While I’m stuck in a corner of the palace, he’s out there, boldly completing missions.

I hadn’t paid much attention to Wilhelm before, but hearing this kindled a bit of jealousy.

No, rather than jealousy, it’s more appropriate to call it competitive spirit.

Given that we were fated to compete for the Lord’s position, I had no intention of losing to him, even if he is my brother.

“Why the sudden interest in Prince Wilhelm? I hope I didn’t say something I shouldn’t have.”

“No, Rosa. He’s my brother, so it’s natural to be curious. Don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you, Bella.”

I gazed at her sighing in relief and sank into deep thought.

‘I’ve solved the issue of magical exhaustion, so now I have a lot to do.’

Besides winning over my indifferent father, I also needed to pay attention to Wilhelm, my potential rival.

But before all these tasks, what I needed most was to gain my freedom.

In other words, I had to lift the confinement order of Rose Palace to take the next step.

‘How should I convince my father? I should consult Sione later.’

The me of yesterday and the me of today are different.

Although I’m only about 5 years old in human age, and my speech is somewhat limited, there is now no problem in communicating.

I could now confidently speak up even when facing my father.

I looked at the top of the palace visible through the window, looking forward to the day when I could confront my father.

It seemed as if I could hear the sound of the hourglass, which had been stopped for a long time, starting to flow again.

At that moment, in Charlotte’s office.

Engaged in a close conversation with a spy planted in Wangseong, she slammed her desk in frustration.
“Didn’t I tell you to at least bring Talia’s hair? Was that too difficult?”

“But, the security was too strict, I couldn’t even approach the body.”

“I know I pay you a good amount of gold every month. You should have shown some effort to bring something similar.”

“I am ashamed. Please forgive me.”

The man playing the role of a spy was one of the members of the royal knight squad.

The group, particularly loyal to Vlady, had been difficult to infiltrate, but money and appropriate threats had been effective as always.

He wasn’t a high-ranking knight, but he had cleanly handled capturing an assassin before, so she had some trust in him.

Unable to bring even the slightest evidence necessary for a funeral, she regretted the large sum of money she had invested in him so far.

“Stay low until you hear from us. If you do anything suspicious, you won’t make it. Understand?”

“Absolutely. I will never betray you.”

“Good, now leave. My business with you is done.”

As the man hastily left the room, Charlotte pressed her throbbing temples and sank into thought.

Ever since she heard the news about Talia’s failed infiltration about half a month ago, she hadn’t had a peaceful sleep.

Despite her efforts to recover even a part of Talia’s body, all her attempts had ended in failure as of today.

The fact that she had sacrificed a follower, whom she had greatly valued, in an undesired accident was bitterly disappointing.

‘Gallio will definitely try to pin all of this on me. I have a bad feeling.’

The only consolation was her confidence that Talia had left no evidence.

Talia had unparalleled skills in the field of assassination, and the reason Charlotte regretted her death wasn’t just emotional.

What frustrated Charlotte the most was losing a loyal follower while failing to eliminate just one boy.

Had she failed while trying to assassinate Princess Bella, she wouldn’t have been this angry.

In an attempt to suppress her anger, she poured herself a strong drink. Just then, a hand materialized from thin air and snatched her cup.

“Day drinking isn’t good for you, Charlotte. Especially if it’s to fuel your anger.”

“…Gallio.”

Upon seeing his unannounced arrival and shameless grin, Charlotte clenched her teeth.

She had certainly set up a barrier to prevent external intrusion; how he broke through was a mystery.

“You have peculiar hobbies. Ignoring the front door and appearing like this, is this the noble conduct you always preach about?”

“Oh, you misunderstand. While I do value noble decorum, that’s up to the other party. In other words, I don’t necessarily have to follow it myself.”

“How can you impose a morality you don’t abide by yourself? Truly arrogant.”

“That’s the primary difference between you and me, Charlotte. Except for that, we’re not so different.”

Suppressing the urge to punch the smirking face of Gallio, she opened her mouth with effort.

“I suppose you’ve already heard the news from the Rose Palace. What’s your next move?”