Charlotte’s punishment was announced as soon as she returned to the royal castle that evening. After an early bath, she laid on her bed, spaced out. Just that made her happy. A time to relax without thinking about anything, without anybody watching.

Due to being under house arrest, she would be having dinner alone in her room.

How wonderful.

A knock sounded during that blissful hour. The knight stationed outside announced Quentin’s arrival. Apparently, he had returned from the inspection.

Still, his visiting Charlotte’s private room at that time was unusual. Well, he probably heard about Charlote’s predicament and came to discuss it.

Draping a robe over her negligee, she gave permission to Quentin, “Come in.” and he entered the room.

As they were engaged, her appearance wouldn’t be considered unbecoming, although the man himself didn’t seem to care.

The stack of papers in his hands was more concerning.

“…What is that?”

She had guessed, but she asked just to be sure.

“Since Her Highness the Crown Princess is under house arrest, I’m here to deliver the documents from your study.”

“Documents…”

It just escaped her mouth.

“…Ha, hahaha! Haha… aah, right. Of course. Ha, ahahaha…”

Her laughter just wouldn’t stop. Inwardly, she realized she had never laughed that hard before.

She couldn’t leave the room, so her work was brought to her. It was just house arrest, so her work would continue as normal. It had been years since her last punishment and nothing had changed. She just forgot.

She had been looking forward to her first day off in who knews how many years. She was being ridiculous, so much so that she burst out laughing from the sheer hilarity and self-ridicule.

“Your Highness?”

Quentin called out to her in doubt, and she managed to suppress the laughter that was welling up.

“Pfft… ah, my apologies. I’ve calmed down.”

Even so, she was still smiling as if in a good mood, which rubbed Quentin the wrong way.

“As the crown princess, do you not feel an ounce of shame? Do you not realize why you were placed under house arrest? How can you still laugh?”

His gaze grew fierce as he nagged her.

“Indeed.”

As usual, her fiancée wasn’t on her side. Charlotte’s problematic behavior during the inspection tour, as well as her insults towards Juliet, had warranted her that punishment. It was no wonder he was irritated.

Normally, whenever he acted like that, she would put up a good front while secretly despising him even more. But in her current mental state, she couldn’t even get angry. Why, right now, she could even treat Juliet with absolute kindness!

“I tried to detach myself, but it eventually eroded my heart. Slowly, it seeped in, over the ten years since Her Majesty the Queen passed away. I didn’t even realize it. How odd.”

She had always been dissatisfied. Yet, any “unreasonable” opinions she had were eradicated from an early age, so she had to keep them all locked away. She was the only one fighting for her heart, which had slowly been chipped away by what they thought was “natural.”

Why did she have to endure until she became queen?

How did she end up believing that becoming Frederick’s successor was the only way?

For them, it was a happy world, but for Charlotte, it was nothing but hell. Still, it wasn’t impossible to destroy that, was it? In fact, it would be easy, and she was finally able to see that truth.

“This incident has helped me realize my mistake. How I regret what I have done.”

Charlotte smiled cheerfully, but Quentin still seemed unconvinced. However, he switched the topic to the details of her work, and Charlotte obediently followed his orders.

Nothing had been done yet, but dispelling the curse did improve her mood. Her body felt lighter, and her head felt clear. It was the perfect example of, “illness comes from the mind.” A burden had been alleviated from her mind, and in turn, her body.

I’ve been such a fool for holding it this whole time.

There was no denying that she was privileged.

She never had to worry about food, clothing, or shelter. Furnishings made of high-quality materials, dresses studded with dainty jewels, accessories adorned with large gemstones, food made by top chefs using rare ingredients, a glittering and spacious castle, servants to look after her, bodyguards who were among the most skilled knights in the country, advanced education from tutors and academy, authority as royalty—the list went on and on, all lavishly funded by taxpayers’ money.

Yet she had no say in it.

She couldn’t choose the dress or jewelry she liked, nor request the food she liked. She was under such pressure that she had to keep an eye out for every move she made and every word she spoke. No one—not even her father and sister, her so-called family—were there for her.

To have such a blessed life and still be dissatisfied, perhaps she was selfish. Still, there had never been a time when she was happy—or free, for that matter. She felt like she was always bound in chains. Juliet always came first, forcing her to endure everything.

If she had loved Juliet, then perhaps she would have considered it normal, just like Frederick and everyone else. Unfortunately, she just couldn’t bring herself to, and all she could foster was hatred.

She was made into a “sacrifice” her whole life and was given no respect whatsoever.

In a way, wasn’t it the same as being dead?

No, dying would be better, because she would be freed from the pain.

---

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***T/N: Awh, Charlotte…

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