Chapter 202

Chapter 202

It was Sunday, in the imperial palace Emperatos.

Charlotte sat on the luxurious sofa in the emperor’s office, dressed in her court attire.

“...”

Opposite Charlotte, also clad in formal attire, sat Vertus.

They were both waiting for the emperor. They were the only two present in the vast office.

The matter that had brought them together wasn’t particularly important. Periodically, the emperor would summon them to the same place and listen to their stories about life at the Temple. Just like any other parent, he wanted to know if his children were doing well.

Of course, their family was different from any other ordinary family in one aspect: if it weren't for the emperor’s orders, one of the siblings might have already wound up dead due to their poor relationship.

Since they couldn’t even pretend to have a good relationship, there was no conversation between them. If their eyes accidentally met, only distasteful words would be exchanged.

However, there was one common topic they shared that wasn’t particularly unpleasant.

“Reinhart wants to set up shops at every magic train station?”

It was Reinhart.

Vertus thought Reinhart had a terrible temper but was still someone who got things done when necessary. He had shown himself to be competent during the group mission, and though he seemed to lack ambition, he performed exceptionally when the moment required it. Thus, Vertus rather liked him. In fact, he had often helped or turned a blind eye to various matters.

One such matter he had overlooked was that Reinhart, a member of Class A, was getting along with Charlotte de Gradias, a member of Class B and his competitor. Vertus never said anything to Reinhart about it.

When Reinhart had gone missing, both he and Charlotte had tried to find him using their own means.

Anyway, Reinhart was a common topic for Charlotte and Vertus. That day, Vertus had a business proposal to present to the emperor, and before Charlotte could interfere and mess things up, he had to make it clear that it was Reinhart’s idea, not his. The proposal involved setting up shops at the numerous magic train stations scattered throughout the capital.

Currently, the magic train stations only had platforms for boarding and alighting and other bare minimum functions necessary for the stations to operate, such as ticketing stations.

Magic trains had not been around long enough for people to experiment with how to use the empty space around the stations.

Reinhart wanted to use that empty space.

“To be precise, Reinhart only proposed it. The actual business operators would be that Rotary Club or whatever they are.”

“Why are you helping him, then?”

Charlotte’s suspicious question about why Vertus was helping Reinhart made him grin.

“We decided to share the profits. 90-10.”

“Ninety percent? That’s utterly exploitative, isn’t it?”

Charlotte was convinced that Vertus was a scoundrel, and automatically assumed he was being a scoundrel and taking the bigger portion.

Of course, he was indeed a scoundrel, from Charlotte de Gradias’s perspective.

Vertus’s mouth fell open slightly in disbelief. “I know you don’t like me much, but assuming that I’m that bad is a bit much. It’s not ninety percent for me, obviously.”

“... Really? That’s a bit surprising.”

“I know I lack trust and credibility, but I do have business ethics.”

“Oh, I’m surprised you even know about that, and even more so that you haven’t gone about addressing it despite your knowledge.”

“You’re no saint yourself; why act so high and mighty?”

They glared at each other, and the air between them sparked with tension.

“Anyway, this isn’t my business; it’s Reinhart’s proposal. If it gets scrapped, it’ll be Reinhart who’s in trouble, not me. So, it would be nice if you didn’t run your mouth about this matter,” Vertus said.

“Fine, it’s not my concern anyway. But I didn’t realize you cared so much about Reinhart,” Charlotte replied with a slightly mocking smile.

Vertus took a sip of his tea. “The people precious to my dear sibling are precious to me as well,” he replied.

It was a loaded statement filled with countless undertones, and the exact meanings hidden underneath it were unclear.

‘The people precious to my enemy are also precious to me.’

The word “precious” could mean significantly different things in the first and second halves of the sentence.

Despite that, Charlotte’s expression remained composed. Her perfectly controlled face betrayed no trace of emotion.

“So, your thinking is the same as mine, then?”

Vertus smiled, as though acknowledging a common understanding. “So, you’re saying that we both value what’s precious to our sibling?”

“I don’t know,” Charlotte replied. “What do you think?”

Neither of them revealed what exactly about Reinhart made them want to assist him and take care of him.

In this world, only the outcome mattered.

Reinhart found himself caught between Charlotte and Vertus. While such proximity could bring some benefits, it couldn’t last forever.

It was the world’s most dangerous tightrope walk, and it required Reinhart to continuously keep a fine balance if he was to survive.

Reinhart’s story ended there, and a long silence lingered between Charlotte and Vertus once again. They were not the type to engage in frequent conversation, and when they did, their exchanges were often fraught with sharp, hostile remarks.

Charlotte was the first to break this silence. Her expression suggested she was about to say something she really did not want to.

“Hey.”

“... What now?”

“It’s kind of annoying that there’s no one else to ask about this but you. I’ve got something to ask.”

“... If it’s about the ongoing mining rights issue, I have nothing to tell you. You don’t seriously think I’d spill competitive secrets to you, do you?”

