A knock resounded throughout the room, and when Charlotte gave permission, a knight entered. From his expression, she could tell something wasn’t right.

“We have received a report that Princess Juliet’s carriage has been attacked.”

“What?!”

Quentin, who was also working on documents like Charlotte, jumped to his feet. His chair toppled over with a thud. Quentin didn’t pay it any heed, and questioned the knight with a grim expression, “Is she okay?!”

“—Fortunately, the second son of the Count of Elms along with nearby knights rescued her and captured the bandits. Some of the royal guards were injured, but there were no fatalities. Her Highness is unharmed and safe.”

“That’s a relief…”

Glancing at Quentin, who had sighed in relief, Charlotte asked the knight for more detailed information.

Apparently, Juliet and her friends were on the way back from visiting an orphanage. The forest in which they were attacked was located in the southeastern territory of the kingdom, within the County of Elms.

At that time, Malcolm Elms, the second son of the Count of Elms, happened to be passing by. He was on his way back from a business meeting when his coach head screams and the sound of swords clashing. Upon receiving the report, Malcolm rushed to the scene and provided assistance.

Knights from the count’s family, who were patrolling nearby, also rushed to the scene and quickly apprehended the bandits.

“Have you reported this to His Majesty?”

“Yes.”

It was obvious that the news reached Frederick before Charlotte. After all, it was about his beloved daughter whom he treasured above anything else.

Right now, his aides and the Prime Minister are probably desperately trying to stop His Majesty from rushing out.

That man must be dying to hold his daughter in his arms, make sure that she is safe, and erase the terrible memories.

“Why do you look so unfazed?”

As Charlotte calmly predicted Frederick’s actions, Quentin glared at her.

“She’s safe, isn’t she? What’s the point of making a fuss here?”

“She’s been through a horrendous experience! You should be rushing to her side! And you call yourself her sister?!”

Shouting echoed throughout the room. It could be heard all the way down to the hallway.

When it came to Juliet, Quentin was always desperate. If his fiancée, Charlotte, had been in her place, he wouldn’t have made such a fuss.

Charlotte didn’t feel sad nor lonely. That was just the way he was—no, that was just the way they were. She’d known for a long time. A re-realization of something like that wouldn’t hurt her.

“If you’re that worried, why don’t you go yourself? Just abandon your current duties and act on your emotions. That’s normal human behavior. She’ll be so relieved if you, who she looks up to like a brother, dropped your work and rushed over to help her. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

When she told him that, Quentin gritted his teeth in frustration. She thought that if she gave him permission, he’d fly out. However, Charlotte’s tone, despite remaining calm, had a hint of harshness to it, which made him hesitate.

‘—And you call yourself her sister?!’ He said.

She was indeed blood-related to Juliet, unfortunately.

She didn’t care if he called her cold-hearted.

Juliet’s safety wasn’t a very important matter to Charlotte. That fact wouldn’t change no matter what happened in the future. After all, Juliet wasn’t important to her.

But it’d be a problem if she dies now.

Charlotte’s plan had barely progressed. She wouldn’t be satisfied until she made them suffer the same pain she had endured many times over. For that reason, she couldn’t let Juliet, who was necessary for that plan, die on her own.

In that sense, Juliet’s well being at present wasn’t a big deal.

As long as she’s still safe.

“Is Juliet on her way here?”

When asked, the knight replied, “No.”

“The carriage was damaged, and the Count of Elms is helping to repair it. As such, she will be staying at the Elms mansion until the parts are delivered and the repairs are completed.”

“If I recall correctly, the knights were injured? What of her guards?”

“I heard that knights from the count’s household will be dispatched…”

“So, you’re not sure. His Majesty will probably send some.”

It would take a few days to repair her carriage. In the meantime, she could simply a carriage from the count’s carriage and returned to the royal capital. Instead, she was choosing to remain at an aristocrat’s house until it was repaired.

And speaking of the Count of Elms…

Charlotte glanced at Quentin. He had a complicated look on his face.

He must be utterly anxious.

Charlotte chuckled, thinking that he must be feeling threatened.

Malcolm Elms had rescued Juliet from danger, and now she was staying at the Count of Elms mansion. As if Quentin could stay calm in this situation.

“Your Highness.”

The knight called out to her, and she shifted her attention to him.

“Is there anything else?”

