Chapter 18
After reporting to the Duke, Charlotte immediately sent a letter to the Grand Duke’s residence.
Three days passed without a reply, which made her anxious, but she eventually received a letter stating that the matter had not yet been settled and would take more time.
“…Thank goodness.”
She had been a little worried, wondering if the letter would say that she should go with Charlotte.
“You’re overthinking it,” Charlotte smiled faintly, having unnecessarily worried for several days.
After placing the letter on the table, she continued reading the book she had been holding.
Lately, she had been reading books related to farming. The place she was going to settle in was an area where agriculture was well-developed.
‘I don’t need much, just enough to live on by myself,’ she thought. Taking care of something with great effort was physically demanding, and she figured she would have fewer episodes of feeling down like when she had been in her current home.
As she finished reading the last page of the book, she closed it. Just then, she heard a commotion from outside the door.
“Ah, Miss! Just a moment…”
“I’m fine! I’ll be coming in!”
“Still…”
She heard Anna’s flustered voice, but the person ignored her and opened the door loudly.
There was only one person who would open her door so disrespectfully in this house.
“Sister!”
Her half-sister, Dana, came rushing towards her with an energetic voice.
“What on earth have you been up to outside?”
Her voice was filled with suspicion and wariness. Yet, at the same time, she seemed to shrink back, possibly scared of Charlotte’s notorious behavior.
Charlotte looked at her indifferently, then picked up a new book.
“How to Properly Understand Rice Planting Methods.” It was a perfect book for the current situation.
Turning the pages, Charlotte finally answered Dana’s question.
“There’s nothing for you to call a matter. By the way, who taught you to barge into my room without asking?”
“I learned it from Dad. After all the tormenting, now you’re saying you’re leaving? Tell me, what kind of scheme are you planning now?”
“Is that all you heard?”
The person who had been desperate to get rid of me was not me, but you. But it seemed that in this life, I had tormented Dana just as much as she once tormented me.
Normally, Dana would have retorted fiercely, but seeing her so quietly speak now…
Charlotte slammed the book shut with a loud noise. Dana, startled, took a few steps back, letting out a terrified gasp.
“I came with the knights!” Dana said.
“Who said anything? Also, there’s nothing for you to hear from me, so go away. What His Excellency said is the truth. Whether you believe it or not, that’s your problem.”
“Still, I’m suspicious… Huh? What did you just say?”
Dana’s expression slowly turned strange. It seemed like something in Charlotte’s words had sounded odd to her.
“Sister, did you just…?”
“Why would the Duke—”
“Huh? Oh, never mind.”
Dana’s face took on a strange expression. Was she smiling, or was she anxious? Charlotte gave up trying to read her mood.
That girl would turn my mood upside down before she even noticed what was going on with her.
“And, little sister, you should actually be happy I’m leaving. If I disappear, you’ll become the head of the Duke’s house without any trouble.”
Dana’s face, which had been stiff, immediately brightened with joy.
“If you say anything else later, I’ll go to Dad and tell him to send you away tomorrow!”
“Go ahead.”
Dana would likely try to convince her father, but the Duke, still looking for a reason, wouldn’t be able to send her away the very next day.
Dana slammed the door shut just as loudly as when she entered, still leaving in a hurry, spouting whatever words she wanted to say.
Perhaps because of her temperament, Dana had always been terrible at business in the original world. Anything she started would fail within months.
Of course, for someone like Charlotte, who was from an imperial background, this was the best situation.
Charlotte’s mind drifted back to her memories, but fortunately, she quickly snapped back to reality.
“I should study farming methods more diligently.” If she could just read a book, it might help calm the intense homesickness a little.
Meanwhile, Noctem was staring intently at the letter Charlotte had sent.
He never expected her to repay him in such a manner.
“To go with her fiancé? Ha, this is absurd.”
Of course, considering the opinions of those around him, this was probably the right choice. Noctem was not single like Charlotte.
But still, if he was going to repay her properly, wouldn’t the person involved be required to host a meal and personally attend to her?
Of course, this was an almost unreasonable thought, but Noctem didn’t care about minor details.
As he continued staring at the letter, a knock on the office door interrupted him, and his assistant, Teiga, entered.
“Your Excellency, you must attend Lady Goldstein’s tea party today.”
