The Second Life's

XXXIV - Charlotte's Enthusiasm

“Why do you always defy my words? This is not you at all, Charlotte!” exciting Idris.

I looked up to Idris. “Idris, you said as if we were close for a long time. Not a day later we got engaged and you're curbing me. Besides, why is Miss Hindley here?!”

Rose smiled. “Of course I'm worried about you, Miss Charlotte. And I also want to apologize about my ambiguous nature to you earlier.”

“Do I ask you?” I glanced at Rose. “Already. I just go home to my parents. For the time being, please don't meet me, Idris.”

“Charlotte ..., what exactly happened to you? Why are you being weird like this?” ask Idris.

Ugh, I want to puke for being held by him. Is this a symptom of stress? And again, why am I weird? Where did all this madness start?

I pointed at Rose. “I don't want to see him. I better go.”

“Nona Hindley, come out!” scream Idris. Rose clucked in annoyance and stepped her legs out. Now, I and Idris are left. “Your condition is not stable.”

“Idris, I want to be alone,” I said without looking at him.

Idris took my hand. I don't know how many times he's done that. “I'm sorry for yelling at you. I'm also sorry that I made you jealous of Miss Hindley. Only you are in my heart, Charlotte.”

“Really?”

“Why won't you look at me?”

I'm down. “I want to go home,” I said without answering his question.

“Hm, okay. But you have to go home to the Bronze Palace,” Idris said.

I'm nodding. And that night, I was escorted back to the Bronze Palace by the Imperial train.

My eyes won't close even after lying down for a few minutes. A lot of weirdness I get in a day. Why should I dream of Mom and Dad? What does Idris have to do with my mom? Does this have anything to do with my mother being a Witch? The memories in that dream I can't remember in real life in the past. Is that just a dream? Or maybe it's a memory I've forgotten?

***

Chloe approached me with her worried face. After my engagement night until two days passed, I was reluctant to eat anything. I feel like I'm at the lowest point in my life again. Is the Goddess of Virtue really right about special potential? Whatisit? I can't do anything as long as Isla is in danger. He's my closest person and my responsibility. How can I stay here while Isla is in a tormented state?

“Nona ..” I regained my senses with Chloe's voice. When I saw him now all I thought about was the arrow that struck his heart. “Eat a little.”

“I want to be alone,” I said to Chloe. “Comeout.”

“Nona ..”

“Out!” I snapped at Chloe.

Chloe sighed and left me. I need to clear my fucked-up mind. I was determined to be strong ...

Idiotically.

“Charlotte?” Lucas' voice rang out from the communication crystal. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I'm fine.”

“Hm, I don't think.” Silent moment. “Sorry to make you face all these problems alone there. I'm very busy here. I'll take the time to visit you before my coronation.”

I let out a breath. “Lucas ..”

“What's up, Charlotte?”

“You know if I am engaged to Crown Prince Vanhoiren?”

“Uhm ..., yes. What's up with that?” ask Lucas.

“I don't like it. I hate my life right now. I hate it for putting Isla in danger. I hate being helpless and having to follow everything that has been outlined for me ...” I clenched my hand. Upset with everything. My brain is like a tangled rope.

Lucas sat on my bed. “What happened?” ask Lucas. “Your body is thinner than the last time we met, Charlotte!”

“I pushed myself too much,” I said bluntly.

He stroked my face, be careful. “I don't like it if you're like this. I'm sure if you don't touch a single meal served by your servants, right?”

“I have absolutely no appetite.”

My hand is clasped. His eyes narrowed when he saw the diamond ring on my ring finger. “Do you want to give up on our plan?” ask Lucas.

“How can I retreat if it's like this?” I asked Lucas. “This is also not my wish.”

“You must be strong, Charlotte. Hold on in a year. Just one year and all the problems will be solved,” said Lucas looks confident. “Don't be a kind Queen. Be a cruel Queen to those who hate you.”

“Will I try ...”

“No, Charlotte. Don' try. But you have to do it,” urged Lucas. “For all of us. For the sake of annihilation of dark magic.”

I'm nodding. “You're right, Lucas. I'm too naive right now. I shouldn't be like this.” I smiled to make Lucas not worry anymore. “Thank you for meeting me. I'm very helped.”

“Yes, it has become my duty to make my women not feel anxious and distracted at anything,” Lucas said. “Can you keep this promise with me?”

I nodded back.

“Back, Lucas. Sorry to have made you come here and leave the piled up work,” I said regretfully.

“It's okay. I don't want you to drag on in this mess.” Lucas approached and kissed my forehead briefly. “I hope I stay here and bribe you. But, I can't leave-”

“Lucas, relax. My mind has improved thanks to you,” I said with a smile. “I admit because of the engagement, I suddenly felt sick and upset. There is a strange turmoil in my heart that makes my mind not clear.”

Lucas smiled as well. “I know. After I leave, eat and rest to restore your body again. From now on contact me whenever you have a chance and need me.”

“Good, Lucas.” I nodded obediently.

Lucas opened the sliding cupboard and stopped. “But who is Mr Franklin? I heard it from Ava.”

“He was the knight who taught me to practice sword while in this Bronze Palace,” I replied.

“Oh, so. Alright. Since your body is still weak, just postpone the exercise for a few days. I don't want you to get hurt,” Lucas said.

After saying that, Lucas retired and returned to Avnevous. I took a breath and walked out of my room. Downstairs, I saw a lot of gift boxes just placed on the floor. I went downstairs and saw Holly and Chloe.

“Siang, Miss Winston ..” greet Holly.

“Who gave this?” manya curious.

“This is a shipment from His Highness the Crown Prince as an apology. Some other gift boxes will be delivered soon,” explained Holly.

I smile. “Bring that gift box to the Hindley Residence. Send in my own name.”

“But, Miss ..”

“I don't want to hear any explanation. Just follow what I asked,” I said to Holly.

“Alright, Miss Winston.”

I glanced at Chloe. “Make me lunch,” I said to him.

Chloe nodded. “Good, Miss.”