Chapter 270: Like Father, Like Daughter (2)

I was not sure what the poor blood and the royal blood she was talking about were, but I had to admit only one thing.

The First Princess in front of my eyes properly inherited the blood of the Emperor.

It seemed that even a little flattery worked wonders for her.

As if she couldn’t remember ever being praised, I couldn’t get used to how she quivered her body every time I said sweet words.

Her face didn’t necessarily need another modifier.

‘Will it really be okay with her?’

Among the numerous compliments and flattery, the First Princess was most eager to respond to words that flattered her more than Charlotte.

As expected, her favorite sentences were the ones that contained ‘than the Second Princess.’

It was almost like a magic sentence.

I think you’re more beautiful than the Second Princess. You’re more intelligent. You’re the exact opposite of what I’ve heard in the city.

However, the stupid Charlia has somehow managed to catch up that, in my long-standing praise, I was praising her more than the Second Princess.

‘This, she understands well.’

My face, smiling widely, seemed that I was blitzed. She seemed to feel this kind of compliment sweeter than anything else.

‘Of course, she would.’

I had learned a lot while talking with her.

First, the mother of the Second Princess was a commoner.

The second was that, thanks to the clever Second Princess, the First Princess had begun to fall apart, little by little.

‘I understand.’

One day, suddenly, a commoner’s bloodline was appointed as the Second Princess and monopolized her father’s love.

The Second Princess was very clever when she talked, and she began to show her outstanding talent in many different fields.

For the First Princess, it was natural that she would think of it as absurd.

As opposed to her stat talents that almost looked like crap, the Second Princess had an overwhelmingly high proportion of heroic-grade or higher stats, so it was obvious how much she blamed herself in her childhood.

[Acquisition of Basic Swordsmanship Knowledge]

[Acquisition of Basic Magic Knowledge]

[Acquisition of Basic Constitution Knowledge]

[Acquisition of Basic Training Knowledge]

[Acquisition of Basic Military Knowledge]

[Acquisition of Basic Refinement Knowledge]

[Acquisition of Basic Alchemy Knowledge]

[Acquisition of Basic Spirit Knowledge]

The most striking part of her status window was the several acquisitions of basic knowledge. In addition to this fact, the knowledge she had acquired was countless. The reason was simple.

I could affirm that there was nothing that the First Princess hadn’t done in her childhood. I could see that she struggled desperately in her own way.

If swordsmanship didn’t work, then it was magic. If magic didn’t work, it was military knowledge, and if that didn’t work either, it was spirit.

Nevertheless, it was clear that her collapsed like a sandcastle when compared to the Second Princess’s talents.

Needless to say, I could imagine what that little girl must have felt at that time.

The First Princess must have gotten on the perverse line after that. In the end, she stayed in the palace, drinking heavily and harassing her maids.

Of course, these stories were thoroughly described in Charlia’s view.

I bet that the life of the Second Princess could not have been so smooth, considering Charlia’s characteristics and temper.

‘She must have bullied her persistently.’

She may even have gone beyond simple bullying.

She may have faced the threat of possible assassination, and it would have been routine for her to have red cheeks.

Considering how evil this vicious villain could become, the Second Princess must have grown up with bloody tears through her childhood, too.

This was a story of the heroine Charlotte, who had become stronger by standing up even when she was stepped on, and the villain Charlia, who tried to step on her.

This story was becoming the separation of good and evil, and it must have been moving toward a conclusion.

‘Until I intervene.’

Right. Until I intervened.

Charlotte, who was persistent, had grown enough to have the imperial family under her control. It was time to relieve the frustration she had since childhood, and the situation was actually still going on.

Currently, there was nothing left for the First Princess Charlia. Charlotte cut off her hands and feet and took all the authority to exert influence.

The stupid First Princess probably wouldn’t know what kind of situation she was in until she had a sword right to her neck.

‘But…’

It didn’t mean that there was hope.

It was good that the legitimacy belonged to the First Princess.

Charlia hadn’t even started, but she wasn’t too late.

As we continued to talk, Charlia spoke, gently wiping her tears from laughing too much.

“I don’t know when was the last time I’ve laughed like today. I laughed so hard that I almost cried.”

“Hahahaha. Me, too. This was a lot more fun than I thought, Your Majesty.”

“I didn’t notice it was dark already… If it’s okay for you, I’ll give you a separate room, so why don’t you rest here today? I want to talk more with Honorary Bishop…”

“It’s fine, Your Majesty. If I could, I would stay here talking all night long, but it’ll probably be troublesome to the First Princess. You know how the public eye is…”

“Ahhh…”

“They’ll be making a lot of noise everywhere. It doesn’t matter if my image gets bad, but I don’t want the Princess to become word-of-mouth.”

