The promise was made years ago between their father, the former Emperor, and their mother, the Crown Princess of Altsbeit. One was the successor to the Imperial throne, the other the successor to the Altsbeit family. It was a blood pact between two powerful lineages.
Therefore, as the official successor of Altsbeit, Charlize could never officially join the Imperial Family unless she discarded her Altsbeit name entirely.
'But I'm not the real Charlize anyway,' I thought. 'I don't owe Altsbeit any loyalty.'
Still, the condition was a strange one to accept. I was borrowing money to stop a breakup with my fiancé, but what would happen to that engagement if I suddenly changed my family register?
"Let me ask you one thing," I said, looking at Loxdian. "What's the goal? What happens if I become a member of the Imperial Family?"
"I haven't thought that far ahead," Loxdian replied with a shrug. "I suppose you could just break things off with that guy you don't even like. I could find you someone much better—"
"I refuse."
Loxdian’s brow furrowed at my blunt response. "Why do you keep chasing that lost cause like a lovesick puppy?"
"I’m sorry, but you haven't exactly been helpful in that department, have you, Brother?"
"Why should I help you? I don't even like the guy."
I wondered if the Emperor hated Askin in the original book. Askin was a man of principles, which made him an easy target for someone like Loxdian. In the story, they only really clashed after Charlize’s death, so I didn't have much to go on.
I was almost ready to give up on the loan entirely.
"Fine," Loxdian sighed. "If you don't like that condition, how about this? But this is my last offer."
He looked at me with a calculating glint in his eye. "The news of your return has already spread through the capital. You'll be receiving invitations from all over soon. In fact, haven't you already been summoned by that group of yours?"
"And?" I was cautious. What kind of absurd condition was he going to drop now?
"Everywhere you go, I want you to be even more... 'vicious' than usual. Cause a scene. Make a mess. Let the sound of ruin follow you."
I blinked. That was it? "Wait... you want me to be *more* notorious?"
"Exactly. Usually, you’re bad enough, but I want you to take it up a notch."
It wasn't a difficult condition. I already had to play the role of the villainess anyway. Compared to the threat of immediate death if I failed my mission, being a little extra was nothing. But I couldn't help but wonder why.
"Why do you want me to do that?"
"Don't you enjoy that kind of thing?"
"Really? That’s your reason?" I gripped my necklace, my suspicion growing.
Loxdian looked momentarily bewildered by my reaction. He relaxed slightly and explained, "The more people talk about your atrocities, the more my own 'madness' will be buried in the gossip. You’re the perfect distraction."
He wasn't wrong. You can't hide a tyrant’s outbursts forever, but you can certainly drown them out with a more colorful scandal. Still, the request was absurd. I’d been planning to slowly improve Charlize’s reputation without being too obvious about it. Now he wanted me to double down on the villainy?
'Should I really sacrifice my reputation for this loan?'
I did the math in my head. The answer was clear. I needed the money to keep my grandfather off my back and stay in the game. Without it, I was dead.
"Fine. I accept."
Loxdian let out a mischievous smile. "Excellent."
Something about that smile made me uneasy. It felt like I was walking straight into a tiger’s den, and I’d just handed the tiger the keys.
* * *
Charlize returned home. Noah personally escorted her back to the Altsbeit mansion, carrying her all the way to her room.
"I am terribly sorry for my rudeness earlier," Noah said, bowing politely.
He seemed prepared for a slap or a tirade, given Charlize’s usual personality. But Charlize simply shrugged with a bored expression.
"It’s fine."
Noah looked at her in surprise.
"You did it for your Emperor," she continued. "He’s lucky to have such loyal subjects."
Their eyes met for a moment. Charlize was breathtakingly beautiful, a gift from the gods, but her beauty was usually a mask for her cruelty.
"...Regardless, I apologize for the intrusion."
"I said it’s fine." Charlize gave a small, sudden smile. "But if you really feel bad about it, make sure you help me out next time."
Noah watched her eyes crinkle as she smiled, and he quickly lowered his gaze. For a second, it felt as if the Princess in his arms was reaching straight for his heart. It was a terrifying sensation. He almost found himself promising to do anything she asked before he could even think.
It was the first time Noah had ever seen Charlize smile like a normal human being. The lack of malice in her expression was more disarming than her usual cruelty.
After seeing her off, Noah returned to Loxdian. The Emperor was loungeing in his office, a satisfied smile on his face—the look of a beast that had just finished a successful hunt.
"Your Majesty."
"You’re back?" Loxdian didn't even look up. He knew Noah was there.
"Why did you make such a proposal to the Princess?" Noah asked, his curiosity finally outweighing his hesitation.
"What? Why are you so interested in other people's business?"
"...She is your sister, Your Majesty."
Noah realized it wasn't the most appropriate answer. Only two weeks ago, Loxdian had been relieved that Charlize was out of the country.
"My lieutenant is getting bold," Loxdian chuckled. "But you’re right. She is my family. My only family."
"..."
"Why? Are you jealous?"
Loxdian’s tone was frivolous, even vulgar for an Emperor, but there was an undeniable weight of authority in his voice. Noah looked at him, and Loxdian gave him his usual mischievous grin.
"She’s pretty, isn't she?"
"..."
"Of course she is. She’s my sister." There was a hint of genuine affection in his light voice. But then, his eyes sharpened like a predator's. "I can't leave her in the dirty hands of the Altsbeits."
He tapped the armrest of his chair. Though many called him a tyrant because of his madness, he was a remarkably intelligent ruler.
"Do you remember the incident that forced her to leave the country?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Altsbeit tried to discard her because of it. My charming, stupid little sister actually thinks our grandfather cares about her." Loxdian knew exactly how inhuman the Duke of Altsbeit could be. "I’m going to watch. If she commits an even greater act of depravity here, the Duke will finally give up on her. He’ll throw her away. And when that happens..."
Loxdian was under a massive misunderstanding. He thought Charlize was asking for money because the Duke’s patience was already gone. He didn't know what she had really spent the money on.
"She’s going to cause a scene that even Altsbeit can't fix."
"And what will you do then, Your Majesty?"
"Then? Then I’ll go and pick her up. I’m her brother, after all." Loxdian leaned his head on his hand, smiling languidly. "We’ll just have to wait for the day our 'vicious' little sister officially returns to the Imperial Family."
He stopped laughing and a scowl returned to his face. "Even if I have to get rid of that Lemut guy to do it."
Noah let out a soft sigh. Askin Lemut hadn't done anything wrong. Was the Emperor just upset because the Duke hadn't accepted the Princess?
"Is that it? You just don't like him?"
"I don't! He’s always rejecting me just because he thinks he’s better than everyone. It’s annoying. He doesn't deserve my sister."