Called from behind, she stopped walking.

Turning, she glanced back at Curtis.

Despite his apparent confusion, he began to speak.

“His Majesty has been worried about Her Highness the Second Princess ever since the report of the carriage attack. When he learned that the Second Princess was in danger, he lost his composure. Although he was relieved to confirm the Second Princess’ safety, he was stressed after hearing about the illegal magic weapons. While he shouldn’t have blamed Her Highness the First Princess—”

“Prime Minister Sargent.”

Curtis was making excuses, but not for himself. The situation was odd, yet not funny enough to make her laugh.

“His Majesty won’t worry about me.”

“…That’s not true.”

“Did he say anything to you?”

Charlotte scoffed and narrowed her eyes.

“I envy your blindness.”

“…!”

Leaving Curtis in shock, Charlotte faced forward once again.

“…Your Highness.”

A voice came to stop Charlotte.

“You didn’t seem surprised when His Majesty…”

Curtis didn’t continue, but Charlotte could imagine what he was trying to say.

“It hasn’t happened recently, but that wasn’t the first time. And no, Juliet has never been hit before.”

She kept her back to him, walking toward her room.

It had been a long time since she’d been punished. Her cheek was still hot and painful. Nevertheless, Charlotte was grateful that Frederick had abused her in front of so many people, showing his raw emotions.

Quentin and the knights were speechless at the shocking reality. Curtis’ eyes hinted at a wavering trust in the Hero.

Those around him, those close to him, had begun to have doubts about him, even if only slightly.

***

A few minutes later, Frederick was back to work as usual.

Curtis stood there with mixed feelings. He stood in front of Frederick as he looked over the report, and took a breath.

“Your Majesty.”

Frederick acknowledged Curtis with his eyes, urging him to continue.

“I’m sure you haven’t forgotten this, but Her Highness the Crown Princess has no experience with swordsmanship.”

“So?”

“Despite not having any means to protect herself, she used herself as a bait to save Her Highness the Second Princess. …Compared to others, her fear must’ve been unimaginable.”

Of course she’d be terrified when attacked. It was only a natural response.

As the crown princess, her life was always in danger. As such, she was expected to possess the minimum level of ability to protect herself.

Frederick had mastered everything from swordsmanship, martial arts, and even horsemanship. Meanwhile, while Charlotte knew some martial arts, she didn’t have much in the way of self-defense.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t suited to it or that she gave up. She never got to the point of acquiring the skills necessary to be the king’s successor while being able to protect herself.

That opportunity had been taken away from her. And because she was a woman, people didn’t think much of it.

Not like swordsmanship and martial arts would mean anything in the face of magic. The magic weapon in question could unleash wind blades that no normal sword could block. Mastering swordsmanship wouldn’t have been any help.

Charlotte only remained unscathed because of Ethelbert and Brandon. She was lucky. Under normal circumstances, there was no way she’d have survived being attacked by a magic weapon.

As such, how could she not feel fear?

The fear that Juliet and Charlotte felt couldn’t be compared.

“…It’s only natural for an older sister to risk her life to protect her younger sister. In the first place, this happened because Charlotte miscalculated.”

It was a definitive statement.

Usually, Curtis would’ve agreed with what his wonderful lord said, but this time, that wasn’t the case.

Doubts swirled within Curtis.

He remembered the look Charlotte gave Frederick—the look of pure resentment.

“His Majesty won’t worry about me.”

Those words she had so calmly spoken wouldn’t leave his mind.

Curtis also recalled Charlotte’s response when he told her that Frederick was the best father anyone could have.

Curtis admired Frederick. He recognized him as a fine king and an ideal father. The sight of Frederick spending time with the lovely Juliet was always full of happiness.

But, a feeling of discomfort that he’d never considered began to take shape.

When Frederick was with Juliet, he often had a gentle expression on his face. He was a doting father, overflowing with affection.

But how about when Frederick was with Charlotte?

Charlotte was the crown princess. Curtis understood that it was necessary to be a little stricter with her.

But was there ever a time when Frederick was kind to Charlotte?

“You didn’t seem shocked when His Majesty…”

Curtis was too ashamed to finish his words. After all, he was asking if Frederick was violent.

“It hasn’t happened recently, but that wasn’t the first time. And no, Juliet has never been hit before.”

What kind of expression did Charlotte have at that time?

She spoke so dispassionately, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Why would she speak like that?

Curtis would scold his children from time to time, but he never went as far as hitting them. To Curtis, corporal punishment was just pure, simple violence.

It wasn’t a punishment befitting a criminal, let alone for misbehaving children.

But the man he admired, on the other hand…

Frederick doted on one child, not letting a single scratch befall her, but he didn’t hesitate to beat the other.

It was almost like the most violent and selfish tyrant in the history of this kingdom’s royal family—the previous king. The person Frederick despised the most.

And Charlotte, with her dark aura and piercing gaze, reminded him of Frederick from his younger days, of when he decided to start a rebellion.

---

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***T/N: Okay how many times did Curtis mention “the Second Princess” in that one dialogue, and how many times did he mention Charlotte? And that father was a lost cause.

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