#401
◈
401
“I am… … .”
Helmut became like this and left Linosa, deeply disappointed with the actions of the Archduchess and Michael.
Even though her actions seemed wrong, she had her reasons for doing so.
As Charlotte trailed off, the Archduke spoke again.
“You are the Grand Duchess of Rinosa. And also my daughter Charlotte. “When I left Linosa and attended Greta Academy, I thought that one day you would experience chaos.”
Charlotte’s thoughts on what is right as a prosecutor cannot always be the same as what she thinks is right as the Grand Duchess of Linosa.
However, if a situation arises where her two identities collide and no compromise can occur for her, who is stubborn and upright.
It was something that may or may not happen.
Charlotte had never imagined such a situation.
But when the situation arose, I just knew. Since she has always walked a flawless path, what needs to be done to correct the deviation.
I was also determined. She said that when she made her wrong choice, she would pay for it.
“You need a strong will to not lose your balance and to move forward on the path you believe is right. Also, it’s worth the effort.”
A heavy, downcast voice knocked on her.
“Charlotte. You did a great job. Good work.”
It was not simply a compliment for successfully conducting this comprehensive martial arts event.
Grand Duke Rinosa acknowledges that her choice and the path she believed to be right were not wrong. As a father, no, as the monarch of Rinosa.
Charlotte blinked slowly.
I don’t think anyone has done anything worthy of praise.
It was natural. As a human being, a swordsman, Charlotte, and a member of Rinosa.
She alone had to bear the responsibility that no one else in the Grand Duchy of Rinosa had committed.
But those words made my heart so warm.
My eyes heated up. Charlotte had to grit her teeth to keep from bursting into tears.
Grand Duke Rinosa, you cannot cry like a child in front of your monarch. Because she is an adult and a prosecutor.
Also, Grand Duke Rinosa was clearly conveying the message. Her belief in him was not wrong.
Although Renosa can be protected through injustice and betrayal, her honor cannot be preserved.
Charlotte remembered Linosa’s honor falling to the ground, and it was unbearably painful.
And the Archduke certainly felt the same way, no less than she did. When she realized that, her heart sank.
After moistening her dry mouth, Charlotte opened her mouth.
“… … “What do you plan to do, His Majesty the Grand Duke?”
The Archduke was silent. His eyes were as black as the abyss. Like Helmut, and another.
It cannot be said that he went through more hardships than Helmut, but the hardships he went through and the agony he endured were not those of a criminal, nor were they light.
The monarch’s eyes contain immeasurable depth. He was the one carrying Grandmaster Lee on his two shoulders.
He said something else.
“Michael… … . He did not join the martial arts gathering.”
This was not what the Archduke had intended. Michael is just experiencing the same problems he always had.
The cause that caused him to lie down in a hospital bed was none other than his own mind. Her weak body could not withstand Charlotte’s shining moments.
Michael could not bear the picture of Charlotte and the Crown Prince standing side by side, representing the two countries, while the martial arts festival was going on successfully.
Deep-rooted jealousy and inferiority complex towards Charlotte. Wary of his only competitor who can take away everything he has in an instant.
For him, who was tied up in Rinosa without being able to do anything, his mind became poisonous.
“It would be better if you didn’t come.”
After all, he wouldn’t be able to just smile the moment Charlotte greets him as the host of the martial arts conference.
Charlotte tilted her head and asked.
“Wasn’t Her Highness the Grand Duchess with us?”
It is an important occasion where the emperor and the Grand Duke of Linosa meet face to face.
If the pain had been tolerable, Michael would have tried to attend, but the fact that he did not attend meant that it was not tolerable.
A mother who cared for Michael would want to stay in Linosa to nurse him.
The fact that the Archduke came to see him alone may have meant that his mother did not come.
But the Archduke shook his head.
“Your mother said she wanted to tour the martial arts hall. Alonso is following her.”
Charlotte’s expression changed subtly. Magritte was a quiet noblewoman. He prefers not to be left out and wander around in unfamiliar places.
‘Perhaps you know something?’
Could it be that she knew about Helmut? She would never hope for Helmut to come back alive.
If she knew of Helmut’s existence, she could ruin his plans.
However, despite Charlotte’s suspicious gaze, the Grand Duke of Linosa had a calm expression.
“There will be dinner soon. “Alonso is with us, so he’ll be back by then.”
“okay.”
Just as Charlotte was sighing in relief, the Archduke’s gaze shifted to her.
“So, how was it?”
“yes?”
“The crown prince. “I don’t care which one you choose, him or Archduchess Farnese.”
It was a random thing.
“… … “Didn’t you say that you don’t have to decide right away when it comes to marriage talks?”
The moment he saw his daughter growing up beautifully, Grand Duke Linosa immediately understood why the emperor was so active in marriage talks.
