“—Children aside, we also need to support adults who never had the opportunity to study.”

“Indeed. There are many cases in which they suffer daily because they lack basic knowledge. Even for adults, it’s never too late to learn. If we want to make it happen, we’ll also need to compensate for their current income to some extent and provide support for their families—”

Up until then, she was engrossed in exchanging opinions with Ethelbert.

“Sister!”

It was a sweet and lovely voice. Yet to Charlotte, it sounded like the bell of Hell.

How many times had she wished to never suffer it again?

She reluctantly turned towards the direction of the voice and saw Juliet cheerfully trotting into the room.

Juliet wasn’t prohibited from entering the place as she was also a member of the royal family, so Charlotte couldn’t tell her to go away. That was the downside of the room—in addition to not being completely hidden from view.

“…Ah.”

Juliet finally realized that Charlotte was with someone. When her younger sister saw Ethelbert, she was taken aback, her cheeks flushed. Perhaps, she was captivated by his beauty.

When Ethelbert smiled gently, Juliet regained her senses and bowed her head.

“Sorry! I was so happy to see my sister, I didn’t realize there was another person…”

Charlotte was inwardly stunned.

Juliet probably didn’t know Ethelbert’s true identity. Yet, without hesitation, the second princess casually bowed her head and gave such a lighthearted apology. Apologizing was one thing, but the main issue was that she didn’t even know who Ethelbert was.

If she knew, she’d have humbly apologized despite her title as the princess. Although her response was ultimately the correct one, both her words of apology and actions were so clumsy, her lack of education became apparent.

There was no way Ethelbert wouldn’t notice. His eyes, which were staring at Juliet, betrayed the same hint of dismay and contempt Charlotte was experiencing.

At that moment, Quentin, who seemed to have been chasing after Juliet, also appeared. His eyes widened when he caught sight of Ethelbert. When Quentin was about to greet him, Ethelbert interjected while staring at Juliet.

“You must be fond of your sister.”

“Yes!”

“However, this is a library. You should refrain from shouting and running.”

“That’s right…”

Quentin stared nervously at Juliet, who shrank back remorsefully. He couldn’t stomach the thought of Juliet being treated poorly.

The other party was the younger brother of an emperor. Quentin seemed fully aware the excuse of having a weak constitution wouldn’t work against such a figure.

If you are aware of this and are by her side, then you should be proactive and keep Juliet from appearing before Ethelbert.

“I haven’t introduced myself yet. This is my first time meeting you, Your Royal Highness the Second Princess. I’m Ethelbert Thaddeus Ferelden, a foreign exchange student at the university division.”

“Oh my! You are the younger brother of His Majesty the Emperor! I’m Juliet Callista Reevesmore, the second princess of the Kingdom of Lymore! Nice to meet you!”

The term ‘foreign exchange student’ did the trick. Juliet recognized Ethelbert instantly, even more so after hearing his surname, Ferelden. Clumsily, Juliet lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed.

Ethelbert narrowed his eyes in amusement, yet retained his smile. When he spoke to Juliet, his voice slightly softened.

Perhaps it’s because this is their first time meeting?

Unlike when he was with Charlotte, he maintained the perfect superficial façade.

Then, it dawned on Charlotte. Ethelbert was strangely close to her. His behavior was consistent with their relationship status, which was friendship.

Ethelbert went on, “I haven’t had the opportunity to meet the second princess until now.”

That was understandable, considering they refrained from exposing Juliet to public-related affairs as much as possible. After all, as a member of the royal family, Juliet’s education was insufficient. Only a scandal would be waiting to happen if she were to make a public appearance with her limited education.

“I hardly participate in official events…”

Seeing Juliet smiling as if she was enduring something, Quentin was heartbroken and murmured, “Your Highness Juliet…”

However, Ethelbert only smirked.

Although Charlotte wasn’t close to Ethelbert, she knew he was far more observant than Juliet. His was the sort of smile given when plotting something.

“One often hear various rumors in social circles. Every country is similar in this regard.”

When another topic was suddenly brought up, Juliet tilted her head in confusion. She must had been expecting him to ask why she didn’t participate in formal events. Still, Ethelbert carried on regardless.

“There are all kinds of rumors out there. Some of them are aristocratic children who grow to be an arrogant snobs who looks down on others, creating dissatisfaction among the people of their fiefs. Oh, but oftentimes, they’re about how ministers who’ve embezzled and assassinated their subordinates to erase the evidence—and last but not least, we can’t forget the disgraceful affairs of noblemen.”

Quentin, who was overprotective of Juliet, likely didn’t want her to hear about such a vulgar topic. His expression was grim. Although he would have very much preferred for Ethelbert to simply shut his mouth, deep down, he was probably wondering why Ethelbert had brought up such a topic in the first place.

Charlotte had guessed Ethelbert’s intention from his last sentence. She was impressed by his keenness and mean side.

Ethelbert had to be aware that he was being glowered at, but that didn’t stop him.

“Your Royal Highness the Second Princess, what do you think about people who have affairs?”

“They are the worst—!”

Juliet quickly replied, causing Quentin’s shoulders to jump slightly. Charlotte noticed that her fiancé was getting upset, but she didn’t pay him any heed. She continued to watch Ethelbert.

“I see. By the way, the two of you seem to be quite close.”

“He’s my future brother-in-law!”

“Aren’t you being a little too intimate with her fiancé?”

Those words are quite direct…

Despite maintaining his smile, the fierceness in Ethelbert’s gaze directly struck Quentin. Quentin had tensed up considerably.

As someone who was expected to become the crown prince someday, Charlotte wondered why Quentin couldn’t withstand such a level of turmoil. Then again, he was always surrounded by people who supported Juliet. He probably wasn’t used to being criticized so blatantly.

If you aren’t able to maintain your composure, you should’ve stayed away from the beginning.

Charlotte was also swayed by Ethelbert, but there was a big difference between being flustered by his sincere and kind words, and being unable to withstand the obvious hostility and becoming visibly flustered.

You are creating an easy opening to be taken advantage of.

Ethelbert, on the other hand, didn’t change his stance from the beginning to end. He smiled reassuringly, his gaze returning to Juliet as he waited for her response. Despite focusing on Juliet, he didn’t fail to notice Quentin’s every movement.

He’s enjoying this.

Not only was Ethelbert having fun, he was using all of Juliet and Quentin’s reactions as material to analyze the nature of the two. It was just like what Charlotte was doing to him right now.

“I’m physically weak, so Sir Quentin is simply concerned about me. He’s my sister’s fiancé and childhood friend.”

Juliet answered with an adorable smile. She remained as carefree as usual.

As dense as she was, unlike Quentin, Juliet failed to catch the true meaning behind Ethelbert’s words and wasn’t upset in the slightest. From the beginning, Juliet never considered Quentin as a member of the opposite sex. She genuinely adored him as an older brother figure. So, she was just speaking her mind.

“I see.”

Ethelbert spoke curtly.

Thinking that she had convinced him, Juliet smiled happily. Charlotte envied her for being allowed to be so carefree.

…Then again, she didn’t want to be like Juliet.

[This princess is so laughable. You must have it rough, Your Highness Charlotte.]

A voice directly echoed in her head.

---

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***T/N: Oh there we go, friendship that was born from shittalking.

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