After getting ready, Charlotte stepped into the carriage and departed for the guest house.

Despite the suddenness of the request, Ethelbert’s response was immediate. Their preparations were finished long before Charlotte and the others arrived.

“Men don’t take as much time to prepare as women,” he said with a laugh.

When Ethelbert discovered that Charlotte was traveling by carriage, he asked to ride with her. In the end, Charlotte and Ethelbert rode together. Quentin and Brandon traveled on horseback the same as their escort knights.

“I’d like to express my gratitude once again. Thank you for agreeing to cooperate in spite of your busy schedule.”

Charlotte bowed her head with those words, and Ethelbert said, “It is no trouble. Since this isn’t a country of magicians, I can see how difficult it may be to deal with this situation accordingly. Cracking down on it is my role as a magician.”

Ethelbert only had a single guard—his servant, Brandon. Normally, that would only be acceptable if they were within the academy.

Apparently, the knights who were supposed to protect him had been assigned to guard Ethelbert’s room. After all, both his magical research components and other magic-related work were there.

Despite being so busy, he agreed to the request for cooperation.

“Rest assured. If anything happens to me, I have no intention of holding you responsible.” He spoke.

“I have a message from His Majesty. He’ll definitely repay the favor.”

“I see. Then I shall arrange for another date with you.”

Charlotte blinked at his playful, teasing words. She couldn’t help but smile.

“I’ll be sure to pass along that message.”

“I leave it to you.”

Her last date with Ethelbert, which was disguised as a tea party, lasted several hours. Frederick’s dissatisfaction at not being able to assign Charlotte more work was obvious to his surroundings.

To Charlotte, it was a gift that kept on giving. She could let loose while also getting revenge on Frederick.

“Come to think of it, I heard you were absent from school.”

“Indeed.”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“You know, don’t you?”

Charlotte replied with a smile, and Ethelbert sighed. Then, he stared at Charlotte.

“Something about you has changed.”

“Is that so?”

She asked in a daze. In truth, she was aware that something had changed. However, she was afraid that if she didn’t hide it, she might accidentally confess everything to him.

She had already made up her mind, so she didn’t want to fail now.

As she secretly resolved herself, Ethelbert rose and moved next to Charlotte. He gently took her left hand—a touch that showed great consideration.

“Lord Ethelbert?”

She called out to him, unable to gauge his intentions. No answer. Ethelbert caressed the back of her hand with his thumb, before lightly touching her bracelet.

She noticed that Ethelbert was staring intently at the bracelet—the magic tool he had gifted her.

Tension spread across Charlotte’s body in an instant.

Does he know?

He had given her that magic tool for their date, but she ended up using it for another purpose.

Was that just the way magical tools were designed? Or was a magician keen to such things?

The fact that Charlotte had been suspended wasn’t widely known. A gag order was placed to avoid disappointing the people and nobles—but Ethelbert probably knew.

It was a common tactic to plant spies in other countries. Simple, yet highly effective. Especially a spy from the great magical country. Even if that wasn’t the case, gathering information should be easy for him using magic himself.

On the day of the orphanage visit, Charlotte made a major impact by sneaking out of the carriage—so much so that the knights and Frederick failed to examine her unusual attire. Instead, they assumed Charlotte used that dress to go incognito. Thus, the existence of the magical bracelet remained unknown.

Nevertheless, Ethelbert—the one who had given it to her—must’ve known. He probably also noticed that Charlotte hadn’t told anyone that the bracelet was a magic tool.

His assuming that she would continue to sneak out alone in that outfit wouldn’t be strange.

“Did you do something?”

Her heart refused to listen to her, beating faster and faster.

“No.”

Still, she somehow managed to muster an answer. Ethelbert also didn’t press her. His expression softened.

“You wear it even when we aren’t on a date?”

“Ah, yes… Well, it’s like a charm.”

“I see.”

Ethelbert took something out of his pocket. It was a familiar blue item.