“The public eye…”

“You have to be careful. The masses are the kind of people who believe only what they see. Even if we were only talking about the Empire’s future, today’s meeting wouldn’t look that way for some dirty-minded people. I want to protect Your Majesty.”

“Ah…”

“Maybe it will be the same in other aspects besides this.”

“What are you talking about…”

“There will be many stupid people who don’t understand Your Majesty’s will to correct her discipline. You should think carefully about the difference between the Second Princess and you. Humans need to have two faces in order to be favored by the public.”

“… …”

“Of course, I understand the version of the innocent Princess Charlia, but… just as the taste varies depending on how you cook good ingredients, the information that is passed on to the public also depends on how you cook it. As I spent time with the Princess, I could see how broadminded you are, but how could your countrymen, who know nothing, dare to measure the size of the sea.”

“Ah… Thank you.”

“The stupid ones should also be able to gauge your intelligence and refinement. It is not the imperial discipline that matters to them. The most important thing is what they see.”

She probably knew better than to act recklessly.

However, her fiery temper was not stopping the anger and stubbornness that came from within.

“I think… that Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung is right. Yes. That’s right. Stupid people believe in what they see. Nobody cares about things that they cannot see.”

“Yes. Sometimes you have to wear a mask that suits the public. Ahem… I will be honest.”

“You can talk…”

“I want to get on the same boat as Charlia.”

“Ah!”

“Actually, I intended to watch a little more, but today, speaking with Your Majesty Charlia, I realized how useless my worries were. As I am also in the position of the imperial people, I think I can tell how much Your Majesty thinks about the imperial people. Of course… I will not deny that I’m blinded by your beauty. Haha.”

“Ahhhhhh…”

“What will you do, Your Majesty?”

“What…”

“Will you get on the same boat…?”

“Of course! Of course! Absolutely! Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung! Of course!”

It was like seeing a starving demon.

I could see her standing up and holding my hand as soon as I reached out.

She, too, was surprised and let go of my hand, but she couldn’t possibly be in a bad mood.

It looked as if she had found a lantern in a dark place.

‘So easy…’

I initially thought it would be easy to control her, but it was easier than I imagined.

No one trusted her or looked for her. I understand that I’m her only ally, but seeing that she has infinite trust, I coughed with embarrassment.

“I don’t know how to react since you are welcoming me like this. Hahaha.”

“I-I showed an embarrassing…”

“No, Charlia. I’m rather happy that you showed it. Ahem… Then, it would be better to wrap up for today. Before it gets darker…”

“Ah… Yes. Let’s do that.”

She seemed a little disappointed, but I thought it couldn’t be helped.

If I kept staying in this room, I would really get in trouble. This would be all for today.

If we were going to work together in the future, I would need to correct her behavior, but today’s progress felt too hasty.

In fact, I could only advise on her schedule or behavior after I got a little closer to her.

When I got up and opened the door, I saw a smile on the maids’ faces waiting outside.

They must have checked Charlia’s face behind me.

The Princess sent me away with a delightful smile, and the maids who guided me looked the same.

“I don’t need a bath service today. I’ll do it myself, so don’t let anyone in the room for a while.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And be sure to ask when Lee Kiyoung will visit again.”

“Yes. Okay.”

Charlia’s voice toward the underling sounded very warm.

‘She felt something.’

I had to leave with light steps.

She seemed to have forgiven at least the minor mistakes when she was in a good mood.

I hated to think of this, but that aspect was definitely similar to me.

I was determined to scold Jung Hayan for the attendants’ problem, but I thought it would be hard to control my emotions.

Apart from the maids who guided me, I could feel the maids who heard the Princess’s words approaching at a rapid pace, and as I looked back, I saw them bowing their heads in a hurry.

As I quietly looked at her as if telling her to speak, I saw her nodding and opening her mouth.

“H-Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung.”

“Yes. You may talk.”

“Er… May I ask when you are visiting again?”

“Well… I have to think about it a little more…”

The maid’s face became gloomy at once.

“No… can you ask her if a lunch tomorrow is fine?”

“Yes. Okay!”

Her sad expression turned into one of happiness right away.

‘I know why.’

He seemed to think that I could make the crazy woman quiet.

I could tell without having to say it. I didn’t know how badly Charlia treated them, but I could be sure her kind disposition was a new treat.

Of course, I wasn’t the only one who had noticed her change.

“The First Princess has changed.”

It was one of the warmest news that hit the castle exactly three days from that day.