Charlize had always been the Princess of Altsbeit, but the blood of the Imperial family flowed in her veins. As someone who could potentially restore the Imperial family to their former glory, whoever she married would effectively become part of that lineage.
"...After everything that happened at the banquet, you're still asking for my permission?" Askin asked, his voice low.
"I was worried there might be some... misunderstanding," Ian Niño replied with a smooth smile. "I wouldn't want to upset the man who is about to do such great things for this Empire. It was my oversight."
Askin stared at Ian’s refined, handsome face. 'Do you have any idea what kind of woman she really is?' he wondered.
If Ian knew anything about Charlize’s notoriety, he wouldn't be standing here asking for "permission" to pursue her. He’d be running in the opposite direction. No sane man would want anything to do with a woman as vicious as her.
Askin was disconcerted by his own inability to just let it go. Why did he care if Ian threw his life away on her? Why couldn't he just focus on his own problems?
"I'll try to find out for myself," Ian said, watching Askin.
Askin was a towering figure, his beauty so intense that people joked the moon had taken human form. His pale, northerner’s skin was like fresh snow.
'Is this the kind of man Princess Charlize likes?' Ian wondered.
"People say she’s a total villain," Ian continued. "I’ve heard all the stories about her past. But... no one seems to have anything to say about the Princess she is *now*."
"..."
"I wasn't in the Empire when her notoriety was at its peak," Ian said. "Strangely enough... the rumors don't match the woman I’ve seen."
'How stupid can you be?' Askin thought.
He’d spent his life being dragged along in Charlize’s wake. He knew exactly how cruel she could be when she didn't get what she wanted. But even as he thought it, he couldn't find the words to refute Ian’s statement.
*Brother, can't you see the present?*
Charlize’s words from the rain echoed in his mind. Askin clenched his fist. He hid it before Ian could see and gave him a cold look.
"You may be good at business, Master Niño, but you don't seem to be very interested in the way the world really works."
"I only believe what I see with my own eyes," Ian replied. "Thank you for the advice, Duke."
Askin felt his temper rising. If he stayed in this room any longer, he was going to say something he’d regret. He turned back to his desk and grabbed a stack of papers.
"I’ve wasted enough of your time," he said, dismissal clear in his voice.
"I apologize. I'll see you next time with good news, Duke." Ian rose and bowed. At the door, he paused and looked back. "And congratulations in advance on the breakup."
* * *
"Eh."
I woke up unusually early. Lately, I’d been sleeping until noon, my body exhausted by the fever and the stress of my dwindling lifeline.
'Am I starting to feel the fear of death?' I wondered. 'Or do I just feel like sleep is a waste of time now?'
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. I had nothing to do and no desire to do anything. Beside me, my three dedicated maids were busy knitting and chatting.
If I were the real Charlize, they’d be too terrified to speak above a whisper. But I didn't care. In fact, I’d encouraged it.
"Tell me every rumor you hear," I’d ordered them. "Everything. About me, about the Duke, about the Emperor... even if it’s just gossip about the palace bathrooms."
I didn't want to receive formal reports. I just wanted them to talk, and after two weeks, they were doing so freely. It felt like being back in a classroom.
"So, my cousin works for the Arrikta family, right?" Susan whispered. "And she told me... Master Arus is a total dog! A pervert of the worst kind! They say he should be cut off and thrown out!"
"He’s even worse than that," Anna joined in. "My friend’s friend was a maid in his house. He couldn't keep his hands to himself. She was thrown out after she got pregnant!"
"I heard he pushed her down the stairs because of it!" Beth added, her voice full of horror. "And he spends all his time in the red-light district. How could he hide all that and get engaged to the Countess?"
"The family used a lot of money to keep it quiet! Most of the staff were fired after that incident."
The network of maids was incredibly efficient. I hadn't realized how much information they could gather just by talking to their cousins and friends. They were busy dissecting Geren Arus’s many sins, which had become public knowledge after my performance at the party.
I listened with half an ear, feeling a strange sense of detachment. 'I wonder if they've heard the rumors about Charlize’s own... appetites?' I wondered.
The maids looked at me with a new kind of respect. They didn't know why I’d done it, but they clearly appreciated seeing a piece of trash like Geren taken down.
"Get some rest, Princess," Susan said softly.
I sighed. The excitement of the previous night had faded, replaced by a hollow boredom. 'There really is no thrill in being terminally ill,' I thought. 'Nothing is exciting anymore.'
I tried to go back to sleep, but my body wouldn't let me. It knew the end was near.
*Knock, knock.*
A maid entered. "Princess, the Duke has sent for you. He wants to see you in his office immediately."
"Tell him I’m not going," I said, not even turning my head.
The maid looked terrified. "But... Princess..."
I sighed and turned toward her. "Let the messenger in."
The maid left and returned with one of the Duke’s personal attendants—a knight who had been part of my escort. I looked at him with cold indifference.
"Tell him I’m not going," I repeated.
"Princess, please! The Duke was very urgent. He said..."
"Didn't you hear me? I’m not going."
"..."
"What’s with that look?" I asked, a slow smile spreading across my face. "Are you going to try and drag me there again? Because if you put a finger on me, I’ll make sure you never see that finger again."
The knight’s eyes widened. He looked at my half-closed eyes and realized I wasn't joking. He bowed lower than he ever had before and practically ran out of the room.
The euphoria of the moment lasted only a second. I let out a dry laugh. 'I’m dying anyway, and you think you can tell me where to go?'
I lay back and looked out the window. The sky was a brilliant, mocking blue. 'The weather is so fucking good today,' I thought bitterly.
A moment later, the maid returned, her face even paler than before.
"P-Princess... the Duke... he’s here. He’s coming in person."
I frowned. 'The old man is actually coming here? Did he bring his cane this time? Fine. Let him hit me. It’ll just make the final judgment that much easier.'