Vertus assumed that if Charlotte had anything to ask him, it would be along those lines, and he made it clear he had no intention of sharing.

Charlotte clicked her tongue and crossed her arms in frustration, judging Vertus for the presumption. “That’s not it.”

“If it’s about the Merchants’ Guild, I’ve told you already, I’m not directly involved. Of course, if Reinhart’s business takes off, he might get entangled with them, but that’s strictly Reinhart’s concern, not mine...”

“Do you think I’m pretty?”

“...?”

Charlotte’s completely unexpected question left Vertus momentarily stunned.

‘Did I hear that wrong? I must have.’

‘Why did he tell Vertus and not me? Does he actually dislike me?’

Her thoughts meandered to this conclusion, and she came to a halt.

In the corridor leading to the Royal Class dormitory, Charlotte found herself stopping in her tracks, lost in thought.

‘Reinhart might dislike me.’

Reinhart had been inadvertently dragged into her search to find the child, only to learn a truth that shouldn’t have come to light.

He hadn’t cooperated out of his own volition and had simply followed orders when asked to help.

From the beginning, his collaboration had been secured reluctantly, since the lives of the Rotary Club members had been at stake.

He’d only complied because he had no other choice, and he might actually resent her. He could be fearing that these secrets, if leaked or uncovered, might lead to his silent disappearance as well.

Such secrets... No one would want to discover them.

Her circumstances were merely her circumstances.

For the first time, it dawned on Charlotte.

She had always been using Reinhart, nothing more. She had never been curious about his feelings or thoughts, nor had she considered his emotions, burdens, or the pressures he might be under.

Despite the danger, she always thought she was grateful and appreciative of his help. But that was all.

She had always believed that Reinhart empathized with her situation, her position, and her sorrow. That’s why he was helping her—or so she thought.

She never once considered that he might have been cooperating reluctantly, crushed under the weight of the power she held, and dealing with her unwillingly.

‘I was selfish. Reinhart might feel more comfortable with Vertus. Vertus wouldn’t ask Reinhart to do anything dangerous.’

When she realized this, Charlotte stood there blankly for a long time.

***

Not knowing what to say to Reinhart, Charlotte headed toward the Class A dormitory. She felt she needed to apologize. But how? She had no idea what to say.

‘I’m sorry for being a burden...

‘I’ve taken for granted that you were risking yourself...

‘You no longer have to deliver letters...

‘But then, how should I keep in touch with that child?’

Charlotte couldn’t ask even her own people to handle that task. Her people had failed to find the child, and it was only through the direct inquiries she’d made with Reinhart that they had discovered anything at all.

Charlotte believed that the fewer people who knew the truth, the better, so only Reinhart was aware of it.

However, her associates, including Dyrus, had already begun to see that child in a different light.

They had decided that the child might be the only one capable of resolving her condition, which was why she had to halt the search.

If she wanted to stop Reinhart from doing anything that could lead him to danger, she had to stop making him deliver letters.

But that would sever her only link to the child. She would lose all connection, even through letters.

To maintain her link to the child, Charlotte would have to continue exploiting Reinhart’s services, selfishly burdening him and exposing him to danger.

Even though she appreciated Reinhart’s help, mere gratitude didn’t justify keeping him at risk indefinitely.

What was she to do?

This was something she did not want to lose.

At this rate, though, she would have to keep sacrificing someone—sacrificing the person who had treated her kindly despite her initial hostility. One day, that might lead to a real sacrifice.

Still unsure of what she should say, Charlotte headed towards the Class A dormitory.

A voice that had become familiar rang through the hallway even though the person couldn’t be seen.

—No, seriously, hey. Why do I have to do that, you thick-skull?

—It’s already been decided! Hmph! And calling me Thick-Skull doesn’t bother me at all. You seem more upset right now, so it doesn’t hurt my feelings at all!

—Yeah, whatever, Thick-Skull.

—Yeah, sure thing, president.

—I told you I’m not the president! I’m not! I’m not doing it! I said I’m not doing it!

—Oh? Is this how you feel? I think I understand why you teased me. This is called, um, what was it... damage... damage something... damage-dealing? Is that right? Well, president, I wish you good luck moving forward!

—Aaargh! I said I’m not doing it! Spare me, please!

—How could a mere member like me make such a decision, Mr. President?

—I told you I’m not the President!

“...”

Charlotte listened to Reinhart arguing with someone and began to question whether her worries were somewhat foolish.

‘Is this all just make-believe? Is he just completely carefree?

‘It seems like he’s living a joyous life at the Temple, with no burden, tension, or fear.’

— Please! I’ll do anything else. Anything else, okay? Being president is annoying! It’s really annoying! I have lots to do too!

—You agreed to handle the menial tasks, which includes being the president. You promised, remember?

—That’s not the promise I made!

Charlotte, feeling oddly deflated, trudged back to the Class B dormitory.

However, the heaviness in her heart would not go away.

She had postponed things for too long.

She had deferred judgment for far too long, and now it was time to make a decision.

She had to sort out her feelings now.

That was what Charlotte believed.