Chapter 2
“This is another interesting hypothesis.”
She quietly put down the gossip magazine after reading all the mocking comments directed at me. It had been a habit of hers since childhood: to read with anticipation, wondering what stories about me would be printed, hoping for good news.
Although it wasn’t necessary anymore, she continued reading the gossip magazines every morning. These days, she read them expecting to see how her actions were distorted or how much they had fabricated the stories.
“Lady, don’t believe these strange rumors or the sharp-tongued people who spread them! Who would dare persecute such a noble person like you!”
Today’s paper carried a scandal about Charlotte allegedly locking the Duke in the mansion and blackmailing him. Charlotte was unfazed, as this was something that always happened. However, Anna, who had taken care of me since I was a child, was fuming with anger.
“It’s fine.”
“What’s fine about this? These people should all be thrown into prison! Why are you so kind, my lady?”
No one else probably thought of me this way but Anna. A faint smile appeared on her otherwise dry face.
At that moment, there was a sudden sound.
Tap tap.
It was the sound of someone knocking on the window of her room. Normally, this would startle anyone, but Anna’s face broke into a wide smile.
“Oh my, it’s happening again today?”
Feigning ignorance, Anna checked Charlotte’s expression and opened the window. With the fresh breeze came a familiar magical scent, tickling Charlotte’s nose.
‘Noctum…’
How could she not know? Charlotte’s gaze naturally drifted towards the window.
“Madam! I was just passing by and happened to notice, what a coincidence! You’re up early today!”
The magical energy he had released was scattering all around, but Noctum smiled brightly, pretending not to notice. His silver hair, the warm color of which resembled his character, fluttered in the wind.
He had a beautiful face. Charlotte, aware of how her expression softened, consciously stiffened her face and turned her gaze away.
“Close the window, it’s cold.”
She must not show any affection toward him.
“But…”
“Even if it’s cold.”
Reluctantly, Anna closed the window, and the sound stopped.
If he had persisted and knocked again, would she have opened the window willingly, pretending not to notice? Charlotte quickly dismissed that pointless thought.
‘That won’t happen.’
There would never be a day when he would knock again, nor a moment when she would gladly let him in. Even if that day came again, it would be pointless and fleeting.
The affection her husband might have had for her was nothing more than a shallow feeling.
Charlotte pulled the curtains tightly over the window that allowed sunlight to shine through. Though her eyes briefly met her husband’s, who was still gazing at her window, she remained indifferent as always, ignoring him.
In her heart, she silently wished:
‘Don’t shake me, Noctum. Don’t give me any hope, please.’
A Crash—!
The sound of glass shattering echoed through the room. The ashtray that had barely missed Charlotte as it hit the wall sent shards flying toward her face, causing a wound.
Even as blood trickled from the sharp glass cut, Charlotte didn’t show any sign of pain and continued to gaze at her father.
“The maggot will understand better than you! How many times do I have to tell you to have the Duke’s child! If you have the child, everything will be easier for everyone!”
“…”
“Why won’t you answer? Are you deaf, or have you already taken the Duke’s position as his wife?!”
The Duke’s voice grew louder. Despite the sharp tone, Charlotte remained calm.
Seeing her so composed, the Duke barely managed to hold back his fury. He couldn’t push her any further; he mustn’t let the Duke realize the cruelty he was inflicting on Charlotte.
This excerpt offers a deeper glimpse into the complex dynamics between Charlotte and those around her, as well as her inner conflict regarding her relationships and her own desires.
The Duke grabbed Charlotte’s cheek, where she had a wound, with an irritated look in his eyes. The grip was tight enough to be painful, but Charlotte didn’t even make a sound of discomfort.
The Duke, on the other hand, was unsettled by this. His feelings were stirred, as if he were facing a corpse that no longer had any life left in it. Charlotte’s eyes were empty, devoid of any emotion. Every time he looked at her, it felt as though she were already dead.
“You know about the rumors that the Emperor is the speaker, right? So, you need to have the Duke’s child and claim the succession rights, Charlotte.”
“…”
“Then that child will become the Emperor, and I’ll be the only grandfather! Huh? I’m telling you this for your sake, my daughter.”
Charlotte’s head slowly moved up and down. The Duke let go of her and called for the priest from the corner of the room to heal her. The deep wound on Charlotte’s cheek healed, leaving only faint marks.
Once the healing was done, Charlotte got up and left the Duke’s residence without a word. The Duke didn’t mind; he didn’t care if she greeted him or not. He had no desire to receive any greetings from someone like her.
As Charlotte left the mansion, he didn’t even bother to watch her. Instead, he pulled the curtains shut. It was a mistake he made every time.
“…!”
As Charlotte opened the carriage door, a long hand shot out from inside. Before she could even try to resist, her arm was grabbed, and she was pulled into the carriage.
The sudden action caused Charlotte’s eyes to rapidly shake. The person who pulled her inside seemed amused by her reaction and let out a low chuckle.
It was a familiar voice. Soon, the man’s face filled her vision.
“What is this—”
“It’s been a while, Charlotte.”
Charlotte’s face twisted in annoyance, but the man simply smiled and spoke calmly. She tried to remove his arm that was holding hers, but despite the firm grip, his face remained full of amusement.
“Am I the only one happy to see you?”
“What’s going on?”
“Ah, I see. I’m the only one happy, then.”
Charlotte sighed inwardly at his irrelevant answers. As expected, he wasn’t listening to her.
