The weather was very nice that day. The air was warm from the morning, and Charlotte’s heart was at peace.

It was her usual time to wake up. She was already awake and relaxing alone in her room when she heard a tapping—or rather, a pecking sound on her window, and turned.

Outside the window was a purple bird. As it perched on the window frame, it gazed at Charlotte with its round, black eyes.

“Come in.”

When she invited it, the bird slipped through the closed window, fluttered toward her, and landed on Charlotte’s finger.

Because it was a magically created bird, it was weightless, but its touch and movements were close to the real thing. Its cuteness soothed her heart every time.

When she gently stroked the head of the cute bird, which tilted its head, it became particles of light that flew up into the air, forming letters.

[Everything is going well]

Charlotte narrowed her eyes in satisfaction at the short message.

“That’s a relief.”

With that, the letters softly dissipated into mist.

No matter how many times she saw it, magic was such a mysterious and fascinating phenomenon.

In the end, I ended up asking for his help.

It was inevitable, as Charlotte’s actions were restricted. Since Ethelbert offered to cooperate with her plan and refused to back down, she had no choice but to relent in the end. Thanks to him, things were going as planned.

It was only thanks to his magic that she had managed to avoid collapsing in the face of her increasingly harsh life. Accepting his offer without being stubborn was probably the right decision. It really hit home how useful magic was, and she was once again very piqued by it.

As she picked up her teacup to take another sip of tea, she heard footsteps outside. They weren’t just the footsteps of one or two people, but quite a few. This was unusual for the morning.

However, Charlotte paid no attention and raised the teacup to her mouth. Taking a sip, she couldn’t help but smile at the taste of the tea that she’d brewed herself, to her own liking.

The tea brewed by the maid was always chosen from Juliet’s favorites. The same went for the amount of sugar and milk. Rather, Juliet was the one who told Charlotte’s maid what to brew, saying, “Today, this, tomorrow, that.” “My older sister likes the same things as me.” As such, she never found the tea she was served to be delicious.

Even though she didn’t particularly dislike the tea, the thought of it being brewed at Juliet’s behest only made her loathing it more and more. Those long days made her realize just how insufferable Juliet had become to her.

It really had been a long time.

Just as she had returned the teacup to its saucer on the table, the door to her room burst open.

Charlotte turned her gaze to the unexpected visitor who had barged in without permission.

The man, followed by a dozen knights, stared at Charlotte with disdain.

His unnervingly flawless features bore a strong resemblance to Charlotte’s. To be precise, Charlotte resembled him, much to her own dismay and helplessness.

After all, that was one of the causes behind Charlotte’s unhappiness.

“—Charlotte Callista Reevesmore, you are charged with treason.”

The voice, devoid of any emotion, belonged to Frederick Chester Reevesmore. The king of the Kingdom of Lymore, and also Charlotte’s father. This was probably the first time Frederick had personally visited her room.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“No.”

Smiling without a care in the world, Charlotte continued.

“I don’t know how much you’ve uncovered, but everything you’ve heard is true.”

At those words, spoken without the slightest remorse, the atmosphere surrounding Frederick became piercing cold. The way he glared at her, it was as if looks could kill.

An ordinary person would’ve long succumbed to fear and lost consciousness.

Nevertheless, Charlotte was unfazed. Not only did she seem relaxed, she had a gorgeous yet unreadable smile on her face.

She’d been his successor for so long, after all. She had no memory of being treated as a daughter. Frederick’s overwhelming, fierce spirit, coupled with his merciless, cold gaze had been directed at her countless times.

Having experienced that for so long, she didn’t feel the slightest bit of fear.

“I was aware that you were dissatisfied with the way I did things, but to think you’d do something so foolish as this. Have you forsaken your dignity as a member of the royal family?”

Frederick spat out coldly.

She was already used to seeing those jade-colored eyes filled with disappointment and disdain. However, the way he stared at her now was unlike anything she had seen before, which made it oddly amusing.

This man had yet to realize her true motive.

“I must’ve spoiled you too much.”

“…”

Alright, let’s take back the word “amusing.”

She didn’t remember ever being spoiled, but Frederick seemed to think that was what he’d been doing all along.

Once again, she was reminded of the difference in their values. She could never get along with such a person.

“I’m well aware that the influence of the royal family is far different from that of ordinary people. I think Your Majesty is the one being naïve.”

“What?”

In contrast to Frederick’s voice, which had become deeper, Charlotte rested her hand on her cheek and smiled deeply—gracefully.

“You don’t think you have done anything wrong, do you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to make that face right now.”

“Are you trying to say it’s my fault?”

“Didn’t His Majesty rebel because he didn’t like the way the previous king and his brother were doing things? Well, I’m the same. I wasn’t satisfied with His Majesty nor the way this kingdom was being managed, so I tried to ruin it. That’s all. I have no intention of justifying my actions.”

She looked straight at Frederick.

“It must be in my blood.”

Frederick’s aura became even more threatening.

“Arrest her.”

The knights, who were already appalled by the suspicion of treason against their princess, grew more so when she calmly admitted to the crime.

However, there was no way they could disobey the king’s orders. Furthermore, they had no reason to protect Charlotte who had admitted her guilt. Thus, they had no choice but to fulfil their duty and detain Charlotte.

Without resistance, Charlotte stood up and let them bind her hands with a rope.

“I thereby strip you of your position as crown princess. Your engagement to the son of Marquis Sargent shall also be annulled. Take her away.” Said Frederick.

The words were spoken with contempt, so much that everyone almost doubted the fact that they were father and daughter.

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