Charlotte always had that same poker face, and when I looked at her again, I noticed many similarities between her and Charlia. They both had platinum blonde hair and pale skin. From afar, I was sure it would be difficult to tell them apart. Of course, if you looked closely, you would see the difference. After all, the first princess had a vicious face, so it was easy to tell that she was the emperor’s biological daughter.

‘It would’ve been more comfortable if their hair color was different…’

It would have been easier to muddy the water by saying that she had the blood of a commoner if their hair color was different from each other. I wasn’t sure if Charlotte noticed my thoughts, but she pushed her hair back and continued talking.

“People don’t change easily.”

“I agree with you, but I’m curious why you’re telling me this…” I said.

“You don’t have to pretend like you don’t know, Brother Lee Ki-Young. I have an idea about the kind of person you are, and you also have an idea about the kind of person I am,” she replied.

“I really don’t understand what you’re talking about, Your Highness. Especially at an event like this…” I replied.

“I’m talking about your cooperation with my older sister,” she said bluntly.

I thought it would be best to remain quiet, so when I kept my mouth shut, she continued talking.

“I thought you were the talkative type, but you’re quieter than I thought.”

“You seem to have mistaken me for someone else,” I responded.

“Yes, you’re right. I may have thought of you wrongly. I thought you were a little more rational than this, but the way you’ve been acting is beyond common sense,” she remarked.

‘You’re right…’

Anyone could tell that working with Charlia right now wasn’t a rational act. Normally, I would have chosen to humbly accept Charlotte’s stick and eat the carrot. However, my fear was the sinner worried about Kim Hyun-Sung’s request and how painful Charlotte’s stick would be.

“I’ve heard a lot of things about you,” Charlotte continued.

“...”

“Especially from Mr. Victor Hart. I already knew that you weren’t really the type to compromise, but you have been acting more extreme than I thought. I admit that I was somewhat wrong about you and I apologize for being rude to you before,” she added.

“It wasn’t rude. I’m worried that someone might hear you, Your Highness.” I pointed out.

“I’m talking about trying to make you feel powerless, Brother Lee Ki-Young. I’m sure you understand, but I wasn’t exactly happy about your existence. If you were in my position, I’m sure you would’ve thought about how you would suppress yourself. If one person has too much power, then they’ll become a threat to someone like me,” she explained.

“I don’t think I have power, Princess Charlotte. How could I discuss power in front of someone who’s part of the imperial family?” I asked.

“You don’t have to feel uncomfortable about a conversation like this, but I’m sure you won’t accept it despite me saying it. How about we change the subject then?” she suggested.

Charlotte stopped talking and looked at the front because after the first princess was done with her tour along with the imperial knights, she walked up to the platform. After Charlotte took a seat, I noticed her staring at me, which meant that she wanted me to sit next to her. She had to have planned this out from the start because I didn’t see an empty seat. In case Charlia might misunderstand, I asked for her understanding first before taking a seat. Charlia then took out the folded note from her pocket and then placed it on the podium. Since I wrote the speech, I was sure she would say, at least half of it. Charlia started reading my speech confidently and clearly. The ones watching her in their seats started clapping, and I heard her speak even more confidently and personally, I was looking forward to it. I wanted to continue watching her, but because of Charlotte, I couldn’t focus on her.

“I’ll be more straightforward, Brother Lee Ki-Young.”

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“I want you to join my faction,” she said.

“What do you…”

“It’s just like I said. I want you to leave my older sister and join my party,” she repeated.

“...”

“I have a lot of doubts and worries. I thought maybe we have some similarities. Even if you decide to join me, I will still continue with my plans. I will reduce your authority, and I’ll work hard to make sure you compromise,” she continued.

“Ah…”

“However, I can promise that the result will be beneficial for you, even if you don’t like it right now… I guarantee that the result will be good for both the empire and you. Of course, I can’t guarantee that it’ll be better than what you’re planning, but it won’t be as dangerous as the thing you’re investing in,” she added.

I had a feeling she was going to say something like that. I must have seemed appealing enough for her to pass up. Charlotte had to have gotten impressed by the fact that I was trying to stage Charlia’s comeback.

‘Am I someone she wants?’

Charlotte also knew that I was too powerful for her to immediately control and that was why her decision to reduce my authority remained unchanging. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to change at all. If it weren’t for Kim Hyun-Sung’s request, changing factions would have been worth thinking about.

‘However...’

Like I told Victor Hart during the Ito Sota incident, the other party should compromise, rather than me.

