Sorry, the Patricidal Tyrant Seems Beastly - Chapter 37

A few days later.

The New Year’s festival was drawing closer.

“Your Majesty. You should come outside for a moment.”

Charlotte put down the documents.

“What is it?”

Taking off her glasses, her eyes stung unusually. As she pressed her eyelids firmly, the head maid answered awkwardly.

“Henrietta Young from the Tutega family has come to visit.”

Ah, that explained the sullen expression. My mood is similar right now.

These days, visitors to the imperial palace are frequent. Charlotte raised her hand to dismiss the maids.

“What business?”

“I’m not sure. Shall I send her away, Your Majesty?”

Charlotte remained silent for a while.

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“You come without notice, and expect me to meet you on the spot?”

Henrietta stood up, pushing away from the table.

“I-I’m sorry.”

A place was prepared outside. Sitting face to face with Henrietta at a table standing alone.

Henrietta clenched her small fists and placed them on her knees.

“You called me out, yet you look as if you were dragged here unwillingly. Speak comfortably. I bear you no great resentment.”

“Ah… no, that’s not it.”

Henrietta clenched her fists and trembled.

Why does that appearance seem familiar?

Why does that small, curled-up body seem familiar? I’ve only met this child a few times.

“Did you come alone?”

“Yes. By myself.”

“How did you get past the palace gates?”

“I came in a Tutega carriage.”

Charlotte narrowed her eyes.

“Did you tell your family?”

“No.”

“Who did you take after to be this foolish?”

To have the courage to cross the palace gates like that, but not the courage to tell your family.

‘Even if you had told them, I doubt they would have let you come so easily.’

Feeling out of place in that household, have you gradually drifted away from them?

Charlotte mindlessly averted her gaze. Henrietta lowered her head deeply.

“Whatever you have on your knees, put it down and let’s talk.”

Henrietta took something out from under the table.

“Here it is.”

Charlotte placed a small box in her hand.

“It seems to be a drawing by Your Majesty’s mother. I thought if there was an original owner, it would be right to return it, so I came to see you.”

Inside the box were several drawings. They depicted scenes from her childhood.

A child with dark red hair sitting alone, fiddling with a doll.

In the graphite drawing, only the hair color was vividly etched.

As if saying, don’t forget.

As if saying, don’t let this existence fade away and be forgotten.

“I found it while organizing my things.”

“You came to bring this?”

Charlotte composed her somehow desolate heart.

“From now on, don’t set foot here again. I understand the sentiment with which you came, but it wasn’t a wise choice. Especially if you’re associated with the Tutega family.”

Charlotte looked down at the child.

“I bear you no ill will.”

It’s just that I can clearly see others won’t like seeing you here now.

“You may leave now.”

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“Your Majesty. Where are you looking?”

Rosquella tapped on the desk in the office.

“Did you hear my report?”

“I heard everything. That’s enough, you may go now.”

Benjamin crossed his arms and leaned against the windowsill. Below, the imperial palace gardens were visible. He could clearly see the servants and gardeners moving about down there.

“Was that your step-sister?”

“Yes. According to those who saw her, that’s who it was.”

Henrietta glanced back before hurrying away with small steps. She must be about ten years old by now?

“Despite knowing it will cause concern, why let people in?”

And why keep someone behind when you know they’ll be followed?

Benjamin placed his hand on the windowsill. He could take the stairs, but jumping down from here would be quicker.

As he was gauging the distance, a gaze fixed on his back.

“Your Majesty…”

“Later.”

Benjamin leapt down nimbly. Even roughly estimating, it was over three stories high.

He landed lightly and put his hands behind his back. Seeing him walk away so neatly, the servants opened their eyes wide.

‘W-Where did you fall from?’

The servants couldn’t bring themselves to ask, only following him with their eyes.

“Why are you sitting like that again?”

Charlotte raised her head. She replied that it was nothing.

“It seemed the intelligence office kept coming to the office, weren’t you busy?”

“I wrapped things up roughly and was on my way down.”

Charlotte gestured to a maid.

“The child who just left, check if she left safely and let me know.”

The maid bowed her head deeply and left.

“Wasn’t she resentful?”

“What would change if I resented that child? Being born isn’t a sin after all.”

“You can say quite mature things sometimes.”

Benjamin added, as if he had almost forgotten:

“I sent Aaron to the medical ward’s pharmacy. He was originally a palace physician working in the medical ward, so he’s adapting easily.”

“Did you talk with him?”

“That’s for later.”

Soon, a maid came and reported that she had left safely.

“Did she ride a horse?”

“No.”

“I hear Eastern Continentals are on friendly terms with beasts. Horseback riding is also essential etiquette for them. It might be good to learn before the delegation reaches the continent, what do you think?”

Benjamin extended his arm to Charlotte.

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It was a white horse with a fitting white mane. As she stroked the hair on its neck, the horse shook its head and fluttered.

“It’s a female of noble lineage. Here’s the reins.”

It was soft, as if it had been brushed. When the stable keeper gave it a carrot and she put it in its mouth, it crunched loudly.

