent.
“So, why not take her along for some early education?” Miria suggested.
“Even so, it’s a bit much to take a child to a dangerous place,” he argued.
“…Wait, were you really planning to give her early chaos education? Are you crazy?”
Jeong-hyeon frowned, unsure of how to respond. As he was at a loss, Lucia made a suggestion.
“How about we all go on a trip together?”
Miria, with a complex expression, commented, “A family outing to cause chaos… that’s novel.”
While it was undeniable that chaos would ensue, Jeong-hyeon thought the wording was too harsh and was about to say something. But then, he wondered if taking his companions along might unlock a new achievement, and the idea seemed appealing.
“Shall we do that, then?” he decided.
As soon as he answered, Miria seemed to sense that something was wrong and attempted to escape. However, Jeong-hyeon quickly caught her with divine power and said, “Where do you think you’re going?”