#378
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378
9. The wind blowing over the empire.
“Welcome, Grand Duchess.”
As she got off the carriage, Charlotte held her head high and stretched out her gloved hand to hold the driver’s outstretched hand.
Although she is a prosecutor who does not need help, she cannot be free from ostentation because she is the Grand Duchess of Rinosa.
As soon as she got off the carriage, she withdrew her hand. Wearing uncomfortable shoes on her feet. However, this cannot be considered a disability.
She took steps with a clanking sound. A gait with strength rather than grace.
However, standing there was a beautiful noble woman dressed from head to toe.
His blistered hands are hidden beneath gloves, and the sword that always adorned his waist is nowhere to be found.
What is wrapped around the body is a soft and loose dress.
Charlotte, who lived her life as a prosecutor, is erased. He was unfamiliar with the man who did not hold a sword, but Charlotte recognized that he was also her.
Before she was Charlotte of the Swordsmanship Department at Greta Academy, she was the Grand Duchess of Rinosa.
She didn’t expect the duty to come in this way, but she accepted it without difficulty.
There was no dress among her clothes at Greta Academy, so she dressed up as soon as she joined Rinosa’s group.
“It’s been a while, sir.”
Several familiar faces were seen, including the dedicated maid. Charlotte couldn’t help but be surprised the next moment.
“I meet you, Grand Duchess.”
Among the personnel dispatched from Rinosa, surprisingly, was the Commander of the Black Wing Knights. Charlotte’s teacher, Alonso. The powerful eyes still did not change.
He greeted me in a grave tone.
“I’m glad to see you again. “Have you been safe so far?”
“How is the knight commander here?”
After Prince Linosa almost suffered an accident, security had become even tighter.
Even though the Archduke was in the extremely safe palace of Latona, the Black Wing Knight Commander always stayed by his side.
It is impossible for him to leave the Archduke’s side and come here without the Archduke’s permission.
“Since you don’t show your face at all, I have to visit everyone.”
“… … that.”
Charlotte made an embarrassed expression. I know that it is not my duty to my teacher.
But she never wanted to meet the people of Linosa.
Latona, in particular, brought back unbearable memories for her.
No matter how many years have passed and even if the victim has been revived, there was something that could not be forgiven. As a grand duchess and a prosecutor, her beliefs were unwavering. It’s something Charlotte can’t forgive, even if it’s her own parents.
Alonser slightly raised the corner of her mouth as if to lighten her heart.
“I know the situation. “I don’t mean to blame you, the Grand Duchess, so please take it into consideration.”
“Is it because of me that you came here? “Your Majesty the Grand Duke.”
Charlotte’s face showed concern. Alonso shook his head.
“As a housemaster, the Black Wing Knight Commander cannot visit the empire. “This is what His Majesty the Grand Duke wishes.”
“Your Majesty the Archduke?”
Charlotte opened her eyes wide. She soon realized what that meant.
The Black Wing Knights of Rinosa have a reputation that surpasses that of the Imperial Knights of the Empire.
The Black Wing Knight Commander is not only an excellent swordsman, but also Rinosa’s greatest force and the right-hand man of the Grand Duke of Rinosa. He adds that much weight is attached to a visit with him.
It had the meaning of reminding us that the Grand Duke valued Charlotte and that she was close to the line of succession to Rinosa.
Also, it is possible that this marriage may not take place.
Grand Duke Rinosa has not yet decided on a successor.
Because of what Michael had done, he had initially responded to the empire’s request, but had declared that this was merely a special envoy sent from Rinosa.
There is no reason for Charlotte to cover up Michael’s mistakes. However, if Charlotte faithfully fulfills her role as her ambassador, it will be her credit.
“His Majesty the Archduke does not wish for Her Majesty Charlotte to suffer any disadvantage because of this, against her will. That’s why he sent me to help you.”
“I see.”
Without even having to think about it, Charlotte saw through the Archduke’s true intentions as she had lived as an Archduchess all her life.
In other words, it also meant that Grand Duke Linosa did not lean towards Michael.
As the current Grand Duke of Rinosa, he is not happy about marrying a royal family member of the empire who may become Rinosa’s successor.
If Charlotte becomes Grand Duke of Rinosa, it could lead to interference in internal affairs.
Even if Charlotte completely leaves the succession structure, it is a problem. In any case, her association with the royal family could be problematic.
Except in one case.
‘If Michael finds out, he will be wary of me again.’
It doesn’t really matter anymore. Because he’s already completely turned his back on me.
Charlotte, out of her thoughts, stared straight ahead.
A maid sent by the emperor himself was greeting her.
“There is a place for you in the imperial palace. “You’ve come a long way, so take a break.”
