Aria looked as bewildered as I felt. Her coughing had stopped, and her eyes were wide with surprise.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"I... I don't know..."
"I'm going to check it out."
"Wait! I'm coming with you!"
I was worried about her, but she was insistent. I signaled to Susan to bring a shawl for her, and we set off through the garden toward the source of the noise.
Lemut Castle’s gardens weren't as sprawling as the Altsbeit estate’s, but they were still large enough that it was a bit of a walk. As we approached the edge of the grounds, we found a crowd of people gathering.
"Sir Knight, please! Just let me see her for one second!"
"I just want to say thank you!"
"Back off! It’s dangerous!" The Lemut knights were struggling to hold the crowd back, looking genuinely confused.
As we got closer, I realized the crowd was made up of local villagers. They were dressed in worn but clean clothes, and almost all of them were carrying something. Baskets of eggs, sacks of grain, and piles of various goods were being placed on the ground.
"Please! Let us see the Altsbeit Princess!"
'The Altsbeit Princess? Me?' I looked at Aria, who looked like a startled rabbit.
"Because of her, my husband is strong again!"
"The Princess gave our children enough food to fill their bellies!"
"Please, just let us say thank you once...!"
I blinked. These were the people I’d helped—the workers I’d hired to clear the road and the families who’d received the food and water I’d sent. I spotted a familiar face in the crowd—the little boy who had called me pretty when I was stuck on the road.
He spotted me, too, and started tugging on his mother's dress.
"Princess! It’s her!"
"Oh! The Princess is here!"
The Lemut knights looked even more perplexed. They knew all about Charlize’s reputation and were likely expecting her to start screaming at the "filthy peasants" at any moment.
"Stay back! Don't get close to the Princess!" one of them shouted, his hand on his sword. "You could be killed!"
I pushed past the knights and stepped forward. I knew if I didn't intervene, this was going to end in a bloodbath.
The crowd fell silent the moment I approached. They stopped shouting and just stared at me, their eyes full of a mix of awe and fear. I looked down at the pile of goods they’d brought and picked up a large, round fruit.
"What is this?" I asked, tilting my head.
Aria stepped up beside me and whispered, "It’s an Imery orange. They only grow in this soil, and only for one season. They're very rare."
"They're much bigger than normal oranges," I noted.
"Yes. They used to grow even larger when the land was more fertile. Now, the harvest is so small that they’re incredibly expensive. Most families keep one as a protective amulet. They value them more than money."
'...And they gave them to me.'
I looked at the basket full of rare fruit and felt a strange tightening in my chest. I felt embarrassed, and my heart was pounding.
"Um... Altsbeit Princess? Is it really you?"
An old man stepped out of the crowd, trembling. He knelt before me and bowed his head deeply.
"We don't have much to give," he said, his voice shaky. "But as the representative of our village, I want to say thank you. Because of your help, our children and our families survived the flood."
I’d helped these people as a way to avoid a "Game Over," to manipulate my fiancé’s opinion of me. But looking at them now, I didn't regret it for a second. Even the debt I’d incurred with my brother didn't seem so bad anymore.
I opened my mouth to respond, but then—
*Thump, thump.*
The orange fell from my hand and rolled across the grass.
I turned around to find Askin standing behind us, his arm protectively around Aria. His eyes were like ice as he took in the scene—the crowd of villagers, the piles of fruit, and me.
"Ha. Are you looting my territory now, Charlize?"
"What? No—"
"How much more are you planning to take from us?!"
I bit my lip. 'Patience, Charlize. Patience.' I knew he was a victim of the original Charlize’s cruelty. It was natural for him to assume the worst. But it still stung.
"Go away! I hate you! How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from my sister and my estate? Get out!"
I reached down to pick up the fallen orange, but Askin’s boot kicked it away before my hand could reach it. He didn't even want me to touch it.
That was the breaking point. The resentment I’d been holding back finally exploded.
'What did I even do wrong?!'
I knew he was a victim. But what about me? I’d woken up in this body, tied to a man who despised me, fighting for a life I didn't even choose. It was so unfair. I felt the hot sting of tears in my eyes—I’d always been the type to cry when I was angry.
"...You really do treat people like trash, don't you?" I whispered.
Askin’s brow furrowed. We were standing so close that I could see the flecks of gold in his eyes. He was breathtakingly beautiful, even when he was being a complete jerk.
I picked up the orange and placed it back in the basket.
"Thanks for the 'help'? That’s funny," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "The people of this territory are cursed to have a lord who hates it when they receive help."
The old man on the ground looked at me with wide, confused eyes. I set the basket down and looked at the crowd.
"I don't need any of this. Eat it yourselves."
Then, I turned my full fury on Askin. "You want to know why I’m here? Fine. My grandfather sent me to collect the interest you owe us."
"...What?"
"What’s the matter? Did you think this month’s interest would be the same as the others? It’s much higher now. Can you even afford it?"
Askin’s face went pale. He shot a panicked look at Aria. He clearly hadn't wanted her to hear about the debt.
"Follow me to the office," he growled.
I let out a cold laugh. I glanced at Aria, who was looking at me with worry. I managed a small, reassuring smile for her before turning and following her brother.
* * *
The office was deathly quiet.
We both sat down, but neither of us said a word. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Askin sat with his head in his hands, finally letting out a long, weary sigh.
"...Why are you doing this, Charlize?" He ruffled his hair, looking completely exhausted. "I know you're interested in me, but this... this is beyond obsession. You’re staying in a carriage on my lawn? You're harassing my people?"
'No, that was the old Charlize,' I thought. 'She was obsessed with you because she actually liked you, even if she had a twisted way of showing it.'
"And not long ago, you demanded I pay you back immediately," he continued. "There’s still time before the deadline. So why are you here now?"
He was finally ready to talk. This was the moment I’d been waiting for. But the anger from earlier hadn't quite faded.
"And... didn't you promise not to talk about money in front of Aria?" he spat. "The Altsbeits really can't keep a secret for more than five minutes, can they?"
I gave him a sharp, twisted smile. "Well, I think a thin lip is better than an ear stuffed with wet cotton."
"What?"
"Aria’s ears work just fine. It’s yours that seem to be the problem."
"Don't use my sister's name so casually."
"Aria was the one who insisted I use her name," I said brightly. "I was just being a good friend."
"Don't be ridiculous. You must have manipulated that poor girl."
"Oh, I didn't realize you found me so charming that you’d think I could manipulate someone as pure as her." I was starting to feel more confident. I knew this man’s weaknesses. I knew how to get under his skin. "And as for the promise... I only came because my grandfather asked me to collect the money."
I wanted to find out why he was so confident about breaking the engagement. Where was his secret source of funding?
"...So it is about the money after all," Askin said, his gaze turning cold and intimidating. I didn't back down.