Kresia naturally did not refuse Charlotte’s request and simply invited him to stroll through the Imperial Palace together.
“The Imperial Palace really is beautiful. Are these flowers planted by you as well?”
Charlotte walked side by side with Kresia, who had changed into casual clothes, through the most renowned garden of the Imperial Palace.
The evening breeze brushed by, bringing waves of floral fragrance.
Kresia, a little tired from walking, took the opportunity to sit down on a long bench in the center of the garden, her skirt sweeping across the carved patterns on its surface.
“No, I have the palace servants take care of them themselves.”
“Oh? Is there a reason for that?”
“Heh, nothing much. I just feel that the maids in the palace are always bossed around and never get to make decisions, so at least for these little things, I want them to have some say.” Kresia said.
“You’re actually quite considerate toward them?”
“What’s the use of being good to them? No matter what, as a member of the nobility, you have to keep up appearances.”
Kresia had never really thought about the servants before; in fact, she found it odd that Charlotte, a noble himself, would care about the servants.
“By the way, how do you plan to deal with your relationship with the Duke of Ennis?” Kresia suddenly changed the subject and turned to look at Charlotte. “He wants you dead, yet you’re still strutting around the Empire Capital so openly….”
“As long as Bella hasn’t been exposed, the Duke of Ennis won’t send someone else to assassinate me. In fact, you’re the one who isn’t safe, staying alone in the Imperial Palace.” Charlotte’s tone was calm, his gaze moving from the flowers back to Kresia.
All this time back in the Imperial Palace, only Charlotte sincerely reminded her to be careful. Kresia was genuinely moved. “I know, Charlotte, my junior. You’re so concerned about me. I’m a Third-tier Mage myself, not any weaker than you!”
Charlotte chuckled softly at her words—if Kresia could surpass him in some other area, he might argue, but when it came to magic, he felt there was nothing more to say.
He was just about to tease her.
Aifel’s voice reminded Charlotte, “Someone’s coming.”
Charlotte’s eyes turned alert, watching the entrance of the garden.
A faint set of footsteps approached, deliberately light, clearly meant to go unnoticed.
Seeing Charlotte’s reaction, the smile faded from Kresia’s face and her body tensed. Instinctively, she edged closer to Charlotte and asked in a low voice, “Who is it?”
“How would I know….”
Charlotte was a bit helpless, complaining inwardly: Princess, this is your home, not mine.
The footsteps drew closer and closer. A familiar figure appeared under the garden lights. That head of golden hair was especially eye-catching in the night. As she recognized the newcomer, an obvious look of disgust flashed across Kresia’s face, and Charlotte’s eyes narrowed slightly—the visitor was none other than the Second Prince, Roy Kalishi.
Roy clearly hadn’t expected to run into his sister and Charlotte here. His steps halted, a flash of surprise crossing his face.
His gaze swept back and forth between Charlotte and Kresia, a sly smile tugging at his lips. “Sister, out here so late and not in your chambers, secretly meeting with the Heart-Stealing Marquis? If word got out, wouldn’t it be a disgrace to our Imperial Family?”
Kresia stood up, showing not the slightest intention of yielding. She regained her usual composure and authority: “I ran into my junior in the Empire Capital and invited him to the palace as a guest. We were just chatting about some Academy matters, that’s all. But you, Roy, believe in the rumors outside and insult a noble—aren’t you bringing shame upon the Kalishi name?”
Her words were neither humble nor overbearing, striking back at Roy instead. She was even more confident than usual, for Charlotte stood behind her.
He truly couldn’t understand why Charlotte so easily possessed everything other men dreamed of—prominent status, top-tier strength, and the favor of beautiful women.
Just imagining Bella standing willingly at Charlotte’s side, like Kresia, made Roy’s jealousy and anger surge wildly, threatening to consume him.
He glared hard at Charlotte, his tone hostile. “Marquis Charlotte really is something—not only can you come and go from the Imperial Palace as you please, but even have the Princess herself accompany you for a late-night stroll. If His Majesty the Emperor hears of this, I doubt he’ll be pleased.”
He deliberately mentioned the Emperor, reminding Charlotte that no matter how great his abilities, there was still an Emperor above him.
Charlotte tilted his head slightly, open disdain in his eyes. His tone was calm but sharply cutting: “Princess Kresia and I have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of.
But Second Prince, instead of meddling in others’ affairs, perhaps you should focus on making a name for yourself at the Emperor’s Evening Banquet.
After all, with your abilities, I doubt you’ll impress the nobles—if you want to forge iron, you must first be strong yourself, don’t you think?”
Lies don’t hurt people—the truth is the real blade.
Perhaps that was why people found Charlotte infuriating: he could always strike straight at their weaknesses, expressionless.
That complete arrogance from someone above was suffocating, but usually, those stung by Charlotte couldn’t best him.
Roy’s face turned livid in an instant. He pointed a trembling finger at Charlotte, seething with rage. “You… you dare mock me?”
“Not at all.” Charlotte’s tone was still flat, but his eyes brimmed with contempt. “I’m only speaking the truth.”
Charlotte understood Roy Kalishi’s temperament well—he had always considered himself superior to others.
From a young age, Roy believed himself above everyone else and did show considerable magical talent.
But his sister Kresia’s talent surpassed his by far; when he tried to make up the gap with age, Charlotte appeared out of nowhere.
It seemed he was doomed to be overshadowed in this life: inferior to Charlotte in talent, weaker than his sister in strength, and outmatched by the eldest prince Gelis in cunning and experience.
Kresia, well aware of Roy’s unpredictable nature, had no wish to entangle with him any further.
“It’s getting late, Marquis Charlotte, let me see you off.” With that, she shot Charlotte a meaningful glance, then turned to leave toward the garden’s exit.
Charlotte understood and nodded slightly to Roy as a farewell, then followed Kresia away.
The figures of Charlotte and Kresia disappeared into the night, leaving Roy alone, exuding a menacing aura that clashed harshly with the gentle evening.
The night-blooming flowers in the garden still released their fragrance, but the earlier peace had long been shattered.
“Damn it!”
Roy, who had come here for a little peace of mind, now felt even worse. Unable to endure his frustration, he smashed his fist against a nearby stone pillar—the sharp pain finally calming him a bit.
He watched the two figures disappear side by side, grinding his teeth so hard they creaked. The malice in his eyes almost overflowed.
Why does everyone oppose me? Why can no one acknowledge my strength? Now there are even rumors calling me nothing but a useless prince relying on the Imperial Family’s status.
He just wasn’t good enough—was that really a reason to be looked down upon?
He clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his palms. Only one thought filled his heart: Charlotte, Kresia, just you wait. One day, I’ll make you pay!
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