# 379
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379
The entire palace was in an uproar. Since it was an official visit, Charlotte visited with the Linosa flag displayed.
This is the first time that the veiled Grand Duchess Charlotte of Linosa has made an official appearance in the empire.
Even though she was completely different from Michael, she was a beauty who was worthy of the Archduke.
Now that marriage talks were being discussed, the entire imperial palace was in an uproar.
Asuka was the only one who was completely unaware of that fact.
Area heard about it long ago because she contacted Charlotte, but she didn’t tell Asuka.
In fact, Area was unkind and did not feel the need to talk to Asuka except in the bare minimum cases.
“I heard that Grand Duchess Rinosa visited the imperial palace?”
Asuka learned about this for the first time after Xian, who had visited the imperial palace library, told her.
Although they say they came to say hello, there is an unmarried crown prince in the empire and Asuka, who appeared this time.
Marriage talk cannot help but be mentioned.
Asuka felt strange that she, who was in and out of the imperial palace and attended the ball, was completely unaware of this fact.
Didn’t her mother always let her know in advance about important upcoming events?
Why did he not know anything about this important event?
‘Perhaps?’
“I think it would be a different feeling to see Charlotte wearing a dress and dancing at the ball while pretending to be a grand duchess.”
“What kind of ball is this for commoners?”
Asuka immediately scolded Xian for muttering and went straight to Archduke Farnese to question him.
“Father, how did this happen? “You couldn’t have called Charlotte because of me, right?”
He also had in mind that if he became Archduke Farnese’s heir, he could end up with Charlotte, but he didn’t know that it would happen in this way without even saying anything.
A reprimand from Archduke Farnese came immediately.
“She is officially visiting the empire as a member of the Grand Duchy of Rinosa, so even if she is your junior, I will not allow you to call her by her name. “I guess I’ll have to take etiquette training again.”
Once you come out strong, it is natural for your opponent to relent.
Moreover, Asuka is dented when talking about etiquette education.
But this time he didn’t give in and asked.
“This is an unofficial place, and I wonder if Charlotte came to the Empire because of me. “He’s still a student and hasn’t even graduated. What are you doing?”
A light of doubt filled Asuka’s eyes as she argued.
What if Charlotte really came to talk about marriage because of him? For some reason, I felt embarrassed and wanted to step back.
Asuka was clearly unprepared. It was too early in terms of timing.
“It was decided by Grand Duke Rinosa. Do you think I can decide on her visit?”
Archduke Farnese subtly sidestepped the point with a clever expression.
Of course, it is true that Grand Duke Rinosa makes that decision.
However, it is clear that Mr. Rin owes a debt due to the Crown Prince assassination incident, and you can make a decision and make demands from this side, right?
“So your father wasn’t involved?”
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince likes her. I heard that she was a prosecutor, but I didn’t expect that she would be such a beautiful noble woman. “She was a dignified young lady befitting her status as the grand princess of Linosa.”
“You mean your father saw it himself? what. Charlotte, is she wearing a dress? “It doesn’t suit me.”
Asuka, hearing compliments about the girl I like somehow made me feel relieved.
Archduke Farnese coolly watched his son’s reaction. What if he loses Grand Duchess Linosa to the crown prince?
‘Will Asuka be willing to accept it?’
In matters like these, Archduke Farnese was completely unable to predict Asuka’s reaction.
This is the woman who helped him settle down in the empire he avoided until his death. It was fortunate that it ended with just grabbing the crown prince by the collar.
However, since he also seemed weak to Grand Princess Rinosa, he might have accepted her rejection meekly.
‘Grand Duchess Rinosa’s feelings are the biggest variable.’
As of now, Asuka and Charlotte are close seniors and juniors. Even if the crown prince intervenes, there is no problem.
In the face of an arranged marriage that unites countries, Asuka’s unrequited love is trivial.
From the perspective of Grand Duchess Linosa, she did not know whether the Crown Prince would be considered a better spouse.
If she were to be pushed out as successor by Michael, who is rumored to be estranged from her, it would be a burden for her to stay in Rinosa, and becoming the empress of the empire is the highest position she can hold.
Anyway, if we were to look at Asuka and the Crown Prince alone, the Crown Prince would be evaluated much higher.
‘You’re in trouble. It would have been better for the two of us to strengthen our relationship.’
However, if I were to invite her to the Grand Duke Farnese’s residence instead of requesting an official visit as the Grand Duchess of Linosa, I could not guarantee that she would respond.
Archduke Farnese also knew about her awkward position between Linosa and Helmut.
Since her brother Helmut was visiting here, it was a pity to invite her to the Archduke’s Mansion.
Even if Charlotte agrees, this is going to be difficult. This is because there is a high possibility that Helmut’s existence will become known in Linosa, and if that happens, it may give the impression that Archduke Farnese is on the wrong side of Linosa or wants to intervene in the search for a successor.
