Chapter 8
I didn’t know what to do, so I just kept staring through the crack of the door.
They were completely absorbed in their secret moment, clueless that someone was watching.
“Your Highness, truly… happy birthday.”
Charlotte’s voice was soft and sweet as she wished him well.
The Crown Prince smiled in satisfaction.
“Is that so? It’s almost tragic that such an important national day gets overshadowed by my birthday every year.”
“Your Highness is always so considerate. But… what national day are you talking about?”
“Well, the day I first met you, of course. Hahaha!”
Charlotte giggled joyfully and lightly hit his arm.
“It makes me really happy… It feels like Your Highness sees me as someone precious.”
“You silly girl. How many times must I tell you? You’re my irreplaceable treasure. What do I have to say for you to finally believe me?”
Wow… they’re seriously in love. If you play as Charlotte, he must be the main male lead.
Whatever vows of love they exchanged, I wasn’t invested.
Even if I somehow “conquered” the Crown Prince, the game would instantly end—Game Over.
No matter how beautiful he looked, he was still an unattainable fruit. No touching.
Then Charlotte said something that made me blink.
“It’s not that I don’t believe Your Highness. It’s just that… I have nothing. There are so many beautiful ladies from powerful families in the empire… like Lady Schweiden, for example.”
…Huh?
Hearing Angela’s name made me lean closer.
So Charlotte is conscious of Angela? Unexpected.
Of course she would’ve heard gossip.
ShashaMo treated Angela like the ultimate enemy.
Even if she didn’t approve of it, she’d naturally be aware.
Still, this was a game world.
Characters usually act simpler and less realistic.
I had always assumed the pure, gentle heroine Charlotte was portrayed as an innocent angel with no worldly concerns…
… Wow. My writer instincts are outdated. I should never write scripts.
The Crown Prince reacted explosively.
“What nonsense is this, Charlotte! Who was the idiot who put that idea in your head? There’s not a single woman in the empire—no, in the entire world—whose beauty can compare to yours! And who cares about noble family prestige in this day and age?!”
He suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
Charlotte stiffened in surprise as he whispered:
“If you’re still anxious… I’ll increase the subsidies for House Hannov. And if you need anything else, tell me.”
“Y-Your Highness…”
Her blue eyes trembled, then softened. She slowly wrapped her arms around him.
“Thank you… I didn’t prepare anything for your birthday…”
“You being here is already a gift to me.”
“…”
Bored, I stepped away from the door.
Besides, the Crown Prince looked like he was about to leave anyway.
“Then I’ll be going. Dance the first dance with me later, Charlotte.”
“Yes! If possible, I’d love to!”
“Good. See you at the banquet.”
Footsteps approached.
I quickly hid behind a column, out of sight, and watched him leave the lounge.
Huh. The Crown Prince wasn’t among ShashaMo members… interesting.
If the fan club knew Charlotte was dating him, chaos would follow.
For the sake of world peace (and my safety), I decided to take this secret to the grave.
But then—
“Lady Sera Arnstadt.”
I flinched.
That voice came from just beyond the column.
Charlotte.
“What are you doing over there? Why not come out?”
“…Huh?”
Her voice was as sweet as when she spoke to the Crown Prince, but something felt… off.
Still, no way I was going to panic and confess.
“Oh my gosh! I thought it was you, Lady Charlotte! What a lovely coincidence! I’m so happy to see you!”
“…”
Pretending to be a lucky fan who ran into her idol, I clasped my hands together and stepped out.
Even I had to admit: my acting was Oscar-worthy.
“Oh my, your dress—!”
“My dress?”
While staring at Charlotte in awe, I suddenly pointed at her hem.
Her suspicious gaze immediately dropped toward her outfit.
“That pink dress you’re wearing today—like a fully bloomed cherry blossom! It makes your loveliness shine even more! You’re just too beautiful!”
“…You suddenly say such things…”
The suspicion in her eyes faded a little.
It was a reckless compliment, but thankfully effective.
“Seriously, you’re so pretty… This is national-treasure-level beauty.”
“Hahaha… I have something to ask you, Lady Sera.”
Charlotte leaned closer, making me pause.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“Why do you flatter me so much? At first I thought you were just faking it to deal with being caught watching us just now… But this started long before. What exactly is your goal?”
… She nailed it.
Sure, just now I looked guilty because I was guilty.
But to think she’d been suspicious since the ShashaMo sign-up…
Even Angela—the “villainess”—hadn’t caught on.
Yet Charlotte did.
Impressive.
Still, that didn’t matter.
“What goal, Lady Charlotte…? I genuinely adore you. Was my sincerity not enough?”
I put on my best “hurt and wounded fan” expression.
No one could prove I was lying.
Intentions were just thoughts.
And no one could read my mind.
“Hmm…”
Charlotte folded her arms, studying me.
After a long silence, she finally sighed.
“I suppose I misunderstood. I’ve been overwhelmed these days and must have imagined it. I apologize, Lady Sera.”
“Not at all! I’m happier instead—who knew Lady Charlotte cared so much about me! Ah… I could die happy right now.”
I added a dramatic flourish for good measure.
Charlotte smiled softly.
When she smiled like that, she really was beautiful.
“But this isn’t my imagination or misunderstanding…”
She stepped forward.
The lovely blue eyes I once admired now felt deep and dark—like the ocean at night.
“You’re a possessor wearing the skin of ‘Sera Arnstadt,’ aren’t you?”
“…!”
My heart dropped straight to my toes.