“It may have been rude, but I did a background check on you. I was more interested in things that were a bit different than the titles everyone knows, such as the Dragon’s Chosen One or the Holy Empire’s Honorary Bishop. The fact that you established the press in Lindel and brought various changes was the most impressive of them all,” Charlotte confessed.

“It’s an honor,” I responded.

“The free cities are independent of the empire, but they are bound to receive indirect influence. I knew this was the case because not long after you established the press in Lindel, something similar to the press was established in the empire as well. I also know very well that you at least have a conscience despite being a selfish human being. Whatever the reason, the things you have done had brought great results to the majority of the people,” she explained.

“I see…”

“I believe the reason why you’re able to bring those results is that you care about how others see you. Actually, I’m certain of it. You care about how you’re portrayed to the public. You may not compromise with those with power, but you’re willing to compromise with the public,” she continued.

“I’m thankful that you think of me that way. However, I’ll have to think about whether it’s a compliment or not,” I told her.

“It’s a compliment, so there’s no need to think about it. The empire needs talented people like you, Brother Lee Ki-Young. We need someone in politics who cares about the opinion of the public,” Charlotte informed.

I had to stop breathing for a moment.

‘She really something else…’

I knew she was smart, but she was smarter than I thought. Her mindset was different from the majority of the nobles here, and she couldn’t be compared to that parrot standing in front of the podium and reading the speech I had written for her. I thought I finally understood why people gathered around her. Regardless of legitimacy or whatever, I was sure anyone would want to follow a person like her. There was a saying that a person’s status wasn’t determined at birth, as their status would change according to their efforts. However, Charlotte looked like someone born to become an empress.

It felt like I was watching the growth of a great man I had seen only in fairy tales when I was young. I almost even agreed to change factions.

“Ah, by the way, I know that a strange rumor has been spreading…” she started.

“...”

“They’re absurd rumors like having commoner’s blood, debauchery, and flirtatious noises that can be heard every night, but they’re not worth responding to,” she continued.

I expected it, but it seemed like she had already caught on to it.

“I haven’t found the culprit yet, and even if I did find them, it’ll still take some time to dig out the source of the rumors. However, I have a hunch about where it started,” she added.

“I’m not sure which rumor you’re referring to, Your Highness,” I said.

“I’m not telling you this because I want you to notice the rumors. You just need to listen. If the apology and the offer I made earlier was the carrot, then what I’m about to tell you now is the stick,” warned.

“...”

“I’m not the type of person who hesitates in using a sword against my enemy, Brother Lee Ki-Young. I know that you’re an important figure to the empire, but if you really turn your back on me, I’ll have no choice but to use my sword. So, I suggest you make a wise choice,” Charlotte threatened.

‘Shit…’

“You’ll find the answer when you think about how my father; no, how the emperor has no adviser next to him,” she hinted.

‘Shit…’

“Compromising this time may be a good experience for you,” she suggested.

‘If I could, I would give everything I have.’

Naturally, I thought about how annoying things would get once there was an actual conflict, but I had to take care of my own business. Since I had received a special order to stop the second princess from becoming the empress, I couldn’t be in the same boat as her.

Charlia was finally done with her speech.

“If you’re willing to compromise, get on your knees, and kiss my hand. I don’t like to repeat myself. This will be the last carrot and stick. Next time, I’ll unsheathe my sword,” Charlotte warned.

“I’m sorry…” I apologized.

I had already made my decision, and I had no other choice. It wasn’t too late, but it would be ridiculous to turn back even though my desire to change factions was filling me up inside…

‘If I compromise once, I’ll have to keep doing it.’

I knew what kind of person Charlotte was just as much as I knew Charlia, who was anxiously running over here. As such, I couldn’t accept Charlotte’s offer. What Charlotte wanted was the well-being of her people and to achieve that, she would keep demanding that I compromise. The result would be pretty obvious by then.

When I glanced to the side, I noticed Charlotte faintly smiling. I didn’t know what that smile meant, but she looked as if her assumption was correct.

“Remember what I told you in the beginning, Brother Lee Ki-Young. People do not change easily,” Charlotte reminded me.

It was ridiculous how she immediately turned her back to me without saying goodbye.

I knew what Charlotte meant, but I didn’t think Charlia was that bad.

“You did well, Princess,” I complimented.

“Are you sure?” Charlia asked.

“Yes. It was an amazing speech,” I replied.

Charlia was good at doing the things I told her to do, and she had finally realized the fact that she was now spreading her wings. I was certain that not even a rogue would cause trouble at a time like this.

‘I’m sure she’s not that dumb.’

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for my unwavering belief to fall apart.

Charlia was that dumb.