Archduke Farnese, who was troubled by many complicated thoughts, told Asuka what he needed to tell her.
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is interested in her.”
“Oh yeah? Well, Charlotte is also the top student at Greta Academy.”
It was Asuka who simply passed it over out of concern for talent. Didn’t the crown prince also show interest in Xian, the second lieutenant?
Archduke Farnese sighed inwardly and decided to make him aware.
“He thought Grand Duchess Rinosa was a woman worthy of being an empress.”
At that moment, Asuka’s movements stopped.
“She said that if she doesn’t see anyone else, she would like to use this opportunity to get to know each other.”
Asuka showed an explosive reaction late.
“…What are you talking about? Isn’t this kid crazy? Crown Prince, don’t you know why she visited the empire?”
Archduke Farnese quietly issued a warning.
“Be careful with your words and actions. “Are you going to call him that way in front of His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Even though he was a member of the royal family, it was a sound worthy of being taken to prison.
“No, my cousin, whom I didn’t know until now, said he was going to steal my girl, so now I have to use an honorific title? What did your father say? “Can you just leave it alone?”
Asuka’s face was revealed to want to give the prince a good slap.
Looking at him with such indignation that his face was red, Archduke Farnese calmly assessed how serious a problem this was for Asuka.
“I said it was her choice. And strictly speaking, aren’t you and Grand Princess Rinosa just seniors and juniors?”
So, it means that there is no moral problem.
But that was too objective and not something Asuka’s father would say.
Asuka already had a strong, groundless perception that Charlotte and herself had some kind of relationship, so she did not give in to what Archduke Farnese said.
Aren’t they just going through life and death together in the forest of Pahe?
“So you’re telling me to have as much fun as I want? Are you saying that Archduke Farnese is on the Crown Prince’s side rather than his son?”
“If His Highness the Crown Prince really wants it, there is nothing I can do to stop it. “It is impossible to kidnap Grand Princess Linosa and make her be with you.”
When Archduke Farnese strongly asked if she wanted that, Asuka relented slightly.
“No, that’s not true.”
“Wouldn’t this problem be solved if you win her heart? “We have been together for a long time, and now that I am with you, social status is not an obstacle, so I think you have an advantage.”
“That’s right.”
Asuka nodded to Archduke Farnese’s calm persuasion. There were also aspects where he had an advantage.
First of all, in Charlotte’s eyes, the crown prince would not appear very good. A type of flashy nobleman who would only be popular in social circles.
The crown prince was much weaker than her, not just weak, but weak, and handsome, and it wouldn’t be strange if he dressed as a woman.
Of course, since he was the crown prince, he was very cultured and had the dignity of the next emperor, but wasn’t he a corrupt guy?
“Then wouldn’t it be better to calm down your anger now and show her your different side?”
“…That also makes sense.”
Asuka was originally a self-centered person.
Asuka, who had come to a conclusion in her favor thanks to Archduke Farnese’s words, ended the conversation with her father with that.
Archduke Farnese, who calmed the typhoon that had hit him with a little conversation, looked for a way to help his son with some concern.
Asuka, who calmed down her anger and returned to her room to think deeply, soon became angry again.
‘But this bastard has no sense of loyalty!’
Asuka went to see the prince full of anger.
Unexpectedly, the crown prince accepted his unexpected visit obediently.
“What’s going on Asuka?”
Asuka was confused for a moment as she faced the crown prince, who greeted her with a friendly smile.
There was no sign of remorse or discomfort on the crown prince’s face.
‘Yes, I saved your life, but are you really going to attack Charlotte? ‘Isn’t it that you don’t know something or that your father was mistaken?’
He threw it straight away.
“I heard that you are interested in the Grand Princess of Rinosa.”
“That’s right.”
It was so readily accepted that Asuka was speechless for a moment.
He immediately gritted his teeth and spoke.
“Is it okay to be mean to my cousin’s sister like this?”
He still had the presence of mind to recognize that the other person was the crown prince.
“Strictly speaking, she is not your woman and she has no special relationship with you. And you don’t know what she will think of you, do you? And he might have feelings for me.”
The confidence of a crown prince who had lived his entire life as a popular man radiated from him.
He was of the highest rank in the empire, handsome, cultured, and royal. Moreover, if you marry him, you will become the Crown Princess.
All of his elements were of the highest quality.
Asuka said, pretending to be serious.
“And wouldn’t it be a shame if I got dumped? “I’m telling you this because I’m worried about Your Majesty the Crown Prince.”
The crown prince accepted it with a relaxed smile.
“Thank you for your concern, but you don’t have to worry. Unless you’re doing this because you’re worried about losing to me in competition. “Didn’t women always have the right to choose?”
It was natural that Asuka’s expression distorted at those words.