“Adrian.”
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s scary.”
Despite his words, his voice was filled with mischief. His casual tone and posture made him seem like a carefree aristocrat, but Charlotte never underestimated him. The man in front of her was Adrian Verche, the second-in-command of the aristocratic faction, and someone who would eventually play a part in her death.
Rather than respond, Charlotte remained silent. No matter what she said, he would do whatever he wanted anyway.
Adrian gazed at Charlotte, observing her resignation, then lowered his gaze slightly and smirked.
“The Duke sure has bad habits.”
His eyes landed on the cut on Charlotte’s cheek from the sharp glass. She quickly covered the wound with her hand.
It seemed that the priest’s treatment had been inadequate. At first, the treatment had been thorough, but it had become more sloppy as time went on. Charlotte clicked her tongue in her mind. The priest was as much of an idiot as the Duke.
“Charlotte. Should I kill the Duke for you?”
Adrian’s words, spoken casually, were chilling. Charlotte tried to ignore them, as she knew that he never offered anything for free.
But Adrian wasn’t going to let it go and spoke again, more forcefully this time.
“Why does Charlotte always act like she doesn’t hear this kind of talk?”
“…”
Adrian’s presence, along with his calm yet dangerous demeanor, looms heavily over Charlotte’s situation.
Adrian’s comment caused Charlotte’s expression to shift dramatically. Her delicate brows furrowed tightly.
“Why are you bringing up the commission here?” she asked, clearly agitated.
“I’m just worried about you. It looks like you’re going to spread rumors about the injuries, acting like you’re hiding your powers,” he said, clicking his tongue in disapproval. Charlotte covered her cheek with her hand more tightly.
“I’ll increase your fee, so let’s not talk about this anymore,” she replied coolly.
“Oh, Charlotte, how could you exchange my concern for money? I’m hurt,” he teased.
Charlotte couldn’t help but scoff inwardly at his words. He was so absurd it wasn’t even funny. Despite her serious tone, Adrian kept talking.
“No matter how much you want to help the Duke, sacrificing yourself isn’t right, Charlotte.”
“That’s not it,” she firmly replied, shutting down his assumption.
Adrian hummed thoughtfully and then gave a shrug and a smile. “I’ll just take your word for it.”
The word “just” stung in Charlotte’s ears. It sounded as though he was indulging a child’s stubbornness. The odd discomfort lingered, and she turned her head to look outside.
The day was unusually clear, and their carriage was passing through the city’s streets. People walked by with bright, sunny faces, enjoying the weather. Charlotte stared absentmindedly, her gaze devoid of interest, until a familiar figure caught her eye. It was her husband, Noctem. Even though his robe covered him, his distinct presence and tall stature couldn’t be concealed.
The slow-moving carriage allowed Charlotte to watch him leisurely, and she was able to observe him closely for the first time in a while.
“That little thing is worth five gold coins?”
“That’s right! It’s a rare ornament from the Eastern continent, a ‘daengi.’ You wouldn’t have been able to get it if it weren’t for me!”
“Oh, the pattern is quite unique.”
“The color’s amazing too! Women even stop to ask about its price! Haha, but I’m telling you this in secret—did you hear that the Duke’s wife was interested in it?”
“…! Is that true?”
“Of course! Why would I lie in the capital?”
Charlotte knew that was a lie. She had never cared for ornaments from any continent.
“I’ll take it!”
Despite knowing her husband’s impulsiveness, Charlotte couldn’t help but watch him, amused. Noctem, as clueless as ever, paid double the inflated price for the ornament. It was a laughable sight, yet strangely endearing, though it revealed how much he had yet to learn.
As Charlotte watched him from the carriage window, Adrian’s eyes followed her gaze, his lips curling into a smirk.
‘To think that she’s not doing this for the Duke,’ Adrian mused, watching Charlotte as she focused solely on Noctem.
Despite the public perception of her as foolish and selfish, Charlotte was sharp and had an altruistic side that most people didn’t see.
‘She must understand better than anyone the consequences if the Duke’s frequent abuse of the Duke’s wife becomes public.’
Although Charlotte may have tried to deny it, she knew better than anyone that Noctem loved her. If this information reached the Duke’s ears…
The Duke, the Empire’s—and indeed, the continent’s—greatest wizard, would be capable of turning into someone frightening if his beloved wife was harmed. Adrian could easily imagine Noctem unleashing his fury. If the Duke acted on his rage, there would be no telling how far it would go.
‘Someone like him, when angry, is the most terrifying of all,’ Adrian thought with a smirk.
Moreover, the Duke’s faction, aligned with the Emperor, and the aristocratic faction, led by the Duke, were both major powers. If their personal conflict ever escalated, it could easily spark a war between the factions. At first, public opinion would likely condemn the Duke’s inhumane actions. However, as Charlotte was the victim in this scenario, the blame would quickly shift.
Charlotte was well aware of the possible political ramifications of this situation. The public, who already despised her, would likely quickly turn against her and rationalize the Duke’s actions as her fault.
‘The Duke will have a hard time dealing with it, and so will the Emperor’s faction.’
Charlotte was well aware of the impact this secret could have on her and those around her, which was why she had gone to such lengths to keep it hidden.
‘Is it stupidity, or is it cleverness?’ Adrian mused as he smiled wryly.
Just then, Charlotte, who rarely smiled, unexpectedly chuckled softly.
