chapter 5
5 – 5 – Mr. Hang never gives up.
A top strategist of the Ephoricia Kingdom.
First of Mr. Hang in Ephoricia.
From a young age, she was exceptional.
At the age of 8, she mastered royal and political sciences and showed her mettle in intermediate affairs and conflicts.
From that young age, she demonstrated a talent that made the term ‘genius’ seem inadequate.
Naturally.
Like the Queen of the Kingdom, all royal and noble families, high officials had high expectations of her.
And the expectations didn’t just end, they continued as an overwhelming burden.
Mr. Hang looks beautiful today as well!
As expected, Mr. Hang even understands such subtle nuances!
You answer brilliantly! The future of the kingdom is bright!
If she continued to speak naturally, it would be more of a nuisance than a compliment to hear.
No matter how well she did, those who easily open their mouths were too disgusting to look at.
The goal was too obvious.”
The moment she ascended to the throne, it was blatantly obvious that she was acting out of a desire for something to fall into place. What was most disgusting was the fawning.
“Your Highness~♡ Can you spare a moment~?”
“Your Majesty! I am always ready~!”
Despite Charlotte’s young age, there were those who, intent on securing a position as either her consort or at least her concubine, shamelessly threw themselves at her in outfits that exposed too much skin. Dresses with high slits or plunging necklines, and even men light enough in manner to approach her bare-chested. The number of such men was overwhelming.
The age of these men attempting to appeal to her also drove her to the brink – from the deranged nobles who flaunted their yet-to-be-born progeny as assets, to those older than her own mother, all trying somehow to tempt her.
Perhaps this was because, from a young age, Charlotte had only seen men with such sinister intentions. With the exception of her father and brothers, she felt no affection for any man.
For the future of the Empire, she would eventually have to take a consort. But could she truly ever love a man?
Princess Charlotte.
Reluctantly, for the sake of her own lineage, she could only envision a hollow future, one where she would have to spend her nights with a man.
But after that day, she began to envision a different future.
The Frigid Duchy from the north, with power rivaling that of the imperial household.
For the future of the Empire and to maintain a good relationship between the imperial family and the duchy, the Emperor’s family – who would usually not leave the palace unless for special reasons – attended Lilith Frigid’s 10th birthday party.
Charlotte, who already detested parties, wasn’t thrilled with this event from the start. It was just politics, after all. While her mother, the Empress, and the Duke Frigid seemed to be on fairly good terms, Charlotte did not have a particularly good relationship with the duke’s eldest daughter.
For some unknown reason, Charlotte had intended to treat Liris cordially from their first meeting. She had even tried to lead the conversation, bringing up various topics first. And so, they had been conversing in a friendly atmosphere. But then,
“What has happened to the siblings of the princess? I have siblings myself…”
“There is no need for you to know.”
“Pardon?”
“Do not ask again, and do not try to find out.”
“But…”
“You are being unpleasant, Your Highness.”
The moment the topic of siblings was broached, Liris, the eldest daughter of the Prisid family, dramatically changed her demeanor. She exhibited her displeasure openly without trying to hide it from the princess, causing Charlotte to turn pale.
Despite being from the royal family, Charlotte was deeply troubled by Liris’s abrupt change in demeanor. She wondered if she had said something wrong or missed something important.
But no matter how long Charlotte pondered on it, she could not find a logical explanation.
After all, she had merely asked about her siblings.
Ever since that disastrous first meeting, the relationship between Charlotte and Liris had become progressively worse. Charlotte couldn’t comprehend why the eldest daughter of the Prisid family was behaving so hostile towards her.
The answer.
I found out on the day I attended the awkward 10th birthday party of Lirys.
Even that day at the party, unsavory men flocked around Charlotte.
No, the star of today’s party was Lirys, the eldest daughter of the Prigeda Dukedom.
Someone like her should have prey of her own level, no?
But at the party, the sons and daughters of many families, especially the male ones, all congregated around Charlotte.
Unable to understand this, her gaze had to naturally seek out Lirys.
She wasn’t in the center hall of the party.
Looking around, she finally found Lirys in a secluded corner.
But she wasn’t alone.
Ed! Ahh~♡
I can eat alone!
Ah, don’t say that~♡
Ah!! Enough!!
Lirys was there with a boy who was cute and pretty.
Despite Charlotte’s instinctual aversion to men, the boy next to Lirys had a face so appealing it made her unintentionally like him.
Was it because of this?
Hoho.. Happy birthday, princess..
Ah. Yes.
And it’s nice to see you as well, princess.. Ah!!
If you’re done, why don’t you leave?
Yes.. Yes!!
Many girls tried to strike up a conversation with the handsome boy under the guise of congratulating Lirys on her birthday.
But all of them were chased away by the fierce gaze of Lirys.
Upon seeing this, the princess couldn’t help but grow curious. At the time, she hadn’t received an answer from the noblewoman. Why had she been so serious and refused to teach her? Driven by such questions and after some inquiry, she learned that the noblewoman had a younger brother. What sort of brother was he that merely asking about him had sparked such anger? But now, seeing the situation for herself, she couldn’t fail to understand the reason. This was a severe case of brother complex.
