TUHWKM 01

Chapter 01

A certain famous novelist once said this.

A character in a novel, you say—would you… want to become one?

Back then, I just thought it was a clever answer. I never imagined it would become my reality.

“Charlotte, I like you.”

Drip, drip.

The black tea I had been holding in my mouth streamed down vertically.

“Why didn’t I realize? That my true love was never Leonie Schmidt, but you….”

Wavy golden hair gleaming as if coated in honey, fresh green eyes, a dazzling appearance one could believe was a statue.

“Please accept my feelings.”

What is this.

Why is this guy in front of me.

“Fa… Fabian?”

“Yes, your Fabian.”

“Oh my god.”

Clang!

“Charlotte!”

The teacup I was holding crashed to the floor. The shattering sound that pierced my eardrums snapped me to my senses.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Someone! Is there no one here…!”

“Wait, wait just a moment!”

I waved my hands urgently and asked.

“My name is, what did you say?”

“Why do you ask, Charlotte.”

Charlotte, he says.

That’s the name of the villainess in my novel.

And this guy is the male lead in my novel.

I looked at Fabian in front of me once, the ornate crown prince’s palace reception room once, the teacup across the table once. And with my remaining hand, I fumbled at the hem of my dress. Inside the pocket, I felt a small vial.

What is this?

Am I dreaming?

“Oh my god.”

Smack!

I raised my hand and slapped my own cheek.

It hurt.

“Charlotte! Are you alright? Your complexion doesn’t look good. Shall I call a physician?”

“…Did you drink it?”

“Pardon?”

“Did you really drink all of it? That black tea?”

“Didn’t we just drink together?”

“Crazy….”

No, that’s a love potion that makes you fall desperately in love with the person in front of you with just one drop. If Charlotte comes barging in acting suspicious, you should chase her out—why are you sitting here drinking tea with her!

“Spit it out, quickly!”

“Ah, Charlotte. That hurts.”

I jumped up and patted Fabian’s back, but there was no way the tea he’d already swallowed was coming back up.

“What do I do….”

All strength drained from my body.

Not only have I become the villainess in my novel, but now I’m in the scene where she brainwashes the male lead with a love potion.

Does this make any sense?

No, wait. Since he just drank it, if I fix this quickly, it might be fine. Even so, Charlotte is the greatest mage in the capital, so breaking the spell should be possible.

“Your Highness, look here for a moment.”

“Yes, if that is what you wish.”

“What do I even do….”

Fabian listens to Charlotte.

Normally, he should be looking at her with contempt, as if he doesn’t even want to exchange words. Why are his eyes so sweet, like they’re coated in honey? Get a grip.

I felt like crying, but I bit my lip hard and spread my hand.

“Now, Your Highness. From now on, I’m going to break the brainwashing. You’re going to go back to disliking me. Got it? Yah.”

“…….”

“Yah.”

A dark purple mist flowed from my hand, circled around Fabian, and then disappeared.

It’s not working.

Come to think of it, this potion was also made by Charlotte, of course. There’s no way it would break easily.

“Charlotte, just what are you trying to show me with such adorable behavior? Now that I think of it, your hands are quite pretty and dainty.”

Fabian gently stroked the back of my hand with an expression of unbearable affection.

You’re giving me goosebumps, so stop.

“Um, Crown Prince Your Highness? Something seems to have gone wrong here, so if you could just wait a moment….”

“My dear Charlotte. Don’t say anything.”

Fabian cut off my words, blinked his moist eyes, and slowly approached. His large hand gently cupped my cheek.

What is this.

This atmosphere, don’t tell me.

“No! Get away!”

“Charlotte?”

Shove—I pushed Fabian and shot up from my seat.

“I don’t want to kiss, Fabian!”

You, this is treason, you ill-mannered brat!

***

I’m doomed.

I’ve thought about it a hundred times over, but I am thoroughly doomed.

“Why did it have to be Charlotte….”

If it were at least an extra with no connection whatsoever to the main characters, that’d be one thing. But no—she’s the villainess who’s needlessly powerful and tears the two main characters’ mental states to shreds.

Is this even fair?

I’m the author, aren’t I?

“Ha….”

Through the carriage window, the beautiful scenery of the capital passed by. It matched perfectly with what I had described in my novel.

“Sniff.”

I’m so miserable I’m about to cry.

“Alright, calm down. The accident has already happened. Until this is resolved, Count and Countess Schmidt and Leonie must never find out.”

If the Count and Countess learn of Charlotte’s misdeeds, there’s no answer then. Leonie would faint, the Count and Countess would try to tear me to death, and after all this commotion reaches the Emperor’s ears, I’d be tried and executed.

The original Charlotte who lost her mind might be different, but I absolutely did not have the confidence to endure such hardship and adversity.

“Alright, let’s hit and run quickly.”

Return to the Count’s estate, pack my things, and swiftly flee to a remote place with good mountains and good water. And from afar, I’ll cheer on my babies’ love.

Since I’m a villainess destined to exit anyway, if I disappear quickly, everyone will be happy.

“Yeah, I’m the author, so can’t I do at least that? I can do it.”

***

I had that kind of dream.

…I had that kind of dream.

Smack!

My head whipped around with a stinging pain. I froze in the position of opening the Count’s mansion door.

“Scheming, wicked girl. I should never have taken you into this house.”

As if she’d been waiting, Countess Schmidt standing at the door ground her teeth.

“I took in and raised a bug with nothing but magic to offer. Just what kind of nonsense did you pull!”

In her hand, a letter with its seal torn to shreds dangled. It was the lengthy love letter Fabian had sent to Charlotte.

“Ah… His Highness sent that?”

I just got home.

When did he even send that?

Then another rough hand flew at me. This time, instead of slapping my cheek, she grabbed my head and started shaking it.

“Ugh!”

“You wretch, I knew this would happen. How dare you use filthy magic to push out our Leonie and try to become crown princess!”

How is she this strong!

My scalp felt like it was going to be ripped off.

My body lost its balance from the violent grip, swayed back and forth, and collapsed to the floor.

“Wait, let go of me…!”

“How dare you covet my daughter’s position?! If not for your tricks, why would His Highness the Crown Prince send a love letter to you!”

That was when it happened.

Roll, roll, thud.

I heard something rolling and falling.

“Mother, Charlotte. What on earth is going on right now….”

“Le, Leonie? So this is, I mean….”

“Aaah….”

“Kyaaak! Leonie! Wake up!”

“Oh my, young lady!”

“What are you all doing, get that thing out of my sight!”

“Yes, madam!”

The servants surrounded Leonie, and knights who came running bound me roughly. Forced face-down on the floor, I let out a hollow laugh.

Haha.

What a mess.