Chapter 2
“Another interesting theory.”
After reading all the gossip papers full of sneers about me, she quietly set the newspaper down.
It was a habit from childhood—she used to read them hoping there might be something good written about her.
She didn’t need to anymore, but every morning she still read the gossip pages.
These days she read them to see how people twisted her actions, how convincingly they made things up.
“Madam, don’t believe those filthy tongues spreading nonsense! Who would dare persecute someone as noble as you!”
Today’s paper claimed Charlotte was locking the grand duke up in the mansion and threatening him—another conspiracy theory.
Charlotte stayed calm; such things happened all the time. But Anna, the servant who had cared for her since she was young, fumed.
“It’s fine.”
“How is it fine! They should all be thrown in jail! Madam, why are you so kind!”
You’re probably the only one who thinks of me that way, Anna.
A faint smile touched Charlotte’s dried lips.
Just then—
Tap, tap.
Someone rapped on the window of her room.
Normally, it would be startling, but a bright smile spread across Anna’s face.
“Oh my, again today?”
Pretending not to know, Anna glanced at Charlotte’s expression and opened the window.
A cool breeze came in, along with a familiar trace of magic that tickled Charlotte’s nose.
Noctum…
How could she not recognize it? Charlotte’s eyes naturally turned to the window.
“My lady! I just happened to be passing by—what a coincidence! Up early again today, I see?”
Magic shimmered in the air, but Noctum smiled brightly and acted as if nothing was unusual.
His warm-colored silver hair—like his nature—fluttered in the wind.
What a beautiful face. Charlotte, whose features wanted to soften, deliberately hardened them and looked away coldly.
“It’s cold. Close the window.”
She must not let herself grow attached to him.
“But…”
“I said it’s cold.”
The window closed hesitantly. No more sound came from outside.
If he hadn’t given up and knocked again, would she have given in and opened it?
Charlotte folded the useless thought away.
That won’t happen.
There would be no day— not even once in this life—when he would knock again and she would willingly accept it.
And even if it did happen again, it would vanish into nothing.
The affection her husband felt for her was the thinnest feeling of all—he would fall in love with another woman.
Charlotte pulled the curtains tight over the sunny window.
Her eyes briefly met her husband’s, still looking up at her window, but as always, she ignored him.
Inside, she only begged him silently.
Don’t shake me, Noctum. Don’t plant even a grain of hope in me. Please.
***
Crash—!
Glass smashed against the wall, ringing through the room.
Shards from an ashtray thrown slightly to the side of where Charlotte stood flew into her face, cutting her.
Blood trickled from the sharp glass cuts, but Charlotte didn’t flinch. She simply looked at her father.
“Even a maggot would understand better than you. How many times must I say it—bear the grand duke a child! If you have a child, everything will be easier for everyone!”
“…”
“Why won’t you answer? Are you deaf? Have you gotten drunk on your title as the grand duchess?!”
His voice rose. Despite the fierce mood, Charlotte stayed calm. Seeing that, the duke forced himself to swallow his rage.
He couldn’t push her too far.
If the grand duke learned he had done this to Charlotte, he’d be in serious trouble.
The duke grabbed her wounded cheek with an irritated look. His grip was strong enough to hurt, but she didn’t make a sound.
It was the duke who felt a chill then. Vicious—just like her mother.
Whenever he looked at her, it felt like staring at a corpse.
Her eyes were that empty.
“You know the common rumor that the emperor is infertile. So you must give the grand duke a child and bring the line of succession to us, Charlotte.”
“…”
“Then that child will become emperor someday. And I’ll be the child’s only grandfather! Hm? My daughter, I’m saying all this for you.”
After a long stillness, Charlotte’s head moved up and down slowly. The duke let her go and brought in a cleric from the corner to heal her.
The long cut on her cheek healed, leaving a faint trace.
When the treatment ended, Charlotte stood and left the duke’s residence. She didn’t even say goodbye, and he didn’t care.
He had no desire to receive a greeting from such a thing.
Without watching her leave, the duke drew the curtains.
It was his usual mistake.
Inside the carriage waiting for Charlotte outside the mansion was someone unexpected.
“…!”
When Charlotte opened the carriage door, a long hand shot out from inside.
Before she could resist, it grabbed her forearm and pulled her in.
The suddenness of it made Charlotte’s eyes shake.
The man who had dragged her in let out a low laugh, as if her reaction amused him.
The voice was familiar. A moment later, a man’s face filled her vision.
“What are—”
“Long time no see, Charlotte.”
Charlotte scowled, but the man only smiled broadly as he spoke.
She pried his hand off her arm with a sharp touch. He kept smiling.
“Am I the only one who’s happy to see you?”
“What do you want?”
“Mm. So yes, it’s just me.”
His evasive answer made Charlotte sigh inside. As always, he didn’t listen.