This was a reminder Teiga had given him a few days ago. Noctem, showing his annoyance, stood up.
As usual, he would have liked to ignore it, but today’s tea party was a gathering of the Empress’s noblewomen.
He threw on the uniform jacket he had left hanging. There was no time to properly get ready.
“Well, I’ll just drop off the bouquet, show my face for a bit, and leave.”
He had no intention of staying there for more than five minutes. But as he thought this, Teiga made another request.
“Your Excellency, you must stay for at least five minutes. Also, while you’re there, please inquire about the restaurant reservation date that Princess Daphne sent through a letter. I also need to send a response quickly. Understand?”
“…”
Of course, Noctem pretended not to hear Teiga’s words and ignored him.
From behind, he heard Teiga hitting his chest with a loud thud. He also heard muttering about finally giving up on this, but Noctem just snorted.
He had heard that same complaint over a hundred times already.
“I should give him a bonus this month.”
Then Teiga would likely quiet down. Ignoring Teiga’s lamentations, he picked up the flowers and gifts Teiga had prepared and headed toward Lina Goldstein’s tea party.
On the way there, he couldn’t help but wonder if he might run into Charlotte, gazing out the window, but unfortunately, he couldn’t spot a single strand of her hair.
For some reason, his heart felt strangely empty. It was an emotion Noctem couldn’t even explain.
With his mood slightly dampened, he stepped into Lina’s mansion.
Teiga had stressed the surprise visit event so much that he had instructed the knights not to give notice of his arrival.
As he walked toward the garden where the tea party was in full swing, he heard voices from quite a distance that reached his ears.
“By the way, Miss, I imagine you’re feeling pretty bad. Everyone’s spreading false rumors like that.”
“Oh, you mean that rumor? The one about the Princess and the Grand Duke being together on the day of the heavy rain. It must be a lie, but even if it’s true, it’s ridiculous.”
“That rascal has been running his mouth about what he’s going to do to the Duke. Maybe he used some dark magic! Lina, don’t mind it too much.”
It was clear they were talking about Charlotte and himself. Noctem’s steps slowed.
Even as they continued, the noblewomen didn’t stop talking. This time, Lina’s voice was the first to be heard.
“I’m fine. I’m his fiancée, after all. No matter what that rascal tries, it’ll just end in mockery.”
“Exactly! And you, Miss, shine in every way compared to that troublemaker. Your personality and beauty are far superior. That woman’s face is filled with venom.”
“That’s true, isn’t it? And she’s so fond of luxury. Just looking at her is enough to make you sick. Even if the rumors are true, it’s clear the Grand Duke just had a brief lapse in judgment.”
A bright, cheerful laugh filled the garden.
“Ha.”
On the other hand, Noctem’s face gradually twisted into a grim expression. His footsteps continued relentlessly toward them, and soon, he was close enough to see their faces.
At the center of the tea party was, as expected, Lina Goldstein. She, too, was laughing loudly while mocking Charlotte.
And then, at that moment, Lina dropped a massive bombshell.
“Such evil must be rooted out. There’s no smoke without fire. The rumors of dark magic didn’t come out of nowhere. Once I become the Grand Duchess, I’ll make sure that troublemaker faces trial.”
Upon hearing that, Noctem felt as though a part of his heart had collapsed.
The words seemed distant. Was it just his imagination, or was cold sweat beginning to form?
‘…No.’
It wasn’t a misunderstanding. His hands, clenched so tightly they shook, were quickly soaked in sweat.
His heart pounded violently. At the same time, uncontrollable rage began to rise within him.
The reason for his fury was unclear. In that moment, for the first time in his life, he lost his composure.
And that was why.
He had unknowingly spoken those absurd words in front of all the Empress’s noblewomen.
Step, step.
Suddenly, the sound of his footsteps broke the silence.
The sharp sound made everyone jump and turn their heads.
They all turned pale in fear. Noctem Afros’s face, as he approached, was as cold as the northern snow.
Among them, Lina felt as if she couldn’t breathe.
Noctem slowly opened his mouth.
“Who…”
His voice was chilling. To exaggerate, those who heard it felt as though their bodies trembled, trapped in ice.
Lina’s trembling eyes met his cold, indifferent gaze.
“Who here is saying they’ll become the mistress of the Afros family?”
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