7.1 Charlotte: Chapter 2, Episode 1
That day, Charlotte went to the school library after lunch. She didn’t heed any mind to the students staring at her from afar and proceeded for the space reserved for royalty at the back.
Ideally speaking, she should probably get to know other students better. Nevertheless, she was aware that as the crown princess, she needed to use her time effectively. After all, there was almost never a day when she didn’t bring her work to school.
However, she had worked herself to the bone until yesterday. She didn’t want to miss her opportunity to rest alone—or so she thought.
“What impeccable timing, Your Royal Highness Charlotte.”
She realized it late because she was in a daze from sleep deprivation. Ethelbert was seated in the semi-private room reserved for the royal family, exhibiting grandiosity.
“…Your Imperial Highness Ethelbert, it’s an honor to—”
“I wonder how many times I will have to say that you can forgo the formalities for you to understand?”
She was just about to curtsey to him when he stopped her, so she just gave him a quick bow.
“I apologize for failing to notice that the room was occupied. Your Highness, I shall excuse myself—”
“—Wait, hold on, Your Highness Charlotte.”
Ethelbert once again interrupted Charlotte just as she was excusing herself. Closing his notebook, he tapped a fingertip against the table, gesturing to the seat across himself.
She could easily guess his next line.
“You’re my friend, so please keep me company.”
No amount of politeness could make up for turning down a request of the emperor’s brother.
All eyes were gathered on her. As the crown princess, she needed to deal with it appropriately.
“I graciously accept your offer.”
“Wonderful.”
The room was not only spacious, bit it was filled with high-end sofas that boasted of excellent comfort. Given that the Royal Chester Academy had been attended by the royal family of Lymore for generations, everything was always carefully maintained.
“It seems we’ve been able to meet before our date.”
“Indeed.”
As Charlotte sat in front of Ethelbert, that topic was immediately brought up.
Charlotte hadn’t heard the details yet, but her date with Ethelbert would be in a few days. Frederick and Quentin had allotted the time.
Why can’t securing a few days off for myself be as easy?
Not that she could blame anyone for it. After all, Charlotte still had to fulfil the tasks that were being set aside for the date.
As she wondered about the date, her eyes were naturally drawn to Ethelbert’s handsome face.
So, I’m going on a date with someone this dashing…
The more she stared, the more his attractiveness became apparent.
As she did, Ethelbert raised an eyebrow in amusement. It was as if he was concerned about being openly looked with such passion.
“Is there something on my face?”
“That’s not it. No matter when I see you, you always look so beautiful.”
Ethelbert eyes widened in shock and he chuckled.
“Well, aren’t you honest? Complimenting me to my face…”
“Does it make you uncomfortable?”
“Not in the slightest.”
Charlotte didn’t know why, but for some reason, he showed a beatific smile. She was so smitten by his looks that she answered honestly without thinking. At the very least, he wasn’t offended by her remark.
A certain notebook laying open on the table caught her eyes. Ethelbert seemed to have been reading it until then. When she glanced at it, she discovered that it mainly summarized the policies the Kingdom of Lymore had implemented in recent years.
Ethelbert noticed her gaze and turned to look at the notebook as well.
“This country is apparently able to actively implement support measures for its citizen because of its ample mining resources.”
“Yes, thanks to that, the tax revenue has increased significantly, and we now have more leeway in our budget.”
Unlike during their earlier conversation, he no longer had a devil-may-care attitude.
Over the past few years, Frederick had collaborated with researchers to develop a new fuel and to located gemstone resources in the mines. He also helped develop tools that can improve the quality of life alongside merchants. As a result, the employment rate increased. Thanks to that, tax revenue had increased without the need to raise the tax itself. Regardless, poverty continued to persist throughout the nation.
The development of the empire because of magic couldn’t be overlooked, either. What the Kingdom of Lymore was doing with science and technology, the empire could achieve through magic, and at a higher level than the kingdom too.
“Life in the empire has become more convenient and prosperous thanks to magical instruments. However, there are many problems that can’t easily be solved, even with magic.”
A problem that even magic can’t solve.
Charlotte hazarded a guess.
***T/N: This feels like a ‘What If Scenario’ of that other ignorant princess who can’t rule or implement support for her citizens properly…
Or maybe Sheila got reincarnated already.
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