Originally, Pascal was a person who had an eye for gold, silver, and other precious treasures. He had no talent and hated hard work. His quiet life as a feudal lord didn’t allow him to earn enough money to satisfy himself. After two decades of not being charged with the crimes he committed pre-rebellion, he must’ve reached the limits of his patience.

“Your actions over the past 20 years were going to be the basis for determining whether your sentence should be lessened, and yet you did something like this. Therefore, you are to be disposed of.”

Charlote kneeled to take a good look at the sullen Pascal.

“People don’t change that easily after all. You’re a coward, and you should’ve stayed as one. You could’ve gotten away with spending less than 10 years in prison, yet you got greedy and ruined yourself. Your treachery against the crown ends here.”

Frederick had perfectly memorized all the past records he had ever seen or heard.

When he looked through the report on the current crop failure in the East, he immediately noticed that something was amiss. He could instantly make comparisons with accurate records without having to go out of his way to retrieve past materials and check them.

—There can be no mistake.

The area that suffered the most damage was the territory of Count Starkey, a nobleman who remained since before rebellion and had been involved in fraudulent activities. Frederick thereupon set his sight on Pascal, dispatching a team to investigate the farmland. As expected, falsification occurred during the investigation, leading to a result that didn’t reflect the truth.

Her side had already obtained evidence regarding his fraud. Before the meeting even began, the bribed investigators had been imprisoned and their testimony taken. By that point, Pascal’s arrest was simply a matter of time.

“—Unhand me!”

A shrill voice resounded, and everyone turned to look at the hallway.

“Your Highness, Isabella Starkey has been apprehended.” Reported a knight.

Then, Pascal’s wife, Isabella, was brought in with her hands bound behind her back by a rope.

Charlotte stood up.

“It has been sometime, Countess.”

“Your Highness the Crown Princess! What did I do to deserve this!? A mere knight dares lay a hand on me, a countess!?”

“You still have to ask?”

The fact that Charlotte showed up without prior notice and forcibly entered her residence should’ve given her some hints.

“For the use of chemicals that inhibited the growth of crops in the territories of yourself and others. Furthermore, even though the crops in your territory met the regulations, you lied about the amount to be disposed of, secretly stockpiled crops that should’ve been discarded, and sold them through back channels to make a profit.”

Apparently, his wife also cooperated in the receiving of subsidies and tax reductions due to their claims for crop failure that allegedly were on a massive scale.

“T-that’s—! I know nothing! My husband did everything on his own…!”

“So, you’re turning me into a scapegoat!? You were the one who came up with the idea! Besides, if not for your lavish spending, none of this would’ve happened!”

“But you were the one who wanted quick cash! Your inability to managing this territory doomed us to live such a mediocre life for 20 years!”

The sight of a husband and wife blaming each other was distasteful, and not to mention, annoying.

Some research had already been conducted. Crucial evidence had also been seized, along with other evidence. All that remained was to force a confession out of him during the interrogation.

“Shut them up and take them away.”

“Understood!”

Even though they were gagged, the two were still trying to make argue as the knights took them to a transport carriage. After a while, Charlotte and Quentin proceeded for the entrance hall.

Most of the servants gathered at the entrance hall of the mansion were confused. Not only had the crown princess and her secretary, who also happened to be her fiancé, graced them with their presences, their master’s crime was suddenly exposed. She could see why they were still unable to accept reality.

However, when Charlotte appeared, everyone quieted down and bowed their heads. Charlotte walked pass them and stopped in front of a servant.

“Lift your head.”

The servant adhered and raised his head, meeting her eyes.

“I assume you’re Tom, the butler?”

Tom, despite being a servant who was meeting the princess for the first time, gave a swift and unabashed reply either because he had that much courage or because he had nothing to fear now that his purpose had been accomplished.

“Accompany me quietly—do not do anything unnecessary.”

“…Understood.”

He muttered quietly, and Charlotte walked away.

---

Read a month’s worth of chapters ahead on patreon for only $2~

***T/N: As a princess, Charlotte is truly… //blush// steponme.

Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa

Have a Japanese story or the likes (Drama CD, etc.) you’d like to read? Want it to be translated? I’m open for commission!
https://www.fiverr.com/s2/aaab08c14d

<Previous chapter

Next chapter>