TUHWKM 02

Chapter 02

“Bug-like wench, don’t even think about stepping one foot out of this room!”

With the Count’s furious command as he belatedly arrived, I was locked in my room. Outside the door, dozens of knights were stationed.

…Where did it all go wrong?

“I’m going insane.”

Everything before my eyes went dark.

I let out a deep sigh and looked down at both my hands. Cold shackles were fastened around my white, slender wrists.

It was a mana suppression device that the Count forcibly put on whenever Charlotte displeased him. Because it forcibly absorbed mana, a stinging pain surged through me every time I moved my wrists.

“Normally they use me when it’s convenient, but only times like this do they always put on the suppression device.”

Even if I’m an adopted daughter raised to be used as a tool, this is too much. Putting on the suppression device at the drop of a hat is a violation of human rights, isn’t it?

“Wicked Count bastard.”

To be honest, eight out of ten reasons Charlotte became a villainess consumed by inferiority complex was because of the Count and Countess.

If they hadn’t so openly discriminated against her compared to their biological daughter Leonie, this kid would have just become a slightly prickly but competent mage.

Do you know how rare a genius proficient in both white magic and black magic is? There’s only one person on the entire continent with that talent, and you treat them like this?

I trembled with indignation, then stopped.

What’s the point of getting angry now.

This is all my karma.

“Damn it, my wrists hurt.”

They already hurt because of the mana suppression, and to make matters worse, the shackles were so tight that my wrists, cut off from blood circulation, throbbed.

“At this rate, I can’t even run away….”

Leonie had fainted from shock, and the Count and Countess were furious beyond measure. At this rate, I’d be locked in this room forever, then interrogated by the Emperor who’d notice something was off, and after a sluggish trial, I’d be beheaded.

No matter how much it’s for the sake of the main characters, I didn’t want that.

“Alright, I’ll turn myself in.”

The conclusion came quickly.

If a full-scale investigation began under the Emperor’s command, it would be an helpless death sentence, but if I turned myself in, there would be extenuating circumstances. With luck, I might even receive leniency in the form of exile.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Clink.

“Ah, right. Because of this, I can’t use magic right now….”

I tried to jump up but stopped awkwardly, conscious of the suppression device.

I was going to use teleportation magic, but there’s no helping it.

I quietly moved away from the door where the knights were stationed and opened the window. Fortunately, no guards were stationed below the window.

The problem was that this was the second floor.

I won’t die from falling, right?

If I land on the bushes, it should be fine.

“Inhale.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and threw myself down.

***

“Charlotte Schmidt.”

A murderous voice poured down from above my head.

I unconsciously swallowed dryly and bowed my head.

I could feel the Emperor’s cold gaze sweeping down my spine.

“Is what you just said the truth.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Ha.”

The Emperor’s reaction was one of disbelief.

I understand.

If a mad, rampaging mage who was running wild until just yesterday came kneeling and saying she’d realized her mistakes overnight, even I would doubt my ears.

But right now, this is the only way.

“As you’ve probably already guessed, I used black magic to brainwash His Highness the Crown Prince. I tried to take the place of Leonie Schmidt, who is like an older sister to me, and become crown princess.”

“Impudent thing, so it was indeed your doing.”

In the original work, the Emperor noticed Charlotte’s crimes but suffered for a while.

Black magic, unlike white magic, leaves no traces.

Especially, the potion given to the Crown Prince was developed by Charlotte herself, and the spell formula itself was so intricate and detailed that it was virtually impossible to find evidence.

Charlotte had feigned innocence, as if mocking the Emperor and the Count and Countess, saying, “His Highness the Crown Prince simply had a change of heart—what can I do about it?”

The fact that the Emperor, after twists and turns, discovered the crime and immediately sentenced Charlotte to death probably had a lot to do with how frustrated he was during the investigation.

I can’t let it become like that.

I obediently bowed my head.

“I have committed a crime deserving of death. I have no words to offer. Furthermore, I deeply reflect on the fact that I have disturbed the capital and tormented the nobles with various magics, instilling fear in them.”

“Ha, what a convincing act. You don’t think such words can offset the countless evil deeds you’ve committed, do you.”

The Emperor growled.

“What is your reason for saying this? Are you not scheming again with that wicked tongue of yours?”

How menacing.

Charlotte must be frightening indeed. To be suspicious even at a time like this.

Well, of course—in the original work, after executing Charlotte, they even burned her corpse to ashes.

I thought for a moment and then answered.

“Because I want to live.”

“What did you say.”

“Everyone wants me dead, don’t they. To the point where if it weren’t for the Schmidt County, my life would have ended long ago.”

Villainess Charlotte.

Charlotte, who deserved to die.

People called Charlotte that. When that child was executed on the guillotine and her corpse burned, everyone cheered in unison.

No one mourned that death.

Not a single person.

“I’ve grown tired of living like that.”

Of course, the biggest reason is Leonie and Fabian’s love line, but it’s also true that I didn’t want to repeat Charlotte’s miserable death—she was my sore spot throughout all my writing.

So hurry up and banish me.

You all be happy in your own way.

And I’ll find my own way to live.

“Impudent thing, how ridiculous it is to come running before the Emperor confessing your crimes and then beg for your life.”

“It’s not solely for the purpose of begging for my life. If I die while His Highness the Crown Prince’s brainwashing isn’t broken, who knows what side effects might occur. This magic is designed to gradually break as His Highness the Crown Prince distances himself from me. So please, me….”

That was when it happened.

“Let go of me, I’m going to Charlotte!”

Beyond the door, there was a commotion, and then Fabian appeared with knights trailing behind him. He saw me kneeling before the Emperor, and his face crumpled.

“Charlotte…!”

Oh my god.

Why is he here.

“Why are you here? This is all a conspiracy. Others may not know, but I do. These feelings aren’t fake—I love you!”

“Your Highness, you mustn’t do this. Your mind and body are still in a fragile state!”

“Silence!”

At Fabian’s shout, I squeezed my eyes shut.

What do I do, seriously.

Charlotte, why are you so powerful?

Can brainwashing be this potent?

“I told you, didn’t I? The one I truly love is only you. So why are you ruining yourself like this? What does a mere political marriage matter…!”

He’s saying something that could get him in serious trouble.

I hastily checked the Emperor’s reaction. I could see the anger that had slightly subsided rising again.

No!

I was persuading him so well until now. At this rate, I won’t even break even!

“Crown Prince, what kind of disgrace is this….”

“No, Your Majesty!”

“Charlotte?”

“It’s true that I brainwashed him. He became strange while drinking tea with me. I put the potion in. Who else but me? I’m good at brainwashing magic. When he wakes up, he’ll regret these actions, you know?”

So please, just disappear.

“Lies!”

“What are you going to do when the brainwashing actually breaks….”

“Then answer me this. Why did you turn yourself in? If your brainwashing were real, you could have just had me!”

Right, he has no intention of quietly disappearing.

I really didn’t want to say this much.

There’s no helping it.

“…Why did I turn myself in, you ask?”

“Yes! Why on earth…!”

“Because Your Highness is like a child to me.”

Fabian froze.

The knights who had been restraining him, and the Emperor who had been clenching his fist on the throne, all lost their words and stared at me.

“…Pardon?”

“I said like a child, a child.”

I’m the author, and you’re the male lead.

“Can Your Highness date your son?”

I can’t.

Would I go against the laws of nature