Chapter 64

Michael had never told anyone, but he secretly looked forward to spending time with Charlotte. It wasn’t official state business, nor was it the headache of politics.  

It was simply a moment of respite. The woman who had once handed him a notebook with cute footnotes was a brief escape from everything surrounding him. But now…  

“The newly contracted factory is in Saarbrue, a city right next to Hamern, so there shouldn’t be any issues with the coffee bean supply.”  

Charlotte’s somewhat curt report continued. She stood across the desk from Michael, who was seated in a chair near a window where warm sunlight streamed in. He was skimming through documents.  

The sunlight that filled the slightly dim office caused the silver embroidery on Charlotte’s honey-colored skirt to shimmer faintly. Yet, contrary to the soft atmosphere, her face remained devoid of any emotion, and her voice was flat and dry.  

“We’ll survey the preferences of palace officials while conducting interior renovations and structure the menu accordingly.”  

As Michael followed along with her report, his gaze rose. Holding a file of documents and a black fountain pen, Charlotte looked precariously fragile.  

A vague sense of discomfort stirred within Michael as he observed her.  

The woman who always used to smile wasn’t smiling anymore.  

The reason was obvious, even without asking. Michael’s voice carried a faint irritation as he spoke.  

“Viscountess Charlotte Lintz.”  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

“Did something happen with the Duke of Rosenheim?”  

Charlotte, who had expected more questions about the café project, abruptly fell silent. Her grip on the fountain pen tightened.  

“……”  

Seeing her wordless response, Michael sighed and leaned back in his chair. The chair creaked as it tilted.  

“There are many ears in the royal palace.”  

The fact that the Duke of Rosenheim and Viscountess Lintz had quarreled in an empty lounge had spread through the palace in no time.  

Although the lounge was soundproofed, making it impossible to know what had been said, several palace officials had witnessed the Duke grabbing Charlotte’s wrist and dragging her off as soon as she arrived at the palace.  

Moreover, when they emerged, Charlotte, tear-streaked, had come out first, followed much later by the Duke, his face frozen in a cold, expressionless mask.  

The Duke of Rosenheim, the most eligible bachelor in Rohadin and a target of many noble families with daughters of marriageable age, had met with his ex-wife. This alone had already set the social circles ablaze, but this incident was bound to become the talk of the entire palace.  

Michael spoke again.  

“Lovers’ quarrels are fine when passions run high, but time and place matter—”  

“We’ve broken up.”  

Charlotte cut him off sharply, her voice faintly tinged with weariness.  

Caught off guard by her unexpected words, Michael looked at her, startled, before slowly averting his gaze.  

“Hmm…”  

An awkward cough escaped him.  

Was it really an issue that necessitated a breakup? Judging by Charlotte’s expression, it didn’t seem like a simple argument. What about Erhen? The man had been a mess after their divorce; how would he handle this?  

Michael’s mind swirled with questions, but he didn’t feel like asking them.  

The fact that the Viscountess, who always smiled in front of him, wasn’t smiling now struck him more deeply than anything else.  

“…Are you alright?”  

“Pardon? Oh, yes. I’m fine.”  

Though her tone was calm, Charlotte’s emerald eyes shimmered faintly, betraying her.  

And that, for some reason, irritated him further.  

“You don’t have to lie to me.”  

“……”  

“I kept you in Hamern for my own selfish reasons. I can’t ask for more than that.”  

Charlotte hesitated, unable to answer. She seemed at a loss for words. Michael closed the file of documents she had been reporting on and pushed it aside.  

The gesture was clear.  

“That’s enough for today. Go and rest.”  

“But…”  

“Talking about palace officials’ welfare in that voice isn’t convincing.”  

His firm tone left no room for argument. Charlotte nodded slightly in acknowledgment.  

“I’m sorry.”  

And she was grateful for his consideration. Especially today, she truly wanted to be alone.  

Although she had managed to compose herself in the powder room with Lida’s help, redoing the makeup smudged by her tears, her legs still trembled, and thoughts of Erhen kept resurfacing.  

Above all, the searing pain in her heart was the worst.  

“Your Majesty, may I make one request?”  