“Adrian.”
“Don’t get all serious. It’s scary.”
His tone, however, was playful.
His manner was light, almost like a carefree rake. But Charlotte never looked down on him.
This was Adrian Verche.
Second in the noble faction—and the hidden mastermind who would one day help lead to her death.
Charlotte pressed her lips together instead of replying. Whatever she said, he’d do as he pleased.
Adrian studied her, who had slipped into her usual resignation. His eyes dropped to her cheek, and he smirked.
“The duke’s hands are really nasty.”
His gaze lingered on the cut from the glass. Charlotte covered it with the back of her hand.
The cleric’s work had been sloppy. He used to be careful, but lately he’d grown lax.
Charlotte clicked her tongue inwardly. That cleric was a fool.
“Charlotte. Want me to kill the duke for you?”
The words were deadly, but he said them lightly.
Charlotte tried to act as if she hadn’t heard. He never gave favors for free.
But Adrian was determined to make her respond, so he pushed harder.
“Why do you always pretend not to hear when this topic comes up?”
“…”
“You even filed a request about it—something you didn’t try to hide even from the grand duke.”
At that, Charlotte’s expression changed in an instant. Her fine brow twisted.
“Why bring that up now.”
“I’m worried about you. You even smeared divine power over the wound—like you’re planning to spread rumors that you were hurt.”
Adrian clicked his tongue. Charlotte covered her cheek more tightly.
“I’ll raise your fee. Let’s drop this.”
“Now, Charlotte—how can you turn my worry into money? That hurts my feelings.”
Feelings, really. It was so ridiculous she couldn’t even laugh. Still, Adrian went on.
“No matter how much you want to protect the grand duke, sacrificing yourself isn’t right, Charlotte.”
“That’s not what this is.”
That was an overreach. Charlotte cut him off.
Adrian studied her firm tone, then shrugged with a smile.
“I’ll accept that—for now.”
Her frown deepened.
For now? As if he were humoring a stubborn child.
Annoyed, Charlotte turned to the window.
The day was unusually clear. The carriage was rolling through the capital’s streets. People’s faces were bright under the sunny sky.
She stared out without feeling for a while.
Then she suddenly spotted a familiar man.
Her husband, Noctum.
Even with his robe up, his unusual aura and tall build were unmistakable. Because the carriage had slowed for a crossing, Charlotte could look at him in peace for once.
“Are you telling me this tiny ribbon costs five gold coins?”
“I’m telling you! It’s a rare hair ornament from the eastern continent—a daenggi! You’d never find it if it weren’t for me!”
“Oh? The pattern is unusual.”
“And the color! Ladies stop to ask the price! Ahem. Between us, the grand duke’s beautiful wife had her eye on this very piece!”
“…! Is that true?”
“Of course it is! Would I lie in this city?!”
Of course it was a lie. Charlotte had never coveted any ornament from any continent.
“Heh. I’ll buy it.”
Even so, Noctum bought it—at twice the already inflated price.
What a pushover. It was ridiculous, and yet the silly sight made her smile; she’d never seen him look so foolish.
Seeing her faint smile at the window, Adrian’s gaze slid over.
And she says she’s not doing this for the grand duke…
He let out a short laugh. How could someone’s words and actions be so far apart?
He watched Charlotte, who seemed to see only Noctum and no one else.
Contrary to public opinion that she was stupid and selfish, Charlotte was quick to read people and deeply selfless.
So of course she knows better than anyone what would happen if it became public that a mere duke routinely beat the grand duchess.
She could deny it all she wanted, but Charlotte knew very well that Noctum loved her.
If the grand duke heard about it?
He was the greatest mage on the continent. Usually the very picture of a gentleman—but if he learned his beloved wife had been abused, who knew how he’d change?
People like him are the scariest when they finally get angry.
Wouldn’t he slaughter the duke and everyone around him? Adrian pictured Noctum drenched in blood.
Reality might be worse than his imagination.
Besides, the grand duke led the imperial faction, and the duke led the noble faction.
The fight could easily spill from personal to political.
At first the duke would be condemned for his cruelty.
But the victim? Charlotte Daphsine.
The most hated noble in the empire, the villainess they wished would die already.
In no time, public opinion would shift to “It must be the villainess’s fault.”
Power doesn’t care about justice; the scales would tip toward the noble faction.
Even the imperial faction admired the grand duke but hated Charlotte. They would press him to cast her out.
I can already see the grand duke suffering.
Charlotte must have pictured all of this too. That’s why she hid it—even filing a formal request to keep it quiet.
Is she foolish, or smart?
Well, so long as it’s interesting.
Adrian finished his thoughts with a crooked smile—
—and then Charlotte, who rarely laughed, suddenly let out a small pfft, laughing aloud.
Adrian.. buzz off