The next day, Charlotte was summoned to Frederick’s office.

The moment she entered the office, she inevitably sensed the bad atmosphere. Frederick was clearly in a foul mood.

“Lord Ethelbert has submitted a marriage proposal for you.”

A letter supposedly regarding the marriage laid on the desk. After what happened yesterday, Ethelbert sure was fast.

No, wait, this is Ethelbert we’re talking about…

The letter itself might’ve been prepared some time ago.

“At last night’s party, there was a period of time when neither of you were present.”

“I was with Lord Ethelbert.”

Bang!                          

Frederick angrily slammed his fist against the desk.

“What were you thinking—?! You’re an engaged woman! The same goes for Lord Ethelbert! Why would he propose to someone who already has a fiancé…!”

“This engagement brings various benefits. It’ll improve relations between our two countries and strengthen the international standing of the Kingdom of Lymore. Also, it would allow us to import the magic tools that we plan to introduce for more streamlined government affairs at a low cost. Furthermore, we’d also obtain the protection of magicians.”

Charlotte spoke calmly, emphasizing the benefits.

“—Above all, I want to cease my engagement with Quentin and marry Lord Ethelbert.”

When she told him her desires, Frederick frowned in doubt.

“Don’t tell me, you’re in love with Lord Ethelbert?”

“I’m attracted to him.”

“What?”

Frederick furrowed his eyebrows, which deepened his wrinkles. His expression seemed so terrifying, perhaps due to how shapely his features were. It was a face he’d never show Juliet.

“I truly wish to marry Lord Ethelbert.”

However, Charlotte was accustomed to Frederick. She wasn’t intimidated by his appearance or menacing aura.

“What are you thinking? You’re engaged! That line should be spoken to Quentin.”

“‘That line should be spoken Quentin.’ He’s engaged, yet he’s obsessed with his fiancée’s sister. And I’m supposed to love such a man?”

There was no way Frederick was unaware of Quentin’s feelings.

“As I said, a marriage between a direct descendant of the Royal Family of Lymore and the Imperial Brother would undoubtedly improve relations between the two countries. There are other benefits as well, so it wouldn’t be difficult to break off the engagement with the Sargent family. Quentin and I do not love each other, and considering the various benefits this would bring our country, I’m certain they’ll agree as well. The Sargent family are loyal vassals, and this marriage is political in nature. Breaking it off for political reasons is valid.”

Neither of them intended for Juliet whereas Charlotte wished to be married herself.  Furthermore, Frederick had no intention of sending Juliet out of the country.  He was completely against his beloved daughter being taken someplace faraway and out of his reach. He was also aware of her poor etiquette, and was equally against letting Juliet appear in official situations.

“Even if there is a change of successor, it wouldn’t be a problem if everyone supported it by making Juliet queen or her husband king. This would be much better than me, someone who is always criticized, at least. Perhaps Quentin could be her husband? I’m sure he’d support her wholeheartedly and devotedly.”

He’d be much more effective in serving someone he loved than Charlotte.

“How could I, as the king, impose such a severe position on Juliet?”

“…But Juliet is also royalty.”

“I shall eliminate all of her burdens. She’s weak as she is, and her movements are limited, so I want her to live without any worries, free of responsibilities and duties of a princess—for she’s my precious daughter.”

“Then we could adopt a child from a family with a strong connection to royal blood and make him the next king.”

“Why go through the trouble of adopting a child when the legitimate bloodline continues? It’s your role as the crown princess to carry the country on your shoulders. Don’t you think it irresponsible to force it upon your sister just because you want to marry someone you love?”

Frederick spoke sternly. As she stiffened, her eyes widened. She tried to comprehend his words, but to no avail.

Irresponsible? Force it upon your sister?

How she wished she could laugh it off, thinking it was a joke! But that wasn’t how she felt.

There was nothing to laugh about.

Juliet always forced all her work upon Charlotte, and yet he blamed her for being irresponsible? Certainly, her personal feelings were involved, but it was also beneficial to the kingdom. She was completely different from Juliet who couldn’t even do the bare minimum properly and gave up.

Since becoming the crown princess, had she ever said anything selfish? Just once. She only wanted to marry someone she was attracted to—someone who’d undoubtedly be beneficial to the kingdom and was perfect for someone of royal stature.

So why?

“You still don’t seem to understand the weight of the responsibility that comes with being the crown princess.”

Why must she be glared at like this, and have all her efforts denied? She had been under so much pressure, and she did everything she could to meet their expectations. She worked her body and mind ragged, it was a wonder she hadn’t collapsed.

Why. Why. Why?

How?

The questions kept growing and growing—and were then resolved.

She didn’t even need to think too hard. It was simple. Obvious.

“Lord Ethelbert shall be returning home in approximately one week.  Until then, you’re forbidden from having any contact with him.”

Because this man didn’t love Charlotte. Juliet was his only precious daughter. As such, there was no need for him to be considerate of Charlotte.

After returning to her room, Charlotte gently touched the bracelet with her right hand.

So, this is how it ends…

If anything, it was to be expected.

This man doesn’t give the slightest consideration to my happiness.

No. He had decided that everyone would be more than glad to do anything for Juliet’s sake. That was the kind of person he was.

She walked forward and stood before the door leading to the room next to the office.

This door was equipped with a magic tool specially ordered from a neighboring country. No one, not even the palace maids, could enter beyond this point. Only Charlotte.

When she touched the magic tool, she heard the sound of a lock opening. She pushed the door open and entered the room.

Walking through the dark space, Charlotte sat down on a chair beside the table. She remembered something.

Once, at the dinner table, Frederick had asked Juliet if there was anyone she liked.

“Someone I like?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… I’m not sure about that yet.”

“I see. If you find someone you like, just tell me. I’ll arrange an engagement right away.”

“Okay! Thank you!”

It was the day after Frederick and the chancellor had announced Charlotte and Quentin’s engagement. Frederick had decided on her engagement without her knowledge, and had only informed her after the fact, yet he promised Juliet that she was free to marry whoever she wished—right in front of Charlotte.

“—I want her to live without any worries, free of responsibilities and duties of a princess.”

Those words were undoubtedly his true feelings. Frederick’s most precious daughter would be well protected and find happiness in the future. Now, if only that man had treated his less precious one better, then Juliet would’ve continued to know no hardships, left her royal duties to others, and live a life where she only reaped the benefits.

Charlotte turned her gaze to the table and picked up the knife that was lying there.

Strewn across the table were various “family” portraits that had been painted at Juliet’s request. A countless number of them had been made, and they were literal garbage. Charlotte swung the knife down on the face of the man in the painting.

The sensation of the knife tearing through the canvas—it was a feeling she knew well.

This was the room where Charlotte hid the things she destroyed. It was a place to stash away objects that would’ve been problematic for others to discover. There were presents from Juliet, which were totally based on her preferences; and obligatory presents from Quentin and Frederick.

But the next thing she’d destroy wouldn’t fit in this room. She had no intention of hiding it, either.

I’ll destroy it—the happy little world of your precious daughter!

She’d exact revenge many times over.

On the man who stole her happiness—no, who never gave her happiness.

On her sister, her fiancée, this country.

Destruction.

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