Michael’s golden eyes turned toward her. He tilted his head slightly.  

“Go ahead.”  

“I ask for your permission to return to Heringen as soon as possible.”  

Just like when I divorced the Duke of Rosenheim.

She added silently as she bowed her head.  

Michael blinked slowly, watching her.  

“Is it because of the Duke of Rosenheim?”  

Charlotte didn’t answer. She simply kept her gaze lowered, waiting for Michael’s permission. His brows furrowed.  

So, even now, it was for the same reason as before?  

Michael spoke softly, almost to himself.  

“…I’ll see what I can do.”  

His voice sounded fractured as it echoed in the air. But Charlotte didn’t seem to notice; she bowed her head once more in gratitude.  

“Thank you. Then, I’ll take my leave.”  

With a brief farewell, Charlotte disappeared beyond the open door.  

The Duke of Rosenheim and Viscountess Lintz had parted ways.  

He should be thinking about comforting Erhen, who was practically like a younger brother to him, but instead, Michael couldn’t understand the faint ripples spreading through his heart.  

Michael covered his face with his hands. The dry warmth of his palms conveyed a clear message.  

This was dangerous. These feelings had to be denied at all costs.  

***

Tsk.

With a chilling scraping sound, Mrs. Martha’s head turned to the side. Her cheek, struck so forcefully, instantly flushed red, and the hand that delivered the blow stung sharply. The maids and attendants, wearing stunned expressions, hovered anxiously around Giselle and Mrs. Martha, unsure of what to do.

Giselle alternated her gaze between her own palm, which had struck, and Mrs. Martha with an ambiguous expression. Mrs. Martha bowed her head again before Giselle.

“Why did you do it, Martha?”

“It was His Majesty’s command.”

Giselle’s eyes darkened as she stared at Martha. Her eyes, usually radiant like rubies, flickered blood-red today.

“Petra was a maid I cherished. Martha, you of all people should know that. Shouldn’t you have at least informed me first?”

“…It was His Majesty’s command.”

Despite Giselle’s demand for an explanation, Mrs. Martha kept repeating the same words. Giselle bit her lip. 

Was it a mistake to bring Malena to the funeral previously? 

But there had been a reason. She had thought that if she didn’t take Malena, who often stayed close under the pretext of massages, as her attendant during outings, it would only raise more suspicion. 

Yet, despite her efforts to avoid the watchful eyes of Kaiserliche, who were likely searching for Kopenbach’s agents outside, Malena had been captured after being brought into the palace. And there was an even greater betrayal.

Michael had placed a spy in her palace.

“Since when were you one of my brother’s people?”

The betrayal she felt toward Michael caused Giselle’s cheeks to flush red. On the surface, he acted as though he was taking care of his young, delicate sister, but in the end, Michael clearly regarded her as Rufus’s daughter and kept her at arm’s length. Just like the Duke of Rosenheim.

Mrs. Martha’s calm words continued, unaffected by Giselle’s piercing glare.

“All those in the royal palace belong to His Majesty, Your Highness.”

“Are you mocking me right now?”

Giselle retorted sharply. The usual gentle and endearing demeanor of the princess was nowhere to be seen. Her entire body was tense, and she scrutinized Mrs. Martha with a sharp gaze. No one dared to intervene. Even the noble-born ladies-in-waiting, who had the standing to address Giselle freely, exchanged troubled glances and held their breath, unsure of what to do.

“Since when have you sided with my brother to spy on me?”

Mrs. Martha remained silent. Giselle stared at her intently before ultimately suppressing her emotions. Hearing that Malena had been taken to Michael, her momentary anger had driven her to slap Mrs. Martha, but any further outburst would only destroy the reputation she had painstakingly built.

Although red eyes weren’t particularly rare, she had to be cautious. Excessive cruelty would inevitably remind people of the tyrant Rufus. Many already looked at her, a royal ascendant, and thought of Rufus. That was why she had been so careful, so restrained in her actions.

“No, it’s my fault for questioning you, Martha.”

Her voice, now cold and composed, resonated clearly.

“There’s someone else I should be asking.”

Giselle turned away. For now, she needed to figure out how much Michael knew and prioritize meeting Malena.