“Relax your body.”

Benjamin took the reins and held them.

“I can’t believe this is your first time riding. You’re that skillful.”

The horse pranced a few steps with attitude. She let her body follow its rhythm.

Charlotte straightened her back.

She tied her hair tightly and let it hang down, wearing white riding clothes.

The riding outfit consisted of a leather jacket and pants. The imperial crest embroidered on the back was distinct.

“This time, try changing the direction of its head.”

When she pulled the reins to the side, it changed the direction of its head.

“The view is high. It feels like I might fall, but I don’t.”

“Shall we have a race to see who reaches there first?”

Charlotte pulled the reins. Ahead stretched a plateau.

The inner path was devoid of buildings, filled only with grass.

That hill was intentionally left empty. So that the view would be unobstructed.

As Charlotte gripped the reins tightly, that was when.

“I won’t wait if you’re late.”

The black horse galloped off in that direction. Why did that figure in all-black riding clothes suit him so well?

The view opened up without obstruction. There were no trees blocking the way. They passed through quickly. The wind clawed at her cheeks.

“Horseback riding is best in spring or fall, but winter has its charms too. I don’t know what you keep in that narrow head of yours, but if you can’t empty it, at least cool it down.”

The view opened up broadly. Her head cooled down. The cold made her cheeks tingle.

“Ah… Indeed.”

The obstructed view cleared. Below, she could see all the way to the imperial palace walls.

It was much wider and more magnificent than when viewed through narrow windows.

The grass rustled, and the cold air touched her skin.

The wind quickly clawed at her cheeks. As she opened her eyes wide and looked up at the sky, Benjamin smiled softly.

“I brought sandwiches too. Plenty of ham and vegetables, do you like that?”

“What about eggs?”

“I put lots of scrambled eggs too.”

Charlotte spread a shawl on the ground and sat down.

The imperial etiquette dictated that royal family elders shouldn’t sit on bare ground, they had lectured her ears off about it…

‘Shut up.’

Charlotte pushed away the thoughts that crowded in. Right now, she wanted to enjoy this free air.

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The head maid diligently dried her hair.

Her Majesty the Empress, who had just finished bathing, sat still.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”

Charlotte opened her eyes slightly and asked Benjamin.

Benjamin leaned crookedly against the doorframe.

He stood still with his arms crossed. Water droplets dripped from his hair that was still damp.

“Are you done bathing?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Then put down the towel, and everyone leave.”

Benjamin waved his arm, sending the maids out first.

“You’re too harsh.”

The head maid put down the towel and left.

“I asked to bathe together, but you were too much.”

“It goes against palace etiquette.”

“That etiquette is too outdated. Why is bathing in the same tub considered an act that lowers dignity? Because of those damn rules, the palace has maintained outdated practices. Old and stuffy.”

“You’re old-fashioned.”

“If it’s old rules, isn’t it time to change them to fit the times?”

Charlotte stroked her wet hair. Having just finished bathing, her body was still languid.

“Did you sleep a bit while bathing?”

“Yes. That’s why it took a little longer.”

Benjamin brought a towel and dried Charlotte’s hair.

He pressed her scalp firmly with his hands.

The rough gestures were awkward. As if he was unfamiliar with doing this, like someone who had never done it before.

His hand brushed her ear.

As Charlotte hunched her shoulders, he slowly caressed her earlobe.

“Uncomfortable?”

“No. Just a bit awkward.”

As Charlotte scratched her earlobe, his fingers touched her nape.

The calluses on his fingertips were particularly distinct.

Rough yet firm.

His fingertips kept touching from her chin to her ear, and Charlotte inhaled slowly.

“It’s done.”

Benjamin put down the towel.

She brushed down her long hair. The hair that reached below her hips curled inwards.

Being curly, when twisted with fingers, it kept the shape.

Benjamin placed his hand on her shoulder.

And twisted her flowing hair around his finger.

“Is it too long?”

“It’s fine. Thanks to it, I can easily find you wherever you are.”

He bent down and kissed her shoulder.

“Hnn.”

His lips touched her shoulder, and he gently bit her skin.

“Does it hurt?”

“A little.”

“Do you dislike it?”

Charlotte exhaled slowly.

Ah, how could I refuse you?

It’s you. How could I let go when you reach out your hand?

Refusing you doesn’t make sense.

“Sometimes I want to bite here.”

He buried his face in her nape and took a deep breath.

Her scent permeated deeply. He bit her skin again with his teeth.

“Near you, I seem to become a wicked man. Biting here, swallowing breaths, craving. I know it’s not time yet.”

“Have I been… um, hunted by you now?”

It was Charlotte who put her head in the snake’s mouth.

“Sometimes.”

Benjamin whispered in a soft voice.

“I’m confused whether I’ve swallowed you… or you’ve swallowed me. Charl.”

Benjamin slowly recited his inner thoughts.

“It was you, Charl, who reached out to me first. You were the one who brought up the engagement. Don’t forget. You were the one who approached me first, Charl.”