“Certainly, the impact Lymore had on other countries in the past was too great to simply be written off as a ‘nuisance.’ However, we’ve since made a treaty to amend for that. We are displaying our sincerity to other countries through active imports and exports, financial and technical support, preferential tariffs, and other measures, albeit for a limited period of time. Your country has also agreed to this.”

Charlotte’s response as she spoke matter-of-factly must’ve come as a surprise. The prince and the son of a duke were taken aback.

“Your country is in financial crisis and has meager resources, so it relies almost entirely on imports from our country. We’re currently trading at a price close to cost. By the time you succeed the throne, the treaty will have expired. Do you think your country’s finances will recover by then? A worrying thought, really, because neither you nor your father have that kind of skill.”

“H-how dare you insult me and my father!”

“No, I’m merely warning you out of goodwill. I worry you’ve grown complacent and are neglecting to take proper measures. If I am not mistaken, you only managed to weather decades of financial difficulties because of the treaty with our country. However, despite having enjoyed a period of relative leeway, there have been no notable policies implemented over the recent years, and there are no signs of financial recovery. That’s proof once again of your country’s incompetence.”

Even though their country received preferential treatment for over 15 years due to the treaty, it showed no signs of improvement.

“Putting that aside, I came here simply because I am unaccustomed to this new environment and wanted to get some fresh air… Your remarks earlier were an insult to me based on a one-sided prejudice. You thought of such things first, so you’re the ones who’re thoughtless and loyal to your own desires.”

“Wha—!?”

“You’re frustrated at your own inability to mend the situation and took it out on me rather than doing anything about it. On top of having no manners, you also don’t know your place. Do you think being a prince or the son of a duke is enough to inherit your father’s position? Irresponsible people who are unwilling to learn and only care about their status will eventually be weeded out. Our country is a good example for that.”

She was referring to the past kings of the Kingdom of Lymore. Even without the rebellion, had that tyranny continued, a revolution would’ve occurred among the people. The empire might have even invaded and absorb them as a vassal state.

After all, tyranny could only end in one way.

“You insult me on impulse, but you don’t seem to understand the position your country is in. If the relationship between our countries is strained, you’ll be the one to lose out. A prince and the son of a duke shoulder the future of their nation. Your arrogance is a reflection of your country’s poor standards.”

Charlotte had a beautiful, gentle smile on her face as she looked down on them. Her eyes were as if she were looking at something filthy.

A gentle atmosphere? What a mistake that was!

She was prickly—that was probably her true nature.

“Her Highness is a brave crown princess.”

Brandon narrowed his eyes in interest. Ethelbert agreed. A girl of her age should have been inexperienced, yet she displayed excellent mental fortitude. At the same time, she seemed to have a principle of taking on challenges and repaying them tenfold.

Based on the attitude the prince and the son of a duke had shown so far, there was no way they would take kindly to being admonished in such a condescending manner. Their ego must’ve taken a clean hit.

True enough, the face of the son of a duke turned red as he trembled. He was livid.

Despite having a similar response, something about the prince’s expression seemed amiss.

“What are you doing here?”

Another figure emerged from the hall. It was Charlotte’s father, Frederick.

“Your Majesty, how did you raise your child—”

“—No, nothing happened.”

The son of a duke was about to vent his frustration when the prince stopped him. Seeing that the king had appeared, there was no way they could go on as they were. Thus, the prince bowed respectfully.

“I was delighted at being able to meet Her Highness for the first time, so I was a little rude. My apologies.”

Hm?

He spoke and acted in an awfully polite manner. Such a drastic change.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you during your break. We shall head back.”

The prince took one last look at Charlotte, then returned to the party venue. The son of a duke followed suit, visibly upset.

Just then, the way he looked at her…

Was it just my imagination?

“Your Highness, that prince…”

“I wonder, too.”

He could guess what Brandon was trying to say. He was in denial, since that gaze didn’t reflect their previous exchange in the slightest. At the same time, he couldn’t just dismiss it.

Ethelbert’s gaze returned to Charlotte. Frederick approached her with a grim expression.

“Are you aware that you’re here as a representative of our country? How could you start a dispute?”

“…Forgive me.”

As soon as he arrived in front of his daughter, Frederick spoke coldly. Both Ethelbert and Brandon gawked at this.

They were picking a fight simply because she was from the Kingdom of Lymore. How was she to blame? Rather, shouldn’t a 15-year-old girl who bravely held her ground in her first international event be praised?

Even if her response was a bit excessive, at least she fought back instead of remaining silent. Considering the future position of the Kingdom of Lymore, she made the right decision by not backing down and showing any weakness. Acting unnecessarily humble would only cause the reputation of Kingdom of Lymore to decline even further.

Frederick must not have seen it from the beginning. Either he didn’t know that Charlotte was insulted first, or he just didn’t care. Of course, Frederick shouldn’t just assumed that his daughter did no wrong and side with her, but so was the opposite.

In other words, this was probably normal in the Kingdom of Lymore. Whenever there was a dispute, Charlotte was the cause.

Was Charlotte such a troublemaker? …Or was it someone else?

When he saw how Charlotte apologized without any hesitation, he couldn’t help but arrive at such a conclusion. She was used to it—or rather, she had given up. She thought that excuses were pointless.

“Reflect on your actions and cool your head before returning to the venue. Do not do anything that will bring further shame to our country.”

Frederick headed back to the venue, leaving behind such a threatening remark. Charlotte was left alone.

As she stared at Frederick’s back, Charlotte’s eyes were seething with a terrifying amount of disgust and hatred.

That’s definitely not how anyone would look at a hero…

It wasn’t unusual for a man who lacked nothing as a king to be very lacking as a parent. More often than not, situations would demand they act different from how a parent should.

The closer one was to something, the less likely they’d be able to see the true essence of it.

Even so, Ethelbert wondered if the rumors about him doting on his child were false, seeing how his own daughter harbored such negative feelings towards him. A strained parent-child relationship could eventually result in the loss of a talented heir.

If this were one of the empire’s vassal states, Ethelbert would be free to interfere without any trouble. Unfortunately, the Kingdom of Lymore was a foreign country. It was a personal matter between parent and child. Carelessly sticking his nose would only cause unnecessary conflict.

Thus, he decided that it would be best to feign ignorance. Ethelbert swirled his glass.

But still…

The images of Charlotte, who had a dignified and gentle smile while greeting a foreigner, along with her cold gaze, were etched in his mind.

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***T/N: See, fall in love at first sight

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