Charlotte and the stunning pink-haired girl sat elegantly in the pavilion, sipping their afternoon tea.
The gilded sunlight filtered through the carved dome of the pavilion, casting dappled shadows on the flagstone floor.
Charlotte held the delicate porcelain teacup by its handle, his gaze settling on the tips of the pink-haired girl’s hair—the cherry blossom hue glimmered with a pearly sheen in the sunlight, making her already exquisite features appear all the more translucent.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness is as beautiful as ever.” Charlotte’s tone carried just the right amount of respect.
“Truly worthy of being the most beautiful woman in the Empire. So lovely and accomplished in magic—one can’t help but be envious.”
Kresia’s slender brows knit slightly at these words. She instinctively pursed her lips, the rosy corners curving downward in a hint of displeasure: “Spare me the flattery. We’ve only been apart for one summer. Charlotte, when it’s just us, you never act like this at the Academy.”
“At Kalishi Academy, strength is all that matters, not the etiquette of nobles. But now we’re in the Empire Capital, my Princess. You know the Mistmoon Family values propriety, and as loyal subjects of the Kalishi Empire, we certainly cannot show you disrespect.”
“I still prefer when you call me Senior.” Kresia set down her teacup, propping her chin on her hands with her elbows on the stone table.
Sunlight spilled across her fair cheeks, making her seem like an angel descended to the mortal world.
“Not this lifeless, wooden act you’re putting on now. Talking to you is exhausting—I really don’t want to keep up this princess façade.”
“Alright then, Senior, let’s save reminiscing and bickering for later. Why don’t we get to the real matter at hand first?”
Charlotte took a sip of tea.
Kresia’s hand supporting her chin paused for a moment, the playfulness in her gaze suddenly vanishing, replaced by a gravity that didn’t match her ethereal beauty.
Even the sunlight seemed to sense this change, its warmth quietly withdrawing a little.
“Then I’ll be direct,” her voice lowered, carrying an undeniable seriousness. “This year’s Emperor’s Banquet will reshape the entire Empire.”
Charlotte’s hand trembled violently, hot tea spilling onto his skin with a faint sting.
“What do you mean?”
Kresia spoke slowly, her tone calm but each word heavy: “The Emperor’s Banquet is held every year—a gathering where nobles can socialize, hosted by the Emperor himself.
The ministers are always telling me, ‘Your Highness, you’re already twenty-two, you ought to choose a consort and continue the royal bloodline soon.’”
Charlotte instantly understood, one brow arching slightly: “There are some who can’t stand you remaining at the center of power. They want to edge you out.”
“You really are clever, talking to smart people is always easier.” A flicker of approval flashed in Kresia’s eyes, but then her tone shifted, her lips curling into a meaningful smile. “Actually, I was thinking—why not just use this banquet to find a good husband and settle down? Spending the rest of my days that way doesn’t sound so bad.”
Her voice was as light as if discussing the weather, but beneath the placid surface of her eyes, emotions churned like undercurrents beneath a still lake.
The moment the words fell, her expression changed, her eyes and brows painted with sly mischief: “Do you believe me?”
Charlotte gave a short laugh, his tone full of obvious understanding: “Heh, Senior Kresia, I’d sooner believe Morella will teach me Source Realm Magic tomorrow than believe you’d surrender to your royal brother.”
“Charlotte!” Kresia glared at him in mock annoyance, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “How could you think of me that way? Am I really so ambitious in your eyes? Can’t my goal just be to find a good husband? Besides, everything I’ve done has always been for the Empire. Now that I think about it, maybe the Empire is fine as it is—there’s no need to change it.”
“So, are you telling me this because you want my help picking someone?” Charlotte rubbed his brow, his tone full of helplessness.
Kresia suddenly flashed a crafty smile, raising a slender finger to brush against her pink hair at her temple, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Charlotte: “I like younger men, like that genius Father once praised by name—what was his name again? Oh~ right, Charlotte Mistmoon.”
“Pfft—” Charlotte had just taken a mouthful of tea when he nearly spat it all out, the pale vapor dispersing in the air.
He stared at Kresia in disbelief, eyelid twitching, completely unable to fathom why she would joke like this.
By the window of the mansion, Bella and Floleen, who had been eavesdropping, panicked.
Floleen slapped the window with a “smack.” “Princess Kresia!”
Bella was shocked as well—the Princess was going to snatch her man? How could she possibly compete?
Besides, Bella knew this Princess Kresia well. She would never settle down quietly with Charlotte; most likely, she just wanted to use him.
“Floleen, Bella, if you’re so eager to listen, come over openly. There’s no need to sneak around.” Charlotte didn’t even look up, taking another sip of tea to calm his nerves as he called up to the two upstairs.
Kresia turned to look at the pair by the window, the corners of her lips curving into a meaningful smile: “Oh, I nearly forgot, Floleen, you’re the one Charlotte personally begged Father for permission to marry, aren’t you? That does make things tricky.”
“Your Highness, if you have something to say, please just say it.” Charlotte set down his teacup, fatigue lacing his voice.
“I’m just a humble Marquis. It’s taken me great effort to gain a foothold in the Empire Capital, and serving the Emperor is like living beside a tiger—I really have no idea how to deal with you.”
He truly wanted nothing to do with Kresia. Back at the Academy, she was the previous Chief Student, while he was the current one.
The Dean was always summoning the two of them for special lessons, and trouble inevitably followed every meeting.
Kresia suddenly leaned in, pink hair cascading over her shoulders, her voice dropping to a near whisper, tinged with scrutiny: “Charlotte, I won’t say anything about Floleen, but why are you so close to Bella Ennis as well? Have you been bought by the Duke of Storms?”
“The Ennis Family has nothing to do with Bella. That much, I can guarantee.” Charlotte met her gaze, his tone calm. “As for the Duke of Storms, I bear him no grudge—but lately, I’ve even started to resent him.”
“So, there are no outsiders here?” Kresia’s gaze lingered on Charlotte’s face for a moment.
“Of course. So Your Highness, all that talking—were you just guarding against my two companions?”
“Naturally. I trust you, but not these noble ladies.” Kresia straightened up, her tone tinged with emotion.
“The Kalishi Empire has never been a monolith—factions are tangled everywhere. These young ladies may look innocent, but their cunning is no less than mine.”
As they spoke, Floleen and Bella hurried down the stairs into the garden.
Kresia stood and nodded; the two curtsied in proper noble fashion and took seats on either side of Charlotte.
“Hmm… Bella Ennis, could you step outside for a moment? I’m still a bit concerned…”
“Don’t worry, Senior Kresia, she wouldn’t dare disobey my will. I’ve already used Slave Contract magic to make her my slave,” Charlotte said airily.
Bella was stunned. She slapped the table and shot to her feet, “Hah?! When did that happen? I didn’t know at all! Isn’t a Slave Contract supposed to need both parties’ consent?”
“Don’t make a fuss. As a genius mage, is there anything I can’t do?” Charlotte glared at Bella, and she instinctively obeyed, too frightened to speak further.
Bella wept silently in her heart and then slumped back into her seat in frustration, a bit of despair in her eyes.
How could this Faithful of the Evil God be so capable? It looked like she was stuck with him for life. But after thinking about it, Bella decided maybe it wasn’t so bad…
Charlotte glanced at her tearful expression, and for once, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
In truth, he hadn’t used a Slave Contract at all, but the Forbidden Art of Mistmoon instead—though the effects were nearly the same.
Floleen tilted her head to look at Charlotte’s smile, a faint trace of grievance welling in her eyes.
But with Kresia present, she could only suppress her temper for now, thinking she’d settle accounts with Charlotte in private later.