“I want to concentrate, so please don’t let anyone enter this room.”

After everyone had left the study, Charlotte gave this order to the knight standing by outside. Then, she clasped her hands and stretched them.

Taking a deep breath, she touched the bracelet on her left wrist. The blue stone was as mesmerizing as ever. The color changed depending on the angle it was viewed. Sometimes, it resembled Ethelbert’s eyes a bit.

She caressed the stone, infusing it with magic.

Soon, she was enveloped by light, and her clothes instantly transformed to the ones stored inside the magic tool.

After briefly checking her appearance, she was ready.

Then, she approached the bookshelf by the wall.

Charlotte gently pulled out the third book from the right on the middle shelf, then returned it. Next, she did the same to the burgundy book on the third shelf from the top. After that, she pushed in the middle book on the second shelf from the bottom. Lastly, she pulled the burgundy book back, and heard a clank!

She moved to the side of the bookshelf and slipped her hand into the gap between it and the wall. Then, she pulled it toward herself. The bookshelf, which should’ve been heavy, swung like a door.

Instead of a wall, there was a staircase, leading down. This was a secret passageway only known to the royal family and used for emergency evacuation.

Charlotte descended with a lantern, not forgetting to put the bookshelf back in place. Then, she proceeded through the secret passageway to escape from the castle.

***

“We’ve got some fresh, delicious fruits for sale! They just came in this morning!”

“Freshly baked goods here!”

“For one hour only! It’s an all you can eat! Fill your sandwiches with all the filling you want!”

Charlotte made her way through the hustle and bustle, clutching the hood of her cape to prevent it from falling.

She had the map of the royal capital memorized, as well as the shortest route to her destination. After her date with Ethelbert, she became familiar with the atmosphere of the city, so she walked without hesitation.

As she quickly rounded a corner, she was startled by a figure that suddenly appeared in front of her. She inevitably stumbled into them.

“Excuse me…!”

Charlotte looked up. When she saw who it was, she almost cried out in shock.

After all, she recognized the person’s face.

His attire was very simple. Despite his ordinary hair and eye color, he exuded a unique aura. Not to mention, there were also his overwhelming beauty and eye-catching style.

There stood the Imperial Brother, Ethelbert Thaddeus Ferelden, the man she wanted to avoid as much as possible!

Ethelbert also looked at her in amazement.

The moment Charlotte saw his expression, she moved reflexively. She turned on her heels and tried to leave, whispering, “My apologies.”

“Wait.”

He didn’t raise his voice, yet she couldn’t help but stop.

Her heart thumped loudly and rapidly.

“What on earth is Her Highness the Crown Princess doing alone in the city, in that getup, without any escort?”

He asked from behind, and Charlotte clutched her cape in front of her chest.

To think that she’d bump into Ethelbert on the day she snuck out of the royal castle for the first time… What were the odds? Why was he strolling around the city, today of all days?

She felt a slight urge to vent her unreasonable frustration, but she quickly suppressed it.

“…You, got the wrong person…”

She managed to reply, her faltering voice betraying her nervousness. It was a miracle she even managed to say anything.

“Is that so?”

After a moment of silence, Ethelbert spoke in a somewhat provocative tone. Charlotte felt as if she had nowhere to run.

“Do not forget that I put together that outfit, from the shoes to the clothes.”

“…”

Step—step…

Footsteps could be heard.

“Also, this is the most basic of basics, but everyone has magical power within them, even non-magicians. Knowing your interest in magic, you probably knew this already.”

“…”

He was approaching.

“Blood relatives have similar magic power because of inheritance, but it’s never the same. It’s ultimately unique to each individual. A skilled magician like me can notice the differences.”

“…”

His long explanation didn’t carry the slightest hint of sarcasm. He was simply stating facts, without any other intentions.

“Try answering again with that in mind.”

Ethelbert stopped right in front of her, lightly pulling up her hood.

Her eyes met those of blue-purple.

“What is the Crown Princess doing here, sneaking out of the royal castle?”

There was no way she could hide it. He knew. Charlotte’s “incognito” had failed the moment she was found.

She also couldn’t pretend to be someone else either, so she sighed in resignation.

“…I was just imitating Juliet.”

Thus, she spun a suitable reason.

“I wanted to act as I pleased, freely and without worry.”

“By strolling around the city alone? You do know it’s dangerous, right?”

“Even if I say I want to take a stroll, I won’t be given permission. Your Highness understands that as well, I believe?”

Charlotte asked, and Ethelbert frowned. He didn’t say a word of denial.

“If you had told me, I’d have invited you out. It would’ve been easier for you too.”

“You have, a few times at that, for which I’m very grateful. But sometimes, I just want to relax by my lonesome.”

She already had her third “date” with Ethelbert.

“Do you feel uncomfortable going on dates with me?”

It wasn’t that she found it uncomfortable, but that she wanted to draw a line. Because that was just how their relationship should be.

“I think it’s only natural, considering our positions.”

“Even though we’re friends?”

“Even friends need to be polite. Besides, I have a fiancé. Spend so much time with a specific person of the opposite sex wouldn’t give a good impression.”

“Say that to your fiancé.”

Certainly, Quentin would fit the bill so much better.

However, it was tolerated. There was no point in trying to improve things now. Even if the attitude of her fiancé and the others had changed, Charlotte wouldn’t be able to tolerate them. They were only keeping things in order on the surface, but their relationship had long since collapsed.

“There’s no point.”

“In that case, he has no right to complain.”

“They have a good reason. They’re going to be in-laws in the future.”

“How long do you intend to keep up that lame excuse?”

“I’m not in a position to decide that.”

She replied smoothly.

However, her tone was a bit monotonous, without the slightest warmth.

“—You’re quite cold.”

Even though he was smiling, Ethelbert sounded somewhat sad as he stated his observation.

“I’m sure you’re just imagining it. I’m just the same as always.”

This man is really sharp.

When Charlotte looked away, she heard a sigh from above.

“I can’t just ignore this. I’m sorry, but I can’t respect your wish to be alone. Can I accompany you as an escort?”

He spoke in a requesting tone, but his decision sounded as though it had already been made. His gaze said he wouldn’t tolerate any refusal.

“Yes, of course.”

She had no choice but to accept.

She was grateful that he didn’t reprimand her.

Looks like I’ll have to give up on scouting the newspaper this time.

Charlotte sighed inwardly, thinking about her incognito getaway, which had turned into a “date.” She failed to notice the doubtful stare Ethelbert was giving her.

---

***T/N: Ethelbert don’t you dare disturb her revenge plan!!!

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