“That ribbon…”

“It seems that I didn’t properly store it inside the magic tool. My bad.”

I know.

But she’d only be digging her own grave by saying that.

“Is that so? Apparently, even Lord Ethelbert makes mistakes.”

“True. I must have been in high spirits after having such a great time.”

She blinked rapidly at his smooth words, then lowered her gaze.

—Me too.

She was in high spirits after having a great time.

I’m happy that we felt the same.

At the same time, it was kind of itchy.

Aah… This feeling’s no good.

She mustn’t be swayed by this warm kindness.

As Charlotte tried to calm herself down, Ethelbert caressed the jewel on her bracelet. In response, the ribbon in his hand glowed, turning into particles that were absorbed into the bracelet.

It was such a strange yet fantastical sight.

I feel bad for using his gift for no good…

Still, she had no intention of quitting. Charlotte needed this magic tool for her plan.

At the very least, she should repay him somehow. What could she possibly do for him? Giving him something of value would be difficult since he was a magician.

No matter how much she dwelled on it, she couldn’t find the answer.

***

“Good day to you. I’m Malcolm Elms, the second son of Count Elms. The man next to me is my younger brother, Rex. Our father is bedridden, and my brother, who is acting in his place, is away on an inspection tour. Please forgive me for such a lackluster greeting.”

When they arrived at the mansion of Count Elms, the count’s sons, Malcolm and Rex, came to greet them.

In addition to Charlotte, Quentin, and the knights, the arrival of Ethelbert and Brandon had been announced in advance. Regardless, the news should’ve arrived at most a few hours before.

The Elms brothers and the servants at the count’s mansion couldn’t hide their tension at Ethelbert’s arrival.

“Where is Her Highness Juliet?”

After exchanging a brief greeting, Quentin asked. Being informed that Juliet was otherwise uninjured and safe wasn’t enough—he needed to make sure for himself. His expression naturally became stern.

That expression wasn’t just due to concerns about Juliet’s safety, though.

“She’s currently resting in the guest room. Allow me to show you the way.”

Following Malcolm’s directions, they continued for the mansion.

Malcolm, Rex, Charlotte, Ethelbert, Brandon, and Quentin were in group. The three in the middle sensed a near-murderous hostility emanating from Quentin at the back.

It wasn’t just concern for Juliet, but pure malice directed towards the person at the front—Malcolm.

Ethelbert closed the distance between him and Charlotte. He leaned in, peering into her face as he whispered.

“Even though he’s the second princess’ benefactor, your fiancé seems to be quite hostile towards him.”

“It’s a well-known fact that Malcolm Elms, a free-spirited playboy, has cut off all ties with his flings. Apparently, he has found his one and true love.”

“Ah, I see.”

Ethelbert guessed it instantly.

Yes, Malcolm’s true love was Juliet.

The year Juliet entered Chester Academy—which was last year—Malcolm was in his fourth year of university. A year later, he told a friend that he had fallen in love with Juliet at first sight.

That was probably why Quentin disliked Malcolm. Even though he was Juliet’s benefactor, Quentin saw Malcolm as a rival daring approach the woman he liked.

Actually, no. As her benefactor, Malcolm had gained an opportunity to deepen his relationship with Juliet. Quentin must’ve been regarding him as a threat.

Frederick was also wary of Malcolm, a notorious skirt chaser, and didn’t want him to approach Juliet. Hence why he readily sent Charlotte and the others to the count’s house.

As per Ethelbert’s request, they should of course investigate the bandits and the magical tools, but it was also an implied order to carefully monitor and eliminate the pests following Juliet. Frederick didn’t want Juliet to become fond of Malcolm after being saved by him.

Although there were many things she was unhappy about, Charlotte was intrigued by the fact that magic tools were involved, so she was quite enthusiastic about the opperation.

---

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***T/N: What is this?! A work that our princess can enjoy for once?! God bless Jesus!

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