Since ancient times, there have been no ugly men or ugly women in Rinosa’s blood. Charlotte was the greatest achievement of Linosa’s bloodline.
She is not only beautiful, but also smart, kind-hearted, good with a sword, and dignified, and she is the Grand Princess of Rinosa.
‘It’s not just because you see it through your father’s eyes, but the position of empress is also full.’
Grand Duke Rinosa thought objectively. Even from Charlotte’s point of view, men of a status suitable for her were rare.
When the question of marriage comes up, especially if it is the best partner, it is right to consider it positively.
Grand Duke Rinosa had no intention of lowering his eyes.
If Asuka had become a commoner with Charlotte, the Grand Duke of Rinosa would not have left him alone.
The Archduke asked vaguely.
“Weren’t you stuck with the crown prince the whole time? “It’s enough to make you feel affectionate.”
Charlotte blinked. Each person was stuck with a pile of documents.
We saw each other almost every day, but most of our conversations were about the martial arts club.
“This is Your Highness the Crown Prince. It is true that I have become a little familiar with him, but I have no other feelings toward him.”
Charlotte struck the iron wall like a sword. Unlike Asuka, the Crown Prince was a powerful figure who could twist Charlotte’s life even if she did not want it.
Charlotte never forgot it. It may be an unfortunate fact for the Crown Prince, who has been trying to sneakily approach Charlotte.
The Archduke looked at her expression and immediately asked.
“okay? So what about the other side? Did you say that Archduchess Farnese graduated from the same academy? A senior in the swordsmanship department? He must have been with him longer.”
Charlotte felt that the Archduke was showing his personal curiosity rather than as the Archduke of Linosa.
It was strange and awkward to see the Archduke behave like that.
Grand Duke Rinosa would also like to interfere with his daughter’s love affairs.
The only problem is that it felt uncomfortable from Charlotte’s perspective.
She spoke with a straight face.
“Your Highness, the finals are approaching. “You can say that later.”
Charlotte dismissed her marriage talks as trivial, saying she had no time to worry about such things.
Unfortunately, Grand Duke Rinosa had no choice but to swallow his curiosity.
*
Grand Duchess of Linosa, Marguerite, was walking wearing a shawl. He said he wanted to take a look around Chairman Mutu, but in reality, he just wanted to soothe her worries by taking a walk.
‘I wonder if Michael will be okay.’
It wasn’t that I wasn’t worried about the sickly son I left behind in Linosa.
However, she chose to accompany the Grand Duke to this martial arts venue.
This is because I thought that if a problem arose due to the entanglement between Rinosa and the temple, she was not without responsibility.
By showing up to strengthen friendship with the Empire, she had to show that she agreed with Prince Rinosa’s wishes and was not biased towards temples.
Even if the conflict between the temple and the empire intensifies, Magritte will conduct herself as the Grand Duchess of Linosa, regardless of her religious beliefs.
‘It’s somehow frustrating.’
Magritte sighed. These days, he keeps falling into anguish. She had balance, but her balance was different from Charlotte’s.
As Grand Duchess of Rinosa, as a follower of Lumen, and as a mother.
But these days, Magritte felt that the role he believed he had faithfully fulfilled for decades was not being fulfilled.
It feels like something is off somewhere, not clearly.
The Archduke neither blamed her nor asked her to do anything. Acting after observing the Archduke’s intentions was something Magritte was used to.
A couple who gets along well like water. However, sometimes a faint wall was felt in the Archduke.
From some point on. maybe… … From the moment the Archduke died and came back to life.
‘I don’t regret what happened back then.’
Marguerite tightly clenched his fists.
Suddenly she looked around as if checking where she was.
The martial arts venue where the finals would be held was quiet. Following the Grand Duchy of Linosa, the emperor of the empire will also visit here. Because of this, the martial arts venue was completely controlled under tight security.
Marguerite asked Alonso, the commander of the Black Wing Knights, who was following her behind.
“Who are the candidates for the championship?”
“They are not known. “I’m not a knight, so you won’t recognize my name even if you hear it.”
Magritte was not aware of what the Archduke of Linosa had discovered. One of the two was a paladin dispatched from the temple.
Then a man came straight towards them from the other side. Alonso, with his eyes narrowed as if on guard, stood in front of Magritte.
“The author is a participant named Servant who will be competing in the finals.”
Strangely enough, the moment he saw him, Magritte could vaguely guess his identity.
Even though I have never seen it or heard of it.
‘Do you belong to the temple?’
The man bowed his head politely to Marguerite.
“I am meeting your Royal Highness, the Grand Duchess of Rinosa.” Her tone was full of confidence. Rather than guessing from Alonso, he knew exactly who she was and approached her.
