Chapter 5
A hidden hostility was mixed beneath Harrison’s gentle smile.
“Why are you so silent? That’s not like you.”
Charlotte let out a rough breath.
Why do I always meet men who feel just as crazy as Charlotte herself?
She frowned slightly. Harrison smiled brightly at her reaction.
“Charlotte. Thank you for organizing such a terrible party.”
He was Harrison Lise Ibikni, Emperor of the Ibikni Empire—also known as a tyrant.
He was one of the male leads, and the one who hated Charlotte the most.
“Your Majesty.”
Charlotte decided to try speaking carefully.
Harrison raised his eyebrows, telling her to continue.
“I never drove my dear sister out. I don’t understand what you are talking about.”
Charlotte gave a fake, evil-looking smile. She had to act—she needed to escape this situation.
I need to get out of here and run away.
She tilted her head as if she knew nothing.
“You are still the same.”
“I do not change, Your Majesty. In fact, you used to call her ‘our Charlotte’ so kindly… I am worried you may have gone mad.”
Harrison laughed softly and pointed at his cheek.
“My cheek still hurts from being hit by ‘our Charlotte.’ You were the only one who ever hit me, you know. Maybe I went crazy because of that.”
It sounded like he was demanding an apology for that slap.
But Charlotte did not feel pressured.
Just a moment ago, she had been shocked by his sudden appearance. Now it was different.
Her goal was escape.
She needed to leave this world and avoid her death.
She had to change the story.
“I will say it again. I never drove Tia away. She just ran away like a mischievous child. I did not force her out. Please correct what you said, Your Majesty.”
“Oh? She ran away? Interesting. Then shouldn’t the older sister go find her?”
“My brothers are there. I don’t need to do it.”
“You say you didn’t drive her away. Then go find her.”
Harrison was clearly provoking her.
I need to end this conversation. At this rate, I’ll die in less than a year, not even three.
Charlotte looked around quickly.
Then she suddenly plucked a flower beside her and placed it behind Harrison’s ear.
“Oh my, Your Majesty looks so beautiful. Now that you have a flower, I think my business here is done.”
Harrison froze.
“A flower…? My ear?”
He let go of her hair and touched the flower.
“….”
“Or I should just leave first.”
Charlotte quickly stood up and walked toward the exit.
Before leaving, she turned slightly and whispered:
“The flower suits you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now.”
Tap. Tap.
Her footsteps echoed lightly in the dark garden.
Left alone, Harrison pushed his hair back and frowned.
“Our Charlotte has really grown up.”
But his silver-gray eyes were cold and dangerous.
Outside the Garden
Charlotte looked nervous as she left.
She was afraid of the tyrant’s revenge—and also of her two brothers waiting for her.
Stay calm. Act confident.
Charlotte Levesque was supposed to be shameless.
She straightened her shoulders and walked like a noble lady.
She looked almost angelic—but inside, she was still the villain everyone hated.
Her steps became heavy as she walked toward the mansion.
Charlotte Levesque was a character everyone hated and loved at the same time.
She was a villain made only to highlight the heroine.
She had no one on her side.
Only one person had ever cared for her—the late Duchess.
After the Duchess died, Charlotte’s mental condition collapsed.
She suffered panic attacks and depression.
(That was why she often fainted in front of the male leads in the game.)
Because of her illness, her body became weak. That’s why she was always given thin porridge.
Charlotte looked down at her thin arms.
Am I going to starve to death like this?
I should eat properly…
Her body was too fragile.
She stopped walking.
Someone was waiting for her.
Jeremy stood at the mansion entrance, arms crossed, looking furious.
“CHARLOTTE!!”
“…Brother Jeremy?”
Jeremy shouted loudly the moment he saw her.
“Do you know how long I looked for you?! Say something! Even if you have a mouth, at least explain!”
“I already said I would be sick tomorrow.”
“Do you think that’s an excuse? Because of you, Tia’s birthday party was ruined!”
He sighed and crossed his arms.
“This wasn’t even your party. It was Tia’s.”
The real reason the party failed was because Tia ran away. Not Charlotte.
But Jeremy refused to see it that way.
“You’re unbelievable. Ever since you came here, this family has never been peaceful. Every time we talk to you, even Eugene or I get angry. You’re annoying.”
“Then I’ll leave this family.”
“You’re still saying that nonsense? You think we’ll just let you go? Because of Mother’s will, you can never leave. You will stay here forever and be our shame.”
“Why? I only bring shame to this family.”
“It’s already ruined. There’s nothing left to damage.”
Jeremy had always thought arguing with her was useless.
But he still couldn’t understand her at all.