Still, unlike Michael, who had made quite a few appearances at the imperial palace, this was Charlotte’s first visit to the imperial palace since she had visited it once as a child.
Suddenly, she felt eyes on her from above, but she did not turn around.
Anyone worth watching for her arrival would not be an ordinary person. We will meet officially anyway.
And it was just as Charlotte expected.
“What a great beauty. She has dignity and is worthy of a grand duchess. Unlike Michael, you look a lot like my father. Also, did you say he was an excellent swordsman? He is the head of the swordsmanship department at Greta Academy. “Just like Asuka.”
The Crown Prince, who was watching Grand Duchess Linosa through the window, muttered with his chin resting.
Although she was far away, she was clearly visible. Her black hair and black eyes.
He looks just like Helmut. If we put the three together, no one would be able to doubt the blood relationship between the Archduke, Helmut, and Charlotte.
The crown prince’s eyes were deeply colored with interest.
“Asuka has quite a keen eye.”
She was a beautiful woman. Cool yet delicate features stood out on snow-white skin.
Her black hair, neatly tied up, emphasized the elegant nape of her neck.
Correct and upright posture, those eyes that stare clearly at the other person.
It’s not unusual. Clear, yet not fragile elegance.
Even though I am a prosecutor, the Greta Academy training center is not a place where the sun beats down.
My hair and skin, which had become rough due to previous training, were easily cleaned up with careful care.
Aside from her unique aura, Charlotte seemed like a perfect and flawless noblewoman.
“Isn’t it a waste for him?”
The crown prince muttered. And he was surprised that what he said was in line with his true feelings.
He liked Charlotte. It wasn’t love at first sight, but enough to feel like it.
And that’s enough. Because he is the crown prince. It is natural to have an upper hand in competition with the likes of Asuka.
He could be confident of one fact.
‘There is no way the Grand Princess of Rinosa would have had Asuka in her heart.’
Asuka’s speaking style is extremely harsh. I heard that he even fought with nobles at the Greta Academy, pretending to be a commoner.
His appearance can be said to be worthy of royalty, but his temperament and behavior are more than enough to diminish his appearance.
Even at first glance, Grand Duchess Rinosa appears to have high eyesight.
No matter how much Asuka wooed him, there was no way she would have seen him as a man.
The crown prince muttered, conscious of the person standing next to him.
“It seems to me that Grand Duchess Rinosa is a woman worthy of the position of empress.”
A cool smile crossed his lips. Everyone was hissing, but it was clear that the crown prince was narrow-minded.
He never forgot what Asuka did in their last match. He pretended to be generous and said he would put in a good word for Grand Duchess Farnese and moved on, but that was not enough.
As the crown prince, it is natural for him to rule over his subjects.
Moreover, it goes without saying that it is fun to correct the habits of your cheeky and obnoxious cousin.
‘Well, it’s true that I like her.’
The crown prince raised the corners of his mouth and looked back at the other person with a gorgeous smile on his face.
“What do you think? “Uncle.”
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
Archduke Farnese looked at the crown prince with a rare expression of embarrassment.
He too was equally surprised to see Grand Duchess Rinosa.
I knew the extent of Charlotte’s impressionability from her portraits, but I thought she was glorified and did not expect her to be such a beautiful noblewoman.
Since I heard that she was the head of the swordsmanship department, I thought of a strong woman with more muscle and physique.
As he thought that it suited Asuka’s taste better, he was taken aback when a noble girl who, in his opinion, did not suit his son at all appeared.
Not only that, the crown prince likes her. This was a really big variable.
The crown prince asked in a light and calm tone.
“Archduke Farnese will stand on Asuka’s side if I compete with her for her, right?”
Archduke Farnese spent more time with the Crown Prince than with his own son, who had been separated from him since childhood and had always attended the Greta Academy.
The relationship between him and the crown prince was close. But that doesn’t mean he can take precedence over his own son.
Grand Princess Rinosa was a good means of keeping Asuka in the empire.
Archduke Farnese hid his agitation and responded indifferently.
“I guess the choice is hers.”
“So, are you saying that your uncle won’t mind if I approach Grand Duchess Rinosa?”
“… … “If you don’t block Asuka’s access, what objection will I have to your highness doing so?”
“great. “Then I believe you have given permission.”
The crown prince turned around after saying those words. A sigh formed on the lips of Archduke Farnese.
If the crown prince makes up his mind and steps forward, it will not be an easy fight for Asuka.
In any case, in terms of the ability of ‘class’, the difference between the crown prince and Asuka was incomparable.
Regardless of Charlotte’s will, who seemed to have no intention of choosing whether to be the Crown Prince or Asuka, her fate was thrown into the balance as soon as she set foot in the Imperial Palace.