Charlotte, who had never held much affection for Lilith, went to where the siblings were with mixed feelings—half to tease the noblewoman and half out of curiosity. “Happy birthday, noblewoman.”
“The princess? Ha-ha… Thank you?”
“You and your brother seem to have a good relationship.”
…..
Seeing Lilith flustered and silent, the princess felt gratified, half of her objective achieved. Now for the next step.
“Hello. I am Princess Charlotte.”
She, the princess herself, took the initiative to greet the boy. How would he react? Any citizen of the empire would have no choice but to lower their stance because of the princess’s reputation and beauty.
“Moreover, this boy was born exceptionally handsome.
He used this to his advantage, not letting himself be underestimated.
That’s what he expected.
But then.
Ah. Yes. It’s Edward Freezeged.
Mr. Hang, have you become one now? Ed, ah~♡
Ah! Wait!!
……
The return answer was simple.
Ending with revealing his name.
Is that really the end?
The boy’s attention was just a nuisance to Liris, who was tired of dealing with him.
As a man, he always just bothered her, never thinking of letting himself go, always just floating around in her periphery.
It was strange.
Mr. Hang felt an indescribable emotion.
Mr. Hang, will you now leave me alone?
Sir! Why does the horse behave like that to Mr. Hang?
I’m sorry. Mr. Hang, my horse is too…
Ah, Mr. Hang, don’t get upset!
Ah, wait!! Offer an apology to Mr. Hang!
Are you taking my side..?
Not a graceless noble..?
Mr. Hang, I’m sorry.
My horse is too mischievous…
Mischievous…?”
Are you enjoying the party more than that?
“Hey, Ed!”
Ignoring Lilith’s words, he finally spoke to her.
The feeling of disappointment disappeared.
“No, disappointed?..”
I should’ve greeted you first.. I apologize.
Thank you for attending my sister’s birthday party.
Well, I’m not really grateful!
Oh.
So that’s what it is.
Obviously, you can’t be indifferent to me.
Now, leave the princess alone and come to Ed~♡
Oh!! I’m sorry, Princess. I should go now.
“Ed!!”
To escape from Lilith who keeps clinging to him, the boy gets up and starts to run away.
Having seen this, Charlotte could only fix her gaze on the boy.
Somehow, she couldn’t clearly know the reason.
Is it because it’s regretful.. Regretful?..
That moment.
She heard a voice calling her.
“Your Highness.”
“?”
The owner of the voice was Lilith.
There were absolutely no signs of her acting cute towards her younger brother just a moment ago.
Lilith was just looking at Charlotte with a chilling hostile gaze.
I distinctly remember telling you not to pry into my business.
What do you mean?
Don’t show interest in Ed!
Excuse me..?
Has the princess really gone mad.
From the first meeting, there was no trace of the way she treated her like a princess the moment she began to inquire about her siblings.
Well then, I’ll be off.
Wait, wait!
Ed~~♡
Before Charlotte could utter a word, Liris was off chasing her younger brother.
Crazy woman.
There was no way I could refrain from swearing.
I wondered if they had a split personality.
If you look at how she deals with others versus her chasing her younger brother, who would think they’re the same person.
I can’t imagine how hard it is for a younger brother to have such a sister.
Oh.. poor Ed.
This was the first time I had felt such emotions for a man.
Perhaps this is love.
At this party she so vehemently didn’t want to attend, Charlotte had met her future husband.
But, the future husband was…
Suffering under a bratty princess with a clear case of brother complex she literally spewed, bowl after bowl of soup.
“I will save you!”
And then,
As soon as Charlotte returned to the royal palace, she requested the Emperor, her mother, to proceed with the arranged marriage with Frijheid.
.
.
.
“Ah, Lelis… I knew you would come back like this again this year.”
Due to Lelis’s evil deeds over the years, poor Edward couldn’t continue his debut, a dream every man has.
So, for him who was turning twenty this time, she intended to ask her mother to attend under the royal command.
But now in Charlotte’s hands,
This year, Edward, the second son of the Frijheid Duke, seems to be unable to attend due to poor health.
He expresses regret for not being able to respond to the royal summons.
All she had was a letter stating the aforementioned.
“I wonder if you will avoid it this time too, Lelis. Ah…”
“Princess… my daughter… what are you muttering about all the time…”
There was someone calling for Charlotte, who was laughing and talking to herself.
“Your Majesty! No, Mother!! How about changing the venue for the royal debut this year?”
“Huh? Then isn’t it not a royal debut…?”
“If the royal family hosts it, then it’s a royal debut!”
“What are you saying…”
“Mother! I beg you!”
“Haa..”
‘Wait for me, Edward!’
If he had seen this situation, he would have fallen backward on the spot.
Of course, the news that the royal debutante ball would be held at the Grand Duke of Frigid’s estate, a ball he didn’t even want to attend, would be hellish news to him. Yet, Charlotte, who firmly believed that Edward wouldn’t act thus, sparked a resolve within her. “Dear Edward! I will never give up!” For her beloved one, the princess will never give up.