“Yes. The bandits who attacked the Second Princess and her party were using magical tools.”

“Magical tools?… Were they magicians?”

“No, they weren’t. They were simply armed with magical tools.”

“Armed?”

Charlotte frowned at the shocking revelation. The attack itself was undoubtedly bizarre, but things were looking even more suspicious.

“How did they obtain them?”

“There has been no report yet.”

Does that mean the bandits are keeping their silence, or are they still investigating?

Either way, it looks like this is going to be a hassle.

Could they be foreigners? …No, a small number of magical tools are being imported, so they wouldn’t be impossible to obtain in this country. However, that’s only for tools that aren’t very dangerous and are somewhat useful in daily life. When it comes to weapons, that’s still…

Magical tools that could be used as weapons were so valuable that they were directly linked to the military power of a country. To prevent such technology from leaking out, magical nations thoroughly controlled everything from their spells to the magical tools themselves.

In short, outsiders couldn’t simply get their hands on them, more so for people of her country who weren’t familiar with magic.

Then again, she heard from Frederick that magical tools were being circulated due to the conflict in the southern part of the continent. Ethelbert provided him with that information, and even told her directly.

Whether there were foreigners or not, there was no doubt that magical tools were being smuggled in the country. The source was quite likely the southern part of the continent as well.

“Your Highness.”

As she was lost in thought, a voice called from outside.

“His Majesty has called for you.”

When Charlotte reached the front of Frederick’s office with Quentin, his assistant came from behind. He was bearing a letter.

Upon stepping inside, the first thing they saw was Frederick. He seemed restless and disgruntled. When Frederick saw his assistant, he vigorously rose to his feet. Charlotte didn’t have a chance to greet him.

Curtis, who must had been trying hard to calm Frederick down, bowed to Charlotte.

“This is the reply from His Majesty the Emperor’s Imperial Brother.”

Frederick immediately opened the letter he received from his assistant and checked the contents. He grimaced in dissatisfaction, then handed the letter to Curtis. It was slightly crumpled due to the force he had exerted.

“Do as requested.”

“Understood.”

After Curtis had also read over the contents of the letter, Charlotte asked, “What’s the situation?”

“The royal guards to be dispatched by His Majesty’s order have already been decided. Since Her Highness the Second Princess is involved, His Majesty was adamant about personally investigating the matter… but we just received a letter from His Highness the Prince, Ethelbert, regarding our request for his assistance.”

“For?”

“Since use of magic weapons have been confirmed, we petitioned Prince Ethelbert to help us in the investigation, to which he readily agreed, but with a condition. He requests that Her Highness the Crown Princess accompany him.”

Ah, it makes sense now.

By that, she was referring to Frederick’s reaction after reading the letter.

In reality, he had summoned Charlotte so that he could leave his work to her and proceed to the County of Elms himself. However, Ethelbert went and requested for Charlotte’s assistance. The king and the crown princess couldn’t both suddenly leave the royal capital, so Frederick would have to stay behind.

Frederick, who was frustrated at being unable to rush to his daughter’s side, could only feel little relief.

“His Imperial Highness the Imperial Brother says it won’t take long to get ready.”

“Understood. Let’s get ready right away.”

Since she was going to investigate, changing into pants instead of a dress would be better. How convenient it would be if she could change in an instant using magic like Ethelbert. After all, putting on and taking off a dress was quite a hassle. In short, it took time, so she’d best get started right away.

“Charlotte.”

As Charlotte was about to leave the room, Frederick called out to her. His expression didn’t look calm at all.

“Keep a close eye on that girl’s condition. Remember your position; you’re too old to sulk like a child.”

His cold, accusing gaze pierced Charlotte.

Since her suspension, Charlotte and Juliet hadn’t had a proper conversation. To be precise, Juliet, who usually took the initiative, was feeling too awkward to do so. Unlike usual, she could sense Charlotte’s rejection.

As a result, Juliet had been looking gloomy and lonely lately. It was obvious that she was waiting for Charlotte to break the ice.

Hence why that man told her to just give in and do her utmost for her sister. To stop being stubborn, admit her mistakes, and apologize.

A father who cared for his daughter—how wonderful!

It sickens me to no end.

Charlotte bowed without replying and left.

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***T/N: UGH WHAT IS SHE?!! YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL GF??!!?

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