Chapter : 12
“So… in other words, Duke Eduart wants to arrange a marriage with you. And you don’t want it.”
“That’s right. And help me make sure Father never hears about it.”
Charlotte nodded lightly in agreement.
However, the black-haired man sitting across from her, Quincy, merely wore an unreadable expression.
Both of them, seated face to face, looked so cold it was as if they had been cast from the same mold.
If anything, Charlotte seemed slightly more uncomfortable.
I really didn’t want to have to ask Quincy for help.
Quincy Noha.
The heir apparent of Noha and Dominic’s only legitimate son.
And the half-brother whom Charlotte cherished more than anyone.
In every memory Charlotte had, the seat to Dominic’s right at the dining table had always belonged to Quincy.
Considering that it took Charlotte more than ten years to move from the far end of the table to the seat immediately to Dominic’s left, it was rather astonishing.
Of course, part of that was because Quincy was Dominic’s only legitimate heir and his eldest son.
But in Noha, rank was not decided merely by age or status.
So the reason Quincy never lost the seat at Dominic’s right was simple.
Because he was the most outstanding offspring of Noha.
No matter how many children Dominic brought in from his mistresses, none suited Noha as well as Quincy did.
His brilliance, his cunning, his ruthlessness—
Even his blind devotion to Noha.
People in society often described Charlotte with the same words—cunning and ruthless—but Charlotte herself knew the truth.
Everything I am came from Quincy.
The reason was simple.
Because Quincy himself cherished Charlotte terribly.
It was something that didn’t suit a family that regarded ruthlessness as a virtue, yet who could say anything about it?
After all, out of all of Dominic’s countless children, the only ones left in Noha were Quincy and Charlotte.
Quincy always said this to Charlotte:
—Don’t try to mingle with others, Charlotte. The only people who can understand us are ourselves.
—If you give your heart to those who aren’t Noha, they’ll only look down on us and betray us. But we’re different, Charlotte. We never need to betray each other. We’re family.
—I’m the only one who will truly cherish you.
Words that were like a sweet set of chains.
If Alfonso hadn’t died, I probably would still believe those words.
She would still consider Quincy her only blood relative and the one person who understood her.
But now Charlotte knew as well.
Quincy and I are different.
There was a gap between them that could never be bridged.
Which meant Quincy’s words had only ever been deception.
Because if Quincy had truly cherished her the way he claimed…
Alfonso wouldn’t have died.
No… to be precise, he probably did cherish me.
When Dominic ordered Charlotte to marry Alfonso, Quincy had been the only one who protested.
In most situations, Quincy stood on Charlotte’s side.
Except for one.
When it benefited the family.
Just as expected.
Quincy’s green eyes—so similar to Charlotte’s own—held a troubled glimmer.
“Charlotte. Do you even realize what you’re saying? A marriage with Duke Eduart is something Noha needs. And you were the one who agreed to it.”
“You know I didn’t say that because I wanted to. I planned to sabotage it a little and then step away.”
“And when your little scheme stopped working, you came to beg me for help. Char.”
Quincy lowered his eyes and pressed his temple.
“I’m quite sure I told you I don’t like this kind of childishness… I doubt you’ve forgotten already.”
“…Quincy. Do you really want your only sister to marry someone she doesn’t want?”
“Marriage isn’t such a big deal. If you truly dislike the match, we can simply find you a place for remarriage.”
“You mean kill my husband and remarry?”
“That would be the simplest way.”
Yes.
This was the point where their interests could never meet.
Charlotte laughed lightly, as if she had just heard a pleasant joke.
“Then I suppose I’ll go from being called a villainess to being called a husband-killer.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Quincy said with a gentle smile.
“The pointing fingers of insects.”
“You have me. And you have Noha.”
“…Yes. That’s right.”
You always said that.
I believed those words were everything.
And because I believed them, I had to witness my own family killing the man I loved.
How ridiculous.
She remembered the first time she told Quincy she didn’t want to obey the family’s orders.
—Quincy. Do I really have to do this? You know there was a theft at that salon. Everyone thinks I’m the culprit. Because I’m a villainess. If I don’t withdraw now, everyone will think it’s true—
—Are you throwing a tantrum right now, Charlotte?
—It’s not a tantrum… It’s just… there’s no reason to worsen this reputation any further.
—Why not? It’s excellent. If a little misunderstanding helps you accomplish the goal, you should do it. Don’t you think?
Charlotte had wanted to say that the people at the salon looked at her like she was human trash.
That her pride was so trampled she wanted to whip them on the spot—
But she also knew where that misunderstanding came from.
And so all that remained was humiliation.
—If anyone looks down on you because of this, slap them. If someone points a finger at you, cut it off. That’s all. Don’t whine over something so trivial.
That was all Quincy had said.
Charlotte had nodded silently back then, unable to reply.
But this time was different.
“Charlotte, I’m glad you understand what I’m saying. Then let’s pretend this conversation never—”
“Quincy. The tea you gave Father.”
Charlotte cut him off.
Quincy’s face stiffened slightly.
“Father always said his stomach felt better whenever he drank that tea. You know that, right?”
“…Charlotte.”
“I know what you mixed into it. It doesn’t react to silver, but—”
“Stop.”
Quincy interrupted sharply.
His face—always gentle toward Charlotte—was now rigid in a way she had never seen before.
“How… did you find that out?”
“There are ways.”
It was a secret she had discovered by chance after Dominic died.
—Quincy, that tea Father used to drink… can I take some if there’s any left? My stomach’s been upset lately, so I thought I might try it.
—No. I’ll give you some other medicine instead.
—Why? Medicine tastes bitter. I don’t want it.
—Because that tea contains poison.
—…What?
Charlotte had stared at Quincy in shock.
But Quincy had simply smiled gently.
—A fine medicinal herb arrived recently. I’ll give it to you instead.
He had said it as if nothing was wrong.
He probably thought there was no reason to hide it anymore, since Father was already dead.
At least, he could never have imagined Charlotte would travel back in time.
Charlotte smiled sweetly at Quincy, who was clearly flustered for once.
“Don’t worry, Quincy. I have no intention of interfering with what you’re doing.”
But if you don’t help me…
that would be a different story.
“You’ll help me, right?”
“We’re family, after all.”
* * *
“The head of the Noha family has left the estate due to family matters. He will be away for some time, so if you have business with him, please send a letter first to arrange an appointment before visiting.”
The Noha footman repeated the same line yet again, like a well-crafted machine.
At last, even Serge—the adjutant of Alfonso, famed in Eduart for his ocean-like patience—couldn’t help but frown.
“I told you already, Eduart has sent several letters to the head of Noha! Since no reply came, we came in person. If the head isn’t here, at least allow us to meet someone else!”
“I’m sorry, but without a prior appointment, you cannot meet anyone.”
“Then at least deliver a message! Ask them to schedule—”
“Please return safely.”
Bang.
The gate slammed shut directly in Serge’s face.
A literal and utterly cold rejection.
Serge stood there blankly for quite some time before an aggrieved voice slipped out.
“…Even after this, must you truly marry into the Noha family…?”
“Your Excellency?”
